Adelaide to The Farm (Merrigum) via Mt Gambier, Warrnambool, Skenes Creek and Daylesford - 6th January ~ 19th January 2011

The drive south to Mount Gambier from Adelaide saw us stumble across some beautiful places we must come back and stay sometime soon. The coastal towns of Robe and Beachport were much like our choice for retirement, Kiama.

On arrival into Mt Gambier we were blown away with the beauty of Blue Lake. A lake that is the most amazing shade of blue from November to March each year. No set reason for why (although many theories) - we thought perhaps the location of the lake in a volcanic crater - but this theory was given the thumbs down when we did a tour of the lake to the surface. Although the water is so blue it is so clear that you can see quite deep into it. Our time in Mt Gambier also saw us visit the sunken garden of Umpherston Sink Hole - a garden set in a large hole left when the roof of a cave fell in. The magnificent hydrangea flowers were a sea of colour with assorted greenery set amongst the blooms. A chilly picnic lunch in Port MacDonnell and some rain saw us limit our time in the area and a short visit to the most southern part of South Australia.

A day trip to Penola (minus Peter) saw us visit the home of Saint Mary of the Cross (MacKillop). Here we spent time exploring the church and a mock classroom set up in the original manner of the first Sister of St Josephs classroom. The slingshot by the nun's desk shows just how much discipline in education has changed. Imagine if we did this nowadays!!!! The remnants and icons from the original era of Mary MacKillop's life were so interesting the see. While in Penola we took the kids to 'Funtasia" - one man's creative flair with model railways, water and a fantasy wonderland of every theme imaginable. The Treasure Hunt Balunn was set by Graham was quite difficult and we all had fun looking for the different characters hidden within the display.

From Mt Gambier we headed to The Great Ocean Road where we began to encounter the heavy rains which would soon wreak havoc across parts of Victoria. We stayed at Hopkins River Caravan Park (just out of Warrnambool) - an ideal place for children with tennis, a games room, indoor heated pool and spa, great roads for scooters and mini golf. It was such a pity that it rained so much and none of us got to enjoy these facilities. On the one fine day we did have we spent as much time touring The Great Ocean Road as possible. We visited The 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, The Arch and The Grotto. Although beautiful sites to see, Peter and I were still disappointed on the route of The Great Ocean Road as it mostly away from the water. Once back in town, we had to take Zali to the doctor after she got an infection in her finger from a cut a few weeks back. It looked horrid and spread to her nose. Thankfully after some antibiotics and cream she is looking much better. We then met up with Nanny, Poppy and Balunn for a swim in Stingray Bay.

Our next stop would have to be the worst place we have stayed during our trip. With The Great Ocean Road shut from Skenes Creek (5km east of Apollo Bay) to Lorne, we booked into Skenes Creek Caravan Park. It wasn't only the torrential rain which made the stay so bad, it was the most expensive place we have stayed at and it had zero facilities. The 4 showers and 6 toilets it had to cater for all guests were disgusting. I refused to use them and didn't expect the others to either so it was time for the portaloo to come back out and for a quick sponge bath for the one night we were there. The location, in good weather, may have been ideal, but I could have been in a developing country with the state of the 'facilities'. An afternoon of boardgames with the kids was LOTS of fun - who knew the game of Trouble could get so nasty!! A nice dinner out in Apollo Bay and the fast flowing waterfall spotted by Balunn on the way in was the saving grace for this night.....

With road closures still along The Great Ocean Road and many on the route we were taking to Daylesford, the trip to inland Victoria was wet and slow. Water all over the road, fallen trees, mini rock and mud falls and cars that did not drive to the conditions saw us really taking our time. Daylesford and the surrounding area had encountered extreme rain before our arrival with towns less than 30km away evacuated due to the floods. Our park was a little wet, but in a beautiful lake side location and close to town. Daylesford is known as spa country and the health and spa resorts in and around the town were plentiful. An area to come back and enjoy with the girls...... While in Daylesford, we visited The Blowhole - a tunnel from the mining era of the 1850s dug out to release water while gold mining. The pressure of the water coming through the hole created a loud, ferocious and devastating torrent. We were all fascinated by the volume and speed of the water. Words don't describe the power of the blowhole, so I have included two videos below for you all to see. Enjoy......

Video 1 - The Blowhole

Video 2 - The kids loving the chance to get wet!!!

We had a great afternoon at the local chocolate factory where we listened to and watched the story and methods of Belgian chocolate. After some purchases of some of the best chocolate we have ever eaten, we sat at the cafe and enjoyed ice cream with melted Belgian chocolate - personal choice of ice cream flavour and chocolate style.... delicious!!! To burn off all the fat, we spent the afternoon by Lake Jubilee swimming and canoeing. Great times!!!

From here it was onto the Hogan farm for a catch up with the cousins. Lots of rain had left roads we needed blocked so we had to go the long way round. Driving into the farm in Merrigum it was amazing to see such a difference in the 12 months since we last visited - now lush, green paddocks full of great feed for the cows. Our time based at the farm saw us visit Tony at International Dairy Week in Tatura, a picnic by the lake in Shepparton, a visit to Luke, Briony and the kids for a play, a day trip to Echuca to see the flooded Campaspe River and the Murray at its highest level since 1993, Pete and I enjoyed a beautiful lunch at Oscar W's for our 8th Wedding Anniverary and a great family catch up over each day with various cousins (we also got to meet the newest cousin, baby Aden).

We depart in the morning for what will be Day 191 of our adventure.... how quickly the time has gone xoxoxox