Australian Big Lap

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  • Wilsons Promontory (Wk 16)

    View of Tidal River Campgrounds on to Norman Beach (Squeaky Beach in the distance)

    With heavy heart we left Phillip Island but have been blown away by Wilsons Promontory (still east of Melbourne and the southernmost point of mainland Australia). We arrived on Sunday 23/02/2020 to be amazed by the number of people staying here but managed to squeeze in. I can totally understand the number of visitors, it is beautiful here. And on Monday, lovely and quiet.

    We have stayed 3 nights walking a couple of tracks, paddling in the southern ocean (Paul swam, too cold for me!), celebrating Paul’s birthday and admiring the wildlife.

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  • Phillip Island (Wk 15)

    Little Blue Penguin (also known as Little Penguin and Fairy Penguin)

    Arrived a day later than planned at San Remo (for Phillip Island) on 21/02/2020 as our caravan manufacture let us down (again 🙁 ) but did not let that spoil our (too short) time on Phillip Island. We love Phillip Island and could easily live in Cowes on the north of the island.

    The day started by watching surfers catch a wave as we waited for the Phillip Island MotorGP track to open (Paul’s choice!). The photos don’t really show the track but you can see the fantastic location. A good time was had walking through the museum and standing on the viewing platform.

    We then drove to the Nobbies on the south western edge of the island. Amazing coastline with penguin burrows dotted along the walking tracks),

    After Nobbies we drove to Cowes on the north of the island. The town seemed to have everything: beautiful beach, shops and restaurants; although I did not see a Bunnings!

    In the evening we drove back towards Nobbies to watch the penguin parade. Wow what an experience. We paid for the Underground Viewing which allowed us to see the penguins at eye level only inches away. It was amazing. They waddled past talking to each other oblivious of us gawking at them, occasionally they would just plonk themselves down for a few minutes. Loved every minute. No photos allowed even without a flash.

    We were sorry to leave San Remo and Phillip Island but have to keep on moving! Next stop Tidal River (Wilsons Promontory NP) after which we start heading west towards Adelaide.

    One of the many surfing beaches
    Phillip Island MotorGP Track Bass Strait Straight
    The GP Circuit map from 1990
    It was also the first F1 circuit in OZ from 1929 won by a factory Austin 7
    Nobbies from the walking track
    Nobbies from the information centre
    Perfect place for lunch (Cowes beach)
    Cowes main street
    Waiting for the penguins to arrive
    Our caravan site at San Remo

  • Melbourne (Wk 14/15)

    Weribee South Caravan Park

    We arrived in Melbourne on 14/02 after a very smooth crossing.

    Werribee Mansion
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  • Tasmania Review

    We have absolutely loved our time in Tassie. We are so pleased we visited the ‘Holiday Isle’ State of Australia. Here’s our ‘best of’ list:

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  • Derwent Bridge and Lake St. Clair (Wk 14)

    The Wall

    On 10/02/2020 we travelled on winding roads uphill out of Queenstown towards Derwent Bridge for a one night pub stay (hooray, no cooking or washing up! And the best curry we’ve had in Australia).

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  • Queenstown and Strahan (Wk 13)

    West Coast Wilderness Railway

    On 08/02/2020 we left Waratah for Queenstown for 2 nights as a base for both the West Coast Wilderness Railway and for Strahan. Have not done either Queenstown or Strahan justice but our time in Tasmania is coming to an end so trying to pack in as much as we can!

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  • Corinna and Cradle Mountain (Wk 13)

    Barge crossing the Arthur River

    We left Arthur River and bitumen behind on our way to Corrina on 04/02. Only 100km but took 2 hours of careful driving and fingers crossed hoping we would not meet anyone.

    We stayed one night at Corrina on the Arthur River banks watching cars cross the barge that we are too large for (we knew). And then onto Waratah (a lovely small town that even has a waterfall as well as a pub) to have good access to Cradle Mountain.

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  • Stanley and the Tarkine Way (Arthur River) (Wk 12)

    It was cold going up The Nut, Stanley, chair lift!

    Lovely road from Launceston to the North West for a one night (01/02) free camp at the Yolla Tavern to explore Stanley and then onto Manuka Campground at Arthur River for two nights (03/02 & 04/02) to drive the Tarkine Way. The weather was not so great when driving (high winds and driving rain) but again Paul drove brilliantly to the conditions.

    Amazingly the weather has not stopped us exploring as we are rugged up and seem to dodge the heavy showers. The scenery in the north west is breathtaking and very green (I guess that’s the rain!).

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  • Launceston and surrounds (Wk 12)

    Cataract Gorge

    On 27/01/20, we left St Helens and took to the easy route to Launceston. Well if that was the easy route, I can’t imagine what the Elephant Pass was like. As always Paul’s driving was brilliant, and we arrived at Old Macs Farmstay safely for 5 nights to visit Launceston (Tasmania’s second largest city situated in the north of the island) and surrounding areas.

    We love Launceston. This seems to be a recurring theme in the Tassie blogs and with good reason. Each place we go to we love. It’s a toss-up between Hobart and Launceston as the place we’d like to live in. The scenery up here is breath taking. Roads to get here, not so much!

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  • Bay of Fires, Tasmania (Wk 11)

    Bay of Fires

    A short drive north from Bicheno to St Helens to provide access to the Bay of Fires. As its Australia Day weekend we decided not to risk finding a free camp on the beach. Instead we are staying in a quiet low cost site in St Helens. Again, a lovely town on the banks of Georges Bay.

    The Bay of Fires contains several white sandy beaches reached through bush. The water is an amazing colour but a bit too cold for a Queenslander :-).

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