June 20th, 2010
IF you are looking for a great weekend away from Melbourne in your caravan or campervan, then Warrnambool is the place. There are always some great Melbourne campervan deals on the go.
Only a four hour drive from Melbourne, it’s easy driving with plenty to see along the way. There is great coffee in Colac and plenty of rest areas to stop off for a bit of driver reviver – pull over for a snooze if you’re a tad tired.
Once you get to Warrnambool, make sure you stay down on Lake Pertobe.
We stayed at Discovery H
oliday Park, which has a fantastic location as you can walk to absolutely everything. The kids, especially, will love the Lake Pertobe playground. But you can’t really call it a playground as it’s more like 30 playgrounds all in one! It is easy to kill a day here and, besides, it will ensure the kids sleep very, very well that night after all that running around and activity.
The Whale nursery is also a great spot. Unfortunately on the day we rolled up there weren’t any whales, but this is the place where they come to give birth and at certain times of year it can be really busy in those waters. Would certainly make for some awesome photos. And if it’s deep sea fishing you are after, then this is definitely the place to be. Proline Charters will take you out chasing Blue-Fin Tuna! This was one of the most exciting things I have ever done! The sudden whizzzzz of the line when the lure takes off makes for a massive adrenalin rush. Then it’s all about the battle to haul the fish in. All in all, a great day, with a good lunch and a few beers while cruising about 22 nautical miles off Warrnambool.
While the boys are fishing, Mum can take the kids to the Flagstaff Hill Shipwreck Museum. This super venue depicts early life back in the 1800s when Warrnambool was one of Australia’s busiest ports. There’s plenty of room to run around, pack a picnic and take in the atmosphere of a life from more than a 100 years ago.
PETER “SPIDA” EVERITT
Catch The Great Australian Doorstep on Channel 7TWO
May 27th, 2010
PUT simply, anywhere you drive in this delightful little state known as the Apple Isle has romance written all over it. Best to allow a good 10 days at least to appreciate a full dose of romantic journeys, but for a trip with a difference, an idea might be to grab a DriveNow campervan from Melbourne and let it float a little while as you wine and dine in preparation for a tantalising Tasmanian road trip. By float we mean the Spirit of Tasmania, a charming overnight ferry trip across the Tasman. The value here is remarkable and to take your Camper it only costs from around the $80 mark most seasons.
Upon reaching Devonport, we made the decision to head for the hills – straight to Cradle Mountain and the Discovery Holiday Park which boasts powered sites for campers, pop tops and caravans, set in earthy little bush alcoves. It really is a drive of no more than 2 hours (heading there direct), but once settled in it’s time to give your campervan a rest before some serious road-tripping around the state as you burn some energy yourself with the most amazing walks in and around Cradle Mountain. Some of the highlights include walks through parts of Cradle Mountain National Park including Marion’s Lookout, Dove Lake, Cradle Circuit and portions of the Overland Track. Be sure to get a parks pass from Parks & Wildlife Service Tasmania (03 6233 2621). All these walks will work up a hearty appetite for fine wine and food back at the Lodge.
From here, the range of romantic drives is neverending, but one that we really enjoyed was from Cradle Mountain to Strahan in the north-west region via the mysterious Queenstown where groans and creaks of the mountain’s old mines might just prompt an extra cuddle or two for lovebirds! The trip is winding and a little slow (but who’s racing when in this beautiful remote, isolated part of the world with stunning views everywhere you go?).
Strahan truly is a postcard perfect coastal hamlet in Tasmania. We lobbed at Strahan Holiday Park and set up camp for a few days to take our time exploring, walking and dining at some quaint little eateries and other establishments. A cruise on Macquarie Harbour is a must, as you pass through Hells Gates and head for Sarah Island to enjoy a tour. Then spend a little time up the Gordon River to Heritage Landing to check out a grove of ancient Huon pine.
Campervanning in Tasmania has never been so romantic – better still, you get enjoy some amazing views and wine and dine in class at the same time.
AUSTIN BONHAM
IF you are looking for a great weekend away from Melbourne in your caravan or campervan, then Warrnambool is the place. There are always some great Melbourne campervan deals on the go.
oliday Park, which has a fantastic location as you can walk to absolutely everything. The kids, especially, will love the Lake Pertobe playground. But you can’t really call it a playground as it’s more like 30 playgrounds all in one! It is easy to kill a day here and, besides, it will ensure the kids sleep very, very well that night after all that running around and activity.
