Day 16 - Bournda National Park

A wet night last night & today has been misty but we still got out & about in the National  Park.

First stop was at Bournda Beach (the campground is called Hobart Beach which is on the lake) - a bit of walking until a shower came in…

The roo was alongside the van this morning - saying “good morning”.

Then to Scott’s bay on Wallagoot Lake. 

The hut is called Scott’s Hut as it was built in 1890 by Thomas Scott.

Then drove to the other side of the lake - lot’s of birds around.

Turingal Heads is on the northern end of the lake - the main feature is Wallagoot Gap. The 5th photo above is looking from the heads back to the lake.

Back to the van for a late lunch & rest.

Still here tomorrow. We may go to Bega for a look & perhaps a nice lunch as it is our 61st wedding anniversary.

Day 15 - Hobart Beach Camp in Bournda National Park

A wet & stormy night at Eden. However, it stopped long enough to pack up & get ready for the road. 

Left Eden at 10am & with only about 60km travel we took our time in the rain. The rain paused as we got to Pambula so eventually found somewhere to park (a very busy town) and walked up the main street for morning tea.

A few murals around….then through Merimbula to Bournda National Park.

We were here by lunch time with showers continuing.  

Staying here for 3 nights.

Day 14 - Eden

First up today was the clothes washing as the next few nights we will be without power or water.

Then into Eden to visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum which we found very interesting. It centres on the early whaling history of the area & the role Killer Whales played in the capturing of other whales. They really did help the whalers round up the others. The most famous was “Tom” and his skeleton is in the museum. He was in the area for 50 years.

Had lunch from “The Bakery” & then back to the van for the mandatory Nannas nap.

Later in the afternoon we walked along the beach to the mouth of the Nullica River….

Some other photos of today.

Tomorrow off to Hobart Beach in Bournda National Park for 3 nights. Have conflicting advice whether there is mobile reception there so if no blog or photos tomorrow night - don’t worry - it will upload the next day.

As we move up the coast we will have to prebook tonight as many places are booked out and we need to find parks in the smaller places.

Day 13 - Eden

A very windy night last night with some rain but fine & overcast today.

First stop was just up the road a little to have morning tea at the Seahorse Inn - a very historic  building.

Then onto a couple of places we have visited 12 years ago with our friends the Giles. That was just prior to Ken having his heart attack in 2014.

First up was the Davidson Whaling Station - nothing much left now except the old homestead.

But Faye loved visiting the nearby beach…

Then onto Boyd’s Tower which was an interesting history. Was used as a lookout for whales - built in 1847 to be a lighthouse but the Gvt wouldn’t approve it so became the alternative use as whaling was big business in Eden in the early days.

Boyd went bankrupt soon after completion & fled to California abandoning his debts and workers.

Then went to Green Cape…

The 2nd photo is looking over Disaster Bay.

Lots of interesting coast & even found some seals…

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The last stop was Pulpit Rock at Green Cape.

Back to the van by 3.30.  Still here tomorrow.

Day 12 - Eden

A slow start to the day & then watched Church from home (it was special speakers from Hebron in the Philippines  and where we provide support to a boy).

Then into Eden - first stop was a lookout…

And then to the Info Centre and the wharf area.

Had coffee from a van next to these sculptures and then a look along the beach coast.

Guess what we had for lunch outside the fish co-op?

Had a look at the Pinnacles - about a 1.2km walk…

Ken’s leg is still sore but did the walk OK.

Back to the van after a late lunch & an afternoon rest. Still here until Wednesday.

Day 11 - Eden

Left Mallacoota around 10am & morning tea at Genoa. The plan was to Wonboyn for 3 nights which is a small village…but….that changed as we turned off the Princes Highway with 10km to go - had a phone call to say they could not fit us in and would refund the camp fees. We had booked sometime ago & they knew the size of our van. We were not happy but as we were only 23km from Eden where we had booked in for 3 nights - rang them to change our booking to today - no problems. So going to stay here for 4 nights.

The bridge is at Genoa & was built as a pedestrian bridge to connect the town after the 2020 bushfires destroyed a historic timber truss bridge. It is the Genoa River.

Arrived at Eden at lunch time & we have a site close to the beach at Twofold Bay. After a rest did a small walk to the beach…

Ken is having trouble walking today with his right upper leg. Was fine when he got up & didn’t do anything except get the van ready & it got worse when sitting in the car.

Put cold compress on the leg this afternoon and it is a little better - was able to walk to the beach!

Day 10 - Mallacoota

A quiet day today….found a koala not far from the van.

And then had to track down a mobile mechanic as when in the National Park yesterday we had a very loud scraping from one of the front wheels. By the time we got back it was still there but not as loud. It depended on where the wheels were turned. Yesterday we were told that there was no mechanic in town but checked with an auto elec & he gave us a card & said the mobile guy was in town. Rang him & went to his place & he found a small stone stuck near the brakes area. Charged $30 cash so gave him $40. He spends 50% of his time here where his parents live.

Then had a drive around the lakes…

Went to the bakery for lunch - nearly sold out at 12.45!  Lots of visitors around. Then to the supermarket to restock. And back to the van for a quiet afternoon.

Tomorrow back into NSW & 3 nights at a small village called Wonboyn. No shops at all - just near a lake.

Day 9 - Mallacoota

A nice quiet night & after breakfast first stop was coffee….

Then had a look around the area - today  went to the south…

The bunker was built for WW11 as an advanced RAAF communications centre. Only open for inspection on Tuesdays. It is located next to the airport.

Then further south…

The last photos are at Shipwreck Creek.

Then back to the van for a late lunch and a rest. Then late this afternoon went for a walk around the waterfront.

Tomorrow will check out to the north.

When doing the track to Shipwreck we started getting a noise in the front LH wheel.  Couldn’t see anything & whilst at a servo they said no mechanic in town & Eden is the closest!

It seems a little better this afternoon - so no option but to continue….

Day 8 - Mallacoota

Left alongside the Snowy River scenic road at 10am & went a few kms to Marlo where the river meets the ocean…

From what we could see it appears there was a sand bar at present.

Went back to the Princes Highway via Cape Conran & came across 2 painted water tanks….

Back on the highway did a walk through the McKenzie River rainforest…

There were 2 swing bridges to cross…

Arrived at Mallacoota at 2.30pm & after setting up the clothes washing was on the agenda. This is the first caravan park stop on this trip.

This park is about 1km from town so went & bought tea (& of course ice cream!).

Staying here for 3 nights so photos of here will be tomorrow.

Day 7 - Snowy River towards Marlo

Left Omeo at 10am & first stop was at Swifts Creek - a nice coffee shop was open.

This road is the Great Alpine Road which would be the main access road for much of Victoria to the snowfields in winter.

Then onto Orbost - much of the lower section of the alpine road was again very bendy and downhill towards the coast.

Then along the Snowy River scenic road for a few kms to find a camp for the night.

It’s been very hot today so a restful afternoon. Tomorrow we go to Mallacoota where we are booked for 3 nights. The main C/P next to the water was booked out so going to “Shady Gully”. Yesterday thought perhaps we should book…..and the following 3 nights at Wonboyn we got the last site. Didn’t realise it would be so busy at this time of year!

Day 6 - Omeo

A nice quiet night next to the Mitta Mitta river & as we set off this morning only 1km to the village.

The town started with an open cut gold mine which closed down in 1903. We had morning tea at the General Store.

A quick stop at Granite Flat which was also a gold village. Only the Church & cemetery remain. Then onto towards Omeo on an extremely bendy road. It was 108km from Mitta & there were no straight sections!

The road went over a mountain in the Alpine National Park. The highest point was 1,400 metres.

Faye took a photo of the vehicle screen showing the road which was typical of the whole trip. Took over 3 hours. Had lunch alongside a creek.

Tonight staying in a free camp alongside the creek.

This area caters for bike riders with a special park & tracks going everywhere. Took some photos…

Tomorrow onto the Great Alpine road heading south to the coast. Not sure where we will stop - most likely around Marlo where the Snowy River meets the sea.

Day 5 - The Mill Camp - Mitta Mitta

Left Ludlows Reserve around 10.30 & a short 25km hop to Tallangatta where we visited “The Bakery” after giving the Luna a drink at the old railway station.

A nice town on the upper reaches of Lake Hume. Then onto our next camp just outside the village of Mitta Mitta.

The camp is right alongside the Mitta Mitta river. It is flowing fast today - it is downstream from the Dartmouth Dam.

We have spent this afternoon sitting watching the river - it is reasonably hot today. Lots of birds around…

Tomorrow to Omeo….it is only 110km but it is over the mountains & extremely bendy. Said to be safe for caravans but to take it slow.