I left Franklin River Rest Area with some trepidation and
regret. Where would I find anything as beautiful again? But I had a journey to
make so the night before I planned to visit Agnes Falls and go on to Port
Albert RV stop. But as I pulled away at 7am the next day, my heart just wasn’t
with it. I decided to forgo Agnes Falls and it’s great reputation and go
straight to Port Albert and see how I felt there. The only irritant to this journey was the huge
trucks along the A440 so early in the morning,
doing milage I just wasn’t prepared to do. But it was lovely scenery
with lots of small cattle farms, pretty villages and undulating hills giving
way to flat country.
Port Albert was very picturesque. And very silent at 8am! But
as I drove through to the jetty where the RV stop was, I got the feeling of a
place without purpose. The RV stop was just a small parking lot really with a
toilet block, and there were 6 or 7 large caravans already there. I took a nice
stroll along the jetty but knew it just wasn’t for me. A few OPEN little cafes
or shops would have made a difference. But still not enough.
I drove back along the A440 to Yarram next. Now this friendly
little town I did like. Very Much. Plenty
of cafes and shops, a lovely main street and a big supermarket. If I hadn’t
wanted to get to my next destination that I had found on Wikicamps, I would
have stayed the day. As it was I spent my money in the Supermarket and Bakery
there and said a fond farewell.
And on to the Swing Bridge near Sale, which promised the
awesome sight of the oldest swing bridge in Australia for 6 or 8 lucky caravans.
Fishing and walking tracks and plenty of wildlife on offer too. The journey
there was actually lovely as I traveled through tall natural forests for many
kilometers, before it petered out to a more farming landscape. Just before the
turn off to the Swing Bridge, I went over the winding curves of the A440 bridge, which to me was equally stunning,
with its’ open views of the nature reserve below. The Swing Bridge, however,
did live up to it’s reputation and I almost did stay, but there were no other
caravans when I was there, just a lone fisherman, enjoying the beautiful La Trobe
River for the Day. And no toilets!
So back to Wikicamps. It was still only halfway through the
ay so I figured I had time for one last try. I found Marly Point Yacht Club,
near Bairnsdale, which seemed to have a great write up. Now the thing about
Maps is, it’s easy to forget that that little swiggle on a map may be a lot
longer than you think! Like Marlay Point. My heart was definitely beginning to
desert me towards the end.
But it was SO worth it! The write ups do not do this place justice. As I finally came across the cattle grid which led into the reserve, I saw lovely mown grass with a long white curve of road. Traveling along this short curve I found Toilets to the left of me and the most stunning lake in front of me. The water was choppy at this time, though the next morning it was like glass, pristine and clear and without a ripple. But, even when I arrived the sun shone down on the picnic benches and manicured trees, bathing them in warm sparkling light.
Then I saw them. Two pelicans bobbing up
and down near the water’s edge in front of me. So serene, so accepting of human
presence. That was my spot! Right there. There were not many caravans around
but three of them were parked nearby. I turned my van around in the boat ramp
area and came back to park her on the grass verge. This place was so incredibly
tranquil, time almost stands still. Totally different from Franklin River Rest
Area, yet I could not choose between them for the most beautiful. I was definitely happy I had followed my heart this day.
Till next time.
May your journey be worthwhile.
The Grey Chihuahua
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