George Bass Coastal Walk in Gippsland Victoria

We accessed the 'George Bass Coastal Walk' from the railtrail opposite the Kilcunda pub on the Bass Highway, After 1hr 30mins along a slashed grass track for 9km on the cliff tops with spectacular panoramic views of Bass Strait, perpendicular bluffs, beautiful secluded beaches & wildlife, we arrived at the Punchbowl lookout platform, On the return to Kilcunda we stopped a while at the beach walk section. weather conditions were favourable for hiking but a little coolish to backpack beach towel and bathers (waters not recommended for swimming anyway)

(ps. George Bass was the first European explorer to sight the Victorian coastline in 1797)

section of Dandenong Creek Trail

Nothing more relaxing than cycling along beside water. As work took me to Melbourne on the weekend, I planned a bike ride along the Bay trail, but I must say if you're not riding solo, the fun of conversation is reduced by weekend crowds. Hence, I wasn't disappointed when we decided to investigate the Dandenong Creek Trail, with overcrowding not being an issue, it was a most enjoyable relaxing flat ride.

Distance- 27km Carrum to Dandenong (and return)
Surface- mostly smooth Gravel
song title on video- 'Here She Comes' by Skipping Girl Vinegar
 (band named after my childhood love a Vinegar Sign with neon animated Skipping Girl)

MTB'ing around Foster in Victoria

The township of Foster in South Gippsland has a great network of singletrack. Accessed just off the Great Southern Rail Trail is the 'Cement Hill Natural Features Reserve', with lots of up and down floaty single tracks and a fun trail seesaw. Exploring further into the bushland we found some technical sections with unavoidable tree root jumps, bridge crossings, energy zapping climbs & epic descents. There was also lots of my preferred gentle meandering around bush walking tracks & rail trails. Foster is well worth a visit.

view Map data here

ps ... town has two bakeries

Keep Climbing Those Hills

We know the only way to a little fitness is to keep climbing hills, so we decided to spend a couple of hours around Erica mtb park, although not my favorite surface (and elevation LOL) the trails were fantastic. Even the trails the Gippsland MTB club held an event on (in wet conditions) last week were in good condition. We rode for 2.5 hours, including a lap of 'crazy snake' trail (video) and were both totally knackered, but will definitely be back,

Mansfield to Bonnie Doon rail trail

After two days of solid rain and hectic winds, we deemed unsafe a planned ride along some MTB tracks at Mt Buller. (Even though the National Down Hillers were racing, we did hear snow was seen up the mountain during the day)  So we opted for the nearby Mansfield rail trail. And after being confined to a motel room unable to do any activity,  my legs took a while to warm up so most of the 40km ride was at an easy pace.
           The 20km Mansfield to Bonnie Doon trail is part of the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail (still under construction on completion to Tallarook, it will be the longest (134km) rail trail in Victoria) It is a scenic trail through farmland, lots of sheep grazing with great views of surrounding ranges, it crosses lots of bridges including the States longest rail trail bridge over Lake Eildon at Bonnie Doon

Start- Mansfield Station (tourist information centre)
Distance - 20km (40km return)
Surface - mostly sealed bitumen

Bruthen to Nowa Nowa Rail trail

Bruthen to Nowa Nowa trail is a 30km section of the East Gippsland Rail Trail (Bairnsdale and Orbost) not having sat on the bike for a couple of months, it may have been a little ambitious to attack a 4 hour ride,
but as the saying goes 'you'll never know if you don't try', but it wasn't long before I felt tingling in my arm and feeling nothing everywhere else. but the result of infrequent long rides didn't dampen my excitement on getting to see the 'Stoney Bridge' and Nowa Nowa, but the thunderstorm & rain on the return trip was very dampening. I'm sure the locals at Nowa Nowa thought it strange to see cyclists heading back to Bruthen at the start of a thunderstorm, but thankfully the lightning passed quickly. I drive Bruthen to Nowa Nowa on a regular basis, so I knew the trail would be a climb, but surprisinly, although constant at times, it wasn't too steep, and the eucalyptus 'gum trees' of the Colquhoun State Forest made for a pleasant ride.

Distance - 29km (58km return)
Surface - smooth gravel
Time - 3hrs 48mins

Everyone loves a wedding

With some trepidations from family, My son and new daughter-in-law planned there own beach setting wedding. I had a few 'bite my tongue' moments in the preceding months, mainly due to several venue changes. But I must say, to all involved from the celebrant to the cheers & chocolate 'mudcake' wedding cake, the Wedding went off with many smiles, And I hope the all the joy of the day is the beginning of a lifetime of happiness, as they were truly a beautiful couple.