Port Fairy and Tower Hill

With the washing all done and nearly dry, dinner eaten early, David suggested a drive out to Tower Hill as it was due to rain over the next couple of days and the evening was turning out to be lovely - unlike the afternoon.  So we went and boy were we glad we did so.  Although it was turning dusk as we didn't arrive until 7pm, no sooner had we turned to go down the hill into part of the crater than an emu came walking along the road in front of us.  It is only single track so there was no real option but to stop.  

They came up to car had a light peck at the bonnet, decided it wasn't that interesting and walked off to the side, at which point David drove off while he could.  As we parked up the local cub/scout group were having their weekly meeting - such a cool place to be able to do so. 

Tower Hill is a volcanic formation believed to have erupted over 30,000 years ago.  As you drive around some of the 11km crater rim, you can see the striated rock faces - very cool.  Obviously we couldn't take an aerial photo (Karen still won't let me buy a drown to do them) so I have copied a picture so you can see what we drove down into.

There are 4 feature tracks around the area and for once it has been well signposted with colours chosen for each track.  As it was getting dark we decided to do the Lava Tongue Boardwalk as it should take 30 minutes and even with our slow walk it should be done in an hour.  It was lovely.  

We didn't see any snakes - yay, but we did see an Echidna.  They are so quick which makes taking good photos really hard as by the time you realise it is there - it is gone!  When we arrive back at the main area there were 3 emus walking around, so we walked over to have a closer look and get some photos when a mob of kangaroos hopped straight past us.  It made us jump as we had totally missed them due to their camouflaging so well.  So cool the whole experience.  We drove home buzzing.

We generally are tucked up in our room by sunset, usually shattered but tonight we were driving back.  As a storm was due the next day the sky was cloudy but gave off some amazing colours.

There have been very few places we have gone back to twice but Tower Hill is one.  

We had always planned on doing the crater lake walk as I wanted to see it.  It said an hour's walk so we planned for 2-3 hours and packed a lunch and plenty of water.  We didn't expect to see much wildlife as it was during the day.  It was spitting when we left so we dressed accordingly.  By the time we were half way around we were sweltering as the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to shine.  The walk was a challenge and it did take us over 2 hours but it was great, especially when David spied a baby kangaroo in a hidey-hole at the side of the road.  Unfortunately the photos were not very clear as they camouflage so well and it is dark. 

There was no way we were up to one of the other walks even if they were on the flat.  As we got back to the car park we saw one of the emus from last night.  We then realised the other end of the car park was busy and there were the other 2 emus.  However, another highlight for us was when leaving the crater there was a tortoise in the middle of the road.  We had been challenged by our Michael to get a photo of a tortoise in the wild and there one was sat on the road.  They are his favourite animal (along with turtles - which we had already sent him photos of).  David stopped the car and I moved it to the side of the road as a lot of the cars coming out were not bothering about the 30kph speed limit.

What an amazing place.  We are really enjoying our bird watching and I am so glad that we brought our binoculars with us.  I think we might need to get a better pair as it is turning out to be something both David and I are really enjoying doing.  

Next on the agenda was to go into Port Fairy along the Moyne River to the Battery Hill lookout over Griffiths Island.  No sooner had we driven into Port Fairy than the heavens opened.  It poured.  As we drove down towards the Island we passed a small fish and chip shop which was really busy.  Always a good sign so our rolls were relegated to tea and we stopped.  David was in 7th heaven.  Fish and chips are very different over here.  For a start you usually get offered whether you want your fish battered, crumbed or grilled.  Next is your choice of fish - half of them I have never heard of - even being an avid watcher of Australian Masterchef.   I went for King George Whiting as I hadn't had it before.  The other things some shops do is a mixture, so David had calamari, scallops with roe (yuk!!), king prawns and then some fish ends - as the name suggests a mixture of all different types.  The lady said to him "you must be hungry!"  We had to eat the food in the car as the rain was so hard but we went and parked up overlooking the beach and yes there were people surfing and even a jogger came along the beach.  

After lunch we drove and had a look at the pretty river but it was raining so hard we went back to our room.  

Tomorrow we are off to Portland so hopefully it will at least be dry.