On our way home - Victoria

1 February 2016

We were to leave Tasmania on 31 January, but a check of the weather forecast for Bass Strait indicated a rough crossing was almost certain. The forecast for 1 February was much more benign so we changed our booking. We didn't mind having an extra day with family and friends.

Some pics of sea birds mid crossing showing how calm it was.

You can see why they are called Shearwaters.

Probably a Short-tailed Shearwater.

As predicted the day crossing was very calm and we arrived in Melbourne ready to tackle the traffic on the way to our motel in Brunswick. I hate driving in traffic, and Melbourne has the added bonus of trams and funny hook turns - you certainly have to keep your wits about you, but at least we didn't get lost! Our motel was around the corner from a number of eateries, and we chose the pub for a hearty meal and a drink.

Healesville

2 - 3 February 2016

In the morning we headed off along Sydney Road towards Craigieburn and beyond to pick up the camper trailer. Again we had to contend with the trams, but managed to get out of the city without too much trouble. We collected the camper trailer and set off for Healesville. We arrived just on lunchtime so had lunch in town before making our way to the caravan park which was in a nice location on a creek a few kilometres away.

We managed to get the camper set up without too much difficulty - even after seven weeks away. We drove back into town to collect supplies. After a quite hot day the inevitable happened - it rained overnight and was still raining in the morning when it was time to pack up. We made use of the raincoats we had been carrying around with us for months and broke camp in the wet. 

Our aim was to get to Lakes Entrance, but the forecast suggested there was more rain to come.

Marlo (East Gippsland)

3 - 5 February 2016

As we thought, the rain persisted all throughout the day. We just kept on driving, stopping to eat sandwiches in the car along the way. We reached Lakes Entrance and decided we could keep going a little further - perhaps Orbost or Marlo. Driving into Orbost we decided we could get to Marlo - and we were glad we did. Marlo is on the Snowy River Estuary and is a lovely little spot.

Pilotbirds were surprisingly common in the thick coastal heath.

After more overnight rain, we spent the day exploring the area after stocking up  (and visiting Op-shops) in Orbost. Under blue skies, we visited Salmon Rocks, West Cape and East Cape, Frenches Narrows as well as a couple of other spots on the Snowy River Estuary Walk.

Red Wattlebirds fed in the caravan park trees along with Purple-crowned Lorikeets and Little Wattlebirds.

A Black-shouldered Kite on the way to Marlo.

We headed off early next morning, bound for New South Wales.