SKENES CREEK

WED 29.4.2015: Nav had plotted sight seeing activities for the day and fortunately the weather obliged! The Great Ocean Road passes through four areas - Surf Coast, Otway Ranges, Shipwreck Coast and Discovery Coast. First stop, the wreck of the W. B. Godfrey which sailed from San Francisco to Melbourne in 1891. Although no lives were lost in the wreck, five men were drowned later in attempts to salvage the ship's cargo.

W. B. GODFREY WRECKAGE

ONE OF OUR MANY STOPS ON THE QUICK
& EASY WALK!

Onward to the Sheoak Falls and Swallow Caves - "a quick and easy walk, taking only 10 minutes from the car park to get a glimpse of the falls" - HAAAAAAAA! We set off in heavy jackets up and down stairs (deep stairs), and well after ten minutes still no falls, but we did come across a tourist's meeting which had been convened at one of the many sets of stairs. A successful walker advised that we still had many more steps to go and then a long meandering path before reaching the falls. One couple turned back, but we decided to press on and on and on! Finally passed the swallow caves and found the Sheoak Falls - yes it was worth it. We calculated with stops included that our 10 minute walk had eked out to a "quick and easy" hour! 

SHEOAK FALLS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erskine Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the Otway region. "If you are fit you can take the 200 steps to the bottom of the waterfall." Due to our Sheoak Falls expedition our fitness level only extended the 50 steps to the first platform of the waterfall!

ERSKINE FALLS



Teddy's Lookout provides a spectacular view of The Great Ocean Road - even better had the actual lookout platform been accessible!

Just had to have a decadent stop at the Grand Pacific Hotel which was built in 1875 with superb ocean views in one of the most unique settings on the coast, opposite surf beaches and the Lorne Pier. After being fully restored the historic Grand Pacific Hotel provides, comfortable and affordable accommodation, with modern services in a classic restored building.

"You've got two chances, Buckley's and none!" William Buckley Discovery Trail - William Buckley escaped from the Sorrento convict settlement in 1803 and eventually made his way to this site. Facing loneliness and the onset of winter, Buckley decided to give himself up. We did one final stop at the designated outlook and thought we should let the puddles experience The Great Ocean Road - cannot express how excited they were!



CAROLE'S NEW FOUND
LORNE FRENDS!

Before leaving Lorne we purchased a few items from the hardware store and enquired about an IGA. "Oh, yes there is one here, but it is known to be the highest priced IGA store in Victoria." Armed with this we made the informed decision to stop at the Kennett River store for our egg and bacon staples. We purchased our dozen golden eggs for $7.50 and our 250 grams of bacon (obviously a famous relative of Babe), for $7.50 - so made the right choice, NOT! Then to top off our thrifty purchases we bought some supplies from the caravan park - example Aldi Eton biscuits $1.29 (Jatz type biscuits), a little bit of a mark up at $4.00! 

SKENES CREEK - POPULATION: 427

BARWON PARK - INTERNET PHOTO

SUN 26 - TUES 28.4.2015: Spent Sunday evening at Leigh River free camp 1km east of Inverleigh (population 715). We headed for Lorne and on our way passed Barwon Park which was built by Thomas Austin, and completed in 1871. A historic building which has had much restoration work and is unfortunately only open on a Wednesday and Sunday. There are 42 rooms furnished as originally as possible.

WHERE WE NEARLY STAYED!

Visited the Lorne Information Centre so the Great Ocean Road sight seeing and accommodation could be planned. Walked out with copious information and began the journey to our overnight stay at Sharps Track - down winding narrow tracks and uneven roads till we finally hit our paradise then we saw the dreaded sign "NO DOGS ALLOWED". Crawled back out to the main road and headed for Skenes Creek Beachfront Caravan Park. This park is much cheaper than the others so we will use it as a base for our sight seeing - that is if the weather can oblige! Good news - we finally made it to the Great Ocean Road!



BALLAN - POPULATION: 2,774

FRID 24 - SAT 25.4.2015: The folk at Maldon had advised us to visit the quaint town of Daylesford which is small and has elegant shops and eateries. We were also sent off to "The Amazing Mill Markets" - we walked in and thought the first room was large enough, but the markets just went on and on and on!

 

 

 

 

 

The plan had been to stay at Daylesford, but due to Anzac Day the decision was made to spend the time at the smaller and less commercial town of Ballan. Booked into the local caravan park - $10.00 per night for an unpowered site.

"LEST WE FORGET"

HARCOURT - POPULATION: 439

GUMTREE HOLLOW

THURS 23.4.2015: We have finally left Maldon, but not before a stop off at Gumtree Hollow, a local artist's home on the outskirts of Maldon. She had opened her garden for inspection some years ago and in an effort to add atmosphere welded garden decorations. The concept took off among her friends and it is now a 'business', although she does not see herself as an artist - we strongly opposed that comment! Spent the evening at Harcourt free camp.

MALDON

BEEHIVE CHIMNEY

WEDNESDAY 22.4.2015: Dropped the humans off at Debbie's Salon (hairdresser), and afterward headed off to see the sights of Maldon. The Beehive Chimney was built in 1862. It is surrounded by an 1850s open-cut mine, winding, pumping and battery engine footings from 1860-1870s.

The dredge and dragline represent that phase of gold mining in Maldon when technology enabled relatively large scale reworking of earlier deposits which had first been worked by thousands of individual prospectors in the rush of the 1850s.

DRAGLINE

DREDGE

 

MALDON VINTAGE
MACHINERY MUSEUM

Visited Mount Tarrangower Lookout which is just up the road from where the free camp is situated. The tower which enables vision of up to a 40 mile radius is one of Maldon's most distinctive landmarks and was erected in 1923.

THE PENNY SCHOOL

The Penny School was a Church of England School formerly known as the Denominational School. Originally built in 1856, then rebuilt in 1862.

THE PARSONAGE

Had refreshments at the Maldon Wine Bar  - we roughly determined that it has been well over forty years since we have been to a wine bar, just do not see them anymore. The following set of photos is the reason why Carole is granted minimal access to the camera - by the time the photo is taken the subject has lost interest or one could say, the plot!
















Arrived back at the free camp and from our window  - the national emblems!

MALDON

MON 20 - TUES 21.4.2015: Eavesdropping (as you do), it appears as though many of the locals are intellectuals, "artsy" and/or creative and have been drawn to this historic village for inspiration - very much an up market Morpeth. Quick lesson on how to make an impression on the locals - as can be seen by the photo, the street drains are the original stonework and are quite difficult to step down into. Surprisingly, it was Carole's turn - Sybil is talking to two locals and Carole makes her debut from the motorhome, miscalculates the curb and falls on hands and knees at the local's feet. We all look down at the fallen and wait for signs of life! Carole bravely hobbled off and inspected the bruises when we were well out of sight! Dropped Shayden off at the Maldon Dog Groomer and ventured forth in a bid to bolster the Maldon economy! Specialty shops galore - even a Christmas shop which proved to be the best one that we have ever encountered (pig heaven)!

 

 

 

MALDON HOTEL 'TEA BREAK'!



WHO'S THE BEAUTIFUL
BOY THEN!

'FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE'
FEELING THE COLD!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our 'brave warrior' defending the motorhome against the magpie family! We have been staying at the Butts Reserve free camp at the foot of Mount Tarrengower which is only five minutes out of the town centre.



MALDON

SUNDAY 19.4.2015: Spent a decadent afternoon indulging our new found passion for steam trains. The authentic Victorian Goldfields Steam Railway runs from Maldon to Castlemaine return, with a short stop at Muckleford (sounds like a station that Harry Potter would frequent). We upgraded to First Class and it was well worth it - had a great afternoon. We rode in the Macedon Carriage which was built in 1928 by the Pullman Company in Chicago USA. It was imported to Australia for use on 'The Overland' overnight passenger train between Melbourne and Adelaide. The car was originally configured as a ten compartment sleeper. After WWII 'Macedon' had a varied career including use as a stores car across the Nullabor between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie. Obtained from South Australia in 2004 'Macedon' has been completely rebuilt into the club car. Restored at Newport Railway workshops.
The 'Tambo' Carriage was built in 1919 and was originally a sleeping car, also used on 'The Overland' service. 'Tambo' has been converted to provide a large lounge and end viewing platform and several of the original sleeping compartments remain. QLD maple woodwork is a feature of 'Tambo' which was the first Victorian Railways carriage to be built with electric lighting. Restored at Maldon.

MACEDON CARRIAGE

TAMBO CARRIAGE

TICKET INSPECTOR!

ULTIMATE IN 'SELFIES'
MIRROR PHOTO!

The train staff are volunteers that all have a passion for steam trains - excellent service from very satisfied workers. Spent the 15 minutes at Castlemaine Station watching the steam engine being turned and reconnected to the front of the carriages.





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TURKEY NECKS UNITE!