Tassie to Perth and back - 5 weeks with the Wife and Kids

[Boyce Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Boyce]

Hi Smithy, sounds like you've been having a great time. Just got a few suggestions for spots to camp on the way back from SA and into Vic. We have camped with the kids a couple of times at Princess Margaret Rose Caves just upstream on the Glenelg River. Nice spot! As well, around Cape Bridgewater is pleasant as is Lake Monibeong, also near Nelson. You can walk to the ocean from here and have a fish. Might pick up a trout in the lake. Also, Cape Bridgewater is a good spot. Further east, if it's really windy, Port Campbell is sheltered and the fishing can be good off the jetty there. Between there and Apollo Bay, Glenaire River is good too. Closer to Lorne is Kennett River. Your kids mike like it there because it has a resident Koala population. Have fun on the last days of the tour! Best wishes, Boyce

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

Cheers, Boyce. Come a but far now, but will keep in mind for the future.

We spent last night at a scout camp ground about 30km east of Warrnambool, and inland a bit, thanks to (Wiki camps). Absolutely superb spot, with showers (unfortunately not working when we stayed), an army style obstacle course, and great bush setting (although a bit close to the road when the milk tankers move around in the early morning), but apart from that, excellent location and set up.

Today we headed east, did the usual tourist thing at the scenic lookouts, including the apostles, and then managed to be taken off road by our GPS, to the point where I had to engage low range, and first gear for a few sections. Somewhere between Port Campbell and Cape Otway, "James" our GPS decided to take the scenic route along "Old Coach Road", which was going fine until a came to a closed farm gate and a sign saying "please shut the gate" and "no through road", but the GPS assured me there was still road ahead, so continued on (SWMBO not so convinced). The well maintained gravel turned to a paddock track along grass through the gate, and soon deteriorated to a barely visible track at all by the time we crested a hill, and the LHS of the terrain dropped away to the point there was nowhere to turnaround.

We continued along a bit more (still on track) and SWMBO decided that the awkward lean to the left was no longer safe for her or the kids, a I proceeded further along the goat track with no possibility of turning around, and no idea where James the GPS was leading us (by now I was in low range).

Another couple of gates, some deep wheel ruts, and some semi-wet bog holes later (some on a rather uncomfortable lean in the wrong direction), and we made it through the other side. Once we got of the steep hills the "road" got very narrow and rocky with some big washouts, and I managed to pick up some new pinstripes for my now "outback red" duco.

All in all, it was a ripper of a track, that I reckon nobody uses any more. I'm proud of my GPS for taking us there!

After that, we drove to Cape Otway, saw a bunch of koalas, which the kids loved, and are now camped at Apollo Bay in a caravan park, as we all need a shower, but its been an awesome day.

We thought Port Campbell was lovely, and Apollo Bay isn't to bad either, given we have never been here before.

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

So a second close call to add to the adventure. Way to go!

Hang in there Hana, you will be safe at home soon.

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

So a second close call to add to the adventure. Way to go!

Hang in there Hana, you will be safe at home soon.

Was a memorable day, that's for sure!

My only regret is not putting the action camera on, as it would have caught some good footage, but i wasn't expecting the scene to unfold the way it did.

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

Sadly, after spending yesterday completing the Great Ocean Road, and spending last night with rellies in Melbourne, and tonight with friends, tomorrow evening we board the boat for the final leg home.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Sadly, after spending yesterday completing the Great Ocean Road, and spending last night with rellies in Melbourne, and tonight with friends, tomorrow evening we board the boat for the final leg home.

And aren't you in for a rough trip home - weather is shocking

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

Got home this morning, and the boat ride was a little bumpy, but SWMBO managed to survive without even taking sea sickness tablets this time.

The car is unpacked, just need to deal with the red dust / sludge now, if it stops bloody raining!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

So you have been home more than 5 minutes, come on, get your priorities right and put up some pics

Cheers Andrew

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

So you have been home more than 5 minutes, come on, get your priorities right and put up some pics

Cheers Andrew

Now, Andrew, i seem to remember the slow rate of upload from yourself in your most recent trip report...

I'll see what i can do tomorrow.

[Palmer Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Palmer]

Still waiting for the pics

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Got home this morning, and the boat ride was a little bumpy, but SWMBO managed to survive without even taking sea sickness tablets this time.

The car is unpacked, just need to deal with the red dust / sludge now, if it stops bloody raining!

Leave the car in the rain and that will get the job started for you.

Welcome home to you all, we will have to have a catch up to hear about your trip.

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

Should have brought it down to Hobart for the last week!

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

Leave the car in the rain and that will get the job started for you.

Welcome home to you all, we will have to have a catch up to hear about your trip.

It did help to soften the dried on bug splatter. Got the outside done yesterday, and today should get the inside i bit cleaner too.

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

It did help to soften the dried on bug splatter. Got the outside done yesterday, and today should get the inside i bit cleaner too.

If it like mine (Darwin Bridge Toyota), I'm STILL cleaning out redness every so often - makes me want to go "North" and put some of it back in!

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

If it like mine (Darwin Bridge Toyota), I'm STILL cleaning out redness every so often - makes me want to go "North" and put some of it back in!

I hear you.

Palmer tells me he is still pulling simpson dust out of his truck too.