Countdown to Australia Day

After 2 weeks of relatively quiet period at the campground, we were told to be prepared for one of the busiest times of the year, Australia Day. Advanced bookings suggested a full house with over sixty sites occupied from Thursday to Sunday. 

In the run-up to the long weekend, we were also hit with a week long of high 30s temperature coupled with extreme humidity. Unfortunately for us, our Podd gets the afternoon sun, which is also the hottest time. Temperatures were still in high 20s around 8pm, which meant hot nights for us. TJ kept cool with a wet towel as blanket with the fan on.

While it was too hot for anything strenuous, we did managed to take our kayaks out for a couple of hours on the lake and do a hike at Cathedral Ranges. We left early and walked up to Cathedral Peak via Neds Saddle. This was to be our last  activity in the area as we remained at the campground to assist the hundreds of campers descending for Australia Day 2018!

Cathedral Peak

We left Lake Eildon with another new experience as campground host and getting to know some of the dedicated and passionate rangers.

Doing the Hard Yard

Since it is quiet at the campgrounds before Australia Day long weekend, we were asked to do some pruning along the road in the national park. We were to remove the shrubs and branches overhanging the road side from the former Fraser store to Devil's Cove campground. It is approximately 2km stretch. On the first day, we did about 50m on both sides. Not a lot but we only spent a little more than an hour since it was a hot day. Our plan was to do an hour or so in the mornings in the next couple of weeks.

Rail Trail

The Great Victorian Rail Trail is Australia’s longest continuous rail trail, with Victoria’s longest rail trail tunnel at Cheviot. The trail spans 134 kilometres from Tallarook, through Trawool, Yea to Molesworth and Yarck to Cathkin and Alexandra.

We decided to do the section from Alexandra to Yea, passing the longest rail tunnel at Cheviot. The ride is 36km one way. It did not seemed too much initially but we were so wrong. After lunch at Yea, our ride back was tough going. The gusty winds did not help either. The uphills were gradual but long.

The 70km distance was the longest bike ride we have ever done in Australia. We retired early tonight with sore bums and legs and having just peanut butter and jam sandwich for dinner.

Alexandra Rodeo

The nearest town to our campground is Alexandra. Not a big town but enough to have about 3 coffee places, a couple of hotels/pubs, a National Australia Bank and the largest Foodworks supermarket I have ever been in.

One Saturday morning, we met two rangers who told us about the Pro Rodeo event in Alexandra. This is the first rodeo held in town since 1984. Of course we had to go. It is the most happening event for Alexandra and the whole town will be there!

Despite the on and off rain, there were lots of people. Likely the whole town turned up. Most people including us brought chairs and rain gear. We did not, however have our cowboy hat and boots and tight jeans. While we would love to stay till the end, the cold wet night got to us.

Campground Host

Before we left Sydney back in August 2017, we applied as volunteer campground host with Parks Victoria. We finally received confirmation on the role end November, where we will be based in Lake Eildon National Park for 3 weeks.

Walking up Estate Spur at Lake Eildon

 We arrived at Lake Eildon on 10/1/2018. Our assignment is to do a walk around in the morning and another in the afternoon to check that camp sites have been paid and provide information when asked. We have printed copies of visitor guides and other materials set up on the table for campers. Its relatively simple in exchange for free camping at the national park. 

Enjoying the trail

There are more than 200 camping sites in total at Lake Eildon NP. We were based at Lakeside Campground. Other campgrounds are Candlebark, about 3km away from Lakeside, Devil's Cove, 3.5km away and Jerusalem Bay(21km). We were to cover Lakeside and Candlebark in the first two weeks as its not the busy period. Come Australia Day long weekend, there will be another host at Candlebark.

We got to meet a lot of people, mostly Victorians who are into their water sports. Lake Eildon is a popular spot for jet skiing, water skiing and fishing as it has multiple boat ramps. There are also a few boat houses cruising around the lake.

Birds ain't afraid of you

Beach Time

Bluff Lookout

With the city behind us and summer almost midway, we joined the Victorian exodus to the coast. We were invited by some friends to Ocean Grove where they have a permanent on site caravan. The Wynndean Holiday Resorts has permanent caravans with annexes. You buy the caravans and pay the management annual fees. Its probably a more affordable way to own a holiday house by the beach. 

Permanent caravan with annex

Me and thousands of people

Unlike Sydney or Queensland,the water is too cold for me. Temperature is usually in low twenties. TJ managed to get into the water the first two days but only after running in the morning. You work up a sweat and jump right in. For me, the day finally came when the mercury hit 42c. I joined thousands of people trying to cool down on this hot day. It was like being in an oven with the hot wind blowing. Fortunately the hot weather doesn't usually last. The cool change came around 5pm.

Over-rated??

Postcard Shot

Since Ocean Grove is near to the Great Ocean Road, we decided to do this famous drive. The drive to the 12 Appostle took more than 2 hours, passing a few coastal towns. 

Loch Ard Gorge

Beach at the bottom of Loch Ard Gorge

Our first stop was before the Great Ocean Road at Bells Beach. This is supposedly a famous surfing beach hosting an international event and also featured in the movie Point Break. 

We finally reached our destination and as expected, it was busy. We took the longer trail to the beach which had 2 of the appostles. After our lunch at the beach, we headed to the popular lookout to view the rest of the appostles featured in posters and postcard. 

About 4km further from the 12 Appostle, we found Loch Ard Gorge. We prefer this spot to the main attraction. We could walk down to the beach for a pleasant swim.

Finally the question, is the 12 Appostle over-rated?

Found this unmarked place

City Slickers

We spent the last month of 2017 in the 2nd biggest city in Australia otherwise claimed to be the most liveable place in the country. Courtesy of TJ's sister, we house sat and minded a gentle spoodle for 3 weeks. It turned out to be a good time as TJ managed to do some fix-it jobs on the Podd and car. It was the first time in many months that we were in traffic jam crossing the West Gate Bridge.

Home of the Grand Prix, Albert Park

City Slicker

Melbourne is a great city for bikers with its many bike lanes and flat terrain. You can even ride into the city's busy Flinders Station and Crown Casino, dodging pedestrians. Our first experience riding in the city was the perfect storm, last working day before Christmas from lunch time!

A visit to the famous MCG to watch the Aussies train before the Boxing Day match

Waiting in line at Hawker Chan

The time here gave us the opportunity to catch up with many friends living here. After all it is "most liveable city". And soaking up what Melbourne has to offer. I have to admit that it is a place where I could live. We even queued up an hour and half for a Michelin star chicken rice!

One sad event that possibly marred our stay was the Flinders St attack. While this was not the first, it was one where I realised we could have been there. We were at the exact place just a few days ago.

The sight of my original home country still excites me

10 out of 10 Storm Warning in Victoria

A break from the rain 

A week after the Alpine Challenge, came a weather warning for the entire state of Victoria. The warning came from BOM for residents to be prepared for massive deluge of rain i.e expect a summer's rain total in just 3 days. The North east of Victoria is expected to be hit with >250mm of rain. Of course, Falls Creek is in this region. Our camp site is about 20 mins from Falls Creek called Raspberry Hill. It is a nice site. 

On Thursday, we could see most campers packing up. We folded all the walls and awnings and prepped inside our van. We were prepared to stay inside for 3 days. We could access our food and fridge internally. We have camping cooking utensils and gas burner. All we had to make sure is plenty of water. Yes, we also have a potty for emergency. There is no point in heading elsewhere as the entire state will get the rain. At least we know we won't be flooded up here.

The rain started on Friday afternoon and continued through the weekend. It finally subsided on Sunday but was intermittent. After 2 days indoor, we finally jumped in the car and had a good shower at Falls Creek. It is great that FC has public showers. Great move by the management. During this break, we also took the opportunity to dry a few damp stuff.

After looking at the weather, we decided to head to Lakes Entrance on Monday and hopefully to Melbourne by Thursday. Fingers-crossed....

Volunteering

from the Hotham Village Square 

After spending 10 days at Kosciusko NP, we arrived at Victoria Falls campground. It  wasn't a great camp site but good enough for 2 days before we head to Mount Hotham to volunteer for a run event by Running Wild. It was the Dinner Plain Mile High Trail Run and True Spirit of Alpine Australia Run at Mount Hotham over the weekend. As volunteers, we get to stay at the staff lodge which was at the top of the mountain.

Walking up to our accommodation

A selfie on top of Orchard chair lift on check point duty

After Mount Hotham, we went to Falls Creek, which hosts another run the week after. The race organiser, PA arranged accommodation for us from Monday instead of closer to the run date provided we helped him with the preparations. There were lots more activities from Falls Creek. We were able to do bike rides and walk/run the trails. It is the most activities we have done since we started.

View from Heathy Spur 

My 26km solo ride

Short sunset ride to test our bikes