Apollo Bay, Victoria

We arrived into Apollo Bay with smoke and sparks. The trailer brakes were faulty and the main street knew about it. What a fabulous spot to be stranded. The coastline is famous for the wonderful limestone and sandstone cliffs. We took a day to experience the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and The Grotto.


Twelve Apostles

The Grotto

The main arch connecting London Bridge to the mainland fell down on the evening of 15 Jan 1990. No one was hurt however, two people stranded on the new island needed to be rescued by a helicopter.

London Bridge



We spent a day searching for dinosaur footprints. The boys settled for surfing the kelp in the fracture zone of the Cretaceous sandstones.



Surfing Sea Kelp

Gold, gold, gold in Victoria

We found some gold by panning at the Central Deborah gold mine located in Bendigo, Victoria. It was just a mere speck - not worth any significant money. We also went on an underground tour and enjoyed the cornish pasties eaten by the miners back in the 1940s.

The family preparing to underground in the mine

Isaac gold panning at Central Deborah gold mine

Did you know back in the 1800's children were whipped with a leather yard strap if they misbehaved in class?

 

Liam participating in the yard stick demonstration. He was not meant to be wearing a hat in class.

We spent two days at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, Victoria experiencing life during the early goldfield era. We watched the 'Blood on the Southern Cross' a dramatic story about the Eureka Rebellion in 1854.  The miners rose up against the government in a fight for freedom and democracy. 

Sovereign Hill In Ballarat

 

Leaving

We were so excited driving away from Keiraville wiping the tears away as we said goodbye to our gorgeous dog Alex. Luckily the house is being minded by a lovely family who are also missing their dog back at home. We said farewell to our local Sydney Basin rocks a such as the Triassic period (approx 240 million years ago)  Hawkesbury sandstone at Mount Keira.

Leaving Mount Keira

First night we found a campsite at the Albury Equestrian centre by using an app program called WikiCamps. Victoria is very dry and a large bushfire was occurring at the Grampians.

First night camping at Albury Equestrain Club

Gearing up

In just over a week we head off to explore Australia's geology with a 4WD and a camper trailer. We trialed the system over summer discovering the joys of solar panels being wired in reverse, batteries not charging and the tow wheel handle falling off. The next challenge is fitting all the kids school work in the trailer. I've learnt over the past 13 years its easier to leave Sol to pack the car the way he likes. This may need to change on our 6 month trip or we'll never get away. Needless to say the whole family is looking forward to the adventure. Our dog will be very much missed- there are too many National Parks to explore where Alex would not be welcomed. Luckily a lovely family is minding our house and dog whilst we are away.

Sydney Distance Education is an amazing school with incredible resouces that they post to us during our travels. The kids need to return their work every two weeks. I'm not sure who gets more work- them or me!

 

 

Sydney Distance Education School

 

The school work- enough for four weeks for three kids (there is one more bag of art supplies and maths equipment)