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.

TYERS LAKE, VICTORIA - 7 TO 9 FEBRUARY 2022

 

7 FEBRUARY

TYERS LAKE

After leaving Mallacoota, we stopped at Cann River for the best egg and bacon burger and mediocre coffee.

We checked briefly the surf at Red Bluff – it had potential. Next was the camp at Tyers Lake – Lake Beachfront Holiday Park.

A bit of a bush track to the beach – loved it and the beach looked great and buffed with sandstone cliffs.

We settled in and I had a mountain bike ride along the local cliff top tracks. A great ride through thick bush and dense scrub that formed a tunnel. There were occasional views of the coastal scenery below and onwards to the north. At the most northern end I rode along a rainforest track and the wide beach formed by the exit of the river to the sea. Very pretty and a great ride.

Back at camp, and we swam in the pool and sat in the sun. Nice.

The late afternoon was relaxation and having a few wines and beers and a combo of the two.

The camp area is very pretty. Lots of shady trees, filtering light, protected from the wind and birds high above.

8 FEBRUARY

TYERS LAKE

We drove down to the lake and wandered around the beach and lake foreshore. It was very pretty and serene.

We continued to Lakes Entrance. It was sort of pretty but a bit too commercialized. Not much soul.

On the way back, we stopped at Lake Bunga. I had a kayak in the lake. It was so pristine and tranquil – birds, dragonflies, swaying reeds and trees, old bridge and the remains of small forests of trees that were once above water.

While I was gone, Jacinta had a walk along the beach and lake. A large black snake swam past her where I had launched my kayak.

9 FEBRUARY

TYERS LAKE

We woke and had a slow pack as we had a small problem with the van GPS.

Finally, we got going and stopped at Red Bluff to check the surf. It was pumping at overhead height. One mistake was putting on a spring suit and rash shirt … just wasn’t warm enough. It was bearable but I was surfing cold. Anyway, I had a number of fun waves before the cold got to me and in I went.

Off we went to Phillip Island.

MALLACOOTA, VICTORIA - 5 TO 7 FEBRUARY 2022

 

5 FEBRUARY

MALLACOOTA

We departed Bermagui for Mallacoota.

Along the way, it rained heavily. We stopped at Tathra, where the sun was shing to check the sun and have lunch.

We eventually reached Mallacoota, booked a camp site and settled in.

What an inspiring view over the inlet that was dotted with islands which were surrounded by channels. The beach was to the east and a low mountain range to the north.

We cycled our bikes around town and checked out Bastion Point and Tip Beach. The former was a long beach ending in the south with a manmade harbour big enough to launch two boats. The latter was another long beach which was more exposed to the swell. It was a good ride.

Back at camp we had a short rest then a walk along the waterfront. We sat on a small jetty and ate snacks while admiring the view.

6 FEBRUARY

MALLACOOTA

A bit of a sleep in.

We hiked the Double Creek nature walk and inlet walk. About 3km.

The first loop was through rainforest and thick vegetation. The bush had recovery from recent fires but there was evidence in burnt trees and new secondary growth. There were also a number of birds that made a ding sound. They were foraging in the lower tree growths. We crossed the main road and followed a track to the inlet. It ran parallel with a creek and at times we had good views of its tranquil nature. The end of the track was low salt bush growth and great views of the inlet and small islands.

After a snack, we drove to Bastion Point. The surf looked okay with one guy out. I paddled out and had a fun time with heaps of waves for the first hour and then to wind increased and turned onshore. I belly boarded to shore. Haha.

Back at camp, we had an easy afternoon.

7 FEBRUARY

MALLACOOTA

We woke to overcast and soon rain but light.

We packed, groceries and petrol and were on our way south.