We picked up our second campervan from Apollo, called and Hippie Camper and although it was the same make and model as the Wicked it was 100 times better, with a fridge, and indoor seating area, and electric hook up which means we had a kettle and toaster!! When you see the pictures you will all understand. Sally we even think you might approve!

We drove out of Melbourne via St Kilda, where we picked up supplies and visited one of the most famous theme parks Luna Park, which has the worlds eighth best rollercoaster, sadly it is closed during the week so Nikki didn't get her wish of riding it.

Our first stop was Phillip Island just 90 minutes from Melbourne and connected to the mainland by a bridge. Driving over we had a great view of French Island and the Mornington Peninsula. We checked into our campsite before going to explore an area on the Island called the Nobbies where their is a coastal broadwalk, blowholes and Little Penguins....

Next morning we did a 6k walk around the Oswinn Reserve which is a lovely area protected due to the population of Koalas, and within a few minutues of being in the park we spotted our first Koalas and it wouldn't be our last. Having only spent a short time on the island and only our second day in the state of Victoria we were already wishing we had a little more time.

From the Island we drove along the Mornington Peninsula, stopping at a few wineries, some of the best Oz has to offer, before taking in the view of Melbourne City from the top of Arthers Seat Road. We continued along the Peninsula and caught the ferry from Sorrento to Queenscliff aand checked into a campsite in Torquay.

We took the Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Lorne stopping at a number of lookout points including Eagel Bluff where we had lunch and took a short walk along the coastal path tp Split Point Lighthouse. From Lorne we left the Ocean Road and headed inland to the rainforest and Erskine Falls and to our free campsite in Great Otway National Park at Lake Elizabeth. Free camping is what all the Aussies do, and pulling in we realised why, camping in the heart of the forest and a beautiful spot but we were totally alone so we both did a pretty good job of scaring each other with the imaginary noises we kept hearing!

Seriously though it was pretty cool waking up in our own bit of forest. That morning we drove through the forest via Grey River road heading towards the Great Ocean Road. We were told Grey River Road was where the Koalas were and it wasn't long before we were seeing lots of round balls of fur up in the trees. Just before we got back to the Ocean road we turned a bend and before us was a random Aussie man stood in front of his camper, covered in birds, that he was feeding from his palms with a very embarssed wife in the front seat. A bizzare sight that brightend our day.

Continuing along the Ocean Road we stopped at a number of lookouts Sheoak Falls, Separation creek, Wye River and Cape Patton. We stopped for lunch in Apollo Bay before making our way to our next campsite at Airys River East. This site was almost full but we managed to secure a spot and them hiked 7k along the Great Ocean walk, which seemed like a great idea until we realised that the first 2k was uphill on sand and shortly after Nikki spotted a rather large brown snake (we have been told they are pretty leathal) in the grass next to her on the footpath, and although she didn't completly freek out I don't think we will be doing much bush walking for a while..... Back at the campsite we cooked dinner and the two resident Koalas in the trees above us kept all the campers entertained.

Next day we headed towards Port Campbell calling in at Castle Cover, Gibson Steps and our first view of the 12 Apostles, there isn't quite 12 anymore and the whole coastline is pretty cool even without the sunshine. It was recommended to us that we should also visit the the Bay of Island, most tourist only get as far as the 12 Apostles. The Bay of Island is just as spectacular and was the end of our trip along the Ocean Road.

Up early we drove into the outskirts of Melbourne, checked into a campsite and caught the tram from West Preston into the City. We visited the Melbourne Museum before catching the free tram round the city centre. We had dinner in Chinatown and just managed to see the Christmas lights come on through the torrential rain!

Today we managed to get a couple of hours in the city and visited the Queen Victoria Market the oldest in Melbourne before dropping the van back and checking into our hotel ready for our flight to the East Coast in the morning.

This has been one of the busiest ans best weeks of the whole trip so far, and we can't wait to get back here with more time as we only really scratched the surface of Victoria.