Portland

 4 - 5 February 2025

We had enjoyed our longer than anticipated stay in Warrnambool and were ready to move on, but still cncerned about fires in the Otways so decided to go in the opposite direction to the one we had intended. Mick was keen to go back to Portland for a night or two so he could get some more photographs of the gannets.

Mick had been out for an early morning birding session with Tony and we left Warrnambool after a final coffee and farewell to good friends. We headed west and were at Portland just on lunch time. We decided to dine again at Mac's Hotel where they have a fabulous, well priced lunch menu. The price had risen slightly since we were there in November but was still great value.

After lunch we checked in to the caravan park and spent some time reorganising our things and doing some shopping. We planned a light dinner after a big lunch and were ready to go out to Point Danger for the 5:30pm tour at the Gannet colony.

Tours are conducted by volunteers each night and all you have to do it meet at the gate - no booking and no charge. We arrived and Mick organised his camera gear including tripod as we knew he would have about 1/2 hour to take photographs. Just before 5:30 a tour bus arrived which had us a bit worried about so many people being there but we need not have been concerned. Because we 'd been before, our guide allowed us to skip the commentary and go straight down to the viewing spot.

Mick was keen to photograph the stray Cape gannet that is part of the large colony of Australasian gannets but it's like finding a needle in a haystack. Our guide was busy with others in the group but generously gave more of his time once almost everyone else had left. He was able to pinpoint the Cape gannet and Mick was finally able to get some photos of it.

Can you see the lone Cape gannet?
No? Neither could I!

With a successful session at the gannets, we were happy to leave Portland after only one night so packed up and headed off the next morning. We had decided to drive east along The Great Ocean Road and had booked a couple of nights at Port Campbell so we didn't need to rush.

We stopped at Peterborough for lunch and so Mick could do a spot of birding and then made our way to Port Campbell.

Portland

17 – 21 November 2024

Portland was chosen as our next destination because of the gannet colony just out of town. We have been there before and Mick was keen to revisit the area. We checked into the cabin in the caravan park just on lunch time and settled in as the wind started to pick up. We felt we had made the right decision when we later saw that there had been wind gusts of over 80kph recorded. It was strong enough to shake the cabin.

We stayed indoors for the afternoon and made plans for the next day. With better weather forecast we decided to move on to another caravan park in Portland which we’d been to before and had nicer surroundings. Again, I called ahead to check on the possibility of an early check-in and were advised we could come in after 10:00am which worked out really well.

Although the weather had improved it was really cold and drizzly so we decided on lunch at a pub. Mick asked in the office and Mac’s Hotel was suggested. It turned out to be a fabulous suggestion as there was a very large list of lunch specials at around $16 each. We haven’t seen value like that in a long time. The meals were a good size and very tasty – so good in fact that we went back a couple of days later!

Last time we visited Portland it was necessary to arrange a visit to the gannet colony with a volunteer (through the Visitor Information Centre) but since then, regular nightly tours have been made available. All you have to do it be at the gate at Point Danger by 5.25pm. A local volunteer guide allows access to the site and provides an introduction and answers any questions while viewing and photographing the birds. We went each night for three nights and Mick took lots of photos. I used binoculars to get a better view of a couple of the newly hatched chicks. Even though it was very cold and windy, it was absolutely worth the effort.

Point Danger is home to Australia's
only mainland gannet colony

We spent some time wandering around the town and took a drive to the waterfront and also to Fawthrop Lagoon for a walk – and a spot of birdwatching. There’s lots to do in Portland but the questionable weather had us staying close to home for much of the time.

Once again we checked the weather forecast before moving on and were unsure what to do. We had booked a few nights at Cape Otway National Park but there was the possibility of up to 20mm of rain – not ideal in a bush campground. 

By chance Mick had a call from another birding friend who was heading up to Deniliquin in NSW for a few days. The weather was certainly better – although hotter – there and Tony was happy for Mick to join their guided tour so a decision was made to cancel Cape Otway and head to Deniliquin.

 

Portland

6 - 9 November 2018

After leaving Bool Lagoon we drove south through Mount Gambier then took the coast road to Nelson, where we stopped for coffee. Driving across the border into Victoria we had to reset our watches and lost 1/2 hour in the process. From Nelson it was an easy drive into Portland. 

The reason for our visit (a return for us) was a chance to see (and photograph) the resident gannet colony close up. Mick had been able to make contact with a local volunteer and had made a tentative arrangement for Friday evening.

The hot days continued so we sought refuge in any air conditioned space we could find. The local library, with access to free wifi, was a favourite. Our bird guide was fitting us in around other commitments as well as keeping an eye on the weather forecast. With the possibility of rain in the evening, he suggested a middle of the day excursion to Point Danger. We readily agreed, despite the heat, knowing this may be our only chance.

We also found some wildlife to photograph closer to home. In the caravan park, a familiar roar alerted us to the presence of a Koala in a nearby tree. On an outing to the foreshore, we also found a couple of Fur Seals and Musk Ducks. Despite the heat and harsh light of the early afternoon, the gannet colony was the highlight of our stay. It took a while but I eventually fount a Cape Gannet among the Australasians. Another new bird! Mick.

They do sleep a lot.

A rare shot with eyes open.

Down at the waterfront, Fur Seals wait for fishermen to come in and clean their catch.

Fur Seal

We also saw a couple of Musk Ducks hunting crabs.

Anyone can visit the Point Danger gannet colony but to get a close up look beyond the fence you must go with a local volunteer. This was arranged through the Visitor Information Centre and even for this non-birdwatcher, was a very special and worthwhile experience. Being so close to a large number of these birds was quite amazing.

Australasian Gannets

A Cape Gannet showing its long Gular stripe very well.

Cape Gannet

Air brakes.

While in Portland we also took a tourist drive out to The Blowholes (not really blowing), The Petrified Forest (really a series of limestone tubes) and Bridgewater Lakes (too crowded). It was a nice drive and interesting to see some local attractions though.

On our final morning we visited Fawthrop Lagoon, another popular birdwatching spot. A walking path and boardwalk goes right around the lake, but we only went for a short walk. Next we were off along the Great Ocean Road towards the east.

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.