Fosterville - Somerville Park

 10 - 12 February 2025 

Before heading towards Bendigo for our next stay, we detoured to another lake where Blue-billed ducks had been reported recently. Apparently the low water level at Lake Purrumbete may have sent them elsewhere. We drove to Lake Struan Wildlife Reserve where we could see plenty of ducks - but they were not close enough to shore to get a positive ID. Mick took lots of photos anyway and, later that night, was able to see that there was indeed, a number of Blue-bills. He keeps a list of all the birds he has sighted for the year (as well as a life list) but he won't add anything unless he is absolutely certain. He was now able to add the Blue-bills to the year list.

We drove on through Lismore, Beaufort, Maryborough and then on to Bendigo. We had chosen to stay at a Hipcamp - our first - just out of Bendigo. We had called ahead and were told we were the only ones booked in. We were met on arrival by Cheryl and shown to the site that we had been allocated - but we could move to another one if we wanted. We were happy to stay at "Valley View" because they had set up the port-a-loo there for us. It was such a nice spot, we paid for two nights straight away.

A very peaceful spot!

Proximity to the Greater Bendigo National Park was important and after a very peaceful night we set off into the park in search of some more birds. We didn't have any luck there so headed into town with a stop at Lake Weeroona, right on the edge of the CBD. It's always a very popular spot, with lots of people enjoying the warm weather. 

From there we went into town to buy a new pair of binoculars - Mick's were probably 20 years old, not the greatest quality and had recently broken, so it was definitely time to upgrade. We found the Camera House store and he chose a nice pair of Nikons, which he is very happy with.

We dropped a gas bottle off to be tested, redated and refilled before returning to camp for lunch and a very relaxing afternoon. Just on dark we went out in search of some night birds we heard calling. Mick didn't get any photos but we did get a look at one that perched on a branch quite close to us.

We couldn't pick up the gas bottle until late in the morning so we really appreciated not having to leave this lovely campsite until after almost 11:30am. By the time we had driven in to the gas place it was lunch time so we stopped for a picnic at Lake Weeroona before continuing on to Glenrowan.

Bendigo

26 – 30 November 2024

We left Winton Wetlands and let the GPS determine our route, which turned out to be the most direct, but mostly on “C” roads. This meant we passed through a number of small towns and avoided a lot of traffic. We stopped for lunch at a bakery in Murchison then continued on to Bendigo.

Bendigo was to be our last stop before heading to Tasmania. We had a lot of re-organisation to get the trailer ready to go into storage so we booked an ensuite site at a caravan park. We were very glad we did when we were hit with a couple of big storms, including one which blew around everything not secured. We had seen it coming on the BoM App and were able to move chairs and other small items into the ensuite just in time.

Although we had been able to prepare for the storm, we were faced with a very wet camper trailer. The next day was sunny and bright so we were able to get everything dry. Because the forecast was for more rain we decided that a move into a cabin would be the best thing to do.

After getting the trailer dry and repacked, we took it to the storage facility we have used before and settled into the cabin.

We took the opportunity to visit Greater Bendigo National Park for some more birding but again, not so successful. We spent the last couple of days getting the car ready for the trip to Tassie and using up all the fresh food as we wouldn’t be able to run the fridge in the car.

We didn’t need to be in Geelong until late in the afternoon so we planned to leave as late as we could and take our time making our way there.

Our Wikicamps Trip Plan shows we didn't take 
the most direct route from Townsville

Bendigo

14 – 19 August 2023

Once we had settled into camp for the first time since April, and after giving the trailer a thorough clean to remove some mould that had appeared, we set about enjoying our time in Bendigo. We visited the Greater Bendigo National Park a couple of times in search of the Purple-gaped honeyeater – again successfully. We also returned to Bell’s Swamp and Castlemaine Botanic Gardens for the possibility of better photos.

On Wednesday we were joined by John and Judy, Townsville friends who have been “grey nomads” for a couple of years. We last saw them in Mount Compass in November 2022. Once again we enjoyed a couple of great days with them. Unfortunately the weather was awful – daytime temperatures in the low teens and an overnight low of -3.9! Definitely not the best weather to be camping in. We had booked to stay for three nights in Bendigo but extended for two more when rain was forecast. We didn’t want to have to pack up wet, especially when it was so cold, and we were happy with our ensuite site, so staying on was the logical thing to do.

This was around the time we were getting up. 

Apart from birding and socialising we restocked the fridge, freezer and pantry ready for the next part of our journey. We visited the Bendigo Pottery Centre where we saw there are a number of artisans as a well as the well-known local pottery. It was an interesting way to spend an hour or so.

Eventually we had to move on and were lucky to have a nice sunny morning to pack up. We weren’t sure where we would end up, but decided to set the GPS for Waikerie (on the way to Gluepot) and decide where we would stop once we were on our way.

Back on the Road - Port Macquarie to Devonport

Crowdy Bay

2 - 3 December

After three weeks waiting to have the camper trailer repaired we were relieved to finally get back on the road. Because of the delay we decided to head south to Tasmania and Christmas with daughter, Julia, rather than heading home and flying down as we had planned. With airline tickets cancelled and Spirit of Tasmania passage booked we left Port Macquarie for the short drive to Crowdy Bay National Park. We had booked a spot at Diamond Head Campground for an overnight stay before tackling the traffic going through Sydney.

As we expected the campground was almost full, with lots of families enjoying the sunshine and beautiful surrounds. We set off early in the morning for the drive through Sydney - one that we were not looking forward to at all.

Blayney

3 - 4 December

We drove south towards Sydney, making very good time on the motorway, but not enjoying the increasing traffic closer to Sydney. We stopped for a cuppa at a rest area, then lunch at Hawkesbury River Rest Area at Mooney Mooney. Refreshed, we drove on, turning west towards the Blue Mountains. Our aim was Bathurst and the GPS (otherwise known as the crazy woman) decided that the best way to get there was via Windsor and the Bells Line of Road. 

The drive through farmland and then mountains is quite picturesque in parts so we enjoyed this part of the drive. Because we made such good time we arrived in Bathurst earlier than intended so continued on the Blaney, where we stopped for another overnighter in the caravan park.

Yackandandah

4 - 5 December

Heading through Wagga and on to Albury we made the decision to continue on to a smaller town for our overnight stop. We chose Yackandandah and were pleased with what we found. A small and friendly town, in a lovely setting on the way towards the Victorian High Country, Yackandandah suited our needs very well.

I started having problems with my left knee at Crowdy Bay so was restricted to hobbling around slowly and painfully on this leg of the trip. As a result there are not many photographs. 

In the morning at Yackandandah I heard the telltale calls of Gang-gang Cockatoos in the surrounding bush. With an effort I managed to lug my heavy camera to the tree line to look for them. There were five or six cockatoos calling and flying between tall gum trees at the bottom of the park. Though too high and distant for any great shots, I was happy to get a record of these beautiful birds. Mick

Juvenile Gang-gang Cockatoo.

Male and Female Gang-gangs, possibly looking for a nest hollow.

Before heading off in the morning we stopped at the bakery for coffee and fresh bread. Next stop Bendigo.

Bendigo

5 - 7 December

We had found a caravan storage yard in Bendigo so made that our last stop before heading to Tassie. We checked into a caravan park for two nights, with the option of adding some more days if needed. We checked the weather forecasts, and the forecast for  Bass Strait, and decided to change our Spirit of Tasmania booking to the evening of 7 December. This gave us a sunny day and clear night before having to pack up the canvas for at least 6 weeks in storage. It also gave us a promised calm crossing. Perfect!

There were a number of Red-rumped Parrots around the park. This is a young male.

We spent the day in Bendigo, stocking up on a few things we needed, and having a look around the city. There are some beautiful buildings, thanks to the Victorian gold rushes.

On Wednesday morning we had plenty of time to get packed up. rearranging items to ensure we had what we needed for Tassie, and leaving behind what we didn't. After dropping off the trailer, we drove back into town to the Golden Dragon Museum. This museum tells the proud history of Bendigo's Chinese community. We could have spent much longer here had we not needed to get to Melbourne in time for the boat to Tassie.

Nanken Night Heron (breeding plumage). Patrolling the fish pond in the Chinese garden.

We set off after lunch and made our way into the centre of Melbourne - doing battle with the spaghetti loops of the multiple freeways and toll ways. We didn't really get lost this time, relying partly on the GPS and partly on instinct. Finding our way to Port Phillip Bay, we found parking and a cafe on the beach, where we had afternoon tea (OK - ice cream) before driving the short distance to Station Pier just on 5:00pm where we checked in for our Bass Strait crossing.

St Kilda beach. The bright and breezy weather had attracted scores of kite surfers and sailing boats.

Our ride, the Spirit of Tasmania in the distance.

The wind had dropped noticeably by the time we weighed anchor  for the 'Apple' Isle.

It was a calm and uneventful crossing... the best type.