Road Trip Australia

Jan 2

Today was the start of John's long anticipated trip into Australia. He had been to the country before but never had the chance to really see a part of the country that comprised two states, Victoria and South Australia. He had only seen Melbourne, the Dandenongs and a litle bit of the Great Ocean Road before.

John packed up the car while Janice organized the house, Stewart and Barnaby. They set off at about 11:30 and went up the Calder Highway (motorway) towards Bendingo passing through the historic townships of Heathcote, Maldon, and many other gold mining towns of days gone by.

They then headed northwest towards the mighty Murray River with a destination of Mildura in mind. Along the way John saw some white cockatoos and pink and grey galahs beside the road. John was also impressed by the kangaroo crossing signs though it is unusual to see them in the heat of a summer day. We also saw some small dust storms and signs for an endangered bird called the Malle Fowl. The trees were various varieties of the gum tree (eucalyptus). They also saw the salt pans that produce an apricot coloured salt that people can buy.

There was also a place alongside the road that showed signs of having had a bush fire a number of months before. The plants were regenerating well. Australia had had so many fires in the past number of years and last year hundreds of people were killed in those fires.

They stopped for a break and an ice cream in a place called Sealake, that seems to have neither a sea nor a lake. John had a caramel ice cream bar called 'Heaven.' It was like a very thick Revello bar but was covered in a caramel topping and had a thick streak of caramel down the middle. Although the temperature was about 27 degrees the low humidity made it quite pleasant.



They also passed miles and miles of grape vines and the Lindemann's winery. Their wine is sold in the LCBOs.

When they arrived in Muldura John found it to be a lovely little resort town, with a wide boulevard in the centre of the road leading into town. The boulevard contained many tropical palm trees (date and coconut) as well as native trees and bushes that complemented the pastel colours of the buildings.

The town fronts onto the Murray, one of Australia's most famed rivers. They took a look at the houseboats moored by the riverbank but didn't stay as they were nearly got eaten by the mosquitoes. They crossed the bridge just to say that they had been in the neighbouring state of New South Wales.

In the town there are many hotels and motels. When Stewart called Janice she asked him to look up the prices online. He was able to find specific prices on a good travel website and John was able to use that information to get accommodation at the Quality Inn Tropical Islander for a low Internet-quoted price.

The two friends then went to the local RSL (Returned Servicemens' League) that John thought was like a Royal Canadain Legion. However, this one allowed guests in and had a wonderful restaurant, a bar, and a room full of slot machines. John ordered the roast of the day and had a wonderful (and HUGE plate of) roast lamb, with roast potatoes, stir fried vegetables and mint sauce. Janice had a veal parmigiana and said it was good. They both had a beer.

Being tired after a long day of driving, they headed back to the motel and said goodnight. John was looking forward to the next day when they go into the Flinders Ranges.

TRB