Week 1 – Melbourne to Mt Gambier

Finally its our turn, after seeing so many other people head off on their big lap we started to wonder if we’d ever leave.

Day 1 (3rd Jan) – Portarlington to Portland

We left a little later than our 10am planned start (in truth we are actually 8 days late as we had always said we would leave on boxing day – but close enough!).

For lunch we stopped at a lovely little park called Lawson’s Park in Inverleigh where we had the first of many pack lunches for the year. Kids enjoyed the playground. Arrived at Portland Holiday park about 4.30pm. Squeezed into a spot which was not much bigger than our van and was next to poles – oldies next door were suprised we got in and even commended us on our efforts.

Day 2 (4th Jan) – Portland

Checked out Portland lighthouse and did a short walk along the cliffs. Spent the afternoon on the beach and walking along the old tram line.

Day 3 (5th Jan) – Portland

Tram around Portland – stopped in town for a coffee/milkshake. Spent the afternoon having a swim at nuns beach. Luke attempted to watch the Emoji movie at the caravan park but only got through 30 mins.

Day 4 (6th Jan – Portland
Visited Petrified forest, Blowhole and Cape bridgwater lookout

Day 5 (7th Jan) – Portland to Racecourse Bay

Packed up and drove across the SA border. Went down to look at Port MacDonnell, found a great free camp on the way so decided to camp the night there.

Day 6 (8th Jan) – Racecourse Bay to Mt Gambier

Visited Rhino Rock which was on the most southerly point of SA. Made our way into Mt Gambier and checked if there was availability at the showgrounds – booked in for 2 nights. Visited Blue Lake and had a picnic lunch at valley lake.

Visited Little blue lake in the afternoon – Kids jumping off 10m + cliff. Had a communal BBQ at the showgrounds where we met quite a few families travelling Australia including Bruce and Tracy from Big Family Little Income.