Avoca

 29 - 30 December 2025

When we arrived in Geelong it was still very early, and cold, but we decided to return to a birdwatching spot at Barwon Heads that we had visited once before. We made our way through the city and down to the beach but initially had a bit of difficulty finding the right spot. We eventually found it and went for a walk along the beach. We didn't go too far because of the weather, but Mick did get a few bird shots.

We left the beach and headed towards Bendigo to collect the camper trailer. This time the GPS took us via Bacchus Marsh, where we stopped for brunch and to refuel. From there it was on the way to the storage yard. Leaving Bendigo we had decided that Avoca would be far enough - we'd had a very early wake-up call on the boat, and had already been on the road for more than 4 hours, thanks to the birding expedition.

We chose Avoca because the reviews of the caravan park were quite good, and we had read there was the possibility of seeing a Powerful owl. Because we had returned from Tassie without any fresh or frozen food, we headed to the pub for lunch before making our way to the caravan park.

By the time we arrived it was mid-afternoon and quite warm so we were directed to a spot with a some tree shade. We had only just started setting up when Mick spotted the owl in the tree just across the road from our site. We had to stop what we were doing so he could get the camera out. It turned out that there were at least three Powerful owls in the park.

We spent the rest of the day, and the next morning, shopping, sorting and repacking the car and trailer ready for a couple of months on the road. Mick made contact with birding friends in Warrnambool and we arranged to meet them in Heywood to try to find the Gang Gang cockatoos, before travelling on to their place. This meant we had most of the day to fill in so we took our time leaving Avoca.

From Avoca we drove through Ararat and then on to Dunkeld where we stopped to have a look around the town and to have a picnic lunch. We called in to the Visitor Information Centre and were told about the Dunkeld Arboretum so we went down there for a walk around. We didn't stay long, but it is a lovely spot for a walk.

There are some nice views from the Dunkeld Arboretum

From Dunkeld we drove on to Hamilton where we stopped again to pick up a few things at the shops, and to kill some more time. We wandered along the main street and into a small gallery selling local art, including photography. On one of the photos, we saw a name we recognised as a "Flickr" friend from way back. Turns out, Rob was minding the store that day and introduced himself when he heard us talking. He and Mick had never met so it was lovely to finally be able to have a chat with someone who he had previously only known in the virtual world.

Before leaving Hamilton we called in to the Botanic Gardens for another walk, then drove on to Heywood where we met up with Tony and Julia. The Gang Gangs were about so there was lots of camera action. From there we headed to Warrnambool where we would stay for a couple of nights.

Halls Gap and Narrawong (Portland)

Halls Gap

7 - 9 December 2015

We left Little Desert and headed for The Grampians. Again, this is a place we had visited before - in 1991! We felt it was time to go back. We drove through Horsham and then took the windy road to Halls Gap. You can go via Stawell if you prefer, and it is recommended if you are towing a caravan, but the off-road camper trailer handled it well.

We stopped for a picnic lunch near Zumstein's and arrived at Halls Gap in the early afternoon. We settled into the caravan park - there are several to choose from - and drove the short distance into town to the visitor centre. We picked up a map but didn't stay to ask questions - the place was packed. We needed a couple of things for dinner so called into the grocery store. I had read reviews that suggested the fresh produce was sadly lacking in variety and quality, and we found this to be true on the day we were there. Such a shame.

Halls Gap must have one of the best main street views of anywhere. It is quite spectacular and is a very popular spot for tourists - unfortunately we found the tourist information to be a little like the veges - quite disappointing. We went to the National Parks office to ask about walks and wetlands, and were told about the walk behind the centre, but that there were no wetlands around. Imagine our surprise when we walked outside and saw the sign for the wetland walk - right behind the National Parks centre! Admittedly there wasn't much water but it was still a nice easy walk.

I was hoping to get some nice shots of the beautiful little Gang-gang cockatoo. The Grampians seems to be a very good place to find them. Occasionally I could hear the creaky calls of birds flying by but they would just keep going. Eventually I spotted a pair, high up in some acacias at the botanic gardens. The feeding male stayed partly hidden until I finally gave up on him. Mick.

Female Gang-gang cockatoo.

Male Gang-gang cockatoo. Not great shots but the best I could do under the circumstances.

Grey currawong.

At the suggestion of caravan park staff we drove over to Stawell to do some shopping and found  a good variety of nice fresh vegetables in the supermarket there. We also had a nice lunch in the bakery cafe. Back at Halls Gap we went to the Visitor Information Centre again and asked about walks - easy, no stairs and flat if possible, to accommodate Mick's problem knee. Again we were not offered a map showing the walks, but were told the Venus Pool walk which starts just across the road would meet our needs. I suspect the young lady has never actually been on the walk. It was quite beautiful, and Mick did manage the 2.2km loop, but it did have lots of stairs, some uneven ground and climbs. 

Venus Pools.

While we were in Halls Gap we also visited the local furniture maker. We were shown around his workshop and treated to the inside story of many of the pieces. We just might have to consider a purchase when we get home and measure up the space we have which is just waiting for something beautiful.

We left Halls Gap and travelled south through the park, enjoying more fabulous views, and on to Dunkeld and Hamilton. We spotted an op-shop on the highway at Hamilton, so stopped for a look. We then discovered that the main street was just around the corner, so we walked to a coffee shop, and bought some beautiful fresh bread at the bakery. 

Back on the road and a picnic lunch in Heyward, where we realised we had stopped on our visit earlier in the year, then on to Portland.

Narrawong (Portland)

9 - 11 December 2015

We called into the visitor centre as soon as we arrived, for information about a wetland walk and a gannet colony which Mick had read about. We also picked up some information about caravan parks. We drove out to Point Danger where the gannets can be seen. Unfortunately you can't get very close so Mick had to be satisfied with some shots from the viewing platform and from behind the fence. Then we drove to the wetland walk, but had to park outside someone's house as there is no suitable parking for this feature. Fawthrop Lagoon promised a bird hide, but we couldn't find it. We decided that we would find somewhere to stay and visit again in the morning.

When this offshore colony of Australasian gannets grew too large, some birds started to nest on the adjacent Point Danger.

Australasian gannet.

It is very disappointing that the colony is only able to be observed from a great distance. I'm sure it would be possible to protect the birds and still allow closer viewing. If you want a closer photo of a gannet you have to hope one flies past. Mick.

A great place for wind farms.

We chose the caravan park at Narrawong, about 10 minutes from Portland, and it was a good choice. The park is nestled between the ocean and creek, and is well set up, and quite large. Shortly after arriving we were alerted to a koala in a tree, not far from our spot.

Caravan park Koala.

In the morning we headed back to Fawthrop Lagoon and went for a walk part way around. It's a nice spot, but we still didn't find the promised bird hide. There are board walks and well defined paths. We also revisited the gannets before heading back into town for lunch and a look at the shops. It was a good day out.

The ubiquitous Chestnut teal

Overnight we had rain - which is not a problem except we were getting close to Melbourne, and our departure for Tasmania so we definitely didn't want to have wet canvas for our final (for a while) pack up. We had one more night so carefully considered our next overnight spot. The rain held off while we packed up and started again just as we finished. We checked the weather forecast and it looked like it would not be raining in Ballarat so we decided that might be a good place to spend the next night.