No Boundaries Australia: Adelaide to Gordon (Home)

Adelaide to Murray Bridge – Tuesday 8 November 2011

On the move again today after a great 5 days in Adelaide, had a nice easy drive to Murray Bridge. On the way we stopped off at Hahndorf, a great little German village in the Adelaide Hills for lunch and a look around. Nice place but far from caravan friendly the streets are very narrow with little to no suitable parking for cars and vans.

Hahndorf main street - narrow with low trees not good for caravans

After lunch we went onto Murray Bridge to catch up and stay with Kevin and Wendy, had a very enjoyable afternoon and night with them. They took us for a drive around Murray Bridge and checking out the town and the magic of the mighty Murray River.

Murray Bridge with Kevin and Wendy

Murray Bridge to Mount Gambier – Wednesday 9 November 2011

Left Murray Bridge about 10:30am for the drive to Mount Gambier, stopped off at Keith for lunch and a look around what is a nice little town. Arrived Mount Gambier and stayed at the Blue Lake Holiday Park, right opposite the very impressive Blue Lakes. Caught up with lots of people we have met along the way, Leanne and Derrick, last saw them in Port Augusta and John, Cate, Jed and Lillie, who we caught up with in Adelaide, they are finally close to home, it was a great happy hour as we will leave them all now.

Beautiful Blue Lakes - Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier to Apollo Bay - Thursday 10 November 2011

It was a cold and wet morning as we left Mount Gambier heading for the Great Ocean Road and Apollo Bay. Arrived at Warrnambool for lunch and fuel, then headed off to Allansford the start of the Great Ocean Road, we have travelled this road 3 times over the past 20 years and each time it has been wet, cold and windy. Today was just windy and cool, so it was a marked improvement on previous trips.

Farewell to South Australia

We called into the ‘The Grotto’, London Bridge,’ ‘The Arch’, and the ’12 Apostles’ on our way to Apollo Bay. Stayed at the Big 4 Pisces Holiday Park, a great park with views across the bay, took the time to catch up on the washing while the weather was fine.

Great Ocean road

The Grotto

London Bridge

A laundry with a view - what could be better

Apollo Bay to Bellbrae – Friday 11 November 2011

We woke to a bright and sunny day with no wind, a real pearler, we headed off along the second half of the Great Ocean Road towards Lorne. Stopping at Lorne for a look around and a cuppa then finished of the trip arriving in Torquay for lunch. It really is a great drive, we were lucky with the weather and also had very little traffic which makes it more pleasant. Shopped at the big Surf Shops in Torquay before heading to Graeme and Jan’s for the evening. We met Graeme and Jan on our Kimberley Trip, it was great to catch up with them, they showed us around the area, checking at Anglesea Golf club and of course a trip down to the famous Bell’s Beach.

18th Farway at Anglesea Golf Club

Bell's Beach on a calm day

Bellbrae to Rosebud – Saturday 12 November 2011

Left Bellbrae about 8:30am and headed to Queenscliff to catch the 10am Ferry across to Sorrento, much easier than driving up through Geelong and Melbourne then back down the Mornington Peninsula to Rosebud. The ferry arrived Sorrento by 11am and we were in Rosebud soon after. Set up the van then spent the afternoon with the rellies, David and Heather. It was nice to catch up and have a chat for the afternoon. Also visited Peter and Nicole who we first met in Mt Barnett on the Gibb River Rd then Coral Bay a couple of months ago, they have been home for 6 weeks now.

All tucked up on the Ferry

David, Heather and Marlene at Rosebud

Rosebud to Cowes – Sunday 13 November 2011

Cloudy but warm day today, had a coffee with Heather and David before we left Rosebud for the 2 hour drive to Philip Island, staying at Cowes. Easy afternoon, writing the blog and watching the poor old Fords loose the races in Tasmania. Went and visited the Little Penguins to watch them waddle up the beach after a hard day fishing, as usual they were great to watch.

Cowes to Lakes Entrance – Monday 14 November 2011

Second last day, today with a 300+km drive along the coast to Lakes Entrance, stopped for fuel at Wonthaggi and coffee at Traralgon, then onto Lakes Entrance by mid-afternoon. The weather was sunny and warm so we had our last walk along the beach and our last happy hour sitting outside, local fish and chips for dinner, that’s it all over.

Last Beach for awhile

Friendly Locals

Last Happy Hour - its all but over

Lakes Entrance to Gordon – Tuesday 15 November 2011

Well it is day 142 and the last day of our trip, and what a trip it has been. In one way it is good to be on our way home but, it would also be nice to heading off again. A busy 400km along the coast to Cann River, then turn left and head north to Bombala, Nimmitabel, Cooma and home. We plan on being home mid-afternoon, then that’s it until next time.