Friday, 15 January 2021

July 2020 - Cape Otway / Otways

25th -26th July 2020

$150 for 1 night

2 adults, 2 children

Standard 2 Bedroom cabin

We went down to the Otways for a little getaway for 1 night. Bimbi Park is a bush caravan park in Cape Otway offering a variety of accommodation types, mini golf, a playground, rope swings, bike hire & Horse rides. It was very quiet while we were there due to the Covid19 pandemic.

Our first stop along the way was at Little Aire Falls

Little Aire Falls track takes you through Mountain Ash and rainforests ending at a cantilevered viewing platform with spectacular views over the falls. There are some creek crossings on bridges passing through beautiful fern gullies before reaching the suspended viewing platform. It is a steep climb back up to the carpark. The walk starts from the Triplet Falls carpark located on Phillips Track. The walk to 5km return and is moderate with quite a few steps and uphill.

Then we went and checked into our accommodation and explored the Park, it is a cute little caravan park with and the kids had a great time looking around, playing and collecting firewood. That night we had a BBQ for dinner and toasted marshmallows on the fire

On Sunday we went to the Cape Otway Lightstation

Cape Otway Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia and considered the most significant. This leading attraction on the Great Ocean Road is a must for all visitors. Built in 1848, the lighthouse known as the ‘Beacon of Hope,’ sits 90 metres above the pristine ocean of Bass Strait. Hundreds of lives were lost along this shipwreck coast – a sad but fascinating history which led to the building of the Lightstation on the cliffs edge.

Cost - adult $19.50 / child $7.50 / family 2a & 2c $49.50

General Admission includes:

A self-guided experience to explore the following, with our history guides at the Lighthouse and at the Aboriginal Talking Hut to share our stories:

Enjoy daily History Talks at 11am & 2pm
Native Plant Talks at 12noon and 3pm
1848 Cape Otway Lighthouse
1850’s Keepers Quarters and Workshop
1859 Telegraph Station
The Talking Hut
WWII Radar Bunker
Whale Interpretation Site
Lightkeeper’s Cafe 10am – 4pm
Souvenir Shop

This was actually a far better experience than I imagined and well worth the visit

After grabbing some lunch at Yatzies in Lavers Hill we went to

Melba Gully

Known as the Jewel of the Otways, Melba Gully is one of the wettest places in the state. The gully has prolific plant growth and is a dense rainforest of Myrtle Beech, Blackwood and Tree-ferns, with an understorey of low ferns and mosses. The 35 minute Madsen's Track Nature Walk departs from the picnic area, providing an adventure into a world of ancient, mossy trees and cool fern gullies

June 2020 - Lake Fyans

It has been difficult to get away this year due to Coronavirus and travel restrictions that have been in place, but with the restrictions easing slightly for regional Victoria we were able to squeeze a quick trip in.

We wanted to go to Halls Gap but as communal facilities such as toilets & showers are still closed due to restrictions, we needed to stay somewhere where we could get an ensuite site and Halls Gap was booked out so we chose Lake Fyans which is 15 minutes drive from the centre of Halls Gap.

650 Mokepilly Road, Halls Gap
Ensuite Site 12
$147 for 4 nights (stay 4, pay 3)

We went with Granny & Pa & David, Madi, Mikaylah, Aleiyah & Oliver

The park its self was quite pretty situated on the lake, especially as the sun was setting but the staff we very unfriendly and less than helpful, and make us feel very unwelcome, it is something we have never experienced staying at caravan parks before

On Friday Granny, Pa, Madi, Aleiyah, Mikaylah & I climber to the Pinnacle from Wonderland Carpark.

This is a more challenging way to climb to the Pinnacle than from Sundial Carpark. Along the way you pass by Grand Canyon, cool chamber, Bridal Veil Falls & Silent street.

Distance: 2.1km
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Track: Steep, rocky areas
Grade: Medium/Hard

Cool Chamber

The Cool Chamber is a low cavern. During the warmer summer months, this spot provides visitors with a cool area to rest in – there are even stone seats in the cave.

Bridal Veil Falls

Silent Street

Silent Street is an awe-inspiring section of the walk to The Pinnacle from the Wonderland Carpark. Part of the last leg of the journey, make your way up through an unbelievably tall, narrow gorge and be rewarded with the spectacular views from The Pinnacle above.

Some days it can be fairly windy as you approach The Pinnacle, and the still, quiet air within Silent Street is a welcome reprieve. After rains, water flows through the gorge alongside the narrow walking track. The sound of water flowing adds to the unreal atmosphere of this incredible place

The Pinnacle

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a remarkable rocky gorge This 900m circuit walk offers spectacular scenery and and a seasonal waterfall. As you make your way through the gorge alongside the beautiful creek, you pass a series of small cascades before reaching a tall, narrow waterfall at the end. Water flows reliably during the wetter months, but the Grampians' Grand Canyon is definitely worth visiting regardless of water levels.

While we were walking the kids went fishing with Daddy & Uncle Bruce

The next day we all went for a walk to Beehive Falls. Beehive Falls is about 25 mins drive from Halls Gap

This was a fairly easy walk and a beautiful waterfall to visit

Length: 2.8km return
Walk: 1 hour 30 minutes
Track: Moderate
Grade: Medium
Start: Beehive Falls car park
Finish: Beehive Falls car park

We then went to Zumsteins Picnic Ground and had a BBQ lunch and a kick of the footy

Set on the banks of the gorgeous MacKenzie River, the Zumsteins Picnic Area is the site of an historic settlement unfortunately most of the historic centre was closed when we were there