Stawell

27 – 30 March 2023

We wanted to visit the Grampians so decided to have a few nights in a caravan park in Stawell to dry the canvas out and wait out the forecast bad weather. The drive from Green Hill Lake only took about ½ hour so we stopped in at a coffee shop for morning tea before going to the caravan park.

The park we chose was just on the outskirts of town and in a bushland setting. Our site overlooked the lake formed by Pleasant Creek. Most sites are either near the lake or the creek – and of course there were lots of birds around. Because it was raining when we arrived, we parked the trailer on the site and headed into town. After wandering around we set off for a pub lunch – at a hotel suggested by the caravan park manager. Her recommendation was spot on – senior’s meal, which included desert, for $16 each. Great value, and a good meal.

By the time we returned to the caravan park, the rain had stopped so we set up and discovered that some water had entered and the mattress was wet. We managed to lift the edges and set up a couple of fans to get things dried out. Not an ideal situation but not a disaster.

The following day we went back into town to visit some op-shops and do some grocery shopping and then spent the rest of the day trying to keep warm. On Wednesday we set off after lunch to drive into the Grampians. The weather was still very cold, but the rain looked like it would hold off for a while. We planned to get some information about camping spots, but with more rain forecast we decided that camping in the national park might not be such a good idea.

We drove over to Hall’s Gap and stopped in to the Visitor Information Centre for directions to a couple of lookouts. We drove first to Boroka Lookout which had magnificent views over Wartook Reservior. The lookout is only a short walk from the carpark and the road in, although unsealed, was in good condition.

From Boroka Lookout we drove back to the main road and on to Reed (or Reid, depending on where you’re looking) Lookout. The carpark is right at the lookout which again had magnificent views but also a really icy wind blowing. From this lookout was took the 2 km return, easy, walk to The Balconies lookout. More fabulous views across the Grampians out towards Moora Moora Reservior.

View from Boroka Lookout

On our return to Stawell we went for the drive up Big Hill to the lookout over the town. Stawell is a nice town with lots of interesting architecture and all the services needed.

After consulting the weather forecast again, and not wanting to get the canvas wet again before putting the trailer in to storage we decided that we would have to forego camping in the Grampians this time. Instead we set off for Horsham – another place we had never visited.

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.