Berry's Beach Road

While we were on the island we stayed at a non-camp site.  It was actually a parking lot with bathrooms for a beach.  It's a popular free site for many people traveling around with campervans.

                                      Beautiful beach.

                                         Many kangaroos share this pasture with cattle.

                                          Australian sunset...doesn't even come close to a Saskatchewan sunset!!

                                      
                                          Eight campervans stayed at Berry's beach the night we were there.

                                         Another kangaroo

                                         They like to go in the coolees later in the morning.

Philip Island

We spent a couple of days exploring Phillip Island.  It's named after Arthur Phillip, the first Govenor of New South Wales, and it forms a natural breakwater for the waters of the Western Port.  It's approximately 26km long and 9km wide.  A concrete bridge connects the mainland to the island.  60% of the island is farmland devoted to the grazing of sheep and cattle.  The island is a tourist destination which attracts about 3.5 million people a year.  Many come to see the little penguins, at least we did!  Also, dolphins, and a variety of migratory whales can be seen at certain times of the year.  Phillip Island is also steeped in the history of Australian motor racing, and is a venue for the Superbike World Championship, V8 Supercars, and the Australian Drivers' Championship.

                                         Fairly large birds.

                                          One shy penguin.  The rest are out at sea.

                                        A natural penguin burrow.

                                             The beach in the town of Cowes on the island.

Wilson`s Promontory

Wilson`s Promontory is a peninsula that forms the southern most part of the Australian mainland  in the state of Victoria.  It is one of Australia`s most-loved places.  It is a spectacular national park that offers scenery of huge granite mountains, open forest, rainforest, sweeping beaches, and coastlines.  Great bushwalks extend from under an hour to over three days.  Visitors can camp, caravan, stay in cabins, huts, wilderness retreats or lodges at Tidal River where there is a general store and take-away food.  The waters surrounding the Prom are protected as a marine national park, and marine park, and offer outstanding diving.

                                          Tons of wallabies(smaller version of a kangaroo).  They love sitting beside the road, nibbling the grass, and consequently get hit by vehicles.

Yanakie

We spent one night in the wee, small town of Yanakie, and neighboured up with three, nice, young Brit lads, who were experiencing some major vehicle difficulties.  Their admitted to probably not being attentive enough to the fluids in their vehicle.  Hoss laughed, saying  experience can be expensive, and they agreed!  They spent five days in Yanakie!  Yuck!!!  There is absolutely nothing in Yanakie except a gas station that has a few groceries, so for entertaintment you go to the garage, and look at the groceries!  They were going to try and limp their way to a mechanic on Tuesday!  Good luck!!  A few times I have wondered if they made it!

Australia Day

Australia Day is the official national holiday of Australia.  It is celebrated on January 26, and marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales.  Present day`s celebrations reflect on the diverse society, and landscape of the nation, and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the Australian community.  Many people listen to the top 100 songs of Australia, and have barbies(barbeques) with family, and friends, and actually that is exactly what we did.  It was great fun listening to Aussie music, hanging out, and enjoying a barbeque.  We drove into the small town of Foster to grab some cash from an ATM, and buy a few groceries, we ended up mingling with the locals,and enjoyed their small town festivities!