TIME ELAPSED SINCE DEPARTURE : 20 WEEKS
DISTANCE TRAVELLED : 8400 KM
TARRA VALLEY
This little hidden gem of an area is tucked away in the Strzelecki Ranges in southern Vic and is a treat of giant tree ferns, rugged bush and massive Mountain Ash eucalypt trees – the worlds tallest flowering plant. These beauties can grow to over 300 feet. There are also waterfalls and babbling streams that have platypus in a genuine rainforest setting. (Sooz: Although we failed to spot any platypus. 
) This therefore includes a cooler, damper micro-climate which is exactly what was served up (certainly cooler!). We both agreed that we could never live there as it’s just too damp and cold and somewhat gloomy, but the area certainly has a few hardy residents (but you could never be sure which eye was looking at you……!) (Sooz: Leigh had visited the area as a kid when Donkey had a holiday cottage there.)
The bird life is spectacular (Sooz: an understatement) and we completed several walks and some nice drives including to the top of Mt Tassie which, apparently on a clear day, you can see Flinders Island in the middle of Bass Strait. Alas – the day we were there was grey and drizzly. (Sooz: We still had some amazing vistas presented)
It was at the park we stayed at where we had a bit of a hiccup with Eric-the-Viking (our car). I inadvertently left the accessory option on all of one night and the next morning we had a completely flat, dead battery that a jump from the site manager’s vehicle would not rectify. Panic stations! (Leigh) So a call from a phone booth (there was no mobile service) to the NRMA who then relayed the call to the RACV resolved the issue. Fortunately, a new battery was not needed – all seemed to be OK after running Eric for an hour or so.
The small caravan park we stayed at was mostly empty over the 4 nights but it had a unique camp kitchen that was like an old, rustic log cabin and we had an open fire blazing each night. It was a nice experience in this little corner of Gippsland. (Sooz: Even if the weather can be a bit gloomy, I still recommend a short visit, as it really is beautiful.)
WILSONS PROMONTORY
I cannot figure out why so many people north of Canberra have never heard of ‘The Prom’ or have no idea where it is, or both. I say this because it is a significant place. It is not only one of Australia’s most spectacular (and large) National Parks, but it is also the most southern place on the mainland. We all know Cape York and Byron as other prominent compass points, so why not this place which is also incredibly spectacular? (Sooz: Triavia Question – no google cheating – What is the most westerly point in Australia mainland?)
The Tidal River campground has 500 sites but only 20 offer power connection. It is one road in and out and people can use this as a base for the many often strenuous hikes to secluded sections of the park including that southernmost point which is a 12 hour return, 19km trek. We didn’t tackle that but we did a few smaller walks and a climb to the top of the 1500 foot Mt Oberon which offers one of the best views I have ever experienced. We sat on the rocky top for about 45 minutes taking in a vista that is difficult to describe in its beauty and vastness. (Sooz: It felt a bit like being at the top of the world, instead of down under. 
) We could see Flinders Island in Bass Strait which is 150 km away and closer to Tasmania than we were! Like the tip of Cape York, the southernmost tip (which is simply called South Point!) also has a number of islands scattered off it. There are seal colonies and that always inviting-looking turquoise water encircling the many hidden bays & beaches around the Prom. (Sooz: Bloody cold water!) A walk we took late one afternoon enabled us to spot kangaroos, herds of emus and a wombat. You New South Welshmen need to discover what Victorians have known about forever. We need to see more NSW numberplates in the parking lot!
The only downside was the dust! There was a strong wind the whole time and the relatively small area that is allocated for powered sites was a rather grassless, dusty spot. So the resulting mini willy-willy’s left a layer of dust on everything that re-appeared within an hour of wiping it off. The traditional camping sites at the other end of the rather vast campground is more bushy and has a better grass cover. This is noted for ‘next time’.
MORNINGTON
On the shores of Port Phillip Bay and in the Mornington Peninsula region some 60 km from Melbourne lies the rather trendy village of Mornington. The main street (imaginatively called Main Street) has a good variety of cafes and bars and there are a couple of great pubs. At the end of the street lies the beach and pier and a pretty park that was popular on a warm Xmas day and Sooz & I used it as a venue for our Xmas dinner (BBQ seafood).
On Xmas Eve we took a slow drive to super upmarket Portsea and walked the 4 km to the heads of the bay and the wild body of water therein called ‘The Rip’. It’s a narrow opening to the bay and a lot of water attempts to get in and out with the tides and this causes it to boil and surge. It fascinates me and I can sit and watch it for ages. Nearby is the ‘beach’ where PM Harold Holt disappeared from in 1968. It not a beach – it’s a wild, rocky and very obviously dangerous foreshore that no human being with an IQ higher than a fish would consider swimming there. Why he did and why he was allowed to is beyond my comprehension but the thing is, he swam there regularly! The inevitable happened. (Sooz: Harold Holt was prime minister for less than two years. After he disappeared, there were numerous conspiracy theories, but a court has ruled – it was an accidental death)
It was so good to see my 98 year old Auntie ‘Donkey’ Marjory in her nursing home on Xmas morning for a glass or two of bubbles before Sooz & I hit a couple of bay beaches. It was a glorious warm & sunny day and the water temp was surprisingly inviting. (Sooz: No joke – if I can swim in it, it could not have been too cold!)
Melbourne was obliging in serving up weather that it is famous for. Boxing Day was another fine and quite warm day that made a great lunch with friends ‘Doigy’ & Julie even better. The 27th Dec was a scorching 37 degrees and the oppressive overnight minimum of 28 degrees was the warmest for 10 years and made for a tough night sleeping. (Sooz: Someone could not sleep with the aircon running. It wasn’t me. ) Then the 28th arrived and at 2 in the afternoon it was only 19 degrees with light rain and a strong, gusty wind. So thanks for the 4 seasons in 24 hours Melbourne, but you are welcome to keep that feature to yourself! A big shout-out to my old friends Chook, Togga, Pricey & Lynn who dropped by our caravan on that scorching day for a drink, and a ‘good on you’ to ‘Davo’ Brown who went out of his way to catch up with us. Finally, a huge thankyou to Suzie Lyon and her husband Keith for all that you do and we really enjoyed the lunch we shared.
GEELONG
Around the other side of Port Phillip Bay, 75km from Melb and in it’s own bay-within-the-bay lies this staunchly loyal one-football-team town. Their waterfront which bumps up against the CBD has been nicely re-developed with a large sea baths, walkways, parks, restaurants etc. (Sooz: I loved the historic seabaths. It has not really been modernised – wooden circular pier with diving platforms and pontoons. What a fabulous place to hang out on a HOT summers day). Down the road is the Bellarine Peninsula with wineries and rather quaint seaside villages and the historic town of Queenscliff that overlooks The Rip (the entrance to Port Phillip Bay). And around the corner from there are a couple of great ocean beaches including Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads. If you ventured further along the coast from here you hit The Great Ocean Road and famous surfing spots like Lorne and Bells Beach. (Sooz: Surprisingly, the Bellarine Peninsula was nowhere near as busy as the Mornington Peninsula, which was quite refreshing.) We were chauffeured around to the secret spots on a warm day by my daughter Sarah and her partner Emma. We ate donuts (Sooz: and more donuts) and swam in the ocean, were shouted dinner at a pub (thanks Sah ) and then headed off to watch the New Years fireworks at the Geelong waterfront. It seemed like the entire town had the same idea – the place was buzzing. It was a great day/night!
And a very special ‘Thanks a bunch’ to Neville & Robyn from Mildura whom we were very glad to meet during our travels in the Yeppoon area. They happened to be in Port Lonsdale which is just down the road from Geelong and they very kindly invited us to a fabulous BBQ lunch with family members Lou & Jeanette. Lovely to see you guys again!
TARRA VALLEY CARAVAN PARK FERNHOLME : 7/10
TIDAL RIVER CAMPGROUND: 7.5/10 (needs a few more toilets & showers and an upgrade to the ones that exist – but a sensational area)
Sooz: 7/10 – until they change the desolate powered camp area, I recommend ONLY staying in the unpowered sites closer to Norman Beach.
FYI – there is every type of accommodation available in the area -from safari tents to beach glamping and everything in between.
MORNINGTON GARDENS HOLIDAY PARK: 6.5/10
Sooz: 7/10 – It was clean, and neat, and we had a fantastic ensuite bathroom.
DISCOVERY PARKS, BELMONT, GEELONG 6.5/10 (I might be harsh with the mark, but the place was packed (to be expected at Xmas/New Year) and all the little darlings that were on holidays with their new Chrissy toys like bikes and scooters and remote-controlled cars were up at 6am playing and didn’t go to bed until 10pm!) Sooz: I’ll be even harder and give it a 6/10!
Looks like you’re having a ball.
Happy New Year to you both and happy travels..
Big hugs from us.. 💜
I’m so envious…
Thanks for sharing your travels,
Best to you
Mairin & Gus
Loving all your posts and pics! Thanks so much for sharing. I feel like I’m right there with you! 🙂 I remember going to Wineglass Bay many moons ago. That hike was very hard and I was in my twenties! 🙂 Miss you both!!