Planning itinerary for the driving holiday

[iceman]

Hi guys.

Need some advice from the locals, and others that have done it before.

On the 25th October, we're driving from Sydney to Albury/Wodonga where we'll be staying overnight (thanks John!).

So the first question is, what touristy places are there to stop at on the way to Albury/Wodonga? We'll have 3 kids and a car-sick wife in the car so we'll need some fairly regular breaks every couple of hours.

Is there a website showing things to do on the way down, or does anyone have any recommendations?

Next, on the 26th October we're driving from Albury/Wodonga down the Warnambool, via Melbourne around the link road and then inland down to Warnambool.

So the second question is, what touristy places are there to stop at on the way down to Warnambool?

We're then staying at Robin's B&B (thanks Robin!) on the 26th and 27th nights (doing Port Cambell/12 apostles on the 27th) and then driving on the 28th back via the great ocean road to apollo bay, then up to Ballarat for the star camp!

Appreciate any help you can give.

[Starkler]

Only advice I can give is to not try to do too much in too short a time.

Albury to Warnambool is one hell of a long drive :eek: Melbourne to Warnambool is about a 4hour drive on its own without stopping. If you want to cover that in a day you wont have time for touristy things.

Apollo Bay is a lovely seaside town and a great base to explore from. I have spent a week there and filled each day with things to do, albeit at a relaxed pace.
The beaches are amazing, the scenery and waterfalls of the Otways breathtaking. Exploring the 12 apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and the Port Cambell area will easily fill a day. The best part of the Great Ocean road is from Apollo Bay to Lorne where the road hugs the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

Apollo Bay to Ballarat will also be a long day as much of the road will be slow going on a twisty minor road over the ranges.

[xstream]

Gee Mike not much to see on the H/way down to here unless you're going to venture off it.
Dog on the Tuckerbox just before you get into Gundagai.
Gundagai itself is an old town and worth checking out the old wooden trestle bridge across the flood plains of the Murrumbidgee river.
When you get to Holbrook your only about 45mins form Albury/Wodonga then check out the submarine you can't miss it; yes it is a real full size sub.
Then when you get to Albury/Wodonga you're going to see Anna and myself again what more could you want to see here. :rofl: Maybe a trip to the weir wall if time permits?

[Starkler]

The Ettamogah pub perhaps?

[xstream]

Probably worth a look but as a local we don't consider it that much.

Now the Dora Dora at Talmalmo which was still part of Ken Maynards strip is a real pub and well worth the visit not something concocted from someones imagination.

[ballaratdragons]

Seeing John and Anna at Alb/Wodonga and Robin at Warrnambool. What else is there!


But if you absolutely still want to see others things: Definately see 'Dog on the Tuckerbox' near Gundagai. Take time to learn the true story of why the dog sat on the tuckerbox. Then go see John & Anna!

After leaving Albury take a short break at Glenrowan and see the Ned Kelly statue &
Museum. It is an amazing little (very little) town full of Ned Kelly history.

Not sure what there is to see between Glenrowan & Melbourne as I never go that way, I always cut across.

[xstream]

Mongrel! :rofl:

[iceman]

Thanks Geoff - is there a better way to go?

Would it be much slower/better driving to go up through Lorne to Geelong then out to Ballarat?

I'm worried that we're trying to fit too much into a short time, and won't get to see everything we want to, but the holiday can't go for too much longer :) Maybe I'll see if I can swing another day at Robin's house and get to John's a day earlier too.. hmm..


For sure John, I guess we'll play it by ear and see how much time we've got on the day we get there, as I reckon we'll be leaving reasonably early the next day to head down to Warnambool.


Thanks Ken, will have to see if it's open when we go through :)

[toetoe]

The Ettamogah wild life sanctuary is on the Hume just 10 km from Albury on the Sydney side about 3km past the Ettamagoh Pub, I think the Sanctuary is still open :shrug: (John may know ?). On the Causeway between Alb and Wod there is Harveys Fish Farm, if your any good at Mini Golf, the family should have fun at that place. As said earlier, John & Anna in Wodonga and you got meeeee in Albury.. :D :thumbsup:

[Nightshift]

Hey Xstream, I used to live in Albury and we always loved a night at the Kinross, is that still there or have they converted it back to a shearing shed?

[xstream]

Kinross is still there, it's owned by young Jason Conway now (Conway's sports store) but they don't seem to have the entertainment there like they used to.
Yep I can remember some very good nights there. :drink: ;)

[iceman]

Have extended our holiday!

We now leave on the Sunday, spend Sunday night at John and Anna's house at Albury/Wodonga (wonder if John still claims he's not that into astronomy, it's Anna who is?? :D). Spend Monday and Tuesday night at Robin's house at Warnambool, Wednesday night at Apollo Bay and Thursday night at Queensliffe.
Then Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Ballarat!

Looking forward to it, thanks everyone for your tips as now we'll be able to take our time along the great ocean rd, see more sights and won't have to cram so much into a short time.

[Starkler]

Are you sure you cant extend it further? :poke:

May even be worth sacrificing a day at the star camp for an extra day exploring the Otways from Apollo Bay . (Ken will shoot me for saying this :lol: ).
Perhaps let the weather be your guide on that :whistle:

Be great to see you at the camp Mike :)

[anna]

Yes Mike, even though John spends every waking moment on either the
IIS site or on anything else he can find to do with astronomy, he still insists
astronomy isn't his thing.

[xstream]

:poke: :P

[ballaratdragons]

Don't forget Sovereign Hill while you are in Ballarat! Excellent place. Locals don't usually go to touristy things in their own town. But Ballarat residents often go to Sov Hill over & over.