Bendigo, Victoria {Caravan Park}

A short drive and we arrived in Bendigo.

Our first stop was the vet clinic to get Lillie her next injection, really important to ensure she didn't pick up any nasties give we have a moving home.  So off the vet I went with Lillie while Justin and the kids explored the park right opposite {can anyone say fluke}.

All vet checked, we went to meet the rest of the family and had a lovely walk around Lake Weeroona.  What a lovely space so close to town, they even have a dog friendly café right on the edge of it.  After a coffee and some morning tea we loaded back into the car and headed to our next camping spot.

We picked Park Lane Holiday Park because it was a Top Tourist Park but also because they had something that my two would think of a treat {an indoor play centre}. It was a nice big park, which I imagine would be very full at certain times of the year but thankfully was lovely and quiet after the long weekend.  Set up happened quickly, we made ourselves some lunch and then decided to head back into town for a drive around.

Wednesday saw us spending the morning doing some schoolwork before heading in for a walk around town to get up close and personal with the old buildings.  There is HEAPS of old buildings that are still in an amazing condition, even better was the walk around Rosalind Park which is right in the centre of town {the only downside to that part was the smelly bats in one part of the park}.  Kaleb and I walked to the top of the observation tower which looked out over the city.

 

 

Thursday saw morning school work before the boys headed off to take a mine tour at Central Deborah Goldmine.  They had a great time in Australia's biggest 'tourist mine'.  Kyla and I headed to the park for a little while before going back to the caravan park while we waiting to pick them up again.

Friday arrived before we knew it and it was time to pack down and make our way to Albury/Wodonga.

Butts Reserve, Maldon, Victoria {Free Camping}

What a beautiful spot to hide out for the long weekend!

We had so much space, access to flushing toilets and water all for nothing.  Our cheapest stay in Victoria!

It didn't take us long to arrive at our spot {even with a few stops for the puppy} and it was nice to have a quiet afternoon around camp for us all to settle in.  A little relaxing, cheese eating and of course playing with Lillie was a perfect way to spend our afternoon.

 

 

After pancakes for breakfast we headed up the Mountain to have a look at the view before making our way into Maldon.  All I can say is we timed it well as everything in town was open and they even had an awesome little market for us to have a wander through.  Some fresh food purchases, twisty potatoes for the kids, checking out antique stores before we stopped for fresh scones & coffee.  It was a really nice way to spend the day, just slowly wandering around and taking in everything the town had to offer.

 

  

 

 

It really is a lovely little place, not too far from Melbourne and even closer to Bendigo. The following day we decided to go for a drive around the area to explore the surrounding region.  It reminds me a lot of Kalgoorlie in that there are heaps of old mine shafts in and around the town, hard to believe how big and busy the area was in the late 1800's, early 1900's.

More puppy play time before it we started packing up ready to leave the following morning.  

Just as the sun was setting behind the mountain we decided to take a quick drive up to take in the rest of the site and boy am I glad that we went.  What a fabulous way to spend our last night here.

  

Werribee South, Victoria {Caravan Park}

A lovely couple {again from NSW} that we meet at Halls Gap, suggested if we needed to stay at Werribee South Caravan Park.  What a lovely, quiet little park.

Another change to do some school work before heading down for a walk along the foreshore, a play at the park before heading home for an early dinner.

   

The reason for our night here, the promised trip to Werribee Open Range Zoo.  What a lovely place, the kids loved every minute of it.

   

    

  

Next stop MELBOURNE!

Geelong Show Grounds, Vicoria {Overnight}

Our original plan was to spend two nights in Geelong to explore the surrounds, but after arriving at the show grounds, we could only have one {stupid up coming long weekend, stupid country music festival}.  That said it is a great place to stay if you are ever in the area.  Just over $20 for all of us with power & hot showers.

We arrived early afternoon unhooked and without setting up went out to have a look around the city.  Bugger being a little later as we missed a big Sunday market that was on, but we did get to see some amazing old buildings, eat tasty ice-cream and see a replica ship arrive in the bay.

   

We packed up early Monday and left the camper at the showgrounds and went out to explore Point Lonsdale and surrounds.  It is definitely a holiday destination with heaps of houses empty, even fancy looking ones!

    

 

The kids loved that they got to see another seal just off from the lighthouse, even closer than our big walk!  We headed back to the camper, had some lunch before hocking up and heading to Werribee for the night {we promised the kids the zoo}

Fitzroy River, Portland, Victoria {Free Camp}

Under advice from Tina & Paul who we meet at in South Australia {and no I have yet to find out who they are or a way to contact them} we headed to Fitzroy River.  A little way east of Portland, but still close enough to be able to spent the following day in town.


After setting up, having lunch and doing a little school we decided to head into town for a quick look around at the visitors centre.  Good thing we did as we discovered them setting up for a market right on the foreshore for the following day.  Odd timing we thought but then a lovely local man shared with us that they had a P & O Cruise ship docking for the following day and the town was going to be busy busy busy. 

Tina and Paul advised us that it was a lovely spot, free and loaded with koalas.  Well after our trip to town we headed home for some school and then exploring, we didn't see one koala and felt suitably ripped off!

After a slow start to the morning we headed into town, our first stop being a wander around the markets.  It was a lovely little market, we got some lovely hot coffee, a warm shall for me, a beautiful skirt for Kyla and the kids got twisted potato things.

Our first spot to explore was the local blowholes, sadly the swell wasn't there for us to see it but we did get to take in the coastline.  Loads of wind turbines and some lovely limestone tubes that looked like a forest.

 

Cape Bridgewater was our next stop.  We decided to tackle the walk out to see the Australian Fur Seals.  It was hard work, especially for the kids but it was well worth it to take in the coast line. I'm thankful that we had the zoom lens otherwise the seals would've been only tiny black dots to us!

 

       

 

 

We headed back into town, grabbed some fresh rolls and headed to the park to make lunch.  It gave us a chance to sit down, enjoy the sunshine and the view.

After we regrouped we decided to take a look out at the Cape Nelson Lighthouse. What a lovely spot, hats been maintained and the old keeper cottages have even been turned into accommodation.

    

After our full on day we headed home for a quiet afternoon.  We were all rewarded when we went for a walk, koalas.  I think, from memory the kids counted five and loved being able to see them in their natural environment.

 

 

What a beautiful spot that we could have easily stayed in for a few more days had time permitted, on the come back to list.  Next stop.....