Pt 2 - Day 52 - Exploring the island

After talking to a few people we decide to head for a camping ground on the north of the island at Stokes Bay.  We are surprised by how good the roads are and how we don't feel like we are on an island at all.  At one point, I say to Glen that I feel like I am driving somewhere between Cadoux and Kalannie, as the vegetation is very similar, there are paddocks either side of the road in places, and the roads are narrow.

We arrive at quite an uninviting camp site and an even more uninviting bay, covered with lots of rocks and no sign of anywhere to swim.  The weather isn't very conducive for swimming anyway so we decide it is a good day to jump back in the car and explore the island further.  We are staying until Friday so we have 4 more nights in which to camp, so we want to explore while we don't have the van on the back.  First we take a dirt track over to Emu Bay which everyone has been raving about.  I don't know if it is the dull weather or what, but Emu Bay certainly doesn't do much for us either.  The beach has no waves and is covered in weed and the camp is quite a walk away from the beach, has no trees and only one lone camper parked there.  So we move onto Kingscote, the capital, I guess you would say, of the island.
We immediately notice the machinery dealers as there are quite a lot of farms over here.  Kingscote is probably about the same size as Wongan I suppose.  We have a look down the main street and notice there is pelican feeding at 5pm at the wharf.  For a small fee of course!!!!  Apart from the late time, we aren't keen to delve into our pockets again so soon, and after a chat with a local lady in the shop, she informs us that if we go down to the wharf now, the pelicans will be there and sure enough they were.  We had a great time watching them prune and clean themselves.  After this we called into the local Bee hive.  The island has very strict rules on bringing in bee products as they breed a particular type of "bee" over here, not found in many other parts of the country.  Bee products galore, the kids didn't know where to spend their money first, the only catch being of course, is none of these products can be taken back into WA, so they had to get something small, that could be eaten in only a couple of weeks......easy done!!!!

Next we went to the local Sheep Dairy, just in time for milking.  All the sheep were being herded into the shed.  We go in and sign up for the tour.  We watch the DVD explaining the process they go through to make the final products, then we are ushered into the next room where we are able to sample a variety of cheeses and yogurts and read the informative panels around the room.  Then we move to the area where the milking is being done.  You are able to view it through a window.  All the sheep are head down enjoying a feed and all hooked up to milking machines just like cows.  We learn that there are only 7 sheep dairies in Australia as opposed to 1000 in Europe, which surprised me given the number of sheep we have.  The products are delicious, so we head off with a few purchases under our arms.  They don't sell the milk though, so we didn't get to taste that.

Next stop Vivonne Bay.  We want to find our next camp site as we have decided not to go into either of the caravan parks over here due to the cost.  The Vivonne camp is much better, 3 minute showers, a playground, water available and we can have a powered site for $10 a night.  The river and beach is just over the sand dunes where the kids can surf and we can fish.  We decide there and then that we are moving here tomorrow and just hope there is a spot available.

We head back to our uninviting camp which is costing us $15 a night, no showers, no power, no water!!!!   After talking to yet more people today we decide there must be more to Stokes Bay as everyone raves about it so we decide to explore.  We head down the rocky bay and look closely at the big boulders at the end.  There seems to be a path through them so we squeeze through the rocks working our way up and then down, after a few minutes we emerge out the other side to a beautiful bay!!!!!  Wow, so this is what all the fuss is about.  A small pool is cut off from the beach by rocks which is probably chest deep in places, small fish swimming in it, and beyond this some nice waves, no weeds and a beautiful stretch of sand.  It is only about 22C but Shannae is straight in the water, our little mermaid.  Cody, the beach boy, is digging for water and burying himself, and Tori enjoys a bit of solitude exploring the rocks.
Tonight we enjoy bruichetta and Haloumi from the sheep, for tea and a family game of monopoly.  A big day.

Pt 2 - Day 51 - Kangaroo Island

This morning we pack up from our camping spot and head towards Cape Jervis.  I have started driving again which has been nice for both Glen and myself.  The roads are much less hilly and much less scary, so I have my eyes open most of the time now!!!!  I haven't driven since we have been back, so it is a nice change.  After nearly 200km we come across a small town called Wellington.  To our surprise we have to get a barge across a small section of the Murray River.  They don't seem too concerned about the size of us, so we just come aboard!!!!

We then drive through a number of small towns before we stop at Port Elliot for lunch and a small break.  We then stop in Victor Harbour where we do a huge grocery shop and we hit Big W, where we always get our photos developed, and the kids stock up on books as they are all out of reading material ........again!!!!!

We then head down to Cape Jervis.  The plan is to suss out the Sealink boat to Kangaroo Island.  We figure we will stay somewhere close by if we have to and maybe go across tomorrow or the next day.  We know it is going to be expensive to take the van across, but trying to find storage and pay for accommodation is also going to be a hassle and costly, so we head down to the wharf to see if we can access any specials.  After much discussion and negotiation we find ourselves boarding the boat for the 6pm trip back to Kangaroo Island........how did that happen so quickly???

Glen reversing onto the boat.  The lady at the counter said she had never checked on a van so big!!

We are all very excited.  It is as rough as anything, but the kids are very happy with there free hot drink offer they all recieve from the lovely lady behind the counter, and we don't mention the "s" word, and luckily after only 45minutes, we arrive without any need for the strategically placed bags at the end of our table!!!!

We drive off the barge and pretty much straight into a caravan park where we set up for the night, as it is too late to travel any further.  Phew ... what a day, this morning we certainly didn't expect to be sleeping on Kangaroo Island tonight!!!

Pt 2 - Day 50 - 42 Mile Crossing rest area

Hi Everyone, we haven't fallen off the face of the earth, on Kangaroo Island at present and have not had reception, discovered this morning I can get two bars over the other side of the sand dune, so I am sitting on top of the hill watching Shannae swim!!


So, where were we??

This morning we leave Port Fairy fairly late, the weather is overcast and cold, no one is in a hurry to get out of bed and we aren't travelling too far today anyway.  We drive for about 150km before we reach the SA border.  I was expecting a big quarantine station, where we would be stopped and inspected, but no...nothing, but a little yellow bin on the side of the road with "Quarantine items" written on it!!!  So we jump out of the van and dutifully throw out the little bit of lettuce and cucumber we couldn't eat last night!!

We stop at Mt Gambier to get some fuel.  Drizzling rain continues and we buy the worst coffee we have had so far!!!!  We buy the local paper, which is always interesting.  We miss the West Australian and knowing what is going on at home.

We drive on with a rest stop in mind for the night, as there is no need for to stay in a park for a sleep over.  We finally reach our destination of "The Granites" rest area.  A rest stop about 3km off the track, bitumen all the way in, but it is essentially a big bitumised parking area next to the beach, which has a few granite outcrops.  No trees, no toilets, only one other van parked here and to our surprise in the drizzling rain, a nice big snake trying to soak up the little warmth he can off the road....mmmmm.......going to the toilet in the bush is not going to be much fun here.  Glen shoos him away and we have a chat to the fellow caravanners.  We reluctantly decide this spot will do, until we return to our car, only to discover our friendly slithery friend has also returned to his spot, that's it, we are out of here!!!!!  "We need a toilet too" the cry comes from the back!!!  So out comes the camping book to search for the next spot, which has a toilet!!!

Luckily, there are quite a few rest stops along this road and we eventually find a great one, 3km off the road on gravel, but it is a council camp ground.  Toilets, well, long drops, but well maintained.  This is just perfect.  We keep the van hooked up and go for the 1.5km walk to the beach where the sand is just covered in broken shells.  The kids search for treasures and we watch the sun start to go down over the right side of the ocean for a change!!!!

Pt 2 - Day 49 - Port Fairy

It is a beautiful sunny day today.  Blowing a howling gale, but it is dry, so off I head to the washing machines, along with the rest of the park!!!  We decide to have a look around Port Fairy today so we head straight to the information centre.  Port Fairy has a little island just near the wharf so we go and have a look at that.  It is called Griffith Island and it takes about and hour to walk around.  We have read that it is home to Mutton birds, which are currently listed as endangered.  They have chosen this island as one of their breeding grounds, however, when we head over to the island we start to notice a lot of dead birds.  They are everywhere, from the minute we step on the island, right around to the other side.  We ask a couple of ladies who look like locals, and they explain that no one knows why they have been dying lately and scientist are currently looking into it.  The birds actually nest underground rather than in trees which makes them very venerable to prey, but it is hard to imagine that so many could be dead without a mark on them.

This is the path that joins the island and the main land.

Anyway, apart from this, the walk around the island was pleasant, we head out to the lighthouse and along the beach on the other side.  Cody comes back to the car loaded up with bits and pieces, always collecting treasures, and a heap of cuttlefish for Uncle Dave's birds!!

We then went down the main street for lunch where we found a lovely little cafe called Rebecca's.  Boy, can Rebecca cook up a storm.  A popular spot with the locals and the tourist.

After lunch Tori and I went and had a look at some art galleries as Port Fairy is just full of them.  First we went to the glass blowing which is always so interesting to watch.  Tori bought herself a glass blown bead which she got put on some leather to where as a necklace.  I refrained, but could have spent a fortune in here.  We wandered through a few more galleries and met some of the local people who were very interesting to talk to.  They are all getting ready for the annual Folk Festival to be held next weekend which brings another 30000 people to the town, quadrupling its population for the long weekend.

This afternoon the kids and Glen swim in the heated pool and I blog and do office work, quite nice to have a minute to myself.  We eat tea in the camp kitchen as it is too cold to eat outside and the rain is threatening again.  I try to use up all our fruit and veg as we have to cross the border tomorrow and I know Quarantine is quite strict here.  Tonight Glen and I look at the map book and try to decide where we go next.  It is our last night in Victoria and we both feel a bit sad that we are on our way back, as we are conscious that our special journey is coming to an end.

Pt 2 - Day 48 - Great Ocean Road - Apostles

 It rains most the night again and the forecast is for more rain.  Not much fun doing bush walking in the rain so we reluctantly decide to move on, as today is supposed to be the better day out of the next three and it is not shaping up too good.  We pack up with the mud under foot, the kids have time for a bit more of a play and we move on up the Great Ocean Road, again the outside temp is 16C, only moving up by a couple of degrees by lunch time.  We call into a lovely little cafe in Princetown for a toilet stop and a cuppa.  What an inviting little place this is.  We sit here for a while an peruse all the home made produce and chat to the lady who is a local dairy farmer.  Then we head on to see the 12 Apostles.

It is just blowing a gale out here.  The scenery is just magnificent and we stop and look at all the things we can see on the way, along with every other tourist and caravanner.  Over the years these amazing formations have been developed and will continue to change with the wind and water erosion.  Eventually I guess, the 12 Apostles will be become 11 and 10 and so on.  We have also heard talk of resorts being built out here which would be a shame.  It strikes me that some of the most amazing sites we have seen in our travels have all been a result of the ultimate artist herself "Mother Nature".  The gorges, the Great Barrier Reef and this spectacular coastline.

We drive on and before we know it we have left the Great Ocean Road, feeling a bit flat as it was a shorter than expected trip.  We don't no where to stay next as we now have no plans or deadlines which is how we like it.  We drive through a few more towns and then Warnambool which is just enormous.  We settle on Port Fairy which the kids like the sound of.  We check into a park with a heated pool which is a very popular decision, but best of all, "No timers" on the showers!!!!

Pt 2 - Day 47 - Great Ocean Road - Walks to Falls/ Apollo Bay

We want to make the most of the fine weather as we are aware it is going to be short lived.  We hear about the Otway zip line and tree top walk, the zip line is a 2.5 hour tour of the top of the forest hanging from a rope, basically like a flying fox but for much longer.  I had myself all psyched to do it until we found out the price.  It was going to cost $450, which is about what it cost us for a day on the Great Barrier Reef including breakfast and lunch, we just couldn't justify this expense so we decide to do some walk trails instead.  Firstly Triplet Falls,  what a beautiful walk through the bush.  All the paths are easy going and some have man made sections with railing, nothing like Karijini or El Questro walks.  The outside temp in the car is 16C so it is not exactly your average summer's day, however, perfect weather for walking.

Next we head to Beachamp Falls, a bit of a more challenging walk,  downhill all the way and very steep, fine on the way in!!!!..... a bit of a struggle on the way out. Shannae says "My legs feel like jelly Mum, and I know yours do because I can see them wobbling!!!!".......nice!!!!  Don't you just love them!!  What a beautiful spot!!

Cody - at one with nature!!!

Just as we get in the car and drive out it starts to rain again.  A very windy road back to Apollo Bay where we do a little bit of shopping, another winery and head back to our camp.  The rain stops just long enough for the kids to go and have a play. 

We meet a lovely couple from Norway with two boys that the kids just love.  Before long another couple from Beligum arrive with two little girls, they can't speak english at all, but somehow the kids seem to communicate okay with one another.  We build another fire and meet half the people in the park.  That is the beauty of small parks.  It is amazing how in the bigger parks you can be completely surrounded by people and not meet anyone, yet in the smaller ones, everyone talks to each other.  I think it helps that no one has internet access or tv reception out here!!! 

The mud we now endure after the rain goes all through the van and into everything!!!  At some point you just have to say ..."Too bad.....we'll deal with it at the next spot"  Unfortunately it is not much fun when it rains and you are on black sand.  But despite this, we want to stay here longer, as there is still so much to see, but all decisions hinge on the preciptation, we'll see what tonight brings!!!

Pt 2 - Day 46 - Great Ocean Road - Otway National Park

This morning the rain stopped before we got up so we were able to pack up without getting wet.  We are a bit reluctant to move on as we love this spot.  The location of our van in the park is awesome and we just love the small town of Ocean Grove and proximity to the beach.  The only thing we don't like about this park is for the very first time, we have come across showers that have timers on them.  The first night we were here, Shannae came back from the shower saying that her shower went off and she had to wait ages for it to come back on again.  When I went in I read the big sign that said showers will go off after 5 min as they are water wise.....a bit of a joke when it never stops bloody raining!!!

Anyway, we are excited about seeing the Great Ocean Road.  The sun is trying to peer through the clouds and we are glad the roads aren't wet as they soon become pretty treacherous.  Wow, but what an amazing drive.  The scenery along this road is absolutely beautiful.  There were a few bits I didn't see though, as the sheer drop down the side of the hill around a corner were just a bit much for me to endure and I had my face buried in my hands, hoping Glen was watching the road and not the scenery!!!!  We passed through many small towns that I would loved to have perused but we are headed for Apollo Bay.

We arrive in Apollo Bay, a beautiful seaside town, and head for the information centre.  We are looking for a free camp, however, after the drive and talking to the lady in the tourist centre, it soon becomes apparent that there is no way we are going to get the "big girl" into a free camp in this neck of the woods!!!  So we find Bimbi Caravan park right in the middle of the Otway National Park. This caravan park is just great, right in the middle of the bush, the guy tells us to try to get a powered site not under a big tree, well this is a bit hard as the place is full of massive gum trees, all of which house a couple of koalas each.  What a treat, to see koalas in the wild.  I can't believe that I am 41 and have not seen a koala in the wild before. 
This big guy, pictured above, decides he has had enough of his tree, so he climbs down, sits for a while and lets us all take photos of him, then climbs up another tree, where he makes himself comfortable, curling up in a ball in the fork of the tree and going back to sleep.

This park is just great, it is fairly small and there are no manicured lawns, just black sand but it is so nice being in the bush, almost like free camping but with showers and power.  So when we discovered we couldn't free camp I said to the kids, well at least we'll be in a caravan park and "no 5min showers".  They thought this was great until we arrived and discovered our nice eco-friendly ablution block has coin operated showers which cost $1 for 3 minutes, very amusing, the kids weren't impressed. I told them we would give them the one dollar for their shower, but if they wanted a longer one they had to use their own pocket money.  Well, this was met with moans and groans and they all opted for the 3 minute shower.  "That's not a shower that's a splash" reports Tori after returning from her shower the first night.  And Shannae reckons by the time she got her water temp right, the water cut out!!!! 
This evening we build a fire which we are allowed to have in the drum, and we enjoy the fine, however, very cold weather, cooking marshmallows.