Wilson's Promontory 6th March 2011

Promontory: a natural elevation.....(especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

I always enjoy the trip to Wilson's Promontory - possibly because of the wonderful contrast in scenery during the 9 days. This trip was a little different in the fact our normal route through the Grampians National Park was closed due to damage caused by recent rains. In lieu of the Zumsteins Road, we chose the Mt Zero Road into Halls Gap. This road is unsealed, but in good condition, and a gentle breeze kept the smoke from a prescribed burn off well away from us.

After a night in Halls Gap, we visited Lake Bellfield . This reservoir impounds the water of Fyans Creek to augment the water supply to the Wimmera and Mallee regions. Capacity of storage 63,000 acre feet.
It was opened on the 6th of October, 1969.

 The road beyond Lake Bellfield to Dunkeld was closed, so we opted to take the Pomonal Road to the east of the Grampians, with some great views, including Mt William.
We did try a couple of side roads which eventually ended in closures, but it was all a good experience.



At Camperdown we drove out to Lake Bullen Merri and took a drive around the western edge of the Lake.

The numerous lakes in the Camperdown district, like the mountains, are related to volcanic activity. Some, such as Lake Purrumbete, Lake Bullen Merri and Lake Gnotuk lie in volcanic craters or maars and are fed largely by underground water. The larger lakes including Lake Colongulac and Lake Corangamite (Victoria's largest lake) occupy depressions which are partly a result of overlapping lava flows that have blocked or diverted streams.
These depressions are now internal drainage basins with little river inflow or no outlet. Evaporation has concentrated salts in the lakes and some are now much saltier than sea water. The size and water quality of these lakes varies in response to long term climatic changes, and there is clear evidence that Lake Corangamite was once much more extensive.

And so to Meeniyan - via the Quuenscliife Ferry to Sorrento and the Mornington Peninsula.
This was our "base " for 4 nights, during which time we explored Whisky Beach, Squeaky Beach and Tidal River on Wilson's Promomontory. We even found Turton Falls on the way home through Foster!
Another day trip started at Shallow Inlet and around Waratah Bay to Walkerville where we visited the old Lime Kiln ruins and cemetery, and on to Inverloch, Cape Patterson and Wonthaggi.
Tarra Bulga National Park was the destination next day, and after visiting Agnes Falls (which were flowing very well), we made a couple of detours to Port Welshpool and Port Albert
.

Since the early 1840s, when Europeans first came to Victoria's southern coasts, cattle have grazed Snake Island.Sheltered from the pounding waves of Bass Strait by Wilson's Promontory, the 3500 hectare island holds a special place in the cultural and economic life of South Gippsland.
Traditional grazing practices stretching back more than 100 years are maintained, with cattle driven to the island across the tidal shallows on seasonal winter and summer agistment.
 When it's time for them to return to the mainland the call goes out for keen graziers and horse riders to volunteer for the muster and then walk the animals at low tide across the shallows to Port Welshpool.

About 200 head are agisted there on a per head value over summer and about 500 are taken to the island for winter. They are all mustered and taken off the island by September 1.


By the time we finished lunch in Tarra Bulga National Park, a shower of rain had stopped, and we were able to take one of the walking trails to the suspension bridge over the valley.

One of the local residents (right)  came to say G'day!
Our return to Meenityan was via Traralgon, the main commercial centre for the Latrobe Valley, and home to most of Victoria's power generation facilities.

 It is interesting to drive along the  Cape Otway light station road to see tan area of gnarly coastal eucalypts, and even a koala walking alomg the side of the road!
Although mist prevented a view of the 12 Apostles in the Port Campbell National Park, it lifted as we journeyed further along the Great Ocean Road, and Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge and the Bay of Islands were spectacular.
As usual, we stayed at the Skenes Creek Motor Lodge, and new owners Lorna and Trevor made us most welcome.
A night's stay in Mt Gambier, and we returned home through the Coorong, stopping at Policeman's Point to buy some fresh Coorong Mullet!!
(Jenny cooked it for tea that night!)