@travellingwiththeateam

The day started with a tram trip down memory lane in Portland.

Whilst on first viewings this ‘chip wood’ port town isn’t the most scenic, after discovering the old tram and experiencing the 1hr tour through the port, past the car museum and WWII memorial museum, we were captivated by its old world charm. All helped by the friendly volunteers working the tram and the fellow passengers and Seejay the dog that Andy befriended.

Being on the coast in a more exposed part, the temperature had dipped and we were both in long trousers for the first time in a while.

Michelle really enjoyed the tour and was taken back to her childhood and the holidays of her youth.

Despite being in the centre of the town, we came across a koala in a tree next to the tram lines.

The pace of the tram was slow and relaxing and enabled us to really soak in the ever changing scenery and sights.

The World War II memorial site, formerly a water tower sits proudly on a hill looking over the bay and down over Portland centre.

On leaving Portland we headed through the vast Victorian forests that provide the bountiful supply of timber for the chip wood that then gets shipped across Australia and further afield to China and Europe.

We dipped down to the coast to visit Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before then following the coast to Nelson itself and the Nelson State Forest.

Our visit to the lighthouse was enjoyable, save for the attack of the horse flies who are so ‘venomous’ that they managed to bite through Michelle’s leggings!

Later into the afternoon and at the hottest part of the day, we stopped in Nelson for a coffee and ice cream and then headed to the reserve and a walk on the deserted beach.

The beach was blessed with white glowing sand and with the tide coming in, Andy was able to grab the opportunity to write a message in the sand to our daughter Amelia telling her how much we miss her.

There was so much wildlife on the Nelson reserve, notably the black swans which are really eye catching set against the white swans of the Uk.

After a few more miles of driving we said goodbye to Victoria and hello to South Australia. On crossing the state border we then required to dispose of our fruit due to restrictions of movement, which meant we ended up consuming a load of strawberries, 3 bananas and huge bunch of grapes in short succession to avoid having to just throw them away. Definite fruit overload!

Tomorrow we move in land to the volcanic centre that is Mount Gambier.

The day started with a tram trip down memory lane in Portland.

Whilst on first viewings this ‘chip wood’ port town isn’t the most scenic, after discovering the old tram and experiencing the 1hr tour through the port, past the car museum and WWII memorial museum, we were captivated by its old world charm. All helped by the friendly volunteers working the tram and the fellow passengers and Seejay the dog that Andy befriended.

Being on the coast in a more exposed part, the temperature had dipped and we were both in long trousers for the first time in a while.

Michelle really enjoyed the tour and was taken back to her childhood and the holidays of her youth.

Despite being in the centre of the town, we came across a koala in a tree next to the tram lines.

The pace of the tram was slow and relaxing and enabled us to really soak in the ever changing scenery and sights.

The World War II memorial site, formerly a water tower sits proudly on a hill looking over the bay and down over Portland centre.

On leaving Portland we headed through the vast Victorian forests that provide the bountiful supply of timber for the chip wood that then gets shipped across Australia and further afield to China and Europe.

We dipped down to the coast to visit Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before then following the coast to Nelson itself and the Nelson State Forest.

Our visit to the lighthouse was enjoyable, save for the attack of the horse flies who are so ‘venomous’ that they managed to bite through Michelle’s leggings!

Later into the afternoon and at the hottest part of the day, we stopped in Nelson for a coffee and ice cream and then headed to the reserve and a walk on the deserted beach.

The beach was blessed with white glowing sand and with the tide coming in, Andy was able to grab the opportunity to write a message in the sand to our daughter Amelia telling her how much we miss her.

There was so much wildlife on the Nelson reserve, notably the black swans which are really eye catching set against the white swans of the Uk.

After a few more miles of driving we said goodbye to Victoria and hello to South Australia. On crossing the state border we then required to dispose of our fruit due to restrictions of movement, which meant we ended up consuming a load of strawberries, 3 bananas and huge bunch of grapes in short succession to avoid having to just throw them away. Definite fruit overload!

Tomorrow we move in land to the volcanic centre that is Mount Gambier.

The day started with a tram trip down memory lane in Portland.

Whilst on first viewings this ‘chip wood’ port town isn’t the most scenic, after discovering the old tram and experiencing the 1hr tour through the port, past the car museum and WWII memorial museum, we were captivated by its old world charm. All helped by the friendly volunteers working the tram and the fellow passengers and Seejay the dog that Andy befriended.

Being on the coast in a more exposed part, the temperature had dipped and we were both in long trousers for the first time in a while.

Michelle really enjoyed the tour and was taken back to her childhood and the holidays of her youth.

Despite being in the centre of the town, we came across a koala in a tree next to the tram lines.

The pace of the tram was slow and relaxing and enabled us to really soak in the ever changing scenery and sights.

The World War II memorial site, formerly a water tower sits proudly on a hill looking over the bay and down over Portland centre.

On leaving Portland we headed through the vast Victorian forests that provide the bountiful supply of timber for the chip wood that then gets shipped across Australia and further afield to China and Europe.

We dipped down to the coast to visit Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before then following the coast to Nelson itself and the Nelson State Forest.

Our visit to the lighthouse was enjoyable, save for the attack of the horse flies who are so ‘venomous’ that they managed to bite through Michelle’s leggings!

Later into the afternoon and at the hottest part of the day, we stopped in Nelson for a coffee and ice cream and then headed to the reserve and a walk on the deserted beach.

The beach was blessed with white glowing sand and with the tide coming in, Andy was able to grab the opportunity to write a message in the sand to our daughter Amelia telling her how much we miss her.

There was so much wildlife on the Nelson reserve, notably the black swans which are really eye catching set against the white swans of the Uk.

After a few more miles of driving we said goodbye to Victoria and hello to South Australia. On crossing the state border we then required to dispose of our fruit due to restrictions of movement, which meant we ended up consuming a load of strawberries, 3 bananas and huge bunch of grapes in short succession to avoid having to just throw them away. Definite fruit overload!

Tomorrow we move in land to the volcanic centre that is Mount Gambier.

The day started with a tram trip down memory lane in Portland.

Whilst on first viewings this ‘chip wood’ port town isn’t the most scenic, after discovering the old tram and experiencing the 1hr tour through the port, past the car museum and WWII memorial museum, we were captivated by its old world charm. All helped by the friendly volunteers working the tram and the fellow passengers and Seejay the dog that Andy befriended.

Being on the coast in a more exposed part, the temperature had dipped and we were both in long trousers for the first time in a while.

Michelle really enjoyed the tour and was taken back to her childhood and the holidays of her youth.

Despite being in the centre of the town, we came across a koala in a tree next to the tram lines.

The pace of the tram was slow and relaxing and enabled us to really soak in the ever changing scenery and sights.

The World War II memorial site, formerly a water tower sits proudly on a hill looking over the bay and down over Portland centre.

On leaving Portland we headed through the vast Victorian forests that provide the bountiful supply of timber for the chip wood that then gets shipped across Australia and further afield to China and Europe.

We dipped down to the coast to visit Cape Nelson Lighthouse, before then following the coast to Nelson itself and the Nelson State Forest.

Our visit to the lighthouse was enjoyable, save for the attack of the horse flies who are so ‘venomous’ that they managed to bite through Michelle’s leggings!

Later into the afternoon and at the hottest part of the day, we stopped in Nelson for a coffee and ice cream and then headed to the reserve and a walk on the deserted beach.

The beach was blessed with white glowing sand and with the tide coming in, Andy was able to grab the opportunity to write a message in the sand to our daughter Amelia telling her how much we miss her.

There was so much wildlife on the Nelson reserve, notably the black swans which are really eye catching set against the white swans of the Uk.

After a few more miles of driving we said goodbye to Victoria and hello to South Australia. On crossing the state border we then required to dispose of our fruit due to restrictions of movement, which meant we ended up consuming a load of strawberries, 3 bananas and huge bunch of grapes in short succession to avoid having to just throw them away. Definite fruit overload!

Tomorrow we move in land to the volcanic centre that is Mount Gambier.

Back on the road today and enjoying the diversity of change.

Our first stop was a return to the Bay of Islands on the GOR and a walk along the headland to marvel at the array of mini islands separated from the mainland due to ongoing erosion from the ocean.

The Bay of Islands marks the end of the Twelve Apostles, possibly one of the most magnificent ocean coastlines in Australia, if not the world.

After a short inland drive we arrived in Warrnambool, an early aboriginal community, now famed for its hot springs and beaches.

As luck would have it, we managed to visit both.

After a brief sortie to the beach, we made our way to ‘Deep Blue’ hot springs and 2hrs of sanctuary experience.

This was a new experience for the both of us and involved dipping in and out of hot springs out in the sunshine. In total there were ten ‘pools’ ranging from 32 up to 42 celsius, save for one ice bath where the water dipped to just 12 Celsius, which is pretty much the norm for sea water back at home!!

I must say, the hot water was very soothing and made us feel incredibly dozy and chilled. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

After regaining some strength we made our way out of the town and to Tower Hill Reserve, the site of a defunct volcano where we walked around the outer crater and could see down to the now water filled core.

The reserve is also home to wallabies and koalas, of which we saw both in their natural habitats.

The views around the crater were spectacular and made us feel like we were on the film set of some Aussie outback movie, such was the solitude and quiet in amongst the scrub.

With a few hours left of the day, we pushed on to Port Fairy, which proved to a lot prettier than we remembered from our last visit about 10yrs ago. It’s a quaint seaside town awash with a sandy beach and a Victorian Main Street and houses to match.

We are trying our best to free camp every other night, and tonight we had with the help of an App called WikiCamps we had found a place in Mount Clay State Forest. After an uncertain last couple of miles we came out the woodland retreat miles from anywhere, which had also been ‘discovered’ by another 25-30 other camper vans and caravans like ourselves. Whilst these places are basic, providing just a piece of land to park and a nearby toilet, they are well looked respected and you meet some interesting people.

Tomorrow we head on to Portland and into South Australia, which oddly is on a time zone 30mins behind Victoria.

Great Ocean Road and town-hopping today.

We left Winchelsea early and a return to the coastal road with a first stop at Lorne.

With the cooler weather having returned, rather than a few hours on the beach, we went for a 5k coastal walk to Lorne pier.

In acknowledgment of our healthy exercise we treated ourselves to a lunch of fish & chips!

A fish & chips lunch felt only right as a proper beach feed.

Naturally to reflect the need to stay healthy we accepted the complimentary salad!!

Post lunch Andy went out to the beach to ‘celebrate’ with a star jump or two.

Getting back into the camper van we drove on to the usually picturesque Apollo Bay.

Sadly with the clouds looming and rain predicted, we pushed on for a further hour or so and made our way to Port Campbell the entry point to the Twelve Apostles.

On arrival, the sun thankfully returned and post dinner we went for an early evening walk to the beach.

Given the later hour, it was almost 8pm after all, Andy’s hoody made its first outing of the trip.

Tomorrow we hit the various walks and beaches to see the Twelve Apostles in all their glory.

The tremendous Twelve Apostles day.

Today we could have posted more pictures than we have taken in the last week, such is the beauty of this part of the Great Ocean Road/ Victorian coastline.

Below are the edited highlights of a day of wonder.

First stop was Gibson’s steps and the steep cliff walk down to Gibson beach.

This was the first time we’ve been back to the Twelve Apostles since 2014 and in that time the once famous London Bridge has in the words of the famous children’s nursery rhyme ‘fallen down’. The ever eroding power of the sea has meant that the ‘bridge’ collapsed into the ocean.

Next stop was the Grotto, an encircled area where the eroding limestone has left small ‘windows’ cut out of the rock looking out to the ocean.

On to the Bay of Martyrs, the final stop along this section of the Twelve Apostle coastline. More tiny rock faces edging out into the distance.

With the main ocean stops covered off, we moved in land and the town of Timboon where the offer of whiskey tasting, and ice creams, was too much of a draw.

A day of awe, such amazing scenery, and one that makes you appreciate the wonder and beauty this country offers.

Sunday was a sun day.

After a leisurely breakfast in Anglesea we joined the throng on the main beach and enjoyed a day of cloudless skies.

The Anglesea revellers were out in full and there was competition for space on the sands due to the Coolcabana craze.

After lunch we had a walk along the beach and marvelled at the cabbage white butterfly invasion that spread across the flowered bushes and plants along the Salt Gully estuary.

Today has been one of the hottest since we left Sydney and topped out at 35c. When it gets that hot there really is only one option….Addis Pale Ale by Bells Beach Brewing. Truly a fantastic brew when served chilled!

After enjoying a day at the beach we travelled in land to a free camping site in a small place called Winchelsea. In truth there was little to see or do there, other than enjoy a free nights stay and embrace the sound of thousands of white parrots in the nearby trees squawking until their eventual ‘bed’ around 10ish.

Tomorrow we return to the Great Ocean Road with the next stop being Lorne.

Saturday and it’s a scorcher.

Woke up early to bright blue skies and a predicted high of 32 degrees. With Torquays numerous beaches less than a mile away we headed to the ‘front’.

Being Australia the beach was teeming at 9.45am, so having found a decent spot and got our coffee and toast fix, we settled in for the day.

The pictures don’t really show it, but this was the busiest we’ve seen any beaches in Oz to date. Torquay being only 90mins from Melbourne it attracts a lot of weekend visits and hence the cafes and restaurants were filled to the brim.

Torquay is the home of Rip Curl and Billabong, as well as the Australian National Surfing Museum. Added to the surfing heritage, it has imposing place names such as Point Impossible and Point Danger so no one is confused by the risks of surfing in these parts!

We enjoyed the surf, but kept to the shallows and indulged in some sun worshipping and walks along the beach.

In the evening we went down to the Esplanade and a bar called Bomboras where we drank in the views and a couple of glasses of cool South Australian Sauvignon Blanc.

To give you a steer as to where we now sit, at the start of the Great Ocean Road the Apple Map below shows the position of Torquay west of Geelong, about 75 miles from Melbourne.

Tomorrow we head down to Anglesea and from there towards Apollo Bay.

It’s a beach kind of day.

Torquay sits at the start of the Great Ocean Road and within a few miles there are a plethora of world famous beaches, so with Adelaide only 9hrs away by car and 26 days to play with, we have decided to stay in Torquay until Sunday and enjoy all that it can offer.

With the sun out we headed 15mins down the road to Anglesea and after a coffee stop made to the first beach of the day.

After an hour of silent thinking, we decided to take a walk along the coast into Great Otway National Park.

Post walk we went back along the coast to do some beach drop in’s. First was Winki Pop then on to the Bells Beach, the home of surfing and the one made famous in the Break Point movie with Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves.

Friday’s entertainment at Anglesea Twilight market.