Port Campbell to Coonawarra

From our last stop at Port Campbell we headed ‘back’ to the 12 Apostles the next morning for a look at them in a different light so now have photos from evening and morning perspectives.
Checked out the cliff top whilst in Port Campbell to find an amazing sight of the fog and mist streaming out of the valley, through the bay and out to the ocean leaving a stream of mist above the ocean – something neither Kemm nor I had ever seen before. We must have timed it just right as half an hour later it was gone. Obviously just one of those weather phenomenon thingies!!
You can see what I mean in amongst my photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/kaybee57/GreatOceanRdTripJune2009.

We took a while longer around the Port Campbell area and visited all the scenic spots along the coast line until it was on inland and away from the ocean.

Headed on towards Warnambool, a region for those unfamiliar could have been anywhere in New Zealand. It was green, lush, flat, heaps of dairy farming, sheep and cattle and the good old Macrocarpa pine trees everywhere. And just like NZ – some HUGE ones! Brought back memories of the farm and the whole area around Hawera.
All I wanted to do was buy some pj’s in Warnambool – it’s the only thing I left behind and still don’t have any!! But somehow seemed to bypass all the Kmart’s, Woolies etc and now we’re back in the sticks so still won’t get any!
Arrived in Port Fairy for lunch and found ourselves a nice little restaurant on the water in amongst all the fishing boats, seagulls etc. Had the most delightful good old fish and chips for lunch – the freshest fish I have had for a long time. Kemm had some King George Whiting and thought his was just as brilliant. A small something to drink with it of course although I was the designated driver so it was minimal!!!

Next stop Coonawarra! Up through Mt Gambier and on to Coonawarra – as Kemm says, it’s just a tiny stretch of the best Cabernet soil in the country and that it is. A very small area absolutely full of vineyards and within 5 minutes driving you’re through the area. (Ahhh just driving now though Padthaway area – for those of you who are totally envious!!!). Anyway stopped in Coonawarra and had dinner at the restaurant at Chardonnay Lodge (all coming back Rod???) and the next morning just took our time making a move. Seemed the long driving had caught up with me and of course it was rather cold outside to go anywhere! Soaked in a big spa bubble bath for a while and headed out to Wynns, Balnaves and Hollicks where we had oh heck, another delightful lunch!!! (Richmond Grove on the left now as we are driving!!!).
Anyway lunch at Hollicks has been the nicest for me so far, we had tasted one of their delightful Shiraz wines and had that with lunch. I had an entrée of crumbed oysters with lime and chilli oil – mmmmmm…. THE BEST!!!!(Wolf Blass next on the left! – Stonehaven – wow! there are just miles and miles of vineyards here – even Kemm is amazed!, Orlando, Padthaway 5kms in front and the vineyards are still right along the roadside – Seppelt, Penfolds Padthaway, Lindemans – sorry folks – there are those of our friends who are hopefully cringing at these names, in fact ‘frothing at the mouth’ might be a good expression!!!)

Okay, after lunch yesterday was absolute and total rest – I was pooped so managed a couple of hours shuteye then the only place open to eat for dinner in this area was a little café not far away – managed a very light chicken salad entrée and a glass of water and that was my limit for the night.

Today we are on the road travelling through vineyards (duhh…) towards Adelaide and down to Normanville for 4 days of rest and golf – long flat roads here and probably about 5 ½ - 6 hrs driving we think but will take longer of course with a couple of stops along the way.

Jason and Darren head out to NZ today – all packed and ready to go from last reports this morning. They are off to Queenstown for a week of doing whatever 20 yr olds do on those sort of holidays!!! Hate to think!