UMPHERSTON CAVES AND PORT MACDONNELL

Umpherston sinkhole was once a cave formed through the dissolution of limestone. The sinkhole was created as a result of the roof of the chamber falling to the floor of the cave, creating the perfect environment for its sunken garden. Umpherston sinkhole is open both day and night with its beautiful terraced gardens and exciting at night, when the resident possums venture out to feed in the floodlit gardens.
The Blue Lake is the city's water supply containing 36,000 million litres and a average depth of 70 metres. It is world famous for its annual colour change from a steel grey in winter to a brilliant turquoise blue in summer. Their is scenic lookouts along the 3.6 km road that surrounds it and a walking trail that circumnavigates the rim of the crater. A thoroughly enjoyable day.
We went to Port Macdonnell. Lovely seaside town about 20 minutes from Mt Gambier. Mostly older houses, some being rebuilt on same block of land. Most blocks were only $70,000, and a really nice place to reside.

MT GAMBIER ART GALLERY

We brought a roof rack for our car to put all our camping gear in. Spent the morning repacking the gear into it and tidying the car. We then went Laughton Park Gardens and Tearooms. It is 1.5 hectares of garden and water features, enjoy a devonshire tea [we did]in the large secluded tea rooms with views of the lake. They have an abundance of ducks and huge fish which they introduced. Beautifuk gardens and boardwalk.
We then went on to visit the Mt Gambier Art Gallery. The had a display of aboroginal art there including "The Great Sandy Desert Canvas. This canvasis 10 metres by 8 metres. The painting was done by the Jila people. It is in the Mt Gambier Art Gallery and will be returned to Adelaide Art Gallery where it will be stored until a permanent building is constructed at Fitzroy Crossing.

ENGELBRECHT CAVES

We went to see Engelbrecht Caves today. This hige compex of limestone caves under the city was first explored around 1884. Cave divers who have undertaken intense training, regularly explore this site and have provided maps showing the extent of this underground caves system. These caves are formed and the underground water filters through the limestone making its way to the Blue Lake. We also watched a great video of diving in the caves. learning to dive in these caves can take up to 4 years to learn. Cave diving is considered the most dangerous sport.I don't doubt it.

MT GAMBIER

Left van park and went to caravan repairer as we needed to purchase a handle for our awning. We then went on to Portland and visited to Information Service. We had lunch, and as it was still raining quite hard we decided to move on to Mt Gambier. We might go back Portland from Mt Gambier as it is only 100kms. After arriving we set van up and Les went to the shops while I got dinner ready.

WARNAMBOOL

Rainy day so we went to the Warnambool market at the showground.I brought some shorts and 2 jumpers. We then went to the Mill Markets in the old Fletcher Jones building. It had lovely gardens even though it was a bit wet to have a look around, you could see from the walkway tjat they were well maintained. The Mill Markets had lots of retro clothing. Looked like it had been purchased at St Vinnies and resold here at 10 times the original price. Not a bad way to make money and I guess some of the younger people would like what they have. However it wasn't to my taste.
Went back to van for lunch and then to the race club to a country music concert. We waited in vain for the redeeming act only to be dissappointed. Left the concert and returned to the van to pack up to leave tomorrow.

PORT FAIRY-KOROIT-TOWER HILL

Today is Anzac day. We are going to Port Fairy to look around and watch the Anzac March. Port Fairy is so beautiful, lots of very old building that look like they've been lost in time. They are set on a most beautiful backdrop of the Moyne River with boats moored outside some of the most beautiful houses. Lots of caravan parks. I'd like the FPA across the river, on the left. Think it's called The Port Fairy. We must come back here and stay. Had lunch at Battery Park and then moved on to Tower Hill which is the remains of an extinct volcano. Also visited Koroit but some shops were closed as it is Anzac day. A antique shop had great stuff at reasonable prices. I bought a hand painted tile to use a hot place mat. As it has stared raining quite hard we are heading for home to relax.

SHOPPING AND BOWLS ?????

Went to shops to buy some groceries, bit and pieces and get computer looked at by Telstra as we are having trouble accessing the internet via our wirless internet. It seems that because we have Vista it interferes with dial up. However we spoke to a technician who put us on the right track.
Les is suppose to play bowls this afternoon, However it has started raining. We went to the Bowling Club and had the best lunch for $6.50 with free coffee. Needless to say it was full of pensioners all doing the same thing. Bowls was cancelled so we went home and worked on the computer till 9pm. I now have my games I wanted installed. Had dinner and watched TV.

FLAGSTAFF HILL-MARITIME MUSEUM

Visited Flagstaff Musuem today. It has relics of many old ship that were sunk along the coast from Warnambool to Cape Otway. The most well known was the Loch Ard. Only a ship apprentice and the daughter of a doctor immigrating to Australia were saved.
Eva stayed at the house of the person who activated help until she recovered from her injuries. She then returned to Ireland, married and had 2 sons, dying at the age of 79yrs. never to see tom again.
Tom went on to captain many ships. 1 of which also sank. Along with the previous ship that sank, that was 3 in his lifetime. Pretty amazing. He had 2 sons, both of which drowned at sea. He died of unknown causes at the age of 49yrs.
There were many other ships that filled the chapters at this musuem. We spent about 5hours here looking at both the musuem and the outer buildings. These were erected around a lake that at night was the background for a laser show.
We left about 2pm and went down to the waterfront to a coffee house and restaurant, built on the water in the late 1800's. Sat on the riverside and had hot choccie and cake. YUM YUM???????

At night we went back to see the Laser Watershow. It was absolutely brilliant. Told the story of the Loch Ard sinking and the rescue of Tom and Eva. Even the seats shaked as the boat hit Mutton Bird Island, and I held onto Les,s hand very tight.
Highly recommend Flagstaff Hill for anyone visiting Warnambool.

BOWLS AND BEING LAZY

Les has gone to bowls. Told him to win some meat but he said they only give cash. I suppose that will be ok as long as he doesn't spend it.
I'm having a lazy day doing washing and a bit of housework. Might walk up the town later as Les won't be home till about 3pm.

SHOPPING

Had a very relaxing day shopping. Had to get battery for camera, air mattress at Rays Outdoors, good value got 20% off because we are NRMA member. Run into a lovely couple who had lived in Darwin and now live at Port Lincoln. Gave us their phone number to catch up. Did some grocery shopping. and arrived home about 4pm.
After tea we went to bowling club to play Bingo. Even Les played. $5OO to $800 to be won. Unfortunately it wasn't our night to win, but we had a great time. Sat next to a lady who lives in Balgownie. What a small world.

WARRNAMBOOL

Left van park at 9.30 and headed toward Warrnambool. Saw the Grotto where you could walk down to a viewing platform area with a stone wall in front of it. This is quite unique as it was created by fresh water and sea interaction.
We saw the Bay of Martas, as we drove past. We then stopped and looked at the Bay of Islands, which is very nice. There are numerous islands surrounding a bay that has calm waves ebbing on the shore.
We went on to Allansford where Les decided it was time to wash the van. We found a back street which had a great park, pulled the van and the car up on the grass and washed and hosed the van. Van is now clean and Les is happy.
We arrived at Figtree caravan Park at 2.00pm. Absolutely great park. Heated swimming pool, beaut BBQ and eating (inside) T.V room and kitchen and lounge to sit in at end of pool. Highly recommend it,if you are coming this way. Only $24 a night. Thought we escaped School Hols from today, but ran into someone at the pool that said they have 12 children in their group from SA. They are still on holidays for another week. Oh well, our quiet swim turned into something like After School Care. You can't have everthing your own way can you.

TRIP TO GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Left van park at 9.30 to visit the Gibson Steps. These take you down to beach on the GOR. Walked along towards the apostles but couldn't see them as the were around the next cliff. It was a really nice walk and one of the few places that you can get down on the beach. Thunder Cave use to have access but it has been closed due to erosion of the hillside. It was really nice and a pity that you can no longer go down to the lower platform at the moment. Hopefully it will be opened again once work is done to stabilise the hillside.
We the went on to the Apostles which were as good if not better than the last time we saw them in 1994 before Les retired. We also went 1km down the road to try and find the Homestead. This is where the man lived that rescued the survivors of the Loch Ard tragedy. However we only found a gate that was locked, and found out later that the homestead had closed.
We then went on to see the rest of Loch Ard Gorge. The cemetery where a few of the dead were buried. Many bodies were never reclaimed from the sea.

PORT CAMPBELL

Left Kennett River at 9.30 and travelled toward Port Campbell stopping off at Maits Rest on the way. It is a magnificent 45 minutes walk in cool temperature rain forest. It is located in the Otway National Park between Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill. Maits Rest has both walking tracks and boardwalks to assist visitors. A centuries old Myrtle tree is a feature of the walk while above the main ridge can be found huge Mountain Ash and Mountain Gum eucalypts. While the undergrowth of ferns were absolutely tremendous. I would have to say the structure of the trees, some of which had grown around others trees that had then eroded. Leaving the new tree standing like it was on pillars.
Had morning tea and moved on to Loch Ard Gorge. This place is named after the iron hulled clipper Loch Ard which hit a reef extending out from Mutton Bird Island in the early hours of June 1st, 1878. Of 54 people aboard only 2 surveyed. Tom Pearce an apprentice crewman and Eva Carmichael a passenger. Both were 18 years old and washed into Loch Ard gorge. Eva lost her parents and 2 brothers and 3 sisters in the wreck. Tom eventually became a sea captain and survived two further shipwrecks. Eva returned to Ireland and married and had 3 sons. He died at the age of 49yrs. We read he died of unknown causes, but Les believed he drowned at sea. She passed away at 79yrs. We walked down to beach to a cave where they rested while Tom went to get help. We then went on to Port Campbell for 2 nights.

DAY TRIP TO TRIPLE FALLS

Left van at 10.00am to visit Triple Falls along the Otway trail. Went from Apollo Bay back to Scenes River. Weather is looking a lot better today, still a few clouds around but hopefully no rain. The off shore wind has made the tops of the waves coming in to shore, reverse on themselves. Opposite of last time we were here. There was on shore winds bringing the waves crashing to shore.
On the way to Triple Falls it started raining, the higher we got the more it rained. Even the cattle wore oxygen masks. Took a turn down to see Johanna Beach. Absolutely gorgeous, but the rip went right across the beach. Not the best place for swimming. (not raining) We went on the Triple Falls and had the most gorgeous walk through the rainforst. Lots of lovely palms and FBT,s. Most gorgeous triple waterfall. Photo's do not do it justice. A gorgeous place to visit. A pamphlet we had said to see The Otway Fly, Triple Falls, and Otway lighthouse. we have now done all 3. When we leave tomorrow we are going to have a look a Mates Rest. Recommended to us by the Peter the caravan park owner. This is the most beautiful area to visit. We will be back

I saw a place to stay called "Room with a View" what a pity it wasn't on "Wait a While Rd" I think I would have bought it???????????

DAY TRIP TO OTWAY

It has rained and squalled all night and is quite fresh, sorry it's bloody cold. Anyway not to be deterred we are going up to the Otways for some bush walking and to see the Otway Fly. We also have a picnic packed for lunch and a nice thermos of hot tea. I think it might come in handy to warm us up.
Left van and arrived at Otway Fly. All well no rain so far, but the clouds are coming in thick and fast. Only 2 jumpers to keep warm, and lots of jumping up and down. Got tickets for the Fly and did the most beautiful walk along the top of the trees. Absolutely gorgeous tree ferns and massive trees like Myrtle Beech, Mountain Ash as the canopy. The Fly is 600metres long and 25 metres above the forest floor. It is made from 120 tonnes of steel. There are only 3 other steel canopy walks and they are all located in Australia. They are Illawarra Fly. Valley of the Giants in Wauchope in W.A and the Huon Valley in Tasmania. We have now visited all of them. Any way back to the weather, it only started to rain as we were walking back along the track to exit, but by the time we got to the car it was pouring. We thought we'd go to Triplet Falls and have lunch and hope it might stop raining. When we got there, there was 1 table that had no cover and was soaking wet so we left and thought we would come back when it stopped bucketing. Drove to Apollo Bay and managed to get some lunch on the way at Lavers Hill. Still bucketing but we were starving. Went on to Apollo Bay and had a look around the shops and drove back to van.

KENNETT RIVER

We left Geelong and headed for the Great Ocean Road. We are really looking forward to this part of our trip as our previous holiday her was great in 2003, except that it left a lot of things to do that we didn't have time for previously.We are going to Kennett River as it is the start of the Otways and we want to go and do some bush walking and sight seeing. The undergrowth in the Otways is beautiful. lots of tree ferns and hanging moss, to give that Durrasic appearance (les's words not mine)
We arrived about 2pm and set up our van. Unfortunately it had started raining so we spent the arvo in the van reading, eating Aldis Chocolate Coated Licorice (thanks Carol and Eric for putting me onto this) and making tea. I went to bed early and Les read is book til 11.30

LAZY DAY AT VAN + COFFEE ON FORESHORE

Had a very lazy day at the van, did some washing and read books. Les is reading Kokoda at the moment that Sarah brought him for Xmas and is thoroughly enjoying it. Although he cannot believe what our soldiers had to endure on that fateful trip.
We went down the waterfront and had a coffee and a walk along the foreshore. We had been here before and are quite fond of Geelong.Went home and packed up to move on tomorrow.

GEELONG

Left van park at 8.00am and drove to Geelong. Riverside Caravan Park. Arrived around 11.00am and set van up and had lunch. We then drove to Rays Outdoors to buy some sleeping bags and a mattress for camping when we go north through the centre. After that we went to Aldi and then home again. Had a few drinks and ate tea. Watched TV
and typed up blog.

VISIT TO RYE

Left van around 10.30 and drove to Rye on the Mornington Pennisula. Had morning tea and lunch on the foreshore. Went for a walk along the beach and out along the wharf. A replica of old sailing ship was berthed their. It eas called the Enterprise and was taking people out for an hour for $10 each. We sat on the wharf and watched it sail around the Mornington Pennisula.
In the arvo we went to find a supermarket, however none were open so we headed home via Dan Murphy's for some refreshments.
Arrived home and packed van up and cooked tea. We are leaving early in the morning and driving along toll way to Geelong.

DAY TO TRIP TO WILLIAM RICKETTS SANCTUARY

We left caravan about 9.30. Had to get new remote for our car and some bits at Bunnings.
We continued on to William Ricketts Sanctuary just outside of Olinda. Today the William Ricketts Sanctuary is a unique place of spiritual renemal and quiet reflection, where visitors can see for themselves the vision and passion that lives in his art There are 92 ceramic figures of people and animals which merge with the natural surroundings. He worked on these from 1934 until 1993 when he passed away at the age of 94. His ashes are buried in the sanctuary. He worked closely with the Pitjantjara and Arrernte whose indigenous culture inspired his major creative output.
We then called in to Dan Murphy's and brought some beer and wine and came home to get dinner started.
A most enjoyable day. The Dandenongs are little like our Katoomba.

DAY TRIP TO DANDENONGS-PUFFIN BILLY

Left caravan at 9.30 to go to Belgrave to ride on the Puffin Billy. Arrived at 10.30 and stood in line for 40 minutes. Fortunately were one of the last to get a ticket on the the train. A great trip up to Gembrook. Trip took 2 hours there and 2 hours return. A nice place called Lakeside or Emerald Lake. Lots of water, picnic grounds and paddle boats to laze the day away. A great day and very relaxing for Les as he didn't have to drive. We spent 1 1/2 hours in the park having lunch and looking around the few shops that were open. Lady who lived in Belgrave said it was the busiest day she had seen at the station. Being that a lot of people had to wait until 12.30 I imagine so.
Rained on and off during the day but not that cold. Temp should be 23c-24c for the next few days. Got back to Belgrave at 4.30 and headed home for tea, washing and all that other stuff us women have to do.

DANDENONG

Left Montville at 8.45. The amount of cars and vans on the road for Easter is amazing. Every 2nd vehicle was towing some form of accommodation.
Picked up DS machine and was at Dandenong by 12.30. Set van up, relaxed and did some shopping. Came home and Les cooked fish for tea.
Thought we might go to Phillip Island while we are hear.
By the way good news, I pulled my seat belt out to put around me and guess what, my watch fell to the ground which I thought I lost the other day. I have no idea how it got wrapped around the seat belt, but I'm glad I found it.

MARYSVILLE AND HEALESVILLE

MARYSVILLE:
Left van to travel to Marysville and Healesville. Took photos of the damage and devastation done by the bushfire that ravaged this area. There are no words to really describe it. The police station block has been cleared, I assume for rebuilding. Several more are being excavated as we speak. The bakery is open and doing quite a trade. Playground is still standing and many kids used it on the day we visited. Many trees are being wooodchipped and re-used on parks and gardens that are being re-established. 1 motel gone the other still standing. Chimneys standing amongst the blackened ruins. Children's cubby houses still standing amongst the devastastion of the houses burnt to the ground.

HEALESVILLE
10km from Healesville a truck had overturned. Police, fire brigade and many trucks stopped to assist. Beautiful drive, except for lots of burnt trees and houses that were burnt to ground. 1 standing, 6 gone. Factories, shops, houses, truck yards all gone. An absolute devastation and so many lived lost.

Went to Yarra Shire Council as we were having trouble finding accommodation over Easter. Thought they might let us stay in the showground. However that wasn't possible but they did ring around and got us into Dandenong Big 4 for 4 nights. We had to go to Scoresby which is nearby to pick up my Nintendo DS machine which was bring repaired.

MOLESWORTH

Left Colac at 8.25. Good hey Eric. Lots of gorgeous pubs along the way. but a bit early in the day for a drink. I think a pub crawl might be on our agenda for further trips.
Extremely dry terrain. Thought that the rain may have given the grass a touch of green. We passed Tallangatta- the town that moved in the 1950's. Old railway bridge that had no sleepers or rails. Just sentries in the valley. Went past Anzac Pde at Bandian and saw the Gaza Ridge Barracks and memorials.
Had lunch at private property. It was for sale so it didn't seem to matter as much and then on to Molesworth for a 2 night stay. $12 a night - the cheapest van park in Victoria and we had power and water. WHAT A BARGAIN. Unfortunately it was booked out for Easter. A massive auction in the centre of the oval, roast on a spit and footie and cricket the following day. It was a very well maintained park with a new BBQ area recently built.
We had baked lamb, potatoes, pumkin and vegs. Oh I forgot to tell you I accidentally defrosted the fridge and had to use the meat. Oh and by the way Les still loves me "he got a baked dinner he wasn't expecting" See Eric your not the only one who forgets things. Oh and while we are on accidents' I also lost my watch, have no idea where it is. Anyway that's the tragedies of our trip. But I'm still smiling.

DAY TRIP TO THREDB0

CORRYONG TO THREDBO
Beautiful drive- saw Snowy Hydro Scheme. Lots of trees getting new leaves after the fire. Geehi has a camp in the National Park, but Les was not confident leaving the van there if we wanted to go out for the day. The road was also not recommended for caravans, however people still do tow on this road. An absolutely glorius day and the weather was very kind to us, around 22c I thought. A very relaxing day.

COLAC COLAC

Shopping at Tumbaruma. Put our clocks back so we were nice and early at the shops. Thought you'd be impressed Eric. I can rise early when I have too. Had morning
tea moved to Paddy's Falls Paddy's Flats. Both were beautiful and we'll will visit them again on future trips. Stayed and had lunch at Paddy's Flats and left around 2pm to go to Colac Colac. Les used the loo at Paddy's River Falls and got flush toilets, loo paper, soap and hand towels. I was very impressed. We also walked to bottom of the falls and took some photos.
Saw some para-sailors landing right in front of us in the Towong Valley, in a paddock full of cow shit. GREAT.
Arrived at Colac at 2pm and set the van up. I cooked Savoury Mince for tea. After that we went to hear Bob Mager recite his bush poetry. I had forgotten how good he had been at Mildura. Unfortunately we missed The Man from Snowy River Festival, that was on the this weekend, but thoroughly enjoyed the finale.

TUMBERUMBA

Left Gunning at 9.45 and travelled to the Bowylie radio controlled air show at Gundaroo, on Dick Smiths property What a property. 3000 acres with small gauge railway, airstrip and aero club. How would you like that in your backyard. I have to say the airshow was brilliant as well. They had 1st World War tri wing and mono wing planes, 2nd world war military planes, multi engine aircraft as well as jet propelled air craft. Some of them were 1/5 and 1/8 scale of original planes. We stayed for around 5 hours. Some of them crashed spectatulary, at great expense to their owners. Les liked the ones that go faster than him. EVER THING I THINK.
Left Dick Smith at 3.00 and went to Tumberumba for the night. Another freebie by the river. Great camp.

GUNNING

Hi everyone, finally got away at 9.30 today after Les finished at the physio. Arrived at Barbour Park at 12.30 and settled into our free campsite. An absolutely gorgeous place. Thanks Laurie and Gwenda for the recommendation.

We fed the ducks by the riverside and relaxed as birds flocked in. There were 2 caravans and 2 tents.

Met people from Melbourne, who were in the Vic Welsh Choir. They are Ken and Glynis Simpson. We realised that we saw him perform at Ribbonwood with our friend Bob Norton in November. What a small world we live in. Les got talking to Sam, nice elderly gentleman, but didn't remember what happened yesterday. Thought that would make him feel at home, wouldn't you.

Had a gigantic storm at 8pm, and rained most of the night. But the days were gorgeous.