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Well, it's official!! After yesterday afternoon and last night, the new heater is the most valuable thing we own. It's so important, that we've named it R2-DYSON (our protocol heating droid), and inducted him into the family. I would sooner get rid of one of the real children than R2-DYSON, and cold has a new definition for us... "Cold" is caravanning in the Grampians in Victoria, on the verge of winter in a pop top caravan at night time, and nothing else comes close... not yet, anyway!!
We are having a fantastic time here though, cold or no cold. It's still clear days and no rain, but we had thick fog and dew this morning, and it really didn't start to feel warm until well after lunch when the sun peaked out through the clouds. The park we're in is absolutely stunning, it doesn't matter which direction you look, there are spectacular views of craggy mountain ranges and rocky peaks all round. Quite busy too, compared to Ballarat, but very, very quiet after the sun goes down (presumeably people are huddled around their heaters, or burning their floor boards trying to stay warm). I cooked a BBQ last night, and the thieving kookaburras tried to steal the sausages while my back was turned. And I mean I had to physically beat them away from the hotplate, and there was three of them and only one of me! They really wanted our dinner!! We got up earlier than normal this morning (ie just after 7am), cause we'd planned a full day of exploring the Grampians through lookouts, bushwalks and 4wd tracks. They have an itinerary all set up for people who want to see as much as they can, but only have one day, and we modified it slightly, to fit in a bit of 4wding. We began by heading up the mountain range to Reed Lookout, which included a 1km return bushwalk to 'The Balconies'. (Photos of these areas will be loaded and captioned shortly). The views are amazing, and the walks are well marked and easy, anyone could do them. It's very similar to the Blue Mountains, but the views go much further into the distance. We then drove to Mackenzie Falls, and took the 1.1km return track to the bottom of the falls. Calling it a track is misleading, and the short distance is also misleading. It should have been called the 'journey of 47,000 steps and many blisters'. Getting down was fine, but it was a strenuous climb out of the valley, but the trip was worth it, as you'll see from the pics we took... (by we, I mean Jo). Instead of continuing with the recommended tour on sealed roads, we deviated onto a dirt track which circled around Lake Wartook. It was called Mt Difficult Rd, but it really wasn't... It was a scenic, pleasant drive around the lake, but the damage caused by recent floods and storms was obvious. There were trees down everywhere, and they'd clearly had to re-open the road using chainsaws. Along this drive we discovered a walking track to Mt Wartook lookout, which was only 480m long. So we stopped and did it, and the views were amazing! So was the track, we felt like mountain goats hopping over rocks and gullies, it was awesome fun... The boys loved it! The dirt track bought us out at the last stop on our itinerary, which was Boroka Lookout. This gave us views right back over Halls Gap, right down the length of the valley to the mountain ranges that surround it... Just stunning, as you'll see from the photos we, (Jo), took. We could even see our caravan set up in the park. We had lunch here, but since it was only midday, we decided we could fit in the walk to 'The Pinnacle'. The Pinnacle is a rock outcrop, which is what the Grampians and Halls Gap are known for. It's a 4.2km return hike from the carpark, but it's not straightforward, and it's not easy. You've got to scramble up rock edges and jump over gullies and the marked path isn't real clear in places. The result though, is worth the effort, and although I'm going to convince as many of you as possible to come here, this is the reason why... This whole place is stunning! And I mean beautiful, alpine, mountain, rocky and craggy, stunning!! The photos won't do it justice, and you truly won't understand what we mean, unless you come and see, or have been before...
Per and Margriet, you should pack your bags for a week and do three days in Ballarat, exploring Sovereign Hill and the old buildings in town, and another three days where we are now!! This is right up your alley. You can bushwalk all day to the most amazing views, and not see any other people. The town is small and touristy, but everything you need is available, and it's immaculate and tidy. I wish we'd stayed longer, but I think I'm going to be wishing that alot...
Well, we're home now, exhausted and happy, with R2-DYSON merrily filling the van with hot air! We'll sleep well tonight, which is good, because tomorrow is one of our bigger driving days to Adelaide, and we hope to leave early. I'll finish up now, cause I want to try and get some of these photos uploaded, and it's going to be difficult to choose from the 3 million she took...
- comments
Michelle Barrois Sorry for the star rate should be FIVE not ONE oops We have a God Gifted Country and you will here that saying many times We should have stay HERE longer Also welcome R2-DYSON to you new family :)
Teags Sounds like a beautiful place and you've sold me on going. Also, you will be pleased to know that Sovereign Hill was on the block tonight and it looks like so much fun and was nice to picture you guys panning for gold instead of just reading about it (sorry I can't look at your photos as my Internet connection is too slow). Keep up the great blog as I'm hooked!! Safe travels
Per The photos of the Grampians look really good.Glad you are having a good time so far
Aunty Min Awesomeness, loving the photos (Jo) keep them coming, I'm drooling over them all, jelous as hell!!! Can't wait to meet R2-Dydi (like everyone he has to hame a nic-name, this is me after all) I migt see if he has a sister in our local Good Guys, that'd like to hang out in the office with me, so I don't have to chop wood ;-/) Love ya's xxx