Thursday 14 to Tuesday 19 November 2024
Our recent getaway to Warrnambool was interesting and most enjoyable, guided by the knowledgeable Fiona from Warrnambool Tours. With a jam-packed programme stretching over 4 days, 34 members were treated to unique local knowledge and experiences.
We arrived by road and rail on Thursday, checked in at Lady Bay Resort, and some of us enjoyed a lovely walk to Thunder Point past Middle Island.
Friday began with an unusual breakfast at the Warrnambool Breakwater Precinct, watching racehorses train. Then we visited the Flagstaff Maritime Village, learned about the Loch Ard wreck and met two Maremma dogs. This type of dog is used for penguin protection on Middle Island. We returned that night for the informative Shipwreck Coast Sound and Light Show.We had lunch at the Fletcher Jones Market, where Frank bought a bell for a ‘mysterious’ cause. Afterwards, we visited Hopkins Falls and stopped at Childers Cove Great Ocean Road, where the wooden barge the ‘Children’ was wrecked.
Returning, we visited Logan’s Beach Whale Nursery and Moyjil (Hopkins River mouth)—rich in Indigenous history.
On Saturday, we bonded with animals at the Warrnambool Wildlife Encounter Centre and enjoyed cheese, whiskey and ice cream tastings at Timboon. We made our way to the Peterborough area where we stopped for a stunning walk to the Bay of Islands, part of the spectacular but relatively unknown Western end of the Great Ocean Road.
Saturday evening, Patricia Corbett from Deakin University spoke passionately about the Middle Island Penguin Conservation Project using Maremma dogs. More information is available on the following website: https://www.warrnamboolpenguins.com.au/middleisland-penguin-project
On Sunday we had an engaging tour of Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area with Reuben as our guide. We learned about Aboriginal history, culture, dwellings, eel traps and even population control methods. It was interesting to share kooyang (eel) platters for lunch at the Tae Rak Aquacultural Centre.
On the last day, we were taken on an informative tour of Port Fairy and visited a Bluestone Quarry and an Abalone Farm where we had to wear ‘fashionable’ gumboots. On our way back, we visited a dormant crater at Tower Hill Reserve - steeped in Aboriginal history and filled with local wildlife. The final dinner at the Koroit Catholic Convent was breathtaking, with a luxurious dining room that rivalled any palace. We were spoilt with harp music after dinner. Walter dressed up in red for the occasion.
Maureen took the prize for resilience and determination - getting on and off the coach, without - fail, for 4 days. Allan and Bev visited Timboon on their way back to make up for missing out on Saturday. Unfortunately, John Hodder contracted Covid once home.
Returning to Melbourne was tough after such an extraordinary trip. Thanks to all who came along. We certainly got to know each other much better and had a lot of fun at the same time.
Dedrie and Jim Green
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