Home                                                                                            UPDATE 18 NOVEMBER

On the way to Mallacoota I saw a couple of big lizards crossing the road. probably Goannas. One was about 1 metre and the other at least 1.5 metres long and it was black, not the normal grey/brown colour. Mallacoota is an appealing seaside town and has a good feel to it. It would probably be different in summer when all the 800 camping/caravan spots in the foreshore park are full.

                                                                                               View from rest area near Mallacoota.

I had more than the usual number of rubber neckers and chatterers about the car. I also now know where Gabo Island is when I hear it mentioned during the Sydney Hobart yacht race.

                                                View from Mallacoota to the east. Gabo Island is on the horizon (even though you can't see it!).

I continued on via the coast where possible and spent the night at Orbost where this log hut featured in a historical display in the main street.                  

I continued following the coast to Lakes Entrance.

I then headed inland on the Great Alpine Road. This is a nice windy and picturesque road. I stopped at Omeo for the night before heading for Bright and GACR 2005 (Great Australian Clubman Roundup). I will write a separate page on this.

Back to "normal" after the GACR. Had a bit of rain on the way to Foster via Sale but not enough to have to stop. The picture is of Port Welshpool, one of the coastal places I called into on the way.

I saw a half a dozen sports cars participating in some rally before I turned off the main highway. The gears are still working OK (they developed a bit of a problem in Bright) and I have ordered the part I need from Dandenong Mazda to be picked up when  I go through in a couple of days time. The next major stop was Wilsons Promontory. This turned out to be well worth the visit and I managed to take some interesting nature photos.

There were hordes of school children hiking everywhere and lots of people camping. Its a very popular place. I did a bit more coastal exploring through Walkerville (quite different than the Walkerville in Adelaide). The picture shows Wilsons Promontory in the background taken from Walkerville beach.

A little bit further on  was the Cape Liptrap Lighthouse.

The gears are still being selected satisfactorily so only one day to go now before I get the part I need to fix it. After a night at Wonthaggi I headed for Phillip Island the home of the Australian Motor Cycle Grand Prix. I visited the museum at the track and saw some good exhibits including Norm Beechey's S4 Holden and an Austin 7 similar to the one that won the first Australian Grand Prix in 1928.

As part of the museum admission you could also view the race track. There were 3 V8 Supercar teams testing prior to the last round of this years championship to be held in a week or so's time. To sit there in the sun as the sole spectator watching the cars and listening to and enjoying the noise was as close to heaven as a car enthusiast can get. The picture shows the scenic nature of the track which is acknowledged by drivers and riders to be one of the 3 best in the world.

I then explored the Island ans saw an area on the far western side where there is a seal colony and a bird breeding area. This area is called The Nobbies and Seal Rocks. (Seal Rocks in the background and the bird breeding area in the foreground)

On the way off the Island I drove around the 1928 Australian Grand Prix track. Even now the roads are narrow and bumpy in places so it would be hard work at racing speeds. In those days of course it was all dirt roads.

Heading north I picked up the gearbox part from Dandenong Mazda and found my way without much trouble to where I was staying at Research( NE of Melbourne, out Yarra Glen way. Hate the traffic!!!!