Mallacoota and Licola

Hello all
I haven't done a post for a while, so I thought I should do an update.
At the end of May I did a trip to East Gippsland. It was a quick trip up the Highway to overnight in Bairnsdale. The next morning first stop was Wingan Inlet. 
The last time I was there I was probably about 11 or 12 years old. Mum, Dad and myself traveled very slowly in Dads old Series 1 Landrover Soft top. Dad stopped to help an unfortunate motorist who had left the road. In the process of dragging him back onto the road the rear Differential in the old Landrover blew.
Dad removed the axles and tailshaft and we continued on our adventure to Wingan Inlet with front drive only. Dad loved has big 12 foot x 18 foot canvas tent (I called it the circus tent) and one day while fishing from the jetty we heard a blood curdling scream (mum) from the campground. We ran back to find that while cooking lunch a Goanna had stuck it's head in the door of the tent and poked it's tongue out at her.
Back in those days there was a steep sandy section leaving the campground, and with only front wheel drive in the old Landrover mum and I has to sit on the bonnet to put a bit of weight on the front wheels to allow us traction to get up the hill. Ah the good old days.

Wingan Inlet Jetty

   This time the road was much better and was an easy trip in, all the camp sites there would be lovely in the summer months, but this time of year I like the sun to shine on me, so headed off to Mallacoota instead of the very shady sites at Wingan.

The biggest Pelican I have ever seen

 I stayed at the Council run massive Foreshore Park, $20 / night powered site off peak with good amenities. I will go back and spend a bit of time here when time permits as I enjoyed the scenic outlook and only a short walk to the shops.

view from door at Mallacoota

 

Heading back towards home, the plan was to nick into Thurra River and Point Hicks to spend the night in the ParksVic campground, now this is a sore point with me.................I refuse to pay $18.50 to Parks Victoria to stay the night in a bush camp with only long drops provided. GET REAL PARKSVIC......you are FAR too expensive for the services you provide.

the Beach at Point Hicks

 

Thurra River

I continued on to Orbost and spent the night in the lovely Orbost Caravan Park for $20 / night (hot showers, phone reception, power and TV reception) take note Parks Victoria !!
I woke to light rain to head home in.

Since the Mallacoota trip things has gone a bit mad, 2 weeks ago while sitting with my 90yo mother, she had a stoke in front of me, but luckily I was there to call the Ambulance. The last 8 days I have done over 600km and that's only to the Hospital and home again. 
With Mother is stable and still in Hospital I was needing a short "time out' myself, so I loaded up the camper and headed to Licola for the night. There are a dozen or so numbered camps on the Wellington River above Licola and I chose Boobook Camp to prop the night.

Boobook Camp

 The night was surprisingly mild, most nights lately are below 5C but last night was windy and about 10C, so the heater only went on late, to warm the camper to get undressed and into bed after watching a DVD. (love that 12 volt TV and DVD player)

Boobook Camp

It was an early start back to get back to the Hospital to do my shift helping Mum with her lunch.
It was nice trip home though, catching the soft morning light over the mountains, so here is a few pictures to enjoy.

Wellington River Valley

reflections in the Macalister River

looking North towards  Licola

overlooking Basin Flat, and the Macalister Valley

My trips away (apart from the hospital) will be restricted considerably for the time being, but please check back from time to time to see if I have been able to escape for a few days somewhere into the great outdoors. If I get the chance to get somewhere interesting i will do an update.
Bye for now.