Ballarat to Geelong (via Port Campbell and Apollo Bay)

We started slowly as Sovereign Hall wasn't to open until 10am.  We enjoyed a basic but provided breakfast of toast, cereal, juice and coffee before checking out. We drove to the M.A.D.E museum honouring the Eureka Stockade.

Built on the site of the battle. We only viewed it from the outside as time was against us. Apparently very good and quite interactive. It is set in a beautiful old park that is obviously popular with dog lovers and families. We met three dogs including a very cute Jack Russell/Silky cross called Cato ( Latin for killer)  Did I mention it was a Jack Russell/Silky cross ...  There was a memorial that included the miners oath and another memorial for those killed.

We then moved back to Sovereign Hill. First stop was a mine took. A let down after our Bedigo mine tour last year but interesting all the same. We were able to catch up with 'Gus the Steam Room Cat'.  The girls were disappointed as he wasn't there when we first arrived but when the visited again after our mine tour he wa in place. Then we realized he was obviously between early morning and mid morning naps. We then saw a gold bullion being poured and learnt all about in and outs, temperatures, and basic refinement process. Also other interesting facts about gold in its moulton/semi moulton state. Hopefully you will find the (if it attaches) as interesting as we found the demonstration. We moved into gift shop to have a look and was chatting to the guy giving the demonstration. We ended up returning to the workshop for a private viewing and handling of the gold bar. Which we were assures was real but have been melting the same bar for eighteen years. Did I mention in today's market it was worth approximately $130 000. After this we had a wander around the park. Taking in the shops, displays, reenactments, gold panners, horses and coaches and general ambiance of workers in costume. All shop workers, guides etc are in period costume as well as roving entertainment. We saw an 'arrest'. Not sure of his misdemeanor but he was in a dress and yelling for all to hear something about not seeing the queen panning for gold which he repeated serve real times as a 'policeman' held a bayonet to his back and marched him through the Main Street. I suspect for a visit to hospital to sober up. Quite entertaining to watch. Certainly all very entertaining, staff friendly and always in character with their interaction with the public. Would like to give it more time to catch up on some of the reenactments that we missed. Such as candle making, boiled sweet making, a walking mine tour and firing of muskets. We did see the soldiers marching though.

We left the park and had a quick drive around some of the holders parts of town. We also saw the Arche of Honour commemoratin all soldiers who enlisted from the district. Beyond the Arche were more than 3000 trees planted for each of the enlisted personnel, each with a personally named plaque.    We also drove past a large lake in the centre of town obviously set up for rowing and water races. 

We then drove south heading for Port Campbell and the start of the Great Ocean Road. On our way we saw many changes in the country side. From dry sheep grazing land through to hyper saline lakes  gum and pine forests finishing of course at the magnificent cliffs of Port Campbell. After a quick look (it was blowing a gale and cold we hit The Great Ocean Road. Not far along we came across our one must see. 12 Apostles well first five anyway. Everything else was bonus. They were magnificent. We saw similar in Tasmania although these were on a much much larger scale. We drove on.

We did a side trip to the Cape Otway Light House which is also the southern most point of Australia mainland.

Sadly we missed the fine print on the sign which told us light was closed. We did, however, see a large mob of large kangaroos and three very large koalas just waking from their sleep.

We continued onto Apollo Bay and found a Devine Fish and Chip. Luckily able to book ahead some accommodation for Geelong so headed out very contented. 

West Wyalong to Ballarat - Day 2

We left West Wyalong at 7:50am local time (or 6:50am AEST) which is a feat for the Marendy family girls who usually rise out of bed in double figures! Our stay was very comfortable, and we all slept well. 

After getting a fuel top up, we headed south along the Newell Highway. The road was well maintained (unlike Queensland's bush tracks that are called highways) and generally scenic. 

The countryside on our trip south improved steadily as we approached Victoria. Once we crossed the great Murray River the landscape became almost lush in places, especially once we headed west to Ballarat from Bendigo. We arrived in Ballarat after passing through almost Tasmanian quality alpine landscape around 3:45pm local time. The houses and buildings of the land reflect the area's rich colonial history. The field's are well tended with lines of trees forming wind breaks and shade for the numerous flocks of sheep. Very pretty. 

Ballarat (like Bendigo) has many grand structures, surpassing our Toowoomba. Broad leafy streets enjoy Victorian Era public statues and nature strips. Certainly many grand period homes and humble miners cottages are on display. The city also enjoys are a large lake and many beautiful parks and gardens. 

We had an hour to explore Sovereign Hill gold themed park. We met a ex-feral cat called Gus who had facial features similar to our beloved and late Gizmo. The girls ensured Gus got patted. Apparently today is the first time Gus has allowed the visiting tourist to pat him and up to three weeks ago even the park employees couldn't get near him. Prior to 3 weeks ago he was a stray, who had food left out for him, lucky cat.

Sovereign Hill is impressive, including many period buildings (most mock-ups) and a mine shaft to explore. Tomorrow we hope to go underground on a mine tour, which should be interesting. 

For tea we toured Ballarat's CBD district and found a Italian restaurant that served world beating pizzas. We highly recommend them as pizza restaurant.  Finally we drove around Ballarat until it got dark enjoying the town's scenic parks, Victory arches and tree lined avenues, and rich gold funded historic homes. 

 

Off to Ballarat - via West Wyalong - Day 1

This morning at 8:04 am we headed off on our annual trip south to Melbourne. Like previous years we intend to visit other places on our way. This year we intend to visit the great city of Ballarat on the way, and then travel down the great ocean road to Melbourne.

Our trip route took us inland along the Gore and Newell Highway. Generally this highway is quiet, in good shape, and highly patrolled by police which suits us. This year we stopped in Moree for a pre-packed lunch of sandwiches and tinned fish. The township was very warm in mid-day sun. 

Our car's outside temperature reading ranged from 33 to 39 degrees C over the course of the day. The landscape looked very dry, and we would normally be concerned for bush fires except there is not much to burn. The western New South Wales is in poor shape due to drought. 

Our trip took us through Dubbo, home of the world famous Dubbo Zoo. (The Dubbo Zoo is well worth a visit as the animals are spread out in park like enclosures.) The town of Dubbo is well known for its colonial era cottages and homesteads. 

We travelled through the historic towns of Parkes and Forbes. Both towns blessed with rich colonial and federation era historic buildings and homes. In Parkes, we stopped for dinner ( a quick but cheap KFC) and fuel. 

We eventually stopped at the motel of Colonial Motor Inn in West Wyalong for the night 8:03pm AEST (or 9:03pm local time). West Wyalong is a town in New South Wales, Australia which is the main town of the Bland Shire, located in the Central West region of New South Wales. It is located 467 km west of Sydney. Nice town!

It has been a long day, thankfully the motel ( Colonial Motor Inn)  is clean, comfortable and very cheap. Recommend it, as the staff seem friendly and very helpful. 

Finally, a thank you to our family and friends (taking turns to ) at house sitting  our home and dog. It is nice knowing our home is inhabited and being watched and loved. 

3rd Oct 13 leaving Sydney

Today we got up early for 7:30am take off to the airport. Breakfast was swiftly consumed by all, and not really enjoyed. 

Travel to airport went smoothly due to "Bessy" the GPS and Melissa the star navigator. Sydney airport though large is well organised and relatively easy to navigate. Our Avis car rental went well, no issues. We took photos in case any nasty extra charges turn up. 

It was interesting as we were waiting for a wheelchair for my father we were idle by an ATM and after a few minutes two police officers appeared and watch us as we were waiting for the wheelchair. When the wheelchair arrived we began dismantling the motorised scooter that my father had been using the police officers began intently watching us as I was told by the rest of the family, if I had known I would of asked them to help us. Oh well... 

Poor Jacqueline was singled out by security for looking nervous. Her reward was an additional scan by the delightful and helpful security folks.  We got to keep her :-)

Like most Australian Airports the food court charges massive charges for very ordinary foodstuffs. A bottle of 375 ml of juice cost $4.95 each. Crazy,,, Pirates,! 

Our flight home went well. The Skytrans staff are fantastic in their service. Highly recommended as a airline.

2nd Oct 13 - A day in Sydney

Today we slept in to 8am until we were waken. A quick breakfast and a trip down to Paddy's markets. The markets seem very busy though it is hard to know. The girls spent their money all the same on various teenage inspired items. 

Elessa, James and baby Lily joined us for lunch at a Chinese food place at the top floor of Paddy's. It was ok. 

Melissa took duty to watch the girls at Paddy's while my parents and I took a taxi around the CBD seeing harbour, the bridge and opera house. 

We finished our day with a nice meal of Thai from China Town.

Off to see a Lily!

Toowoomba Airport

We arrived at Toowoomba Airport by Taxi 1 hour and 10 minutes early for a 2pm flight. The airport is near home so it took only 5 minutes to get there. Check-in went quickly and smoothly. Toowoomba Airport is small in the form of single room with a check-in facility. The runway is a low tonnage field running West to East. Compared to similar cities to Toowoomba, our airport is small and primitive. Roma (a town of 5000) has airport that is much bigger as a example.

20 minutes out the check-in staff announced that our flight had been delayed in Brisbane for an hour. Joy! 

The Skytrans staff (out of their own personal supply) offered all the passengers tea and coffee. Very nice gesture by the ground staff. The "airport" has no food or drink facilities except a water bubbler. Poor primitive Toowoomba, has been taken for granted by local and state governments for decades. Hopefully the new Wagners private airport will have facilities more suited to a city of 150000+ people. 

While we wait, we are entertained by free to air TV and 6 month old baby. Finally the long wait is over at 2:50 pm when our flight landed from Brisbane. Just 50 minutes late. Fortunately the car rental people at Sydney are fairly understanding on the phone. We are scheduled to fly now at 3:20pm.

Our flight took off at 3:15pm and the flight went well. We landed at 5:15pm and was bused to the terminal. No chair for Dad but the flight crew assisted. 

Finally we arrived at Avis car rental and waited 30 minutes to find our car. 

Our trip through Sydney went well, as our GPS made our trip simple. Lack of parking is interesting in Sydney, which caused the most issues.

We all had a chane to nurse young Lily. A sweet little girl, who was a delight to all. 

After a couple hours we drove into the city to find hour hotel. Our GPS did a grand job to get us there with little issues.

Last day Dubbo to Toowoomba

Today at 7am we left Dubbo for home. The trip went over the same road as we travelled on day 1 so it was boring. Just 40 minutes out we were passed by police at very high speed. Shortly after while on a passing lane a police bike almost slammed into us at crazy speed, a guess is maybe 200kmph + approach speed. He almost came off. Otherwise uneventful trip with us getting home 3:20pm local time.

Our whole trip had last 10 days, and we had travelled 5075km round trip.

 

Hobart to Melbourne and beyond Day 9

Early start to get to the Airport at 5am local time (4am EST). Final pack up of hotel room went well, hopefully we didn't leave anything behind.

Hobart airport is small about same size as Townsville. Check in went well, as the Jetstar staff were friendly and helpful.

The security folks are interesting, we have watched them pull out families for chemical bomb testing and let folks who look dangerous walk through. one guy was stopped by screening for carrying dangerous items but was not tested for chemicals. In fact Melissa was pulled out instead of him. Hmm.

We suppose to fly at 7:45am but the flight just got pushed back to 9:00am - 9:30am due to the need of a replacement crew member. I can't say that I would willingly fly Jetstar again. Certainly it's staff are great but the company's policy towards its customers is lacking. Sadly management seems to be poor and almost amateurish. Just 4 years ago we were proud to say our airlines were top notch compared to domestic American and European outfits. Now it appears Jetstar is no different probably due to economics pressures. The cost point instead of service is the company's selling feature, so I guess buyer beware. Sadly for us we are tired for no real gain. At least they didn't cancel the flight like they did to our Melbourne to Hobart flight. Went looking for Jetstar feedback on their website, but couldn't find it on the mobile version, figures. Other passengers told us Jetstar horror stories, all about poor management not the staff. Bloody painful waiting nearly 2 hours more for a flight. It doesn't help ones sense of humour.

Arrival at Melbourne continued our bad luck with difficulty in locating our car in massive car park and a higher than expected fee. Again staff great.

At 11am we headed out across Victoria and New South Wales to Dubbo. Police presence on the roads was extremely high . Saw both a rain and dust storm over course of day, both with high winds. We were extremely lucky in finding a hotel in Dubbo due to the start of Victorian and New South Wales holidays today. We have found that motels tend to close earlier here than in Queensland partly due to the day light saving.

A day trip Launceston Day 8

Today we are traveling to Launceston via the midlands highway. The countryside has taken on a New Zealandish feel.

We stopped at Kempon (1830s homes), Oaklands (to see a 1830s windmill) and Ross.

Oaklands had a Main Street that hasn't changed in 125 years at least. The Mill itself is typical Dutch influenced windmill of early 1800s design. A lovely town.

Ross was a site of female factory of the mid 19th Century. Only commandants home remains today. The town like Oaklands is populated with Georgian and early Victorian homes and public buildings. The bridge (1836) is well crafted "British" bridge of stone. Melissa also got to catchup with her cousin and wife who own the local Australia Post.

We saw many old sandstone farmhouses and legal poppy fields on the way Launceston. Finally after passing through towns like Bagdad, Perth, Cleveland and crossing river Jordan we arrived in Launceston.

Launceston was the site of our next adventure, the cateract gorge. On the edge of the city, it is the site of swing bridge and worlds longest single span chair lift we rode across the gorge. The gorge is surrounded by Victorian era parks and gardens (NY Central Park ) , bathing pools and eateries. There is walking track that navigates the gorge which is quite pretty.

Sadly time was against us, and we didn't get a chance to explore the city.

Tomorrow we fly out of Hobart early for Melbourne so we were forced to stay at the hotel and pack.