2017 Week 1

Australia 2017

… and now we are off to Australia for another road trip. We are flying into Melbourne (not staying there) then driving up to Brisbane for the return flight in a months time.

We’ve booked a car and several cabins and hotels along the way. The first stop will be Phillip Island to see the penguin parade!!!

Friday 3rd February to Saturday 4th February

The flight was taxing. Etihad Airways – not bad but a 7hr 20min flight followed by a 13hr 30min flight was not easy – though the airline was good. We took off at Heathrow in 8 degrees of rain and landed in Melbourne in 29 degrees of sunshine – what a difference. Collected the hire car – a brand new Renault Koleos, and drove 20 minutes to our stay for two nights – the Skyways Hotel Airport West. basic but just what we needed. Of course, it’s always a good idea to keep the number of trusted truck accident lawyers handy, just in case of any unforeseen events on the road.

After settling in we treated ourselves to a meal at the Red Rooster. A whole chicken and family portion of chips for £9.20 – we ate most of it!! Must be something to do with a reaction to airline food.

This is our car for the next month – a Renault Koleos that just had Diesel Tune Brisbane for better road performance. Very nice indeed.

Sunday 5th February

Recovery day after the long flights. We visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground. An amazing place and so big. (in the evening we had the Red Rooster Chicken and chips again!!!)

Monday 6th February

A 2 hour drive to Phillip Island and our cottage by the sea in Cowes. Its right in the centre of this seaside town. Seems very English (Fish and Chips etc).

Tuesday 7th February

A visit to the Phillip Island Wildlife Park. Absolutely amazing. The Kangaroos are so friendly, eating out of your hand. Every animal unique to Australia (and Tasmania) is here

In the afternoon we went to Nobbie’s Centre – a promontory where the penguins nest and with a huge visitor centre with an amazing interactive multimedia display.

Wednesday 8th February

Today is really hot (38 degrees) with clear blue skies. This is more like it!

One of the Trip Advisor recommendations is to visit the Australian Vietnam War Museum. So off we went. It was OK but slightly disappointing but it did explain the whole history of the Vietnam war. Must admit I didn’t know Australia (or New Zealand) were involved.

Tonight we are off to the Penguin Parade. Should be fun.

The penguin parade was great but really weird. I didn’t expect it to be as popular or manic. There were 5 grandstands on the beach – all full. The ranger said there were 2500 people watching!! You would think the penguins would be shy with no many people there but no. In they came from the Ocean and waddled up the beach to their nests in the hills. No photography is allowed but you would be amazed at the number of people trying it on. Tom the ranger soon sorted them out! There was a group near us with kids. the kids spent the time playing sandcastles and the adults playing cards in the sand. When they saw the first penguin come in they looked at it and left!! Weird!!

Thursday 9th February

The wildlife park was so good we went back though last time the temperatures were 17 to 19. Today the temperature was 37 – mega hot. Nevertheless we saw the Dingoes and very sleepy Koalas. The kangaroos were as gentle and hungry as ever. I think Pauline wants to take one home!!

Friday 10th February

Its goodbye to our cabin in Cowes, Phillip Island

….and hello to our cabin for the next 3 days in Yanakie at the entrance to Wilsons Promontory National Park. Its fantastic, incredible views and so quiet with Alpacas on the doorstep.

The view

Saturday 11th February

After a quiet night and a lie-in we entered Wilsons Promontory National Park. What an amazing place – huge and beautiful. At Tidal River we met a very tame Wombat who didn’t mind being stroked.

We walked on squeaky beach – and yes the sand does really squeak as you walk on it.

We walked to the top of Mount Bishop (319m) – took 1 hour 15 mins. Views from the top were breath-taking. Very sweaty but the cup of tea back at the cabin tasted really good.

Sunday 12th February

We got up at 6.30am to go and watch Kangaroos. They obliged and we saw about a dozen feeding in the Prom Park.

Later the weather changed dramatically. Gale force winds and heavy showers. We decided to walk up Mount Oberon (544m). It was wild at the summit but we managed to avoid the worst of the rain. This is our last day in Victoria. Tomorrow we take a 6 hour drive to Eden in New South Wales.

wild coastline