Jonathan's World

Nowhere to go Sunday – Coles Bay

At last we are in a location for more than one night! We took advantage by having a lazier start to the day with the only task to speak to the accomodation owner about the ‘unfridge’. Emma made an early trip to the convenience store to buy a bag of ice to cool the ‘unfridge’.

After a late breakfast we set out to explore Freycinet National Park. Our first stop was Cape Tourville and its lighthouse. There were lovely views back to Wineglass Bay, purportedly one of the top 10 beaches in the world!

Our next stop was Friendly Beach and Christina was pleased to try her new car on a gravel track. By now it was lunchtime, so we enjoyed sandwiches on a bench overlooking the bay, entertained by a kite-surfer.

After lunch we had a little scramble amongst the rocks and rock pools on the beach.

The next stop was at Aspley’s Water Hole where Emma and Christina had a swim. Christina not deterred by not having a swimming costume – she was able to borrow Emma’s rashie top and board shorts.

By now we were getting hungry and so found a fish and chip shop in Bicheno and enjoyed our whiting, scallops and calamari outside in the sun. we then had a little explore around Bicheno. We watched an Air Ambulance land in the school field. Apparently there had been a car crash a little way down the road.

After a short stop at Bicheno we came home. On TV we enjoyed Sydney Sixers beating their Thunder rivals in the BBL cricket.

Devonport to Coles Bay (written by Emma).

After having a brief breakfast at the Novotel, we headed off on our journey to Coles Bay. Not long after setting off, I got sidetracked by the chocolate factory, House of Anvers. Catherine was rather unhappy to have stopped so early in the journey, eager to get to the final destination, but she soon warmed to the idea. After a quick look at the history of Chocolate and deeply observing the workers making the delicious treats, we got to the bit I was looking forward to most… The chocolate shop. After a long and hard decision-making, we made our choices. Me and Catherine chose to buy chocolate for our friends (and ourselves) on the way back, and Daddy got a bar of white chocolate and some truffles, which I’m sure he’ll share.

Continuing our journey, we had a morning tea break at Launceston, enjoying some Chocolate Frogs that Mummy bought us. After we had eaten the amphibians, we went to the market and bought most of our groceries, fresh and organic.

Then me and Daddy went to find some lawn fixings for our Cool Cabana, but instead got me a snood. Mummy and Catherine went to a ginormous camping shop, Anaconda, to buy thongs (flip flops in English) and a water bottle. We then drove to find lunch at a Food truck, just in time before closing.

We arrived at Coles Bay, at last. After unloading the car, we set off to the busy Ice cream shop to have a well-deserved treat. To burn off some energy, we went scrambling on the shore. Mummy and Daddy went off to do a short walk, and some shopping, and we headed back to the holiday cottage to play some Uno. To end the day we all helped to cook dinner using the sausages from the Farmers Market. They were delicious.

Geelong to Devonport – The Spirit of Tasmania

Early risers, we packed the car and left Shannon Motor Lodge in convoy behind our erstwhile neighbours from the opposite apartment. A short, 12 minute, drive around Geelong brought us to the ferry terminal. Newly opened in October 2022 we had plenty of time to admire it as our queue slowly moved past the ticket office, security and eventually up the boarding ramp.

After a coffee on level 7 we went to find our 4 berth cabin, with porthole, on level 8. Larger than expected it was a comfortable space. The only thing lacking was a wifi connection. After a sleep Catherine and I went to seating area on level 7 and Catherine enjoyed watch some television.

Reuniting with Christina and Emma we had a family lunch at the Tasmanian Market Kitchen before retiring to the cabin for the final 5 hours to Devonport.

At last Tasmania was in sight. Disembarking was a little slow as Deck 6 had to wait for all the traffic to clear. We soon found our way to the disappointing Novotel. Chosen as a bit of a treat we were turned away from a fully booked car park and then found ourselves short of towels – in a family room. The best was the receptionists admission that management knew of the misleading availability of car parking, but didn’t care. I wonder when we will next book a Nevertell hotel?

We walked a little way up the street to a lovely Italian restaurant to round off a good day’s travel.

Bairnsdale to Geelong

After frugally eating a breakfast in our Motel room we quickly loaded the car and headed out on another nature hunt. If yesterday was about pelicans, we hoped that today would be koalas. It was! And more!

A short drive south took us to the lovely small waterside town of Paynesville. We boarded the small car ferry across to Raymond Island, as foot passengers. Disembarking only a few minutes later we immediately found a board promoting the Koala Trail. Emma happily posed for a photo with a painted Koala which was very quickly sent as a birthday greeting to cousin Sophie.

We then set out westwards to explore the circumference off the island. The boardwalk path took us past some beautiful houses on unimaginatively named, unmetalled streets (1st Street to 12th Street in a grid pattern. Pretty green and red birds (parrots maybe} were occasionally flying overhead and lots of black swans floating and swimming around the water edge.

We came across the Abbey and remarkable Church Hall before eventually finding what we came to see. At the intersection of First and Tenth streets we saw our first koala. Of course, fast asleep and hidden at the top of a eucalyptus tree.

We continued our walk around the island, stopping for photos at the Yarn Circle before finding more koalas and eventually back to the ferry terminal. 

Our timing was great and we managed to walk straight onto the ferry to return to mainland Victoria. After a swing in the park we returned to the car for our westward trek to Geelong. Rural scenery became more and more devoted to cattle farming and we soon found a lunch-stop at Traralgon, which is apparently the biggest city in the City of Latrobe. We had a fresh and enjoyable Mexican meal at Zambezi’s.

The drive then continued through cattle sheep and horse country as far as Pakenham. Thereafter our rural idyll was replaced by busy modern suburbia aa we drove straight through the centre of the City. Remaining on the highway as it used bridges and tunnels to speed our progress. We passed under the AAMI stadium, home of Melbourne Storm until eventually reaching the fantastic suspension bridge which whisked us above the Port of Melbourne.

The busy traffic thinned out as we headed out to Geelong and our final night in Victoria, at the Shannon Motor Inn. Although the Great Ocean Road is only 40km west, it will remain an adventure for another day. 

We walked to dinner in West Geelong before returning to organise for an early departure in the morning.

First steps into Victoria

Although still cloudy, the morning in Merimbula was at least dry. After a quick photo outside our first floor motel room we checked-out and drove into town looking for breakfast.

We were fortunate to find a table at our first choice Waterfront Cafe and enjoyed a various of the menu items. Thus fortified we took advantage of the dry weather and headed out to the boardwalk alongside the lake – a favourite stroll from our visit last year.

After refuelling with diesel we left Merimbula and headed south towards the Victorian border. Passing familiar Eden and Boydstown, we then entered the unfamiliar as we followed the Princes Highway south. Catherine guessing most closely the time that we would cross the State border.

With only a 3 1/2 hour drive needed today we added an extension to our route and diverted to Mallacoota, the most easterly point in Victoria. Infamous for the beach evacuations needed during the 2020 bushfires, there was no chance of a repeat today. Instead we ‘enjoyed’ a walk in the showers and enjoyed the antics of the numerous pelicans. After a picnic lunch we retraced our route back to the Princes Highway and followed it to the west.

We stopped at Cann River, a small town in the Tamboon State Forest. Eschewing regular treats like coffee, we were instead tempted by the delights of the Lolly Shop. Suitably cheered, we continued with our wet drive. We stopped at Oboist and visited tourist information, housed in a traditional wooden ‘slab’ hut. Having picked up a very useful leaflet (but leaving the displayed Canberra 2019 brochure) we returned to the car for the final drive into Bairnsdale.

The Bairnsdale Town Central Motel was a comfortable base and after a short break we ventured out to Main St looking for food. Guided by internet recommendations we walked a long way down the street to a closed restaurant before returning via a Pizza restaurant. Instead of the traditional restaurant service we were served pizzas in cardboard boxes!

After all that excitement, we retired early, ready for a longer drive tomorrow.

Day 1

After much patience, and a little anxiety about Covid-19 again scuppering our plans, we are at last setting off on an adventure to Tasmania. Plans have changed since our original plan to fly from Sydney to Launceston. With flight costs escalating post-covid and car hire much scarcer we have decided to take our own car across the Bass Straight on the ferry Spirit of Tasmania.

We were well organised and set-off at 8am. Traffic was good. We had a good run around the airport and out to Goulburn. Christina enjoyed driving her new Pajero Sport for the first 2 hours but was ready to stop for refreshments. We found a great cafe / greengrocer / cycle shop for refreshments and also stocked up on sandwiches and wraps for lunch.

After coffee it was my turn to drive. Traffic was lighter as we travelled past Lake George, by-passed Canberra and out over the Snowy Mountains to Cooma. Contrasting with our stop in 2021, Cooma was warm and sunny. We enjoyed a picnic in the park and then had a walk around town. The girls were pleased to find new sunglasses in the outdoor shop.

In good spirits we set off towards the coast. Christina happily resuming driving duties. High-up on the mountain roads beyond Rock Flat the weather changed to torrential rain and by Nimmitabel there was hail on the ground. Outside temperatures still 18c. Christina let a few impatient cars past and we continued on our way.

A few km’s down the road we stopped behind those same cars. Passed by a hurrying ambulance and then safely warned by Waze that there had been an accident. Sure enough, a truck was on its side and the driver had been helped to clamber up and out.

Wet weather accompanied us all the way to Merimbula, although we were glad to emerge from cloud having descended Brown’s Mountain on a very windy road.

Settled comfortably in our room at the Ocean View motel, I struggled to get in the driving seat for our drive out to deliver our sold cello to Anna, the cello teacher and then to find food in Merimbula. No, the problem wasn’t Christina clinging to the keys, but a very carefully berthed boat and trailer.

After climbing across the cab we were able to complete our errand and park in Merimbula. Unfortunately Tuesday is not a good night for eating out – most establishments closed and the others very busy. We returned to Ocean View to enjoy supermarket microwave meals, which at least satisfied our hunger.

After a fleeting visit to ACT, we slept well looking forward to crossing another state boundary tomorrow – into Victoria.