April 30 - May 6

30^th April Sunday

Good sleep here at Scrubby Creek state forest. Heard a bit of road noise but no worries at all.

We are trying to get away a bit earlier this morning as last few days were later than usual.

Another sunny day at 12 degrees and not far down the road we crossed into the Victoria border around 9am. We drove straight past the welcome to Victoria sign as it came up too fast for us….but will see more I am sure.

Found a lovely seaside town named Mallacoota beach so we took a drive around and through the biggest caravan park we have ever seen.

We counted over 700 sites for powered and unpowered .We let Billy out onto the lovely beach and I walked looking for shells. The ‘dogs on leash’ signs were everywhere so had to leave Billy on a lead. So after here we drove down to the wharf area right beside the ocean where we ended up stopping for a pancake breakfast and coffee. As we were about to leave a 200 series 4wd pulled up beside us only because they are bushtracker owners. Lovely people Rosemarie & Stuart Cann who were retired and are on a six month holiday visa from NZ and so full of life. We discussed everything for a few hours about where we all had been, camp spots, places of interest etc. We exchanged email contacts so maybe we can keep in contact.
Following Wiki Camps we stopped beside a river on the Snowy River highway. This location is about 5 km North of Marlo.

There is TV and mobile reception.

This morning we have left the van at site and gone off to explore the surrounding area. 

This one was at Salmon Rocks.


We came across many sandy tracks that led us out to the picturesque ocean views, some with lookouts and others with well-worn tracks or stairs. Salmon Rocks was another beautiful beach with never ending sand and a long winding staircase that led down to the beach and massive rock formations. The sand was so clean we took some footprint photos that I am thinking will look great on a canvas print.

Moving on from Snowy River we went to Lakes Entrance for food and then drove only 8 kms or so from town to a Wiki camp suggested spot- I didn’t think much of it so we moved on towards a much nicer place called Tambo River near Swan Reach. There are several camp sites along the river very similar to each other so we stopped at the best one we could. We are facing to the river to have some shelter from the bitterly cold wind…. photo of our location.

3^rd May Wednesday

6 degrees this morning at Tambo River but crisp blue skies to start the morning.

Today we will move on and look around Bairnsdale for a few hours.

What a lovely place and so many shops within walking distance- it is like Brisbane city but more of a country feel. After finding a double car park we gathered our washing and walked to a laundrette, only to find it was run by two of the friendliest husband and wife couples who were Greek. Not only do they entirely put your washing in but they insist you go and spend time looking around the shops, go have a coffee(at the best coffee shop around) they will put in the dryer as well then take it out when finished and fold it for you. The cost for each machine is around $6 or $9 depending.

So after a lovely coffee I walked around by myself checked out some shops- bought a few items while Russell went for fuel then we both found another carpark on the side of a road. Russell was still after a rain jacket so eventually after looking at about three he parted with $50 and bought a good quality one.

Russell also forgot socks for this journey and not enough jocks so he ventured on his own in Target Country and came out with articles……amazing!!

We continued our walk and quest to find a bakery but after crossing several roads we both got slightly fed up so decided to sit in the caravan and eat our own food.

Whilst there we worked out where our destination for our camp should be- Russell is very good at following Wiki Camps and each one so far has been cost free, allows dogs and great locations.

On our drive from Bairnsdale we continued through lovely towns like Stratford on The Avon, Stradbroke and Sale.

Tonight, we are staying at Ninety Mile Beach at Gifford- South of Sale and what a gem.

4^th May Thursday

Pleasant and quiet night at the beach. We will most likely stay until Friday if we can depending on weather. This morning we went for a walk on the beach- the sand was freezing cold.

Russell had a bit of fun fishing just to try his luck- unfortunately the lure got caught on something and ripped off.

Billy constantly barks at the fishing rod-no idea why.

The sun is warming our van nicely so we should get a whole heap of solar charge today. We had the shade wall down last night but as the sun is coming in under the awning we rolled it up so we can enjoy the warmth and have some morning tea outside.

All you can hear is the pounding of the surf on the beach which is nice. One other camper way down the beach but no one else is here.

Russell has taken an opportunity to replace the brake pads on the cruiser while I go for my long walk on the beach.

Afternoon came along too quick, really enjoying the beach break.

Tonight we are going to have a fire so we can cook our famous puff pastry meat pie.

6^th May Friday

This morning we will leave this beautiful McGaurans Beach after staying for 2 nights- such a lovely beach.

We will try our best to avoid the main parts of Melbourne as we continue our journey today, so somewhere today we need to re fill all our water tanks and refill or exchange caravan gas cylinder.

Drove through a very small town by the name of Gormandale on the Hyland Hwy.

In the distance we could see these power stations that were massive. The name of this plant was Loy Yang as we followed the signs into Traralgong.

Stopping in at a park we had brunch before braving the city street here looking for water and gas.

Eventually found a BBQ Galore that did swap n go cheaper than the refill. They also had a water tap we could use for our tanks.

So onwards and out of Traralgong with the plan to find somewhere on the outskirts to camp. We have been told some camping spots in and around the Melbourne area are very expensive so we hope to find a Wiki camp free.

As it is getting into the later part of the afternoon we decide to start looking for a camp spot rather than to keep driving to Brown Brothers and get there close to 6pm.

So following Wiki camps there have only been picnic day use areas then a caravan park– no camping in any of these areas but we are anyway. We will be gone by 7.30 am so lets hope no ranger comes through here.

Dom Dom Saddle picnic ground Fernshaw Victoria.

After dinner we watched a bit of TV then settled in for an early night. Within moments of this our night was interrupted by a few men who drove in with their cars and a motorbike and decided to stay less than 6 metres from us! It was as if we were invisible and they really had no care for us being there. So for many hours we listened to them yelling out loud, flashing torches around the camp site we think they were looking for firewood, they then proceeded to light it and continually spoke loudly. Somewhere in the early hours I heard their voices in the distant so again was very perplexed as to what they were doing.

A very restless night that’s for sure with thoughts of just dropping the BT off the level blocks and driving away, but we were too tired and very cold to do anything, so tried to get more sleep.

6^th May Saturday

Russell woke up early and said let’s go its 7.30 anyway so within 5 minutes we were gone.

Drove a short distance to another day use area just to have breakfast and coffee before heading off towards Brown Brothers winery. Along the way, we drove into a lovely little town Euroa where we stopped for morning tea and chatted to the locals.

Arrived at Milawa and found the other RV spots so we pulled up behind them. We are at the end of the carpark closest to the green fields so Billy can have a good run.

We were chatting to some other people here who are from Nambour and others are locals and just here to enjoy the surrounding wineries.

We ended up going over to the local shops a bit late in the afternoon but still got to taste test some cheese, had a quick look in the Olive shop before driving back to camp spot.

Tomorrow we have decided to do a day drive out to see what is here.