Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia
WELL, did I have a day. Here I thought I would be struggling to find something to do. No surprises with the fowls, they must have got the message. Did have a visit from the resident dog, who is a giant woolly mastiff type. He gave me a good sniff, found me no threat and moved on.
So my original idea was to go to Buchan Caves today. That was still my intention. So I drove into town and I passed the turnoff to the fisherman’s co-op. What the hell I thought and turned left. I walked past the shop and a stranger walked past me and said you’ve just missed a trawler unloading. WHAT!!! Actually I wasn’t too upset when I saw the blue crates on the conveyor belt filled with fish covered in flaked ice. So automated today. What I imagined as a good photo opportunity was old world. Each trawler only catch a certain fish. They pack at sea unload onto the conveyor belt where it is weighed and a price is determined. The fish are then loaded into freezer trucks and taken to the Melbourne fish market for sale. So not much to see.
Next I thought I would top up with petrol. I knew where the Woollies was and put in $20 worth. Then headed for the Highway to take me to Nowa Nowa where I could turn off for Buchan. Unfortunately I didn’t reach the Highway and turned left too early. Took me about 10 minutes before I realised my mistake. So I pulled off and entered Nowa Nowa township into the GPS. She told me guidance was now starting and there may be some unmade roads. Little did I know that I was now following fire tracks in the Colquhoun State Forest. The roads started to get narrower and I was beginning to worry. The GPS kept turning me onto different roads and I thought I was going in circles. What would Edie do? “She would say calm down. This road goes somewhere. Just keep going”. So I decided to change the destination and eventually I saw a bitumen road. I was told to turn left and the first turnoff I was offered was to Swan Reach. Boy oh boy I was nearly to Bruthen, way off track.
I needed to turn back towards Orbost.
Finally going in the right direction I began to worry I would miss the tour at 12.45. I wasn’t sure how far I had to backtrack before the turnoff to Buchan. Well to cut a long story short, I did make it to Buchan in time. I was able to purchase a ticket for the 12.45 tour of Royal Cave and I had some time to photograph the wonderful autumn colours in the Caves Reserve.
You can tour 2 caves - the Royal and the Fairy Cave. I chose the Royal because it had less steps. 150 against nearly 300. I had thought it would be cooler underground but it was actually warm 17c and 100% humidity. I was overdressed. I must have been here before but I don’t remember it. Very narrow tunnels, the necessity to bend low often, many areas enclosed in chicken wire to stop you touching and we had to travel over 500 metres. First it was down and then up. This is where the 150 steps come in. We entered at ground level and exited high up on top of a hill. I will never be able to do it again. So I am glad that I have these photos to show you.
Was going to stop at Nowa Nowa but there was really nothing there. Just short of Lakes I saw a turn off to Lake Tyers Beach. Well never been here, so let’s go. Good decision. Beautiful wide surf beach feeding into a shallow lake full of bird life. All I knew about Lake Tyers was that there used to be an aboriginal settlement here in days gone by. Probably can’t say that now. So back to Lakes Entrance-where I confirm that the fish and chips shops are permanently closed and for sale.
Back at the cabin and exploring the kitchen cupboards I found a square black device which turned out to be an electric hot plate. Hooray I could cook up some instant pasta for dinner. Very tasty it turned out. Almost dark, so I thought I’d go see if the possums were hungry. Chopped up my last remaining apple and headed to the viewing area. Put my apple in the trays and waited and waited. Maybe not dark enough yet. No possum’s were coming out, only mosquitoes. Beat a hasty retreat back inside.
Will clean up and pack in the morning. Hope to be away by 9am. Maybe stop at Paynesville on the way home. For now it’s bed time. Good night.
Jan
2023-05-12
Wow, what an exciting day you had, well done on the driving. Enjoy your dinner and sleep well. x
Glenda
2023-05-12
What a day, I think I would have been really worried getting lost on those roads, but it work out well. The caves are really interesting & the autumn colours beautiful. I don’t think I have been to Lake Tyers but looks great. So bad about the fish & chips but carbonara looks yummy. Safe travels home & will talk soon 🥰
Maureen
2023-05-12
You did have an adventurous day, but worked out good. The colours are lovely, great time of the year. Have a safe trip home, very foggy now! But will be a lovely day. So sad that the fish and chip shops are all closed, in Lakes Entrance of all places!! Looking forward to catching up soon. ☀️🍁
Gayle Bertram
2023-05-13
Did you think of the woman who recently got lost on a track and lived on wine and lollies !!!! glad you ended up safe.