Colac, Meredith Park

Headed off east then down to Ocean Grove, back roads via Barwon Heads and to Colac. Staying at Meredith Park beside Lake Colac. Grass, big trees, and a very strong wind in the afternoons but a pretty good spot I think. Went up to Beeac – nothing much there other than a small dairy, pub that does meals and a cop shop. No fuel. Chatting to a couple at park, then drinks with neighbours.

Sat 9^th

Left about 9.30 – to Apollo bay. Stunning magnificent forest of tall Gums, Ash  and Beech trees with heaps of pongas underneath – Otway National Park. Loved the drive. Pine and gum plantations in amongst the bush. A saw mill in Colac.  Climbed up and down, windy but so pretty, then a steep drop down to the ocean. Little houses tucked away in the bush, and a ‘retreat’, plus lots of cottages to hire. Had lunch at Apollo bay then drove to Lavers and on to 12 Apostles. Didn’t go to them – thousands of cars and buses – touristy place it seems! Seen the pictures as well. Also a lot of haze around so photos not so good today. Carried on to Pt Campbell. A little village chocka full of tourists also – kept going back to Colac!Nice way to fill in a day.

Very much a dairy farming area, and lots of logging trucks. Not sure what the cows are eating but it sure aint lush green grass! Heaps of hay rounds all over the paddocks everywhere, and quite a few trucks carting it so….  Fontera factories around here also.

Sun 10^th

Quiet day – repacked the back of the ute, watched movies etc. Boiled a beef topside roast in an oven bag in cooker on the trivet – worked ok with bay leaves and onion but needed salt as well. Quite a bit of water in the bag at the end also. Maybe flour for gravy?

Mon 11^th

 Said goodbye to the Daylesford folk then in to Colac. Caravan place re new door latch for van, did laundry, talked to computer guy about freezing problem ( said to download CCLeaner and clean registry so will see if that works),  new jockey wheel with bearing and grease nipple $25 – had to get whole wheel unit but just take wheel off to use. The one I bought a few months ago is splitting already.

Drove up to Red Rock and climbed up to the lookout at Alvie. Great views all round. Lake Colac is quite small compared to the saltwater Lake Corangamite.

Got an inline filter for water then back to van.