Today we left Mallacoota. It was sad to say goodbye to the beautiful beaches and waterways of this small town. We have however officially entered the "grey nomad season", which makes Roy feel fit and young in comparison to all the other holiday goers.

The boys have been enjoying getting up early and going kayaking. They often stop at a secluded beach to go swimming before heading back for breakfast. Max and Archie now take their own paddle and boast about how fast they get the kayak moving.

We met a family from Bermagui also travelling around Australia. It was nice to chat about each others plans and compare notes. The boys had a fun game of cricket while us girls opted for a nice bushwalk.

Our favourite things at Mallacoota: Betka Beach, Bastion Point, Kayaking on the Lake, Fishing off the wharf (the boys), Lucy's Noodle Bar (great dumplings) and the Mallacoota Bakery.

We arrived at Lakes Entrance mid afternoon (after packing up in light drizzle at Mallacoota). We had planned to stop at Cape Conran or Marlo but the weather wasn't very good, nor was the forecast, so we continued on to Lakes Entrance. At least here if it starts raining we can find some indoor activities to occupy the boys.

Today we drove through Orbost, an area of VIC recently affected by bushfires (at the same time Queensland was being battered by cyclones). This morning we read Melbourne had flash flooding and Sydney was coming out of a heatwave. What is going on with this country?