25th June 2016

We continued on south again today. Less than an hour south of Mildura is Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, a place where I spent many holidays as a kid, camping around Lake Mournpall, I was keen to visit and the boys were keen to climb on the trees we used to climb. There had been recent rains, so we left the caravan in the visitor centre. Lake Mournpall was almost full, low levels in recent years had enabled suckling gums to establish on the banks, resulting in what was once clear banks to the water now being built up with many skinny saplings, many have already drowned. The trees were still there and the boys enjoyed climbing them. There was lots of wildlife, we saw more Kangaroos and Emu's than we had seen on the entire trip and a pair if Rainbow Honey Eaters having a bath. The boys wanted us to stay the night, we decided against it as it was going to be a very cold night, generators were not allowed so we wouldn't be able to run any heating. Plus the cost of National Parks is almost what we are paying in caravan parks with far more facilities than what they are offering, consequently there was only one other camper there.

Traveling further south we visited the Brim Silo's. Earlier this year they were painted with images of local farmers, the attention to detail was noted by all of us.

Tonight we are camped at the Lake Fyans Caravan Park, a well maintained park. There are many permanent holiday vans here and very few tourists here now.

26th June 2016

Today we explored around Halls Gap. The local footy oval looks like its half time, with the Kanga's lazing around the oval. They are actually quite tame and allow you to get up close to them; Lachlan was able to steal a few pats.

The weather is very cold today, we have now seen it all this holiday with a little bit of snow remaining up at Boroka Lookout (they had snow here a day or so ago). The boys had fun making snow balls and throwing them at their Dad. We went onto the Balconies and Mackenzie Falls doing a walk at each of them.

Back at camp, no sooner had we lit a fire and started to feel some heat, were we in trouble with management because we had not got their permission for a camp fire! Of course it all came down to $$$. The pit we had borrowed from the non-powered section didn't comply with their rules in the powered section; we could hire one that complied for $20!!! No thank you, so we walked 100 meters from the van to the non-powered section and had our fire there.

27th June 2016

Onwards again this morning, through Hamilton onto Portland and then into a place called Lake Yambuk. A very pretty place right on the edge of a lake, in behind the sand dunes just off the ocean front. It's only a small park and we are able to get a grassy spot in the sun overlooking the lake. As Brad and I set up camp, the boys disappear off to the giant metal slide in the sand dunes, they return some time later very sweaty from running up and down. The boys dabble at fishing, but the slide was too much fun and drew them back.

28th June 2016

Today we have a lazy morning then set off to explore Port Fairy and Warrnambool. In Warrnambool we take a walk along the breakwater, close by we see Middle Island where the film Oddball was made, the tours are closed at this time of the year. We have a play in the parklands, the boys particularly liked the flying fox and the maze.

Tommorrow we will head down the Great Ocean Road.