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WE'VE DONE IT !
🎉🎉2,500 KM !🎉🎉


View of the old Moorabbin Twon hall:  Red brick Georgian Style and white-washed columns framing the entrance

Original Moorabbin Town Hall Our departure point

0 Kms

Our first night out with the animals
Click the pic for a fun story

50 km

Looking back over a field of cabbage at the faint skyline of Melbourne

Looking back as we walk through the Werribee farmlands  (we're staying off the freeway!)
53.4 KM

Geelong!
We explore the famous Geelong waterfront, walking towards Cunningham Pier
96 KM

Photo of Anglesea Pharmacy

Anglesea
Blister patches anyone?
132 KM

Lorne
We'll sleep well tonight
Monday 26th September **
158 KM

View of the beach as we cross the timber foot bridge over the Wye River. Holiday houses cling to the slopes of hills running down to the beach.

Wye River
Known for scenic coastal views, beautiful beaches, Otway Forest walks
174 Km

looking inland over the Skenes Creek Bridge.  Views of lush green farmland.

Skenes Creek
Permanent population 66
196 Km

Looking back over Apollo Bay with the pier in the forground.  A trawer alongside with piles of cray pots

Apollo Bay
Great seafood, and there's a Seafood festival in February. and a Music Festival in April.  Worth another visit
202 Kms

View from a hill top looking at the road winding through undulating farmland and into the village of Lavers Hill

Lavers Hill
The road takes up inland into the Hills
251 Kms

Twelve Apostles
Of the twelve limestone stacks there are only 8 left (5 have fallen over!)
307 Kms

Three people, probable not members, they are too young and good looking are standing atop a grassy hillside looking down into what was a volcano, but now a blue volcanic lake with lush vegetation on it shores.  The core of the volcano now an island covered in eucalypts. An ideal refuge for Australian wildlife.

Warrnambool
We stop to take in the view at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve

387 Kms

View over the water of Port Fairy Inlet with classic sailboats moored anlong a shoreline walkway.  Whitewashed 18th centurey buildings line the street beyond the walkway.

Port Fairy
Known for its 1800 architecture and music festival
and Irish pubs!

414 Kms

View from foreshore parkland across the shelter moorings of pleasure boats.  In the distance are the huge grain silos from where the Western District grains are exported.  A lone Norfolk pine stands in the forground.

Portland
The oldest European settlement in the state.  Explore Portland

484 Kms

Collage of pub frontages in main street of Portland

Portland Pub Crawl

Just a little time up our sleeve
Why Not!
496 Kms

Five members of Haywood Lions in club aprons serving bacon and egg sandwiches First home club of the PDG Sue Owen and late PDG Don Owen.

Heywood
Lions have breakfast ready!

521 Kms

Image if a black and tan Kelpie astride the backs of sheep in a pen.  Kelpie's tounge hanging out sidwaysa and a bemused look on the face of the sheep.

Casterton

Home of the Kelpie

More about Casterton's Kelpies

583 Kms

The long straight road to Edenhope, tarmac and gravel verge.  Dry padocks either side with a few gumtrees along the fence line.

A long Road
Just a little bit futher
623 Kms

Image of Kelpie facing down three obstinate sheep.  Not much else to do on Edenhope except watch the Sheep Dog Trials!

Edenhope 

Home of the Trans Tasman Sheep Dog Trials

658 Kms

Sunset over Little Dessert National Park. The sun just below the horizon silhouetting the acacia and eucalypts against a darkening sky.   The milky way a brilliant splash from horizon to horizon surrounded by stars bright and faint.

Little Desert National Park
Thanks to Cerise and Malcom for late 69.5 kms,
we're
bush camping tonight!
728 Kms

View of the  corner where the Western Highway takes a left turn towards Adelaide. In the foreground is the wide median strip, in the centre a flower bed with red roses in full bloom and a surround of green lawn.  Across the road, on the corner,  is the Commercial Hotel.  An early 19th Century pub, two story with veranda a first-floor balcony edged in wrought iron lacework.

Nhill
Here we cross the western H'way and keep heading north

749 Kms

View of Hopetoun House looking front on towards the grand entrance, framed with leafless trees, probably oak.  A dozen steps lead up to the front door, and a veranda which stretches across the front and around the sides of sandstone building.    This house was built in 1891 for town squire EH Lascelles and his family. It reflects the grandeur of the period and the influence of wealthy landowners and politicians, and governors of the time. Suitably named after Lord Hopetoun, Governor of Victoria.

Hopetoun
We visit Hopetoun House
879 Kms 

View over a flat dry salt bed,  an endless blue sky and an endless horizon.  In the foreground are clumps of stunted shrubs.  A group of acacia trees stand defiantly to one side.

Hattah
National Park
976 Kms

View of the Main Street of Mildura, a welcome sign and the iconic T & G building on the left.

Mildura
orange juice anyone?
or maybe a grape or two fermented and aged
1058 Kms

Majestic River Redgums on the banks of the Murray River. Paddle steamers moored along the far bank.  Whisps of high cloud against a beep blue sky.

Murray River

Dip a foot in the Mighty Murray

1061 Kms

View of the roadhouse, catering to the transport industry and workers around the Hattah Wemen area, as well as travellers, campers and 4WD enthusiasts. Fast food, coffee, fuel and snacks - plus, the best showers on the Calder!

We've doubled back to the
Hattah Outback Roadhouse

1123 Kms

View of the roard as we approach the left had turn from The Caulder Highway on to the Robinvale Rd. Notheing else but low mallie scrub and the back of a road train in the distance.

Turn Left!
on to Hattah Robinvale rd

1126 Kms

Somewhere just off the road past Liparoo

Another Bush Camp!
1152 Kms

A fork in the road as it leads into the Robinvale shopping strip.  Verandaed specialty shop line either side of the wide street with adolescent blue gums along the broad footpath

Robinvale

1193 Kms

View across a brown Murray River as it diverges into two streams creating Bumbang Island Steep muddy banks lined with scrappy shrub and River Gums.

Bumbang Island
We make a small detour to see this 655 Ha nature reserve and first nation significant site
1196 Km

View of the murray as it flows from upstream, takes a U turn and continues it journey to the sea

Boundary Bend
A scenic picnic spot on the Murray.
We notice the river is running high
1285 Kms

Frontage of the Nyah Pizza Mart.  Enticing us to entre

Nyah
Time for a PIZZA!
1311 Kms

Four towering silos each entirely painted with agricultural scenes and each an extension of the other    One depict a farmers wife, broad brim hat an bright red jacket attending what could be a vegetable patch

Mystic Park
We take time out to admire the silo art and to contemplate the culture represented

1371 Kms

Echuca

The romance of the river is alive and well in Australia’s paddle steamer capital, where the twin towns of Echuca Moama ooze a rich history. 

1477 Km

Cobram Barooga Golf Club: Arial view of a green surrounded by evil looking bunkers

Cobram Golf Club

Some members get the shakes if they have not played a round or two for a week!

1536 Kms

View of setting sun over lake Mulwala.  Trunks of drowned trees protrude from the glassy surface of the lake. Their contorted branches silhouetted against a crimson sky

Yarrawonga

We leave the golfers on the course (they'll catch up)
We take in the sunset over lake Mulwala

1574 Kms

Close up view of a bottle of fine muscat being poured into a glass. On the table a selection of cheeses and crackers.

Rutherglen

What we've been looking for!
1621

A table set for dinner in the Star Hotel.  A plate of schnitzel, salad and chips awaits with a bottle of shiraz at the ready

Barnawartha 

We settle in at the Star Hotel

1650 Kms

Serine view of the Murray river as it glide past Wodonga Regional Park.  Grassy banks  lined with river gums, precariously leaning over the water.

Wodonga
We touch base with the mighty Murray River once more

1671 Km

View of Lake Hume as the road winds arouns a gentle grassy hillside. Blue water in the middle distance with dead, drowned trees protuding from gassy water.  In the distance the sparesly treed hillside of New South Wales.

Tallangatta
Approaching the old township now below the waters of Lake Hume

1755k

Aerial view of Corryong township surrounded by lush green dairy country and the snow caped mountain of New south Wales on the background.

Corryong

Gateway to the Snowy Mountains and Victorian High Country

1796 km

Black and white image photograph of Omeo main street timber buildings with verandas and the red brick bank building

Omeo
Old photo from 1940
Not much has changed

1920 km

Tongio Camp on the tambo river. A scattering of bush cabins surrounding a central fire place with log benches.   The scene is set amongst 255 acres of natural bushland

High Country Camp

Tongio Camp is situated on the Tambo River on 220 acres of natural bush. 

1962 km

View where the tambo valley opens up for a short stretch.  The river slows down and bubble over a wide stony bed.    A low timber bridge gives access to the far side and the mountainous bushland

Tambo Crossing
A small farming community and a great spot to cool off.

2015 Km

 View of fairy dell reserve. Fern trees and mosses and huge a mountain ash tree at the base is a small blue door not 18 inches high a fairy must live here.

Bruthen

Fairy Dell reserve.
Home of the Bruthen fairies

2046 km

View looking across the tambo valley and along a timbered trestle bridge,  247 meters long and 20 meters high.    Acacia and eucalypt trees allow a glimpse of the river below.

Nowa Nowa
Stony Creek trestle bridge
A remnant the age of steam trains

2075 km

View of the township of Lakes Entrance as we approach from the hills.   Restraunts, and apartment blocks crowd the holiday homes packed between the main and north arms of the lake

Lakes Entrance

Seafood Capitol of Victoria
and holiday playground

2099 km


Red wrought iron roofed roadside cafe. beside a lush garden providing shade for consumotion of fine food and wine

Stratford
Roadside Cafe Wine Bar
Great picnic spot!

2187 Km

View down the Main Street of Maffra.   Leafy elm trees, green grassy Median strip down the centre of the wide boulevard with rose gardens in full bloom.

Maffra
The  tree-lined 19th century main street belies the bustling agricultural service industries 

2199 km

the front yard of a heritage cottage set with tables for dining. Two attractive ladies sipping wine in the dappled shade of a gum tree.

Traralgon

Latrobe Valley's largest city, Traralgon is the region's entertainment capital with alfresco dining at cafes and restaurants, and thriving pubs and clubs. 

2254 Km

Main street of Warragul.  looking across the main round-about past the war memorial to the shops in the background.

Warragul

A thriving rural town set amongst rolling green hills and dairy fields 

2315 Km

Back Home  👏👏👏

Lap the Map  -  

WE'VE DONE IT !
🎉🎉2,500 KM !🎉🎉