Back at the campsite the wildlife has been going berserk. The kids finally crashed after the marathon walk and we sat out to watch the sun set and enjoy a well earned cuppa. Within seconds crimson rosellas descended upon Amanda, playing a tactical game where one posed prettily, whilst its partner walked around biting toes and ankles. As soon as they departed the armies of wombats started emerging from the bushes. Across the whole campsite they emerge in hordes, munching their way through the undergrowth, even checking out eskies for any quick snacks.
Australian Outback
Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory
Categories: Animal Action, Australian Outback, Journey Narrative, Location, National Park, Photography, Travel, Travel Adventure, VIC
Tags: Camprite, Crimson Rosella, Tidal River, Wombat
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Fifty Toes complete the first challenge
Our good friends Pete and Zoe set us the challenge to go to the four compass point extremities of the mainland. South Point is the most southerly. From the Telegraph Saddle car park it is a tough 16km walk to the Roaring Meg campsite then another 3.7km to South Point from there. The kids carried their sleeping bags and 3kg of water in their packs and off we went. The first few kilometres flew by (it was mostly downhill), but as we started climbing the hill approaching Halfway Hut little (and big) legs started slowing in the heat of a beautiful day. A brief stop at Halfway hut before continuing the climb. The last few km through heathland and down into the forest at Roaring Meg were a pleasure, though a few too many snakes were spotted for my liking (nearly trod on one myself). We set up camp at Roaring Meg, dropped the packs and continued the descent to South Point. There we were welcomed by a calm crystal cobalt blue ocean, the waves lapping gently up the rocks. Hannah got to pose with her favourite dog (toy one) who was smuggled into the park and my pack.
After an hour or so there we trudged back to camp completing almost 24km in a day, with barely a complaint from the kids. Despite mild conditions there was a distinct wintery atmosphere inside one of the tents in the morning as my goosedown sleeping bag continued its fatal rupture. One sneeze (and there were many) unleashed a snowdome effect.
The return trip was slower and sore but the kids made it with flying colours and much enticement with muesli bars and the promise of treats at the end.
We think that was the hardest of the 4 compass points and 40km in two days for kids aged 6,7, and 9 was pretty impressive.
Emerging from the “snowdome”
Fifty Toes at South Point
Halfway Hut
Hannah and Dog at South Point!
Hannah with goose down!
Categories: Australian Outback, Challenges, Journey Narrative, Location, National Park, Photography, Travel, Travel Adventure, VIC, Walks
Tags: Roaring Meg, South Point, Wilsons Promontory
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Wilsons Promontory, Victoria
Setting up for the first challenge we arrived in pretty frosty conditions at Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory. With over 450 camping spots we weren’t sure what to expect but as soon as dusk arrives wombats appear from everywhere, and seemingly oblivious to the campers. They walked straight through a game of football the kids were having – needless to say play halted to watch the spectacle. Rosellas abound and there are hundreds of cuttlefish all washed up on all the beaches. We had to go to Squeaky Beach and yes it does! Big bold boulders abound everywhere you look, even at the peak of Mt Oberon that overlooks the campground
We also took the opportunity to try out the trailer awning – it’s huge!
Final day in Croajingolong NP
Heading back west again and because Croajingolong had been such a pleasant surprise we took the 40km dirt road south from Cann River to Thurra Camp. The campspot was great, with a lot more spots, but again a pristine beach with few people, seals and whales, and Point Hicks lighthouse nearby, the first part of mainland spotted by Captain Cook in 1770, and named after the man who spotted it first.
Point Hicks
On Xavier’s birthday we walked up to the sand dunes, set back from the beach, where he found jaw bones of an animal we haven’t identified yet. We think bush rat or antechinus. Xavier also found many footprints in the sand and we found a pair of lyre birds in the forest too! After 10km of walking on his birthday he slept for 3 hours in the car!
Goanna tracks, Thurra Camp, Croajingolong NP
Early morning birthday walk
Jaw Bones in the dunes
Beetle making tracks
Categories: Australian Outback, Journey Narrative, Location, National Park, VIC, Walks
Tags: Croajingolong, Gippsland
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Camping by the Mitta Mitta River
From a few days ago, the trip could become a big “twitch”, as everywhere we stop there are new birds. Unfortunately we see more than we can photograph.The campsite next to the Mitta Mitta river was in knee-length grass, and a squashed brown snake on the bridge over the river kept us vigilant. No cows here! Still 500m above sea-level we had ice on the trailer at night.
Categories: Animal Action, Australian Outback, Travel, Travel Adventure, VIC
Tags: Fairy Wren, Mitta Mitta River, Willie Wagtail
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Change of Plan!
With Mt. Kosciuszko off the menu for now we’re heading for the lowlands and warmer conditions. My goose-down sleeping bag had a fatal rupture when I got in at Yarrangobilly and by morning the inside of our Camprite Trailer looked like a snow-scene with everyone covered in and inhaling goose feathers, The weight of the car and trailer on some of the off-road tracks in the mountains had guzzled petrol, and was giving the breaks a good workout so we decided to leave the Alpine region and head down. Into Victoria now the Alpine Highway gave us a direct route south, through verdant green countryside. Every now and then we stop for the cows, who when not being herded to the next paddock, are grazing the long grass by the verge. I’m not sure how effective a deterrent it is but dead foxes are strung up by the side of the road making quite a macabre spectacle.
Categories: Australian Outback, Journey Narrative, Location, National Park, Travel, Travel Adventure, VIC
Tags: Mitsubishi Pajero, Mount Kosciuszko, Yarrangobilly
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Yarrangobilly and the Snowy Mountains
Today started with a swim at Yarrangobilly thermal pools(Kosciuszko National Park). At 7am the water was lovely but air temp was 3 degrees. We scraped ice off the stove when we got up. Water dragons were already in the water, obviously familiar with a better way to warm up than solar ways usually used by reptiles. We explored the South Glory Cave then headed over the Snowy Mountain highway, where wild flowers were blooming in vibrant violet and yellow hues. The snow gum forests were eerie, looking quite dead covering much of the mountainsides. We changed plan about climbing Australia’s highest mountain given the temperature and settled for the highest town in Australia instead at Cabramurra.
Yadboro flats
Driving on from Pigeon House mountain we stopped at Yadboro flats by the Clyde river. The road had just been graded so everything was covered in dust. After the exhausting climb in the heat cooling off in the river was the best end to the day. Next morning we were up at 6am looking for wombats and found one scrambling around the river bank 50m from the camp. Then we found an ornate satin bower bird building it’s display bower, intricately decorated with blue objects and yellow flowers. A great place that we could have stayed longer at.
Categories: Animal Action, Australian Outback, Journey Narrative, Location, NSW, Photography, Travel, Travel Adventure
Tags: Bower bird, Camprite, Mitsubishi Pajero, Yadboro
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Conquering Pigeon House Mountain
It turned out to be a bit of a challenge but our 6 and 7 year olds lead the way to the top. A 3-4 hour round trip involves a steep climb from the car park, a flat stretch through thick scrub, then a second climb to the base of the mountain top. This is then negotiated via metal steps and ladders to the peak which reveals a fantastic view. A challenging climb rewarded by the spectacular views from the top, especially of the Castle, a flat plateau in the Budawang National Park.
Categories: Australian Outback, Challenges, Journey Narrative, Location, National Park, New South Wales, Travel, Travel Adventure
Tags: Budawang, Morton National Park
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Booderee Wildlife
Possums arrived in droves last night to the campsite, with the sole purpose of raiding any foodstuff that might have been left in reach. Tell-tale footprints on the stove and tables showed the action didn’t stop after we went to bed.
This morning we had many more visitors, wallabies and kangaroos.
Categories: Animal Action, Australian Outback, Journey Narrative, National Park, NSW, Travel, Travel Adventure
Tags: Booderee, Green Patch, Jervis Bay, Kangaroo, Rosella
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Fifty Toes Walkabout 
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