Driving the coast of Australia
Cruising the southern Victorian coast, through Melbourne, out to the east Victorian coast and north along the A1 to New South Wales.
February 4, Day 2: Warrnambool to Lake Tyler's Beach
Waking up on our first full day in Australia was lovely, as John promised the spa room at the Mahogany Motel was perfect leaving us well rested and showered clean. After leaving the comfort of the soft bed we drove into town to see what Warrnambool was all about. Relatively untouristy and quaint we didnt do much except find some sunnies for Chicho, to assist with driving into the sunshine. We didn't make it onto the speedway until close to 11 and decided to take the inland highway to Melbourne as opposed to driving the coast again.
After a few hours of driving we reached the suburbs of Melbourne. In a town called Geelong we found an incredible organic store called Mojo Organics where one of the owners, another John, greeted us with kindness and good vibes. We found raw coconut wraps, spelt bread, tahini, and loads of alkaline fruits and veggies to munch on, what a treat!
Upon checking out John gave us two giant vegan, gluten free cookies sending us on our way saying, "at least you can't say I didn't give you anything". Like I said good vibes all around. Just five minutes down the road was a park by the water with picnic benches where we made coconut wraps and bread with tahini and agave (the alkaline version of a peanut butter and honey sandwich). Fat and happy kids.
After our delicious picnic lunch we hopped back in the Kia to fly through Melbourne. The city is massive! We didn't stop and stayed on the speedway, but we admired the skyscrapers with their hard and glassy kind of beauty.
After making it through the city the land turned to rolling green farmland with houses perched on hills and cows roaming the lush green grassy mounds. We watched the countryside of Australia flash by us pointing out to each other the unique beauty we both saw in different moments.
By evening the A1 linked back up with the coast in a place called Lakes Entrance. Of course we were dying to see the ocean again after spending nearly an entire day separated from her. Just down the road was a small town called Lake Tyler's Beach and after doing a loop through the town we were heading back towards the A1 when Chicho saw a dirt road labelef Red Bluffs surf beach, obviously we had to check it out.
The road ended in a small dirt parking lot where two vans were already resting. There was a wooden platform bulit roughtly six to ten feet above the ground where we could see the beach and check the waves. We parked next to a picnic table where I decided I would make us some food. But first we had to go down to the beach! And as usual we were perfectly on time for the sunset. The magical golden hour.
Since the light was fading fast and we and made an agreement to never drive in the dark we decided to stay right there at Red Bluffs surf beach, our first night sleeping in the Kia!
From our hatchback bed through the Cerato windows we could see thousands of stars twinkling above us. The ocean was crashing on the beach below us and the wind rustled the eucalyptus leaves peacefully. My heart was full and my soul content. We faded into sleep easily, wondering if we were already dreaming.
February 5, Day 3: Lake Tyler's Beach to Mystery Bay
Waking up for sunrise is one of my absolute favorite things on this earth, especially at an eastern facing beach. Seeing the warm globe of fire slowly ascend from the depths of the shimmery sea is magical and powerful. I believe we are supposed to rise and set with the sun. We are creatures of the light and the warmth.
We packed up the Kia leaving the surf boards accessible. Time to find a beach with some waves.
An hour or so down the road, just before the border with New South Wales there was a road leading to a place called Gipsy Point. Since I would like to consider myself a gypsy I obviously made Chicho make the turn. But instead of turning down Gipsy Point we continued straight to the end of the road where the small and sleepy town of Mallacoota lies near on ocean.
At the end of town a dirt road curves out past the golf course to an unnamed beach where we found three older locals suiting up to go surf. They greeted us with jokes and welcomed us to paddle out with them. Our first session in Australia, at an unknown beach with the locals! The water was clear and warm enough to surf in a bikini and board shorts. Blissful happiness.
After surfing we were salty and content, ready to continue up the coast. We found another beach with a fresh water shower where we could rinse off and admire another unique curving beach.
Back on the highway we pushed on, continuing north, stopping too many times to count. Finding lonely beaches with white sands and crystal waters around every corner.
In the late afternoon we came to the first bigger town we had passed through in some time, Eden. It was perched in a hill with veiws on the ocean all around. We found an organic cafe and market called Sprouts Eden where we brought peaches, plums, pears, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a melon to snack on.
We needed some vitamin D so after leaving Eden we were on the hunt for a soft patch of sand go relax on. Tura beach would do the trick. An expansive singing sand beach with no one in sight and only the sound of the waves crashing on shore to keep us company.
After baking in the sun we heaed back to the car and up the coast to find a place to stay for the night. The name Mystery Bay seemed all too perfect so we took the right off the highway to check it out. After passing through the town there was a dirt road and a sign for the national park we were entering. The forest was incredible with the evening light filtering through the foliage like handfuls on sunshine being thrown from above.
And then out of nowhere, we were surrounded by baby kangaroos! They were everywhere hopping around, twitching their ears and eyeing us with mildly curious indifference. They are so funny and cute Chicho and I couldn't stop giggling.
At the end of the road was a magnificent grassy knoll overlooking the beaches to both the north and south with a picnic table perfect for preparing dinner. We were home for the night.
Salad, pasta, and tea for dessert. We felt like royalty watching the sunset as the clouds danced in strange and intricate patterns above us.
Sleep came to us quickly in the Kia bed, as we fell asleep while the light was still dusky and the stars were only just beginning to show their shining faces. Goodnight world.
Creeflow on with the sunrise and sunset.