Roaming towards Robe

Lake Bolac is about 270 km’s from home and it is where we spent the first night of our autumn 2017 holiday. This was our first major caravanning holiday (other than a weekend in Echuca late last year) since our 3 month trip to the UK which included 9 weeks in a motorhome.

Not a free camp, but a cheap camp at only $15 per night for the whole family, we set ourselves up lakeside. No power but basic toilet / shower facilities. The kids set to gathering some wood - firstly to build themselves a fort and then some firewood which enabled us to get a nice campfire going. It went so well, we were able to cook our sausages and potatoes in foil among the coals. The kids thought this was a novel way to have dinner!

Next morning we packed up and continued west, which took us through Dunkeld, Hamilton and Casterton before crossing the border into South Australia. Had a quick photo stop at the border and then a lunch stop in the attractive little town of Penola. This was alongside a park that stood in honour of Mary MacKillop, Australia’s only saint. Lots of places claim her or make reference to her… almost as many as do Ned Kelly!

Later in the day we arrived at our destination – Robe.  We went straight to Lakeside Caravan Park, where we’d booked in for six nights. Lakeside meaning alongside Lake Fellmongery, although as we discovered, it has no real access to the lake as it is behind much greenery. From the steps up to the amenities block you can see the lake better! Lovely spot though, quiet and large sites. 

After settling in,we went and had a look at the rugged coastline up around the Obelisk. Robe is part of the ‘Limestone Coast’ and the jagged rock and cliffs is just that – very jagged limestone. The waves crashed against the cliffs and rock stacks. We enjoyed a walk around this area, past the ruins of the old gaol and to the Obelisk itself.