It was decided - not by me - that a short foray with the van was due. So we headed away, a bit more than a fortnight ago. As we trundled down the freeway, I did manage to convince the driver that, in the prevailing wet, cold and windy weather, the Great Ocean Road was not a great idea.
We had a few days at Port Fairy - very pleasant little town, with some great cafes, and good spots to walk the pup. I would not like to be there in the summer holiday period though, nor at the Gardens CP - we enjoyed the stay there - when its some 450 sites are already booked out. Definitely not my scene then.
Moved onto Beachport for a week. We had a very scenic spot in the caravan park, up on a hill where we could look over the bay. This was very pretty at night but very windy, so it felt cold even on the few days when there was some sunshine. Again, a pleasant little village, with good dog walks.
After a couple of nights at Hamilton, in view of poor weather forecast we abandoned the idea of a few days in the Daylesford area (nights in minus figures), and came home a week early. Home is warm and dry and we are not trying to share a small space with 25kg of wet dog. Still, have gained some ideas for next time - just not in the dead of winter.
At present we have some 10 days left of our 5 week trip around Tasmania, we have had snow, gales, a little rain, some sunshine, and oh yes ... it has been cold!! BUT, none of these has stopped us from doing anything that we wanted to do. On the map, there will be very few roads that we have not driven over. Once we get off the boat in Melbourne, we will be heading for the Great Ocean Road, before heading home to Queensland - and have loved seeing it all in the winter time. No complaints here about travelling in winter!!!
__________________
Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van
Tasmania is wonderful. Over the years, I have experienced it at different seasons and in varied conditions.
With advancing years, and the driver's lungs and circulation affected by recent illness, the most recent trip did show that cold and wet conditions were uncomfortable for him. Until now, our winter travels have always taken us on extended trips north, so we are now in the process of working out what we can and can't do, being now limited to shorter trips closer to home.
Pejay, I hope that conditions when you travel the Great Ocean Road do allow you to get the best of the scenery along there. How far west do you intend going, before turning for Qld?
Sorry to hear of your health problems, and the restrictions it places on your travelling, yep, up north sounds like the place for you to be.
We were going to go right across to Mt Gambier as Peter had served there during his time in the Army, but we have decided to cut it short at Portland before heading north, as we have met up with an old Army mate in Launceston and found out the next reunion looks like being at Port Lincoln or Adelaide, so will leave the SA section of the trip 'til then.
__________________
Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van
Pejay, when at Portland, make sure you visit Bridgewater Bay. Some unique scenery around the Blowholes area. If you like walking, walk from the carpark to The Springs.
