KOALAS ARE AWESOME!

Leaving Marley Point was a bit of a wrench but I had heard there were hot showers AND Koalas!! at Paynesville! Luckily I set off early, around 7am, because taking the C106 is a lot longer than the main highway to Bairnsdale and then the road to Paynesville. But I got there for 9am and easily found the hot showers at the Jetty. The jetty area is very picturesque and the showers in the women’s toilets/showers were hot, and well kept but I recommend wearing thongs for any public shower as you don’t know what cretin has been in before you.

And I got a cretin! I swear to God, this woman must have ripped out half her head of long black hair tied in a rubber hair band and left it in the drain there. Who does this type of thing? Have they never heard of respect and cleanliness? It is such a shame to abuse a public amenity like this, which only there by the goodness of the council’s heart, and can easily be taken away because of acts like this. Cretin!

 

Having had my shower and removed the disgusting hairpiece (I hope she has a bald patch now) to the bin, which she could easily have done, I bought myself a nice skinny latte and a fruit bun for breakfast at a friendly little bakery across the road. Then looked for signs to Raymond Island and my Koalas. However Paynesville is a very small, but pretty, place so the road by the jetty just curves around to the ferry which takes you to Raymond Island. I decided to park my Sprinter in the 2hr parking zone in front of the ferry, as it wasn’t busy, and go on foot. I’m glad I did. Raymond Island is quite small and it’s more accessible by foot. Plus the foot traffic's free on the ferry.

The weather at that time was definitely on the cooler and windy side, something Koalas are not partial too. But a local told me to head inland, on the Koala walking tracks, as I was more likely to see them there in this weather. Good advice! True, most were curled up to keep warm, and Koalas are never easy to spot, but I still found plenty. 

not just koalas here

Spot the Koala

Two hours just flew by and I really found it hard to leave that wonderful place and my gorgeous Koalas. There is such a huge amount of human invasion and habitation now into natural bushlands and forests that the most natural wildlife many people today see are roadkill! It was so great to see that people and nature can co-exist and that wildlife takes precedence here.

From Paynesville, it was a quick trip through Bairnsdale, a very large and bustling thoroughfare that still retains its country charm somehow. Then onto my planned stopover at Nicholson River Reserve, not far out of Bairnsdale, on the way to  Lakes Entrance. 

I was surprised how much I liked this place as, really, it is a very large tarmacked area, where large vehicles can stay. But it's right alongside the beautiful Nicholson river where little boats are moored and pelicans swim. And on the opposite bank are open fields with a few lovely large, old houses sitting regally atop. The amenities are exceptionally clean too with a toilet block and large, covered picnic area next to a pristine play area for children. Even the parking area is

surrounded by countryside and one or two good walking tracks. One of these walking tracks even goes under the bridge to a nice pub and chalet area on the other side of the highway.

I was very happy to go to sleep that night watching an Eagle soar above the fields near the largest house and the sun set on a tranquil river where boats bobbed ever so gently in the breeze.



Till next time
May you find your 'Koalas' and have an awesome day too.
The Grey Chihuahua