Tonight we're camped on the banks of Lake Wellington, at Marlay Point, east of Sale. CAW 6 #35.

There are toilets here, but I haven't been over to it yet to see if it's clean.

We found out the lake is fresh water, not salt as we first suspected, so bil has the pump going for our showers.

We stopped at Franklins Point on the way here, and bought some fresh fish for dinner. Yum!

I trust you're right John. This is the area I've been particularly looking forward to.

jules47 wrote:

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A really lovely area, Beth - are you heading to Lakes Entrance?????

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 Sure am! Be there tomorrow.

We're at the North Arm CP, which I must have got the name of from my GN friends, as I had it written down. It's a little squashy for space, but we intend being out every day, so it won't matter.

So tomorrow we're off to Buchan Caves, Monday we're doing a boat cruise including lunch. Hoping the weather will be okay. We may also have a meal at one of the excellant restaurants suggested by our Park Manager. One being the RSL Jules. Or the Bowls Club was suggested or the floating restaurant. Decisions decisions.

Then we thought we'd move on to one of the free camps near Orbost and do a day trip up to the Snowy River National Park. Does anyone know where 'the hut' is? I don't even know who's hut it was, but sis heard about it from her daughter. Daughter can't remember where exactly it was.  All she remembers is that she drove up a very scary road from down this way somewhere.

Oh and thanks Briche.

Oooh! Love a good cafe! particularly one called Funky Monkey!

You need to be in Mansfield to see Craigs Hut, To find the one in Orbost you will need to know which one you want to go to, there are many right through the high country. There are some good free camps along side the snowy between Orbost and Marlo. Further along there is Cape Conran in the Park also Mallacoota.

Today we drove up to the Buchan Caves. Amazing, but we expected it to be cold so loaded up the layers, only to have to peel them off again as we walked, ducked and crouched our way along.  Sis & I both have bug.gered knees again tonight. Ah well, such is life. :srug:

From there we drove down towards Orbost with a loop to Marlo, Cape Conran and back to Lakes Entrance, where we had dinner at the RSL.

The countryside was beautiful again, and we were thrilled to see the Snowy River, and follow it to where it meets the sea at Marlo. The rock formations at Cape Conran were very interesting. Ever since we saw the film about the volcanoes in Mount Gambier, we've been taking note of rock formations. And the flotsam & jetsom along the beach made for some beautiful photos. It all looked rather artisitc.

Alas, we won't be going to the high country on this trip, so Craigs Hut will have to wait for another time. We are basically heading east on Princes Hwy with day trips to wherever takes our fancy.

Bil has been to the info centre, but I don't know if he asked about huts. We did see some interesting old houses in the Buchan area, and the old butter factory which is supposed to be getting restored.

When we left this morning it was looking really dreary and overcast, but by the time we returned the sun was shining, the ocean looked amazing, and after dinner we watched the sun go down behind the fishing boats along the Esplanade.

Pawsoz it was a lovely spot. Jules, thank you, if it's as fine as it was this arvo, it'll be a great trip. Hammer, yes we intend to see Mallacoota.

I'm open to any suggestions of what else to see as we head east.

briche wrote:

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Hello again Beth54, just a note about Mallacota. We stopped off during our Gippsland jaunt and just loved it. While was winter the bay was just mirror perfect and the bird life was everywhere. The town it's self is small but suits the lifestyle of the place. The only hassles depends upon what time of the year you go there. The main caravan site has over 700 sites so you could imagine what it would be like when most of them are full, it's a place I would not like to be. All that aside, we are sure that you will love the place as its a great one to just relax. B & C

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 Thanks briche. My cousin was there a few years ago, in the winter too...you silly bu.ggers...and he's a bird watcher. He told me what a beautiful place it is, although freezing cold and rained all the time he was there.  He free camped at the lookout but he doesn't tow a caravan...he has his 4WD all set up with tent on the roof...so not sure about two caravans parking there. From our experience so far, other than Melbourne, the CP's are nowhere near full. We're in the 'shoulder' period apparently. Just looked up their prices. $44 for a waterfront powered site, or $35 for a standard powered site. Bit steep, but location location!

Arrived at Genoa rest area CAW 6 #2 and saw a familiar face as we drove through.

Twas Nomadic 1, Linda, who we'd met at Greens Lake. So we had a good catchup.

This is a great spot. Big grassy area, toilets,and COLD showers. Not on your nelly!

Tomorrow we'll take a drive to Mallacoota and leave our rigs here. 

Thanks Wendy, sounds great. I'll keep that in mind.

I wish I had read this thread earlier.  I would have said "Go to Lake Tyers, it is the gem of the Lakes in Gippsland!"

Unfortuneately, I am somewhat biased, spending every second to fourth weekend there for over 25 years after my parents retired there.  Seriously, if ever you get the chance to visit the area again, base yourself at Lake Tyers.  It is brilliant. 

Beth54 wrote:

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Today we drove from here at Genoa to Mallacoota for a look around. Another beautiful seaside spot. I didn't expect it to be so big. Must get awfully wet, cold and windy in the winter! What started off as a lovely warm sunny day later turned into a very windy overcast day. But it hasn't rained yet.

Tomorrow we move on to NSW...Eden.

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 Mallacoota is just beautiful. However, wet, cold and windy is not limited to winter, there. My kids will never forget one Xmas holidays camped at Mallacoota. We got 12 inches of rain one night, and 4 the next. I had them out in the downpour with empty fruit cans, trying to scoop out a moat around the tent, which leaked like a sieve at the best of times. They spent a couple of nights sleeping in the car - two hefty teenagers in a Mazda 323! I swear the one storm cell went round and round Mallacoota for two days - rain, thunder and lightning. We couldn't bail and go home because bridges were washed out.

A few years later, we were there over Easter. Big storm came in and demolished our tent. Had elderly dad with us. Finished up parking him, kids (and dog, who was more miserable than the adults) in a motel room for a couple of nights.

But we have also had some magic times there.