Gippsland Lakes - Wilsons Promontory - Otway NP - Port Campbell NP ( Great
Ocean Road ) -
Port Fairy - Grampians NP
Day 50. Back on the coast again.
Had a look at the Gippsland Lakes area, but it is raining again, which makes
nearly every beach unappealling. So we decided to hit the road and drive
through to Wilsons Promontory NP.
We spent day 51 to 58 here, trying to see a different part of this beautiful
coastal park every day. As we had set ourselves the goal to see all 4 points
of Oz, we spent day 53 walking to the most southerly point of Australia, a
staggering 43 km return walk. Unfortunatly we are not equipped to take our
camping gear with us on a hike, so we had to sqeeze it into one full day. Not
surprinsingly we didn't move far from the tent the following day.
Wilsons Prom
is so far our favourite NP in VIC, beautiful empty beaches, huge orange -
gray boulders and very good views from the different lookouts. It is a big
camping area with 500 sites and I wouldn't want to be here over any school
holidays, but off-season it is quiet and very clean. Even the weather played its
part, sunny days, blue skies, but awfully cold nights.
On day 59 we made our way via Mornington Peninsula ( there is an entry feee
to every bloody lighthouse ) and around Port Phillip Bay to Geelong.
Spent 2
nights at the hotel and thanks to my Starwood points had roomservice at night
and buffet breakfast as well. Love days like that.
Day 61 and it is time to go back camping.
Drove to Torquay, heaps of surfgear and on to Bells Beach, heaps of surfers.
Spent day 62 - 65 along the Great Ocean Road stopping at every scenic
lookout from Torquay to Port Fairy. Stayed 2 nights in Port Campbell to be able to
see the 12 Apostelles at sunrise ( too early) and sunset (very romantic).
Day 66 and we are leaving the coast again and heading to the Grampians NP.
Very odd looking steep sandstone ranges, which look like they have been tilted
over time. This is a walkers and climbers paradise. Spent day 66 - 72
walking to all the major tops and their beautiful lookouts. Evenings were spent
around big campfires to keep warm and the mozzzies away.
We are now heading back to the coast and Lower Glenelg NP, our last stop in
VIC. We have been a little bit disappointed with the NP here in Vic, as it
looks like more money is spent on fancy but empty visitors centers, than on
campground and walking track maintanance.
We are both looking forward to SA and the Outback!!!
Love
Diana & Stefan
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