Wednesday 16th September (cont'd)

Finally set off on the main journey about 11am. In theory we could’ve stayed on the A1 all the way. We went as far as Bairnsdale where we stopped for a quick coffee. Interesting town with the main street being a dual carriageway with a very wide central reserve which is virtually a park.

When we came out of Bairnsdale we decided that with plenty of time in hand we could explore so we took a side road down to Meerlieu (having missed the first one immediately outside Bairnsdale). We then took the C106 towards Stratford. These are fascinating roads through apparently empty countryside. We barely saw any other vehicles. A lot of it seems to consist of pasture but with a strip of gum trees left standing on either side of the road - not sure if these are windbreaks or perhaps to give shade on the road.

Instead of going to Stratford we turned off again on another small road (still the C106) across the Avon River and then round into Sale. The map shows the area around the Avon as swamp but in fact we saw some very nice lakes - but this could just’ve been the result of recent rain.

Were annoyed with ourselves later when we realised that Stratford is where Ralph and Virginia live. Stopped in Sale and had a quick toasted sandwich for lunch and set off again. Immediately took a detour down to the historic swing bridge for photographs. This is just off the A440 which is the direct route to Foster and is well signed. Again with time to spare we took a couple of detours firstly down to Port Albert and then down to Port Welshpool. Unfortunately by now the rain had started and at times it was torrential. Port Albert looked nice but we didn’t even get out of the car. At Port Welshpool it stopped long enough for Anne to make the 50m dash from the car park to the Ladies and we also saw a rainbow. We photographed the long jetty - which is awaiting repair.

Between Sale and Port Albert we stopped to photograph Joyce’s Road. At one point we saw an echidna on the side of the road.

After that it was a straight drive to Foster. We checked in and did what unpacking we needed and then had a quick walk around the shops. Identified somewhere to buy fish and chips. It was getting dark and the weather wasn’t looking good so we went back to the room. Downloaded photos, etc. Went out about 7pm to get our fish and chips and had them in the room with a beer and then watched an old New Tricks (which amazingly we can’t remember having seen before) before doing Sunday’s prize crossword and reading for a while.

Thursday 17th

Usual morning routine and on the road by about 10am. Outskirts of Foster much nicer that we’d imagined. We had hoped to take a minor road out of the town but we must’ve missed the turn and we ended up on the 446. Stopped for a couple of photos on the way down and then we were going across the isthmus to Wilsons Prom down the C444. Unfortunately it started to drizzle. The entrance into the NP was a bit confusing. There was nobody in the booth on the way in. We parked up and followed signs for Information but these led nowhere so it was back in the car and on own towards Tidal River. Every time we got to a viewpoint it was raining quite hard so we stayed in the car all the way down.

Parked up at the Visitor Centre. This turns out to be very large with all sorts of cabins, dormitories and camp grounds. These are spread over a large area however so it didn’t seem very crowded although it must be different in high season. We had a coffee and a special offer fresh hot jam doughnut - both burnt our mouths on the jam. The Information Centre seemed to be more about booking accommodation than information about The Prom - sad because we’d liked to have known more about the area.

By this time the rain had largely stopped so we made our way back north stopping at Squeaky Beach (which didn’t!), Darby Saddle and Darby Bridge. We had to follow the road almost all the way back to Foster before continuing on the C444 to Fish Creek.

We stopped at Fish Creek for lunch. We went into a cafe/secondhand bookshop. As it was now 1.30 there wasn’t much choice left but we still enjoyed it. After lunch we came back south on the C444 before turning onto the C445 to drive down to Walkerville. This is part of the scenic Penguin to Prom route which we were doing in reverse.

We went to North Walkerville and had a quick look at the lovely beach before heading back parallel to the coast to Tarwin Lower. We went through Tarwin Lower and Inverloch stopping in the latter for a cup of tea, this time in a cafe/antiques shop. The coast road from Inverloch to Cape Paterson was fantastic. This is the Bunurong Coastal Drive.

At Cape Paterson we went into the town and drove as far along the coast as we could. Saw some fantastic new houses being built. Returned back to the C435 and on through Wonthaggi, the largest town we’d seen for quite a long time. We then followed the main B460 through San Remo and across the bridge onto Phillip Island. Fairly straightfoward to find the motel in Cowes. Very nice room where we’ll be for the next two nights.