PHILLIP ISLAND, VICTORIA - 9 TO 12 FEBRUARY 2022

 9 FEBRUARY

PHILLIP ISLAND

It was a bit of a drive – 4 hours but the roads were good and the scenery variable.

We stopped at Bairnsdale to get a component for the GPS – successful. We passed through some pretty towns and decided that we will do a dedicated Victoria trip on another road trip.

We arrived at Phillip Island settles into our camp area and wandered down to the beach for afternoon wine in the closing rays of the sun.

10 FEBRUARY

PHILLIP ISLAND

After breakfast, we had a short sit on the camp beach to decide today’s activities.

We drove to Smiths Beach firstly to check the surf. It was about ½ foot and onshore.

Next stop was Pyramid Rock. The road in was very corrugated but it was worth it. A boardwalk leading out the point with sweeping coastal views to the south and north of the island. The immediate coastline was rugged and looked difficult to access but the clear water looked inviting for a snorkel.

Bumpty bump and back to the main road and on to Kitty Miller Bay. The tide was low and the bay was lined with a sandy beach on the immediate foreshore then a vast low lying rock platform dotted with rocks. The two points of the bay were small cliffs. It was very pretty. Endangered birds nest in the area. Tread carefully.

Next were The Nobbies. There were board walks at various levels with nesting boxes scattered everywhere in the sloping hillside for penguins. The views of the coastline were magnificent with rocky inlets, rock pools, deep water, a large rounded headland and a small offshore island. There were large birds fossicking and we even saw a copperhead snake (venomous).

Two short stops to look at the coast and surf at Cowrie and Shelly Beach which are on the inland side of the island. Very pretty with very small waves.

Our last stop was Swan Lake for some bird watching. There was a boardwalk that led to two bird hides for viewing. A great idea! We saw cormorants, black swans, swallows, ducks, swamp hens and many other birds, as well as, a large kangaroo with a white stripe on either face cheek and a blue tongue lizard.

What a great day! Back to camp for resting.

11 FEBRUARY

PHILLIP ISLAND

We drove to Wallamai Bay to check the surf. The wind was strong and onshore but the wave size had increased. There was a major surfing contest.

We decided on a cycle at Owens Reserve.

The tracks were easy and groomed with a bit of uphill and downhill. We saw a couple of swamp wallabies and an echidna along the way. The scenery was scrubby.

12 FEBRUARY

PHILLIP ISLAND – SPIRIT OF TASMANIA

We packed and left for our rendezvous with the ferry to Tasmania.

Along the way, we stopped at the Chocolate Factory for coffee. The coffee was delivered by tray carrying robots. Unique!

Our next stop was CRANEBOURNE to buy a dongle. It was no problem but not cheap.

We drove to MORNINGTON PIER for lunch in the park. The views were great but the place was very crowded … Saturday. I had a walk around the headland, along the pier and the beach. On the pier there were kids jumping into the water and along the beach I saw a couple of large mantra rays in the shallows.

We had dinner in a nice park at ST KILDA We drove a little further to get ourselves ready for the ferry. Outside the beach toilets was a reasonably young girl sleeping on a mattress. She was friendly and we chatted a bit. A different life!

SPIRIT OF TASMANIA

We drove a short distance for the line up to board the ferry. It all went quite smoothly and before long we were parked on the boat, settled into our cabin and having a few drinks in the bar.

ARMIDALE - 25 TO 30 NOVEMBER 2020

25 November

At Walcha, we visited relatives and had lunch at an old pub converted into a cafe. The gardens were a treat and we sat around a garden bench beneath a cabana of wisteria enjoying our food.

Next stop was Armidale, where we settled into the Highlander Camp and later had dinner with our daughter, Kara who was doing intern work there for the three months.

26 November

We drove to Gara Gorge in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

We parked the car and followed the track on a 5.5 loop track. The scenery started off as a slow moving creek amongst the granite boulders. The track was an old aqueduct of sorts so it was relatively flat. The creek gradually disappeared from view as it cut deeper into the valley. The boulders became a dominated feature along with a variety of wild flowers.

We eventually reached a viewpoint where the creek was far below us. The track veered inland and became a meandering track through the grasses, logs and trees.

We soaked our feet in the water for awhile at the end of the hike as the temperature and the dryness of the air had increased.

We drove back to the Highlands camp but it was very hot and uninviting so we moved to Big 4 camp which was cooler, greener and had a pool. Luxury!

We met up with Kara and visited her dwelling in Armidale and then had dinner in town.

27 November

Jacinta wasn’t feeling well so we had an easy day at the camp and booked another two nights.

Later in the afternoon, we drove to Uralla to visit the various lagoons.

Barley Fields Lagoon had no water and looked ordinary.

Racecourse Lagoon had no water but still looked impressive. There were some birds in the bush around the lagoon.

The final lagoon, Dangars Lagoon had water and quite a variety of aquatic birds. We watched the foraged for food in the shallow waters.

After the lagoons, we met up with Kara for dinner at the White Bull Hotel. It had a good atmosphere and food.

28 November

A mountain bike ride at Pineys Mountain Bike Park art Armidale.

A long ride with some long flowing sections. I followed the black most of the way though I became a bit lost where the track had been cleared due to logging. I hit a pole at one stage which brought me to a dead holt and took my breath away. The day was hot but it was relatively cool in the pine forest.

29 November

A mountain bike ride on the cassina track in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

A long drive to reach the picnic area and the start of the track. There was a slight setback with my front wheel buckled. Must have happened at Pineys or someone nudged the bike with their car while we were in the café yesterday. Anyway, the ride was okay but it was a bit too hot/rough for Jacinta so we only did the short track.

Back in Armidale we had coffee and cakes in the park under the shade of a park tree. Nice and cool on such a hot day.

30 November

We had an easy morning. I strolled around the ponds of the holiday camp where we were staying. The ponds had beautiful lilies in bloom, an island in the centre and koi carp.

We drove into Armidale for supplies and a new wheel for my bike.

LAWRENCE - 17 TO 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

 

LAWRENCE

17 SEPTEMBER 2020

We arrived late in the afternoon at Lawrence to visit Jacinta';s sister. We had dinner and shared stories of the last six weeks.

I felt pretty ordinary today.

18 SEPTEMEBR 202

We woke to a foggy morning.

I was not feeling too good – splitting headache.

Lazy day

19 SEPTEMEBER

We left Lawrence for Emerald Beach.