Day 81 Tuesday 30th April 2013, Location; Hammonds Road Campground, Great Otway National Park

Wow what a beautiful spot, cant believe we have it all to ourselves.

We even had our own personal cleaner come in and clean our fireplace and toilets for us this morning. :)

Today we backtracked to Anglesea via the backroads so that we could pick up what we missed yesterday as we headed for camp early.

We got to see the GOR arch and memorial statue.

Wow, what can I say, nearly every turn there is something new to see, and if you look at it from a different angle there is so much more to see. Make sure that you keep an eye out for the Brass Plaques. Very informative.

Rena got to play at the playground at Aireys Inlet whilst James went and did a geocache, we then went and has a look at the Bark Hut which is a replica as the original was burnt down on Ash Wednesday.

We then decided to go up to the Split Point Lighthouse and James and Rena did the tour up the lighthouse whilst I waited at the base of the stairs, as I still wasnt feeling 100% I didnt want to go up the stairs.

Rena was up the stairs like a well flash, James had to come back down to get the camera, nearly 30 mins later they came back down. (The nice lady did the tour for them as it was past the last tour time but let us in took one look at Rena and said do you want to have a look sweetie)

After James and Rena did the tour we decided to go down and have a look at the lookout, on our way down I fell down one step and well my left knee went pop, I was in agony, but when I stood up my knee was ok, but I had grazed my wrist, so that was now hurting. Ouch.

Well we did the walk and looked at Eagle Rock, wow, beautiful, we then went and looked at the lighthouse keeper and his wife grave.

We then walked back to the car and as it was now about 4 pm decided that we would go back to where we camped last night, it was so nice.

Got back to Hammonds Road Campground and set up in light, cooked dinner in light, and enjoyed the sunset before heading off to bed.

Hammonds Road Campground

Great Ocean Road Arch

Great Ocean Road Memorial

Great Ocean Road

Day 80 Monday 29th April 2013, Location; Hunts Bridge Camping Area, Lal Lal State Forest

Well my back is still playing up so off for a walk to see if it makes it any better. It didnt.

James did the washing up and most of the packing up. I gave in and took more pain killers so I could at least help James with some of the pack up.

I can recommend this camp spot, very nice and looks to be a bit of a party spot for the locals. But very beautiful away from the road and by the river.

Back on the road and off to Geelong to see if Jaycar with exchange a radio that we bought in Ulladulla that isnt working.

Wow what a big place, lots of old buildings here in Geelong. Never came over to this side of town before.

Thankfully Jaycar exchanged the radio for me, although they were not going to, took about 20 mins of negotiating as we bought it from an authorized stockist and not a Jaycar store. Apparently they are different and have different return policies.  All I wanted was a radio that worked and I didnt care if it was a store of stockist, I bought it from Jaycar :)

Back in the car and we headed for the petrol station to refuel before heading of to the local mitre 10 to get the gas bottle refilled. Got to mitre 10 and no go, they dont do re gas they only do swap and go but the bottle wouldnt fit in the camper, so take the swap and go back and James got the address for a place that would and off we go.

Whilst James got the gas bottle regassed I emailed the real estate agent again, still no new tenants, now their problem is that no one wants a 6 or 9 month lease only a 12 month lease, how things change quickly, when we first put the place out to rent, they could only get a 6 month lease, we had to offer a weeks free rent to get them to agree to a 12 month lease. Wonder why things change so much in 3 months.

This broadband stick is definately not very good, but it is what we have so just have to grin and bear it, took 20 mins to get the email sent. You could say I was slightly frustrated but that would be an understatement.

Anyway we then got on the expressway down to Torquay to start the Great Ocean Road. Been looking forward to this moment for a very long time.

First stop along the road after Torquay was Bells Beach. If I was only 25 years younger and on my malibu I would have had a blast. But it is now and I wouldnt have made it past the breakers, but I can see why it is a surfing mecca.

By this stage it was getting on so we decided that we had better head and make camp for the night due to warnings about camps filling up early.

Back still killing me so slow set up. Another beautiful campspot. Well maintained, clean and well set out. We also had 4 kangaroos sharing it with us.

By 7 pm we still had the place all to ourselves, tomorrow backtrack along the GOR and see what we have missed today.

Hammonds Road Campground breakfast guest

Split Point Lighthouse

Eagle Rock

Split Point Lighthouse

Day 79 Sunday 28th April 2013, Location; Firth Park Campground

Woke up feeling great, best night sleep in ages, I only got woken up once at 3am by an inconsiderate imbercile screaming at the top of his lungs because he stood in his mates dogs poo.

Anyway got out of bed, started to get dressed and BANG instant agony, my lower back and abdomen in spasms.

Well that put our pack up on slow mow. Couldn't move unless bolt upright otherwise I was in extreme pain. (Have to say a big thank you to my wonderful patient husband, he packed up basically on his own).

All packed up and off to the Trentham markets. Picked up some fresh produce and a woolen blanket.

Back enroute to Chookys house for a nice hot shower, top up the water tanks and James to do an oil change on the car.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU CHOOKY!!!!!!!!!!! All clean, warm, water tanks full, oil changed in car and one new axe sharpened.

Off to our free campsite for the night. We headed northwest again. One thing with utilising the free campsites we are getting to see alot of Australia and alot of it off the beaten track too. Beautiful countryside :)

Another great find, but with me still in agony every time I move, it was spag on toast for dinner, something fast and easy for me to cook and time for some painkillers for me.

Very cold night tonight as we are camped right next to a river so I had a horrible nights sleep.

p.s. Rena got 4 free Frisbee's thanks to the litter bugs who left a mess at this campsite, it is a shame that we have seen the bad side of some people who think that they can just dump their rubbish instead of taking it home with them.

Bells Beach

Bells Beach

One happy camper

Hunts Bridge Camping Reserve

Southside Nudist Beach

Day 78 Saturday 27th April 2013, Location; Firth Park Campground

Well considering the amount of sleep I got last night, I am not exactly a happy camper this morning.

A day were I really could have done with a shower, but I used the water yesterday to wash the clothes, (another day were I miss something from home).

Might try and get a Nana nap later in the day if Rena will let me. Oh and my nose is now hurting all the time  :( Cant wait until we get tenants in the house again and we can head west to the warmer weather (or a motel room or cabin for a day or 2).

Today saw the loud arrivals from last night having a bit of a sleep in, and more people arriving including some motor bikes but at least they were out on the tracks.

Fell like crap today, had a crap night last night, so when I warm up I might do the 2 klm bushwalk to the mill to walk off this crap feeling.

No bushwalk today, Chooky cooked dinner tonight, THANK YOU!!!!!!! I cooked a batch of scones in the camp over for desert. Got to love a camp fire and the camp oven.

Well with my headache fast approaching migraine stage, time for me to go to bed and take something to make the headache go away.

Day 77 Friday 26th April 2013, Location; Firth Park Campground

Today saw the daylight hours of serenity. Not to many people here today, so could sit back and enjoy the peace.

Today I tried out my bucket and paint stirrer as an agitator and did the washing. I must say that it did make the job alot easier and my hands were not half as frozen as last time I washed. The clothes looked a bit cleaner too. Just need something now to help me wring the clothes out a bit better so that they dry quicker. 2 hours later and all done. not bad.

I decided that I would try and cook a chocolate mud cake in the dream pot. First time for a mud cake in the dream pot. So with that done and cooking time to sit back and relax again.

Gradually the place was filling up. 4 pm and you guessed it time for drinks and snacks as we waited for the campfire to generate enough coals to throw on the camp oven. Tonight roast pork and vegies and chocolate pudding for desert (mud cake was ok)

Well I predicted that by 8.30pm we would have an influx of campers and I was right, there was a steady influx of people (right up until 1am)

Unfortunately for us, the most inconsiderate, loud, foul mouthed individuals I have ever had the displeasure of camping near arrived between 8.30 pm and 1 am. It appeared that each was trying to out do the existing campers in being the most disruptive.

Looks like we are not going to get much sleep tonight. Serenity broken.

p.s. Thanks to Chooky for bringing up the firewood, it has been so nice not to go to bed at sundown and to be able to enjoy adult company past sunset.

Rena

Chooky

James tending to the campfire

Day 76 Thursday 25th April 2013, Location; Firth Park Campground, Wombat State Forest

This morning being Anzac Day and a public holiday we saw an influx of day trippers and motor bikes. :(

At one stage all you could hear was ert ert ert as a little kid was learning how to ride his bike.

Our serenity was broken :(

Well even with the serenity broken we managed to have a much needed shower and unpacked Rena's toys from the car. That should keep her happy for a little while.

Our good friend Chooky (Stephen) arrived after lunch and after helping him set up his fly, time for another cuppa and some catching up to be done.

We had a relaxing afternoon then we fired up the camp fire. Time to put on a nice camp over roast beef and vegies for tonights dinner. (Thanks Chooky for bringing the wood ahhhhh)

4pm and the drinks, cheese and crackers underway and we start to see the day trippers departing and the overnight campers trying to put up tents. A male couple took close on an hour to put up there tent. Was an interesting sight.

Anyway amazing, free camp, good company, great food, it went too fast, put Rena to bed with a DVD and sat there watching the campfire until it got too cold and we all headed off to bed.

My poor nose is going to be permanently frozen at this state. It is hard to sleep when you are in agony from your nose being so cold and you just cant warm it up.

Wow I now remember why I left Vic and went to Qld. Oh and I miss my warm bed and house tonight. If I had the money for a motel I would be there tonight.

Day 75 Wednesday 24th April 2013, Location; Kurth Kiln

What another beautiful find, it is a shame that the council are no longer allowing camping around the kiln and only on the Scout Loop track.

Rena and I decided that we would take the walk that looped back to the Kiln and meet James at the other end. He could drive the cruiser and camper to the other end.  I didnt sleep all that well last night and needed to walk off this tired feeling.

What a beautiful walk, it was well signposted, lots of information signs about the place along the walk. At the end of the walk was the Kurth Kiln. Remarkable place. Parks Vic cetrainly know how to look after their parks.

The Kurth Kiln at the end was also very interesting, we are learning alot of how things were done in the good old days in Victoria.

James was in his element, as the back of the Kiln there was some really nice fungi, so out came the cameras and well you guessed it James spent quite some time getting that right shot, me I took a few photos but poor Rena was getting a tad bored, so we went up to the caretakers cottage and we had a bit of a look around.

Back at the car we decided that we would head over to Firth Park a day early, as we were meeting our good friend Chooky over there on the weekend, so in goes the coordinates in the GPS and we head off.

We stopped in at Healsville and did a quick shop. Loved the Coles car park as it had 3 designated car parks for caravans/boats. First ones in all the towns we have visited so far. Finally a RV friendly town.

We kept confusing the poor woman inside the GPS, she wanted to send us through the centre of Melbourne and we just kept heading northish and eventually she got it right and took us the way we wanted to go.  As it was we got to Firth Park at about 3.30pm and we set up camp for a couple of days stay.

Beautiful spot, 1 older toilet block and a new one (although new one had high door handles and poor Rena couldnt open the doors as we found out from a small cry of help when she went to the loo and couldnt get out). As they advised there was limited spaces for camper trailers so we were glad that there was no one else there when we arrived and had the pick of the place.

Time to sit back and relax for a while.

Not long after we had sat back and were relaxing 2 other campers arrived, damn the peace and tranquility was broken.  We pegged out Chookys claim for when he arrived tomorrow just in case we had more arrivals during the night and headed off to bed.

camp set up at Kurth Kiln

Rena on the Kurth Kiln walk

Kurth Kiln shed

Kurth Kiln

Caretakers cottage Kirth Kiln

camp at Firth Park

Firth Park

Day 74 Tuesday 23rd April 2013, Location; Bass Valley Reserve

Woke up to a sunny morning with no wind (YAY!!!!) I am starting to feel my nose again it is finally starting to defrost.

Today we decided to head to Phillip Island to check it out.

We arrived at Phillip Island and we drove down to The Nobbies but as it was blowing a gale and the sea was roaring there were no seals to look at today. I must say that this place has certainly changed since I was last here about 19 years ago now, back then there was a wooden shack at the top, now there is new Visitors center that wasn't there then. You could pay to view the seals out of Seal Rock, but as there wasnt any out there today no point wasting our money.

The display was quite interesting but little miss 4 yr old had other ideas, and wouldn't stand still long enough for us to read much of it, so off and down to do the boardwalk to see if we could see any penguins or seals.

We did get to see quite a number of Cape Barron Geese along the roadway to the Nobbies.

We headed off to the Penguin Parade, this place was still the same as last time, however, during the day you can go in and have a look around the display inside but you can no longer go out the front and look at the nesting boxes, they have about 6 that you can look at through perspex inside so that was as close as we got to seeing any penguins.

You are no longer allowed to take any photos of any kind during the nightly penguin parade, and it was going to cost us about $50 to see the parade, and it was blowing a gale and sleety rain, we decided to pass. (Didnt really feel like sitting in the rain with a gale blowing trying to see the Penguins).

Next stop was to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Track. As it is a closed circuit you are not allowed to go in to it like Bathurst, you can do a hot lap but at $199 + we decided that we would go to the museum, but at $12.50 each for James and I and $9.50 for Rena we decided to pass as we had been to the motor museum at Bathurst.

We took some photos to stir Leaston then headed back to the car and off to Woolami Beach. By this time I could no longer feel my nose again, and Rena chose to stay in the car whilst James and I had a quick look at the beach before rushing back to the car.

Next stop was Parry's Chocolate Factory. Once again $12.50 each for James and I, and $9.50 for Rena to do the tour, and as it was only 30 mins to closing we decided just to have a look at the store. So $13.50 and 2 100g bars of chocolate later we headed back to the car. The girl who served us could not have been more sour and less helpful. The person before me was Asian and she bent over backwards smiling and laughing with them offering them free samples, me was like go away I dont want to serve you and how dare you ask for a free sample for that KID.

Time to head for our chosen camp site, we have decided to give the Mornington Peninsula a miss this time, we wanted to head away from the coast and hopefully this wet weather.

We got to Kirth Kiln at about 5.30pm, the couple of designated camp spots at the Kiln were not really suited to camper trailers, and a nice man who saw us turning around trying to find somewhere to camp came over and saw us and told us of more suitable camp site up the road a little so we headed up there, first lot we looked at were not suitable, but I scored, someone had left a canvas stool (so I now own a canvas stool just needs a minor repair) and we headed further up the track, found a nice level spot and set up camp.

James did a walk whilst I was cooking dinner and found a drop toilet. I finished cooking dinner in the dark and we wet to bed early to get away from the cool night.

A note for people thinking of camping at Kirth Kiln from the 6th May the local council were no longer allowing camping at the Kiln but you could still camp in the forest.

The Nobbies - Phillip Island

Cape Baron Geese

Bass Valley Reserve Campground

Phillip Island Grand Prix Track

Parrys Chocolate Factory

James at Woolami Beach

Day 73 Monday 22 April 2013, Location; Wilson's Prom Tidal River Campground

What a difference a day can make. We awoke to a cold and wet miserable day.

We packed up a wet camper and headed to the main carpark and headed off to the boardwalk for a quick look. Two hours later we returned to the car a lot colder after going up and doing the Tidal River Lookout walk. Thankfully the rain had held off whilst we were on the walk so we just had to contend with the bitterly cold wind.

After getting back to the car, we agreed to go and head to the take away and get a much needed hot chocolate, (first one for the trip) and Rena wanted an ice cream, I think that we could be in Antarctica and - 40 and she would still want an ice cream.

So 2 hot chocolates, 1 serve of fish and chips, 1 bucket of chips and Rena single cone ice cream ($26.50 later), but boy was the hot chocolate good. We sat outside to eat our chips and we had lunch guests. The local Rosella population have a thing for hot chips. They were even taking them from our hands as we were trying to put them in our mouths.

They say dont feed the local wildlife but they pinch it out of your hands/mouth :)

After our hot lunch we headed back to the car and off to Squeeky Beach.

We slowly progressed along all of the walks as we headed back out of the park. When we got to Whisky Beach we were all frozen and it was about 3.30pm so we decided that it was time to decide where we were going to camp for the night and head for it. Instead of walking down to the beach we just viewed it from the lookout and headed back to the car and onwards to our camp.

It was nice to get back in to a nice warm car, although James got stung on the foot by something so he now has a sore foot as well as being cold.

We headed for the Bass Valley Reserve and arrived at about 5.20 pm in grand style, James missed the entry so locked up all tyres and announced that we had arrived, then reversed back and drove in. Luckily there was only one other camper there.  It was a quick set up and an even quicker dinner, reheated left overs and had them on toast, cooked in the setting sunlight.

Off to bed to get warm, more photos to process tonight, gosh the Prom was a beautiful spot, definitely could go back there and spend more time, would love to do the walk down to the light house but that would take a lot of prep work and someone to look after Rena for a couple of days whilst James and I did the walk. Don't think her poor little legs would cope. 

Tidal River Boadwalk - Wilson's Prom

Tidal River - Wilson's Prom

Tidal River - Wilson's Prom

Wilson's Prom

Rock Crawlers - Wilson's Prom

Tidal River - Wilson's Prom

Friendly lunch guests - Tidal River - Wilson's Prom

Wilson's Prom

Day 72 Sunday 21st April 2013, Location: Bear Gully Reserve, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

What a beautiful find, very well laid out campground and very good drop toilets.

The day was beautiful, so we packed up a dry camper and headed to the Cape Liptrap Lighthouse.

The road was a little corragated, but it was worth the bumps, what a truely beautiful coastline. The water was so clear and green and clean. You could see the bottom.

Back in the car and off to Wilson's Prom for a boo peep.

I decided to book a camp site for the night, once I saw what was on offer with the walking tracks I knew we wouldnt get them all in this afternoon. There is just so much to explore here. Warnings about wombats taken in, we dont have to worry as all our food is either locked in front box or in car, but even still, you need to make sure that you dont leave anything out here, the wombats will find it and if there is a door/fly in the way they will eat through it. (We saw evidence of this alter that night when a wombat had eaten through the under neath screened room of a roof top camper who hadnt headed the warning)

We quickly set up and then had an even quicker lunch before heading off on the eastern Conran Bay track. We made it to the lookout and then went to go around the corner to the bay and was greeted with a sign saying that the track was closed due to a planned burn, we we went just a tad further to get the pic of the bay and started heading back for camp. By this stage little miss 4 yr old was tired and hungry so we heard about it all the way back to camp.

The walk back was brisk but nice with the sun setting we took the beach back. Beautiful.

Whilst I cooked dinner I put a load of washing on $4 a load and Rena and James went wombat spotting. Rena saw quite a few wombats with James.

Dinner cooked and it was my turn to go wombat spotting, load of washing in dryer $3, so spotlight in one hand, Rena in the other we headed off, we got to see quite a number of wombats, a possum and a few rabbits as well as other wildlife.

Got back from wombat spotting and dryer still going, so time for bath for Rena, then got the clothes out of the dryer, couldnt believe it $3 and they were all dry.

Time for a nice hot shower and bed after looking at some photos.

Cape Liptrap Lighthouse

Wilson's Prom

Rena and James at Wilson's Prom

Wilson's Prom

Wombat at Wilson's Prom

Rena at Wilson's Prom