After 6 weeks in the country we are ready to reacquaint with the ocean and make our way back to the coast. We take the Great Alpine Road and pass through the charming towns of Bright and Harrietville. The signs for ski hire gives us an indication we are heading into alpine country and it's not long before the road steepens and we head up the range. I was a touch apprehensive towing the caravan on the road but with the alternative route via Melbourne adding an extra 250km, in the end it was an easy choice. Sure... the road was windy with 30km/hour bends but traffic was minimal and we have travelled on more challenging roads (mind you...different story when you throw in ice and snow). We climbed up to the ski resort of Mount Hotham, taking in the panoramic views before returning down the other side, eventually arriving at Eastern Beach Caravan Park in Lakes Entrance. On the way we see a couple of emus in a paddock, the first ones we have seen on our trip.
Lakes Entrance is a tourism hotspot and fishing port - we certainly noticed a sizeable increase in fish'n'chip shops. I took a few days to reconnoiter potential fishing spots. The beaches looked unfishable due to a strong rip and plenty of kelp so I took a closer look at the lakes. I saw many people fishing with no success with the Post Office Wharf being the exception, where they were catching trevally, bream and mullet.
One morning I gave it a go. Armed with my Ballina beach worms I fished without so much as a nibble while the local fisho legend beside me - Tony, continued to pull them in with monotonous regularity. I soon realised my bait was too exotic for the local fish and went to the nearby bait shop to get some blue pilchards - seemingly the bait of choice. By the time I got my line in the water again, the fish had gone off the bite, even for Tony. After a while I decided to sit down for a bit and I looked up to see I was ON. Unfortunately, the suspected trevally took me under the pylons into a snag. A bit later I catch my sole catch, a mullet. Not very exciting but it seemed to impress the local crew. It wasn't quite the haul I envisiged but I took it home for Tomoko who was happy to devour it sashimi style, giving it the thumbs up.
After a few days here we were relieved to see Shaka's wee problem clear up. Maybe the sea air really was what he needed. Hopefully he will be with us for a little while longer.
One sunny morning the three of us took a morning excursion to Paynesville, a small resort town and the 'boating capital' of Victoria. We weren't lured there by the many marine vessels but Raymond Island & it's population of koalas. Apparently they were close to extinction in the 1920's and a conservation colony was established at Phillip Island in 1925. In 1953, 32 koalas from Phillip Island were delivered here and today there is over 100.
We took the ute over on the ferry. It cost $11 for a 200m return trip and I swear never to complain about paying for the South Ballina ferry again. Once on the island it wasn't long before we spotted several of our prey. After seeing a few (including a mother and child) we drove further into the bush where we were sure to spot many more. Surprisingly, sightings were rare and it wasn't till we returned to town that we began spotting them again. After seeing our fair share of koalas we left the island satisfied, it was a great way to start the day.
After a week here we figure it's time to move on again, next stop our nation's capital. I may catch up with the PM for a beer. Until then...adios amigos.