Great Ocean Road Adventure 2019
22 March 2019 / Written: Everyone, Photos: David gazzard, Chris Cameron
Preface
Planning a 14-day road trip takes a fair bit of organising, but much more daunting is the thought of writing a report to cover it! With that in mind, those that went on the trip were given the task of writing one day each. This report is a combined (and summarised) version of each of their stories. Thank you to all.
Day 1 (Elaine)
With much excitement we began our journey to the meeting spot at the Hawkesbury rest area. It was a crisp morning but no rain in sight. 12 cars at the Rest Area with 3 more to meet us on the way to Gundagai.
They say that things happen in threes. The first incident was a vehicle fire on the opposite side of the M1 complete with flames and explosions. Talk about heading off with a bang. The second was at the M7 exit with both sides of the highway held up as a small car was upside down on the medium strip and red and blue lights everywhere.
Morning tea was at the Bingara Gorge Teas and Greens Cafe that cooked bacon and eggs on a BBQ. Really different and a great venue. Here we picked up car 13. Back on the highway to our next stop, lunch at Trappers at Goulburn. Alas the third incident did affect one of us with car 14, about to join us at the bakery, having its passenger side rear modified by an impatient driver. Repairs to the tail light assembly and judicious applications of cable ties and duct tape soon got it on the road to meet the final and 15th car at Gundagai Motor Inn and a welcome dip in their pool.
Day 2 (Jenny C.)
After a good night’s sleep at Gundagai Motor Inn we were all anxious to drive into the Kosciusko National Park and onto the Snowy Mountains Highway and the winding Elliott Way. However, bushfires both north and south of Cabramurra forced a re-route through Batlow. This was very disappointing as we had enjoyed the run and the scenery immensely on a previous trip.
Leaving Gundagai we proceeded to Tumut via the Brungle road, dodging cattle grazing the long paddock. The road threw in some nice twisty sections even surprising the organiser. The countryside was beautiful farmlands if very dry. Arriving at Tumut and again checking the RFS fire site, we turned toward Batlow, famous for its apple orchards and up to the scenic lookout for morning tea followed by a comfort stop down in the interesting little town, then continued into Victoria to Tintaldra for our lunch stop at Tintaldra Store and Tea Rooms.
Tintaldra Store and Post Office is owned by Betty Walton and her family. Sadly it’s now a forgotten village as the road does not go past the store. Betty met us outside with open arms and led us to our tables. She and Trevor the guitarist led us in singing and miming “Home among the Gumtrees” followed by more Aussie songs. Lunch of Aussie Stew (maybe not quite as good as last year) and damper were served with tank water tea and cornflake cookies.
Day 3 (Barry & Jenny)
After an extremely pleasant evening and a good night’s sleep we are on our way to our next stop Ballarat. On to another motorway M31 and shortly off to Violet Town and then BYO morning tea at Murchison Reserve. Who can fit a windmill in their car??? A stop off at Bendigo Pottery provided opportunities to view their pottery collections and purchase some. Next stop is Bendigo. Every local person was in town and parking was at a premium. Eventually a friendly council ranger assisted us to find some parking in local streets. The planned 3-hour layover was spent by most in the cool comfort of the local pub having lunch - yes the temperatures were nudging the high 30’s again. Others braved the heat for a self-guided walking tour to visit the many historic buildings in the centre of the city.
Barry and Jenny were nominated to lead the tour to Ballarat. An incorrect turn saw the group briefly split up, re-assembling on the outskirts of Ballarat. From here it was mostly C roads with great scenery and very little traffic, even if the country was in grip of drought.
Day 4 (Chris)
A rest day? Yes, for some, but for others a full-day outing to Sovereign hill, and others to visit local friends or other sites in the area. Sovereign Hill was hot and dusty, but very interesting with lots to see and do. A trip down one of the mines provided a brief but welcome respite from the heat. Dinner for most of the group was at the Saigon Asian restaurant in the Bridge St Mall, a short walk from our motel and recommended by the motel owner.
Day 5 (Lilo)
Leaving Ballarat was always going to be a headache so a meeting point was inserted into every cars’ GPS. For those at the end of the queue this became hilarious as each car went different ways often crossing paths at roundabouts or turning in different directions - a bit like the Keystone Cops. Regrouping outside the city, we continued towards the Grampians, arriving at Halls Gap, having to be careful of the family of emus crossing the road. We then enjoyed a spirited drive to Reed Lookout, which was absolutely stunning, then across to Mackenzie Falls where we walked to view the falls. Some of the more energetic walked 260 strenuous steps down to the base and all the way back. During all this Brian Bonus went missing in action, but was soon found safe and cooling down by the cars.
Following our new leaders Vicki and Andy, we took a slight detour to see the dam wall, which was well worthwhile. We then continued on to Dunkfield Café for a late lunch (and air conditioning – it was 40 degrees outside). Our poor cars struggled with all roofs up and air con in full action. We then continued on our journey to Warrnambool, and that evening enjoyed the food, incredible views and company at a group dinner at Simon’s Café. We then we all staggered back to our cool rooms and fell asleep immediately!
Day 6 (Chris)
A do-your-own-thing day today, and talking to everyone they all had a great time. Activities ranged from runs to Port Fairy and even Mt Gambia, while others braved the heat to climb Tower Hill’s volcanic core and view the emus, koalas and many bird species. Some people stayed in town and visited Flagstaff Hill Maritime village – all but deserted in the afternoon heat. Everyone gathered at the maritime village in the evening to watch the ‘Tales of the Shipwreck coast’ Sound & Light Show, which was enjoyed by all.
Day 7 (Felicity)
It’s Day 7 and the halfway mark for our Road Trip. This morning was a staggered start, with everyone leaving at their leisure to explore the Great Ocean Road from Warrnambool to Apollo Bay. There were MX-5’s at most of the points of interest along the coast, and some decided to head inland to windy, rainforest roads. It was a scorcher of a day, so many of us enjoyed a gorgeous swim at Apollo Bay beach, with the water a lovely temperature. A splinter group of two cars went out again for a spirited forest drive, which was thoroughly enjoyed despite overshooting the correct turn off by 10 km’s! The rest of us went to the pub next door for drinks and dinner and to chat about our day’s adventures.
Day 8 (John)
Today’s run took us from Apollo Bay to Inverloch via the Queenscliff ferry. This was the only day with time constraints as we had to be at the ferry by 12:15 at the latest. Many warnings prior to the trip about delays on this section of the Great Ocean Road proved to be unfounded - the road works that plagued previous groups all but finished. Except for SUVs that pottered along the road well below the speed limit, the run was uneventful arriving at the ferry in plenty of time. From the landing point of Sorrento the group stuck to C roads stopping at Hastings for afternoon tea before following the Cape Paterson to Inverloch road to our motels at Inverloch.
Day 9 (Chris)
Another rest day, with many opting to drive to Philip Island and check out the race way and museum, and to look at the Fairy Penguins. Some took the opportunity for a walk along the coastal estuary tracks and others to enjoy a leisurely lunch and some shopping in this lovely little resort town. Dinner for many of the group was at the ‘second pub’, with Malcolm and Jenny C celebrating Jenny’s birthday with a spectacular seafood platter.
Day 10 (Brian Br.)
The day started with a couple of minor navigation hiccups to keep us on our toes, but by the 20km mark we were all sorted. A cruising section along the coast afforded some magnificent views to the south with Sand Is and Sunday Is in the distance.
Morning tea was at Port Albert under the watchful eye of the locals - a group of cormorants perched atop a water tower. Then followed the one of the trip’s highlights, a tight narrow section through the Tarra-Bulga National Park and past Mount Tassie, ably led by Rob with Chris as a calm, relaxed navigator (Oncoming! Oncoming!). Daylight was brought to a close in early afternoon, with two hours of travelling beneath a thunderstorm infused with the smoke from the bush fires, giving an eerie brown glow all around the horizon.
Day 11 (Vicki)
A late start this morning after being asked to leave the dining area of the motel the night before due to our fine singing voices! Today was Co Pilots day, and some of the ladies were raring to go! The cars this morning all had burnt ash sprinkled all over them from the fires and storms encountered during the day. We drove from Bairnsdale to Lakes Entrance all with hoods up due to the cold, wet weather (12 degrees!). A bakery stop for morning tea, followed by lunch at Swifts Creek. A short drive followed to Omeo, our destination for this evening. Some of the boys went on a bonding run, swapping cars and having a wheelie good time, while others enjoyed some well-earned downtime in the pub lounge, and Chris took advantage of Omeo’s excellent bird-watching. A great night was had by everybody at the Golden Age Hotel, lots of chatter, good wine and great food.
Day 12 (Gail)
Departed Omeo on a crisp morning at 9.20am. The first leg was to Anglers Rest on the Cobungra River near the Blue Duck Inn and was tackled by some of the co-pilots. Next was the much anticipated steep winding run down the Mitta Mitta Road through the Alpine National Park to the Mitta Mitta Pub. Wow!
When asked for one word to describe the experience the following were given: exhilarating, fun, spectacular, exuberating, near religious experience, spirited, bucket list, rewarding, orgasmic, amazing, excited, thrilling and elated and from our leader, sore arms! Lots of happy chatter and smiles.
Lunch at Mitta Mitta Pub provided fast service and great food. Afternoon tea and fuel at Tallangatta before a scenic run along the Murray River once again stopping for cattle along the way. Crossed the Murray staying at Byer Fountain Motor Inn at Holbrook. This was our last night with everyone. Dinner at RSL Club with a presentation and a much deserved big thank you to organiser John Purcell and helpers Christine, Rob and Elaine for a great trip.
Day 13 (Wendy)
Left Holbrook at 8.30am after saying our goodbyes to friends not travelling with us to Bathurst. Heading to Cowra we pulled into Wagga Wagga McDonalds for the morning coffee break and from there through Junee. Lots of opportunity to admire the lovely old buildings as we all got stuck at a roundabout waiting for a stopped goods train to move off from the rail crossing. Cootamundra followed and then Young, this turning into a real game of follow the leader when a miss-read of the run sheet had the group driving through various suburbs until finally finding the highway again.
Lunch at Cowra Japanese Gardens was amazing, with many of the group doing the gardens’ walking tour which is the largest of this type in the Southern Hemisphere. Then on to Bathurst, and a good stay at the Ben Chifley motel with a great last-night feast at the pub next door. (very good food).
Day 14 (John)
The last day and a group decision to change the homeward route to go via the Bylong Valley Way. Breaking into two separate groups, as some wanted to start early, while others were waiting for breakfast, all headed north to Sofala and Bylong for a morning tea stop at the general store. From here it was through to Denman and then off home for a rest.
15 cars are a lot to plan for on a trip this long and with bush fires haunting us through southern NSW and right through Victoria it meant a lot of on the knee changes to our routes to avoid these. The patience and understanding of those on the run certainly helped to make the trip memorable and enjoyable.
