victoria: mount franklin reserve

There are some places that we visit that we'll never forget - Buchan (Vic), Boat Harbour Beach (Tas), Bay of Fires (Tas), Cradle Mountain (Tas) to name a few. 

Mount Franklin Reserve is another place to add to the list - a free camp - which we found in Camps 8. In paddocks, just out of Castlemaine, is an extinct volcano and within it is Mount Franklin Reserve. There are toilets but otherwise campers need to take home rubbish & have their own water. 

The sites are under towering pines and it's absolutely beautiful. The kids & J enjoyed a short walk around the top of the volcano and playing hide and seek in the forest. 

I'm sure there'd be times when this is very busy. 

tasmania: cradle mountain summit

He was up at 0530 so he could get to the summit and back down again before lunch. 

It was J's third visit to Cradle Mountain and of the previous two he hadn't made it to the summit. I remember the second time J was there because I was too. It was an icy Tassie day and the freezing rain made it bitterly cold. We walked to The Hut but decided it wouldn't be much use trying to get further on. The visibility was bad and the path slippery so we turned back. 

This time everything was in J's favour. We'd had some clear blue skies and there was every chance he'd make it. Apparently it's not too difficult but for the final ascent which requires the walker to clamber over huge boulders. 

Unfortunately mother nature wasn't on J's side as the clouds only parted for a few seconds of the thirty minutes he was at the summit. 

The following day was the clearest we've seen input trip so far. Oh well - he'll just need to come back!

 

melbourne

Our visit in Melbourne ended up being a week-long stay. We'd booked the caravan in for the first service and wanted to see family before catching the Spirit of Tasmania across the Strait.

The team at Elite Caravans was so efficient and our early drop off meant we didn't have to wait long (enough time for cafe for brekky, schoolwork, playground & lunch). So often you hear of poor customer service after the sale but Elite got everything done. And we have a fridge! It ended being a minor ventilation issue. We were back at the CP for a swim. 

Baby A, at 7 months, is loving splashing and kicking in the water. We were hopeful the CP pools would allow the big kids to gain more confidence in the water. They've been having lessons since they were four & seven months old and we've even seen them improve in the few days in the water which is so pleasing. 

The kids loved the visit to Weribee Open Range Zoo. Initially it was disappointing as tickets were about $80 for the family. The heat meant many of the animals were taking shelter in the shade but we finished the visit with a safari. The safari included seeing hippos, giraffes, antelopes, rhinos, zebras and camels up close. It was brilliant and we became particular fond of Leroy the Rhino who sniffed at his dung and marked his territory with wee. Charming!

We had one of the best breakfasts ever at the Auction Rooms. I ordered a breakfast board which Baby A was happy to share. 

Ashley Gardens, whilst tucked in the 'interesting' neighborhood of Braybrook was a good place to stay. The manager accommodated our kayak and bikes while we went in to the city. Safeway is next door for groceries. The park itself was clean and there was enough for the kids to do - pool, games room with toys. I've also grown fond of a family bathroom with a bath!