Well have finally made bookings for a number of places and now in the final stages of preparation for our next big trip.

Plan on leaving home first week of May and returning sometime in September.

Here is our rough itinerary;

Alstonville, NSW COG - 6 to 9 May
Dorrigo, NSW - Visiting Maggies Dad
Lake Wallaga, NSW - 23 May to 2 June
Mallacoota, VIC - 2 June to 8 June
Lakes Entrance, VIC - 14 to 24 June
Warnambool, VIC - 30 June to 10 July
Bendigo, VIC - 14 July to 18 July
VIC COG - 22 July to 25 July
Edithburgh, SA - 1 August to 11 August
Tumby Bay, SA - 15 August to 25 August

These are all confirmed bookings and between them we will be bumming around free or low cost camping where we can.

Will keep this thread going and update as we travel along.

Next few weeks will be a service on bearings and brakes on the caravan and a full service on the Cruiser.

If anyone wants to catch up with us along the way let us know.

Am I being optimistic????

Just purchased fishing licenses for both NSW and Victoria. I don't need one for south Australia.

We also do not need them in Qld as yet.

Not at  all
Your just doing your bit in donating to them desperate states  ;D

Gromet wrote on Apr 4^th, 2016 at 7:27pm:

Not at  all Your just doing your bit in donating to them desperate states  ;D

I must admit though that the facilities available in NSW to recreational anglers paid for from the license fees sure are good.

Got the van back from being serviced this morning.  Very happy with guys at Lockyer RV.  They even retensioned the awning without me asking.

Now emptying everything out of cupboards, checking to see if still all needed and starting to get organised for the big trip.

Ran the diesel heater for half an hour and she is as good as gold.

All happening here and starting to get excited.

Our first stop was Alstonvilee for the COG. Stayed four nights.

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Currently at Roses Park, Thora with a couple of great friends. Staying two nights while we visit Maggie's Dad

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Spending two nights at Crescent Head Caravan Park visiting family

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Nice here on the waterfront. Low tide this morning

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Looks like a nice spot to stop for a couple of days.

Jeff

A few days at Blacksmiths Beach in NSW. Short walk to the ocean beach. The weather could not be better

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One of our favourites. At Broke for the next few nights.

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Half your luck mate  [smiley=cheers2.gif]

From Broke to the intersection of the Golden Highway heading towards Singleton is a complete new road. It is nowhere near the old road which is to be mined.

Here are a couple of photos of the mine from the new road.

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Ugly isn't it?

Jeff

make you wonder if they ever will get it looking somewhat like it used to

A good reason not to blindly follow the GPS. Took a short cut from Broke to the Bylong Valley Way and ended up on this gravel road

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Pulled into a free camp for the next two nights at Lake Wallace near Wallerawang, NSW

Dump point, toilets, hot showers, potable water, dog friendly, can have a fire. Only thing is amenities block is closed from 4.00 pm to 8.00 am.

We are right on the waterfront with only a gravel track between us and the water. Lots of fellow travellers here.

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Moon rising across the lake

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Looks nice.

Jeff

Bit of a disaster today. 

Woke up this morning and it was only 7 degrees in the van so put the diesel heater on.  Within about 20 minutes it was sitting at 18 degrees and perfectly nice.

All of a sudden the heater started to make funny noises and gave up the ghost.

It has an inbuilt problem detector and the code shows an issue with the fan motor.

Now not only do I need to find someone who knows anything about them but also finding the parts in Australia may be an issue particularly as we will not be staying anywhere for any length of time.

Bugger!!!!!

Not good Derek. I hope you can find someone that is able to help you.

Jeff

Said to Maggie before, if we weren't on the move so much I would get the guys in the UK to drop one in the mail and stick a new one in.  Then I would have lots of spare parts to play with  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Easy alternative. Flesh on flesh always works for us  :-*

What did you use before the flash heater? You can always stock up on Port. Or generate at bit more body heat. (Bonding)  ;)

Great minds think alike Brian  :D

shackles wrote on May 21^st, 2016 at 10:22pm:

What did you use before the flash heater

Haven't been without a diesel heater for years.  :D

We also have an electric blanket on the bed that runs off the inverter  8-)

Only got down to 10 degrees overnight so all good. :-?

Will be hitting the road shortly when I have digested my second coffee and heading towards a little village called Bungonia, NSW.  Free camping again tonight.

Just took this photo from the door of the van. It is looking out over the lake at nothing but pure fog.

Might delay our departure until it clears a bit.

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Spent the day at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains yesterday. Somewhere out there through the white of the fog are the Three Sistets

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Once again today we found the road less travelled. This time somewhere between Bathurst and Goulbourn

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Came across this old one lane bridge across the Abercrombie River today. The pylons are of hand cut stone.

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Stopped for the night at a little village not far from Goulbourn called Bungonia.

Big open free camp with a donation box. No facilities other than reasonable clean drop toilets.

So far we are the only ones here.

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I see the weather changed for the better Derek love to go to the blue mountains one day beautiful country that and the snowy mountain area

Courtesy of Butler Technic in the UK a new diesel heater kit will be winging it's way to our next caravan Park stop on Monday.

Cost me me $1290 delivered and the same unit in Australia is currently $2004 delivered so by selling some of the bits that come with it for about $500 I will be sitting not too bad.

We planned this break too long to have part of it spoiled.

When we get to the coast will have to live off freshly caught seafood to pay for it  :D

We finally hit the coast and are now at Wallaga Lake Holiday Park for ten nights.  Will stay longer if the new diesel heater is held up at all.

First pic of the caravan in the park
Second is our view from the caravan door out over the lake
Third is the Bermagui coastline looking south from here

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Looks a nice spot; enjoy! Glad you got the heater sorted also.

Jeff

Could easily spend 10 days with those surroundings  :)

Went up to Batemans Bay today and played tourist. This was the view from our brunch table on the waterfront.

Called into the Bodalla Cheese factory for some tasting on the way home.  I am not a great fan of these new fangled flavoured cheeses but their vintage cheddar wasn't too bad

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Great song by jeff Lang written about Batemans Bay top part of Australia I really like Pebble beach area http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QK1hVqQ1t3s
Something to listen to while you boil the billy  :)

Looks like beautiful weather which I'm sure only adds to your enjoyment of your time down there.

Jeff

Chally wrote on May 25^th, 2016 at 7:26pm:

Looks like beautiful weather

80% chance of a shower tomorrow Jeff.  Will be our first rain since leaving home.

Diesel Heater arrived in Sydney in the early hours of the morning.  Provided no issues with customs all looking good for delivery in a day or so.

I am stoked.

First day of rain this trip.  A good day to sit back at the van and relax with a book.

They did predict it for today but gone tomorrow.

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Being a cold rainy day I decided to cook sausage rolls on the Weber for lunch.

Took a sheet of puff pastry and cut it in 4.  Squeezed out chicken sausages onto the four squares of pastry.  Rolled them up, popped onto a tray and gave them a milk wash.

They are too good to need sauce  :D

Into the Weber for 40 minutes.

Ta-da.

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Enough of that , your making me drool on the keyboard [smiley=drool5.gif]

A nice lunch.

Jeff

you   L O V  E   showing us this dont you

one day mine will might look like them too  ;D

Disappointed. Have lost track of the new diesel heater. DHL brought it out from the UK then handed it to a subcontractor who is not on their database. No idea where it is except somewhere between Sydney and here at Wallaga Lake.

Visited three cheese factories for tasting. Bodalla, Bega and Tilba. Only Tilba was worth any purchases.

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Another evening looking over the lake

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Still doing it tuff I see  :)

Have had the awning down all day today.  Wind has been south westerly at around 50 klm with gusts to 70 klm.

Derek wrote on May 27^th, 2016 at 4:38pm:

Visited three cheese factories for tasting. Bodalla, Bega and Tilba. Only Tilba was worth any purchases.

Bega has gone halal..

TBF wrote on May 27^th, 2016 at 6:58pm:

Bega has gone halal..

That must be why I saw so many contented cows around here.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

A day at home today.  Little washing machine is buzzing away at the back of the van.

Derek wrote on May 20^th, 2016 at 4:49pm:

A good reason not to blindly follow the GPS. Took a short cut from Broke to the Bylong Valley Way and ended up on this gravel road

Gee Derek you weren't far from my place,it is a pretty bad windy road that one,all that bylong valley just got approved for a coal mine,it's a shame it's beautiful county down through there i can't beleive there going to dig it up

Lewis wrote on May 28^th, 2016 at 4:37pm:

all that bylong valley just got approved for a coal mine,it's a shame it's beautiful county down through there i can't beleive there going to dig it up

It's a disgrace that the mining has been approved and of course foreign owned. >:(

Jeff

Reflections on a still lake

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Would be near perfect staying there. Can you have a contained fire?

You could do with a small canoe  ;) maybe an inflatable one  :)

They have portable firepits made from half 44 gallon drums you can move around

Drove down to Eden today.  Here is a panorama shot from one of the headlands looking out to sea.

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Nice!!!

Jeff

A little bit of trivia.  This may interest you Aart with similar vehicle.

Checked the computer today.  Since leaving home travelled just over 3200 klm.  Average fuel use (that is both towing and not towing) has been 18.2 litres per 100 klm.

I am happy with that.

Arrived home late today and shop here at the park was closed so do not know if the Diesel heater has been delivered or not.

It has arrived.  Took a total of 8 days to arrive from the East Midlands in the UK.  Can't complain about that.

Not going to install until next stop.  I have two very nosey neighbours.  You know the type - old Grey Nomads that know everything about nothing.

I don't want to be crawling around under the van with tools while they are here.   ;D ;D

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Glad it arrived ok. I'm sure you will put it to work on your trip.

Jeff

Our last day at Wallaga Lake today.  Heading for Mallacoota in Victoria in the morning.

Maggie enjoying the view at Mystery Bay yesterday

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Tried to capture the colours in the water and Maggie was going to climb through the hole in the rock until she got close and saw how high it was.

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We are now at Mallacoota Foreshore Caravan Park. Here are some views from the van.

There are two nice pieces of sirloin cooking in the Weber.

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As a matter of interest we are paying $29.50 a night for this prime waterfront spot. Have only booked for 7 nights but might have to stay longer. 😀

That looks a really nice spot.

Jeff

Mallacoota is a  very nice spot but the drive into there makes you wonder what you are heading too

This is inside the camp kitchen. Lovely big open fire. Wood is provided. The half wine barrel is the wood bin.

9.30 at night and it is raining.

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That looks near perfect  :)

Rain, fire, mmm, better make that Perfect  :D :D :D

I love camp kitchens, and often check them out before staying somewhere.

Talking to my neighbour this morning. Has a 16 foot pop top and looks like he has been here a while. He told me he has spent six weeks every year for the last 40 years in this exact same site in the caravan park.

Amazing.

I can see he is used to this wet weather. Is walking around in fishing waders, big raincoat and a bush hat. :)

I like how down this way the have built boat harbours that access the ocean. The coastal kelp beds are amazing.

Keeping an eye out for fur seals.

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An inside day today. Wind is blowing at a reasonable strength and raining. Have put the awning down in anticipation of gale force winds tomorrow.

Caravan park has almost cleared out.

All locked down here. Anticipating up to 90 klm gusts overnight.

This is real camping.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I have two big bags of dry wood in the back of the truck and dying to get the Ozpig out for some camp cooking but it ain't happening.

Hope you stay dry.

It WILL happen if you crank up the fire in the camp kitchen.

Spread out the lambs wool blanket, nice bottle of red, some campoven stuffed whatever's, and bob's your uncle  :-*

Morning and we are fine here.  Pulled the slideout in before drifting off to sleep and all good.  Still blowing a gale and more to come today and tomorrow.

Not much point in moving as it will be pretty much all the same across Victoria.

My neighbour didn't fare so well and half of his annex is in a heap on the ground.  He did tie it all to his car last night and I guess that stopped the whole thing going. 

I am very much enjoying seeing your pictures and hearing about your travels.  Retirement is looking really good if it is anything like yours.  cheers J

I think everyone needs a plan for retirement Jayne. This certainly is ours, or at least part of it :)

Because of the north easterly wind here today the tide didn't go out in the inlet. Official tides have the tide coming in and it will be interesting to see how high the water comes up.

I think I am only just realising how fantastic our caravan actually is. Here we are sitting out this weather and are as happy and as comfortable as two peas in a pod.

We have power, hot and cold water, shower, toilet and food. Yes I will at some stage have to go outside to empty the toilet cassette but not yet.

We even have a nice little ceramic fan heater to keep any dampness from the air at bay.

Happy as anything.

Derek wrote on Jun 4^th, 2016 at 12:55pm:

An inside day today

Not raining in north Brisbane.
Some good gusts of wind though.
Enough to blow a dog off a chain.

Aart

We survived another night.  :D

The wind has dropped and we are now expecting heavy rain today, or at least that is what is predicted.

Just went for a walk to get these photos.

First is the waterfront just below us. You can see the water has come up significantly although it had gone down a little. Cannot even get to the jetty.  It is maybe 2 metres above normal.

I know it is not as significant as some places but this is our part of the world.

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That certainly looks different. We only got the very edge of that system with under 50mm of rain. I hope it fines up shortly and you get some good weather again.

Jeff

Water is still rising. Our van is in the middle here although a few have left since this photo was taken. Will take us 10 minutes to hook up and move if we have to.

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After careful consideration and discussion with park management everyone in the lower section of the park have moved further up the hill.  Red arrow shows the last site.  Still with water views though. 

High tide tonight is around 9.00pm and is a two metre tide.  Water is already over the road below where we were.

Apart from the weather we are liking this place so much have decided to stay until next Monday.  I might even get the diesel heater installed if the weather comes good.

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Probably better to do it in daylight rather then wait and possibly having to shift later tonight.

Jeff

All that space, and you plonk yourself directly in front of the motor home  :P :P

At least you are giving them some wind protection  :)

Rufzgutz wrote on Jun 6^th, 2016 at 9:09pm:

All that space, and you plonk yourself directly in front of the motor home  :P :P At least you are giving them some wind protection  :)

Actually not that long after we moved there he was totally surrounded. Six vans and a Motorhome moved from the lower areas.   :D

The weather is a bit more civilised today. Looking at the debris. It came to about 6 metres from where the front of our van was.

Some people are returning to the lower area this morning. We are staying put and I even got a refund for not being on a waterfront site. Here we have actually got two sites. A lot of these older parks were based on 16 foot vans not the big ones of today.

Just took the photo from where I am sitting typing this.

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What a difference to yesterday. That's a good photo; I like the lighting.

Jeff

Nice weather coming up so tomorrow going to pull out the Ozpig and the camp oven for a Vindaloo curry.

Been interesting that the last two parks we stayed in all allow firepits as long as they are above the ground.

Breakfast omelet in the Weber Q. Nice sunny day again today.

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Vindaloo Curry slow cooking in the Ozpic. Note the haze in the background. No wind and huge waves on the beach and rocks.

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That omelette looked great. The Eastern coast line sure has been copping a pounding.

Jeff

Yummmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!

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Must have been ok because after dinner Maggie said, "Well that was the ducks nuts"  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Went for a drive and a walk around the old town of Genoa today.  What a place. 

Nothing there but a pub, a few houses and a donation camp ground.  The camp ground is where a caravan park used to be many years ago.  Facilities at the camp are toilets only.  No water.  72 hours stay only and a donation for upkeep.

The town is one side of the river and the camp is the other side separated by an old Heritage listed bridge.  What an amazing piece of structure it is.

Due to the size of the place the pub doesn't open until 4.00 pm  :D

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The morning sun shimmering across the water

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Old diesel heater out and the new one fitted. Very happy.

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Plenty of vindaloo curry left over so pies in the Weber for lunch.

Puff pastry top and bottom.

Brought a smile to my face to hear Maggie say it would have to be the best pie she has ever eaten.  Still got some more so will do more tomorrow  8-)

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My first ever photo of a fur seal in the wild.  This one was frolicking in front of our camp this morning for a very short time.

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Derek wrote on Jun 10^th, 2016 at 10:04am:

My first ever photo of a fur seal in the wild.  This one was frolicking in front of our camp this morning for a very short time.

So I take it you never caught any fish this morning.

Haven't been fishing. Water too dirty from the floods.  :(

Two things you never get sick of. Vindaloo beef curry and pies.

When you can combine the both you are in heaven, especially with crispy pastry right around the bottom.

More leftovers.

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Nice looking pies Derek ... Love vindaloo

G'day Derek, Great to be mates on Facebook  [smiley=cheers2.gif]

Cheers Jack.

Cold, wet and windy here today so thought something hot for lunch. Did something different with the sausage rolls.

First off skinned four chicken sausages. Cut a sheet of puff pastry in half then put opposing slits it it and pulled it apart like lattice to the length of the sausages.

Put two sausages on each piece and rolled them up. Wiped them over with milk and in the Baby Q at 200 degrees for 45 minutes.

Yummmmmmm!!!!!!

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Rain has drifted out to sea so hopefully I can get a couple of hours without any more to finish this beef stew on the Ozpig.

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So many beautiful locations while travelling. Sunday roast with a glass of red overlooking the Mallacoota Inlet

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You are certainly having some nice tucker on your trip.

Jeff

Spent a lot of today around Marlo and Cape Comran in south western VIC.

Very cool with temps not getting over 10 degrees.

Have pulled up for the night in a free camp on the banks of the Snowy River just out of Marlo. This is a self contained camp with no grey water allowed on the ground so have my portable grey water tank attached.

It is close to the road but don't expect too much traffic.

Last photo is looking out of the door of the van.

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Set up for the next ten nights at Lake Tyer near Lakes Entrance. In to Bairnsdale first thing tomorrow as the car computer went into error indicating a fuel filter problem. Hopefully not a batch of dirty fuel but I guess it could be.

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The Marlo free camp looks a ripper  [smiley=clap.gif]  [smiley=clap.gif]

New fuel filter and back on the road again.  :)

That was quick

Rolly66 wrote on Jun 15^th, 2016 at 6:29pm:

That was quick

Have always found the big Toyota dealers good about things.  Not that I have needed them often.  Second time this has happened.  Might have to buy a filter in case it happens again.

Hopefully it didn't cost an arm and a leg !

Rolly66 wrote on Jun 15^th, 2016 at 6:37pm:

Hopefully it didn't cost an arm and a leg !

$1.80 short of a hundred bucks.

Ouch .. Looks like your fishing again
Stay safe looks like another bad weekend of weather coming up

Rolly66 wrote on Jun 15^th, 2016 at 7:09pm:

like another bad weekend of weather coming up

They are saying snow at Mount Hotham this weekend so maybe a run up into the mountains for us :)

How cool :D skiiiiiiiiiiiing!!!!

beaut day today....started out icy

Woke up this morning to rather coolness with temp in the van just over 6 degrees. It was 4.3 degrees outside. Turned on the little fan heater that usually warms us up quite quickly.

Today it didn't happen and inside temp only got to around 16 degrees. It usually gets to 23 before we have to turn it down or off.

Rugged up to compensate and all good.

Was cooking some jaffles in the kitchen for brekkies and just happened to look up and the big roof vent was wide open and had been all night. The vent is about 400 mm X 600 mm.

No wonder the place wouldn't warm up   >:(

;D ;D ;D

Went for a drive into the mountains today and ended up at Mount Hotham. Snow season hasn't really kicked off yet but was enough white stuff around.

Check out the nasty crack in the windscreen

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Rather chilly up there by the looks. A new windscreen won't be far away with that kind of crack Derek.

Jeff

Rain again today.  I think we have had more wet days than dry ones this trip.

Been kind of eerie here today. At 3.00 pm when I took these photos the fog hadn't lifted fully all day.

Standing on the dunes just behind our camp when I took the photos there was that weird anticipation of seeing a prehistoric monster slither out of the grey water.

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Big change in the weather since yesterday. Strong wind, big waves, lots of rain and the ground is getting waterlogged. I got wet and the umbrella turned inside out while getting these photos.

It is supposed to clear later but for now we are bunkered down in the caravan park.

I have four nice lamb shanks in the fridge I was going to cook up in a hot curry casserole on the Weber but it ain't happening today.

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Sun's out so celebrated with a sweet jaffle for breakfast.

Dutch Fruit Loaf, pie Apple and blueberries.

Does it get any better.  :D

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only if you add custard :)

Lamb shanks in a tomato and vindaloo base.  I am branching out using the Weber.

Yummmmmmmmmmmm.

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That looks so good Derek.
Must do that soon.

Aart

Yummo

Should have taken your surfboard Derek  8-)

What is it about Victoria and dry lakes.

We decided to do a Sunday drive through Melbourne and pulled into a free camp at Lake Colac to find the water half a mile across mud flats even with all the rain of late.

Basic facilities here with toilets, water and rubbish bins.  Dump point for toilet cassette is about five minute drive and costs $2 a time.

Staying a few days.

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Wow that looks very open; you wouldn't want a good breeze to to get up.

Jeff

Chally wrote on Jun 26^th, 2016 at 4:55pm:

Wow that looks very open; you wouldn't want a good breeze to to get up. Jeff

You might notice I didn't put the awning up.  :D

Derek wrote on Jun 26^th, 2016 at 5:26pm:

You might notice I didn't put the awning up.

[smiley=thumb.gif]

Jeff

Stayed around camp today apart from a quick trip to town.

Made Maggie a blocking board for her crochet work. Always handy to have a few tools on hand and access to the big green shed.

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So pleased I managed to get the diesel heater replaced. This will be our third night here at temps between 3 & 5 degrees. Sitting at 21 degrees in the van.

Derek wrote on Jun 28^th, 2016 at 5:55pm:

Made Maggie a blocking board for her crochet work.

Is Maggie's Facebook page still going Derek?

It sure is Brian - https://www.facebook.com/groups/399476553539806/

Pulled into Warrnambool for the next ten nights. Neat park with very modern facilities and only 50 metres to the beach.

The sites are separated by low hedges.

Very windy and wet at present b

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This trip was always going to be about the coast so not a lot of bush camping and not a lot of camp oven cooking but despite the cold wet weather we are having a ball.

Yesterday spent the day in and around Portland in Victoria. Portland has a very rugged coastline and is the oldest town in Victoria.

There were three ships in the harbour loading mineral sand and aluminium from the nearby smelter.

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While in Portland yesterday charter boat pulled in and everyone got off carrying tuna each about a metre long. They started cleaning them at the fish cleaning table on the waterfront and two Australian Fur Seals turned up for a snack.

I managed to get quite a few shots of them. At one stage someone gave Maggie a piece of fish to throw to them and she practically dropped it straight in it's mouth. That is the second last photo.

In the last photo just over behind Maggie on the horizon you can see a very low looking island. This is the biggest colony of fur seals in the world with an estimated 30,000 seals.

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I had to do my David Attenborough part of the trip and was directed to the only Australasian Gannet Rookery on mainland Australia.

In the first photo you can see the small mounds left from last years nests. They breed from October each year. About 300 nest here.

The second photo shows a small island in the background. This is the largest colony of gannets in Australia. Look closely and you will see them all swarming over the island.

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Went out to Cape Nelson to one of the southern most lighthouses on mainland Australia. Blowing a gale and freezing cold but they had a nice cafe for coffee & cake

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Amazed at all the wind turbines right across the south of Victoria.  Love all the contented cows.

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Something that has surprised us around Victoria are the number of shops that are closed for winter.

Seeing them all the time with signs saying reopen in August or September.

Love the photos of the seals Derek [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
Did you end up finding the shop with all of the vintage motor bikes hanging from the roof near Warrnambool?

Saltbush Bill wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2016 at 4:57pm:

Did you end up finding the shop with all of the vintage motor bikes hanging from the roof near Warrnambool?

Will start looking around Warrnambool tomorrow.  I have all the details I got from you. 

Derek wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2016 at 5:01pm:

I have all the details I got from you.

[smiley=thumbsup.gif]
I believe the  maritime museum there is well worth a look to. It covers a lot of the history and wrecks of that entire part of the coast from Melbourne around to that point from what I hear.
I didn't see it my self because I didn't find out about it until I was part way along the Great Ocean Road and heading home.

Great photos Derek  [smiley=cheers2.gif]

Saltbush Bill wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2016 at 5:41pm:

I believe the  maritime museum there is well worth a look to

Can walk to the Maritime Museum from here.  They call this the Shipwreck Coast so a lot of maritime history here.

Enjoyed your photos Derek. Glad you and Maggie are enjoying your trip.

Jeff

Here is a link to Russel Morris singing about one of the most famous and one of the worst of the ship wrecks on that part of the coast. Of the fifty-four passengers and crew on board, only two survived.
The song below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AuF0Epau1s
The gorge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXaKu3TTvY
The History
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ard_Gorge

Saltbush Bill wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2016 at 4:57pm:

Did you end up finding the shop with all of the vintage motor bikes hanging from the roof near Warrnambool

Went out there today. Absolutely amazing.

Lunch time snack.  Left over beef, mushroom and rice in a jaffle.

Yummooooo!!!!!

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Derek wrote on Jul 4^th, 2016 at 2:27pm:

Went out there today. Absolutely amazing.

Glad you enjoyed it, I spent ages wandering around there, not just looking at the bikes, all sorts of stuff for sale in that shop.
If you go to the Antique and house demolition place I told you about be sure to look in all the sheds...not just the bit that looks like the shop.

Saltbush Bill wrote on Jul 5^th, 2016 at 2:57pm:

If you go to the Antique and house demolition place I told you about be sure to look in all the sheds

I am blaming you for all of this.  If you hadn't of told me about that place Maggie wouldn't have seen it.

Now I have to cart it around and get it back to Brisbane in one piece.  :D :D

It is actually an interesting set and Maggie recalls her Grandmother having the same setting/pattern.  It is missing one cup, one small dinner plate and one sandwich plate has a chip.  We have a matching milk jug at home.

Apart from the odd piece on eBay have never seen the setting before.

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:o :o :o ;D ;D ;D ;D

that will learn ya  ;D ;D ;D

Saltbush Bill wrote on Jul 5^th, 2016 at 6:57pm:

:o :o :o ;D ;D ;D ;D

I said to Maggie that if we buy it we will have to use it all the time and get rid of some of our current crockery.

She made similar faces to what you did  :-/

Derek wrote on Jul 5^th, 2016 at 4:32pm:

It is missing one cup, one small dinner plate and one sandwich plate has a chip.

If you take Maggie to the really big antique shop that is in the old Cloths or Sock Factory on the main road going through town she might find replacements for the missing pieces.
There is a huge amount of stuff in that one. Don't buy to much while you are there ;)

Saltbush Bill wrote on Jul 6^th, 2016 at 9:45pm:

If you take Maggie to the really big antique shop that is in the old Cloths or Sock Factory on the main road going through town she might find replacements for the missing pieces.

Been there.  Lots of stuff but nothing.  We have never seen this set before in all our looking anywhere.

Last few days have been wet and windy but we did manage to get out and about and managed to get a few photos.

We travelled along the Great Ocean Road as far as the 12 Apostles.  Here are some photos along the way but none of the 12 Apostles themselves or what is left of them.

I have travelled this are before but am still amazed at the magnificent cliffs.  One day I would hope to do it on a sunny and calm day.

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Saltbush Bill wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2016 at 8:32pm:

Here is a link to Russel Morris singing about one of the most famous and one of the worst of the ship wrecks on that part of the coast. Of the fifty-four passengers and crew on board, only two survived. The song below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AuF0Epau1s The gorge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXaKu3TTvY The History https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ard_Gorge

This is where the Loch Ard shipwreck occurred just outside Mutton Bird Island.  The Gorge where the two survivors cam ashore was below where we were and on a better day would have gone down there.

Around 30,000 mutton birds nest here every year.

Mutton Bird Island is I believe one of the 12 Apostles

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Port Campbell is a natural harbour.  Stopped here for a hamburger for lunch.

Sitting looking down down that harbour had me thinking back to my time on Christmas Island and the jetty where we took all the boat people ashore.

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Yesterday we went north away from the coast.

The Victoria country areas are no different to the rest of the country in that wherever you go are reminders of what once were thriving towns and villages.

These photos are from Noorat.  Would be nice to be able to just slip back in time and see things as they were.  Instead all we have are the remains of old butter factories, old pubs, empty derelict houses and abandoned shops where the signs give an indication how long they have been empty.

Certainly brings a feeling of sadness to see it all.

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There was a discussion on another post about the stone fences here in Victoria.  Managed to get a few photos yesterday near Terang.

When we got out of the car I was amazed at the height of them.  Maggie and I are not short arses by any means and they were level with both of us.

Just looking at how the stones were all put together is amazing.  Must have been a huge amount of work.

I was surprised to read that the top overhang as you can see in one photo was actually designed to try and stop rabbits climbing over them.

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Here is one for the fisherfolk amongst us who just love backing the boat down a boat ramp. 

This was along the Great Ocean Road somewhere.

The signs which I didn't get a photo of are huge and clearly marked for experienced four wheel vehicles and drivers.

I kid you not but that ramp is set at what looks to me to be around 60 degrees and is about 75 metres long :o :o  There is no way I would take my 4X4 down there without a trailer.

At low tide there is a small beach at the end of it.

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I am yet to drive past a country cheese factory without going in.  This one in the hills near the 12 Apostles had an amazing array of cheeses.  I think we tasted around 10 different ones.

Bought there best blue as well as a washed rind brie.

Very yummy

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This is what is called London Bridge.  There used to be two arches however back in the 70's I believe it was one fell down.

An interesting story attached to that in that two tourists had just walked over it when it happened and they had to be rescued by helicopter.

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Last nights spaghetti & meatballs was todays jaffle lunch.

Yummmmmmmm

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Leaving Warrnambool and hitting the road again in the morning. Heading north towards Ararat.  Possibly staying at Green Hill Lake.

Hopefully this one will have water  :D

We are set up at Green Hill Lake near Ararat. There is water in the lake, yayyyyyyy.

Plan to be here a few days. $5 donation a night. Hooked up to water but no power and 75 metre walk to toilets.

This will be a test for the solar and batteries if the overcast weather sets in.  Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

It is currently around 3.5 degrees and windy and the outside temp gauge on the car was sitting between 8 & 9 all the way here.  Could be snow on the Grampians tonight.

Looking out over the lake I can see two swans sitting on nests.

Second photo was taken through the window while sitting on the lounge.

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Derek wrote on Jul 10^th, 2016 at 6:22pm:

It is currently around 3.5 degrees

We had a lovely 28 degree day. Slight breeze at present and likely around 18 to 20.

much water in the lake???.......prison directly across the lake

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Cold and rain don't matter when you have your diesel heater running  :)

Can't think of a more peaceful setting than sitting in your seat at the minute.

Aart, can you please refrain from posting your weather reports until you return to winter conditions like most of us are in  :P

Smokeydk wrote on Jul 11^th, 2016 at 9:11am:

much water in the lake???.......prison directly across the lake

As you can see in photos water is low but some there at least.

Worked in prisons nearly all my life and here I am camped right beside one.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  Didn't realise it was there until after dark when all the lights came on and I had a look on Google.

prob camped near where you are

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Smokeydk wrote on Jul 11^th, 2016 at 2:20pm:

rob camped near where you are

We are about 50 metres in front of you.

This will give you an idea of water level.  The pontoon is no longer floating

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Drove up to Halls Gap today and then up into the Grampians.  What an amazing place.  Due to the rain photos not real clear.

The photos from the lookout over Halls Gap township in the valley below the dam had me thinking of horror movies where the dam wall collapses and takes away the whole town

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A Grey Currawong.  This bloke was searching around for crumbs after I ate a pie.  This is a first for me as we don't get them in Qld.

Took the photo on my phone that is how close it was and no, it wasn't my plastic fork on the ground either  ;)

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water level hasnt changed much since we were there

April 2014

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might be these 2 swans

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been there too....great place

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Enjoying the photos fellas. Even if the weather isn't too good you are getting to see some nice places. It makes me miss not getting away this year.

Jeff

I posted this up on Facebook the other night:


Quote:

Some people might think we are mad. We have a perfectly lovely house with central heating sitting doing nothing while we are parked in the bush in a caravan where it is 1.7 degrees outside. The wind is around 50 kilometres an hour and the forecast has it gusting to 100 kilometres an hour and it is streaming down with rain. Every gust of wind is shaking the van like anything. But do you know what??? We are as happy as anything.  :D

The big cold front is coming through tonight.  I think you guys in SA have already experienced some of it. 

Still showers and 50 to 60 klm winds today but we are ready for it.  Current temp is down to 5.2 but BOM say it feels like minus 2.3

Have got plenty of milo and chocolate biscuits  ;D ;D ;D

Had a bit of a slide on the freeway at 2pm today, two cars into the barrier on the left, one car facing the opposite direction  on the right emergency lane, the b double I was following taking up both lanes cab in the left rear trailer in the right
So be careful if driving anywhere in the weather

My alarm lock on the chains on my caravan kept going off today...the van was rocking in the wind

Wind has eased off here but temp has dropped to 3.5 as I write.  BOM has it at minus 2.4 with the wind.

Some people might think we are mad.

We have a perfectly lovely house with central heating sitting doing nothing while we are parked in the bush in a caravan where it is 1.7 degrees outside.

The wind is around 50 kilometres an hour and the forecast has it gusting to 100 kilometres an hour and it is streaming down with rain. Every gust of wind is shaking the van like anything.

But do you know what??? We are as happy as anything. 

I can only agree with you Derek.  My hubbie and I are often told we are mad taking the van out in the middle of winter but we love winter camps.  If it gets too cold we go to bed!

Yep.......I prefer winter camping too.......but not much fun if its wet and 100kph winds.....but nothing beats a campfire on a starry night  :)

What do you reckon Dave.  Your photo on the right.  Mine on the left.  Same place but the trees have grown a little.

Was a bit colder when we were there I think. 

Lookout, incoming snowball.  She missed though. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Was 1 degree on the car outdoor thermometer.

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Snowed on the Grampians in Victoria night before last and as we were only 45 klm away made a dash yesterday morning up there.

Here are a few pics.  We behaved like little kids and had a ball.

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Today we made it to Bendigo.  They booked us onto the same site we had last year.

Here for the next four days for the Bendigo Wool & Sheep Festival

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Ok....we are heading to Victoria Monday...let us know where and when you might be Derek

we were there after bushfires hit the area ...hence burnt trees

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couple more pics

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That looks great Derek but I'm sure the temp inside the Cruiser felt better than the outside temp.

Jeff

Love the snow unreal photos Derek thanks for the share looks very fresh maybe a couple of where is this camp oven shots need to be taken ?  :)

Smokey your looking a little warm still you gotta get right in there mate here is a thread you might be able to use while your cooking http://www.aussiecampovenforum.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1189122231 :)

All I can say is WOW WOW WOW.  How great are those pictures! ;D

Life is ever changing and family comes first. Tomorrow we are heading back home to Qld.

As soon as I get confirmation of the cancellations I will have two vouchers available for ten nights each at the Tumby Bay Caravan Park as well as the Edithburgh Caravan Park.

They will be for ten nights each on a powered site for two people that can be taken as the full ten nights or two lots of five nights.

Both vouchers expire end of March 2017.

Will be asking $150 each ($15.00 a night) which is less than half of the normal price and less than what I paid for them.

There are provisions that you cannot use them in peak holiday times.

I really do not think that we will get back down this way by the time they expire.

Send a message if interested.

Cheers.

That's sounds like bad news from home Derek  hope all is OK

Gromet wrote on Jul 17^th, 2016 at 6:18pm:

That's sounds like bad news from home Derek  hope all is OK

All good mate.

Thats a bummer......we are packed and heading to Vic tomorrow morning  :(

Bad luck Derek. Hope you can come and see our great state in the near future.

Sorry to see your trip cut short Derek. Sounds like the situation is not too bad.

I was so looking forward to your lambs fry and bacon. Was also hoping for some crumbed brains. Hopefully there is a next time  :)

Hey Rufz now that you have your new van and 4bee you could always  go to Queensland  for some brains ;D

I was waiting for that  :P :P ;D

Gromet wrote on Jul 18^th, 2016 at 10:12am:

Hey Rufz now that you have your new van and 4bee you could always  go to Queensland  for some brains

;D ;D ;D

Jeff

Gromet wrote on Jul 18^th, 2016 at 10:12am:

Hey Rufz now that you have your new van and 4bee you could always  go to Queensland  for some brains ;D

Always a campsite at my place Rufz.

Aart

Put some kilometres behind us today. Currently tucked in the back of a roadside rest area just south of West Wyalong in NSW.

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Derek wrote on Jul 17^th, 2016 at 5:34pm:

As soon as I get confirmation of the cancellations I will have two vouchers available for ten nights each at the Tumby Bay Caravan Park as well as the Edithburgh Caravan Park. They will be for ten nights each on a powered site for two people that can be taken as the full ten nights or two lots of five nights. Both vouchers expire end of March 2017. Will be asking $150 each ($15.00 a night) which is less than half of the normal price and less than what I paid for them. There are provisions that you cannot use them in peak holiday times. I really do not think that we will get back down this way by the time they expire. Send a message if interested. Cheers.

I have received confirmation regards the cancellations and these two vouchers are available if anyone wants them.

Thanks for the offer and being nice TBF. Not like the other meanies  :D :D

Heard of West Wyalong plenty of times in the past  :)

Can count me out on the caravan park offers. Yorkes & Tumby are not on my radar for long term breaks.

Someone should be keen on them though. Great price for powered seaside parks.

Making good time so this could be our last night on the road. A little roadside rest area just south of Narrabri on the Newell Highway.

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I always find it reassuring to wake up surrounded by trucks. Good thing is we didn't even hear them pull in.

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PM sent Derek

Arrived home at 3.00 pm.

On the car computer we travelled 10,007 klm and average 17.6 litres every 100 klm.  Pretty good for the big V8 pulling three tonne of caravan.

Jimboz wrote on Jul 20^th, 2016 at 10:53am:

PM sent Derek

No PM received.

Oh , thanks Derek, we are interested in the vouchers, will try to pm  you again... Jim

Some water inthe lake....green area is wet Derek

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