Caravan Clubs, Caravanning Hints17 Comments

We Joined a Caravan Club

November 30, 2018 Itching for Hitching

When we bought our first caravan Woody was heartily reluctant to join a club, declaring that he didn’t want to join some club run by ‘officious bastards’ (his words, not mine) who only want to have meetings. I persevered and we joined our local branch of the Australian Caravan Club. What a surprise, when at our very first muster I met two people that I went to school with (who I might add had married, each other) and a very distant cousin. Through contacts in the club we have found other distant relatives. How wrong could our initial concerns have … Continue reading We Joined a Caravan Club

Freedom Camp, Vic4 Comments

Simpson Recreation Reserve

November 28, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Nov 2018, Simpson, Vic One of the problems for RV’ers touring the Great Ocean Road and Shipwreck Coast is the cost of caravan parks in the high season, the lack of available free camping, especially for young international tourists in … Continue reading Simpson Recreation Reserve

Point of Interest, Vic12 Comments

The ? Apostles

November 28, 2018 Itching for Hitching

The 12 Apostles rock pillars on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast keep falling into the ocean. Trying to count how many there are now is a game played by the tourists and the answer is about as perplexing as trying to name our current Prime Minister. Continue reading The ? Apostles

Places, Vic2 Comments

Port Campbell Beach

November 27, 2018November 25, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Continue reading Port Campbell Beach

The Pubs, Vic3 Comments

Port Campbell Hotel

November 26, 2018November 25, 2018 Itching for Hitching

The Port Campbell Pub is only a block away from the NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park. There’s a tang of salt in the air as we walk up the hill to the charming and welcoming old weatherboard. Inside it is warm and cosy and packed with tourists and locals. The meal is a little dearer than your average country pub, but the menu and quality is a cut above too. My braised beef cheeks on mash just fall apart by the forkful and they’re surrounded by fresh and tasty vegetables. A perfect meal to end a day of walking windswept … Continue reading Port Campbell Hotel

Point of Interest, Vic15 Comments

When London Bridge came down

November 25, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Now called London Arch, the rock formation on Victoria’s Shipwreck Coast near Port Campbell was once known as London Bridge because of its similarity to London’s famous bridge. That is until an afternoon in 1990 when the arch connecting it … Continue reading When London Bridge came down

The Characters You Meet8 Comments

The Tale of the Mongrel Dog

November 24, 2018November 22, 2018 Itching for Hitching

One hears a lot of unusual stories on the road and this is one of them. They grow a lot of tomatoes in the warm dry heat of Central Victoria. The tomato grower down the road from our mate had a bunch of pickers in and one was living in a nearby shack. The picker had a dog that ran up and down the road constantly barking at all and sundry. All day, every day without a break. Talking to the picker our mate said “It’s a wonder no one has shot that bloody dog.” “I wish someone would.” Said … Continue reading The Tale of the Mongrel Dog

Vic, Weather4 Comments

Mud

November 23, 2018November 22, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Branches reflected in puddles. Mud glorious mud and Summer’s only a week away. Continue reading Mud

Freedom Camp, Vic5 Comments

Lake Bolac Camping Park

November 22, 2018 Itching for Hitching

There’s not a lot to see in Lake Bolac, a pub, a store, an information centre. In contrast the crater lake is huge, about 27kms in diameter according to Toothless Johnno who drove around it. The Camping Park is a few kilometres from town and far enough away from highway noise, situated in a well trimmed thicket of eucalypts. There are newly constructed combination toilet & shower bathrooms and fire pits and water taps scattered throughout the park. There is a cleverly designed BBQ shelter with views of the lake from comfortable chairs and there’s a table. A family of … Continue reading Lake Bolac Camping Park

Caravanning Hints3 Comments

To bathroom or not to bathroom? That is the question

November 21, 2018November 20, 2018 Itching for Hitching

For the caravanner with food intolerances the answer is easy. There is nothing better than towing your own bathroom about the countryside. And Australian highways are notorious for their lack of conveniences. So next time you see a car and van parked on the side of a highway in the middle of nowhere, just remember before you stick your head in the door to help that Mum’s probably on the loo and admiring the view. Time for a pit stop Mulligan Hwy near Cooktown, Qld Continue reading To bathroom or not to bathroom? That is the question