LEODESTRAVELOZZ

30-04-2018 They say the Giant Koala Complex in Dadswell Bridge is a must to see, they say it’s a great family attraction that puts you in touch with koalas and kids can pat native animals, well! first up they wanted $8 for a hat pin normally only 4 to $5 but what really got to me was the fact you couldn’t use the toilets unless you brought something from the shop, now that is scabby. The Giant Koala is a 14 metre high and was completed in 1988 by international known sculpture Ben Van Zetten. I look up and across the road is a Turkey Farm, I've never seen a Turkey Farm before, let check it out Des, as we get closer they all come running gobble, gobble more like Yum, Yum. Unfortunately this long term farmer is living on borrowed time thanks to the major manufacturers who can sell breast fillets as little as $6 a Kilo, Dadswells Bridge is one of only three left in the state. We camped just out of Horsham when Des spotted...

20180430 Starwell looks like an interesting town Des and it only a short trip down the road so we packed up and left the sand and wind behind.  As we drove off we noticed a sign, ‘National Park’ no wood to be taken from this side of the road, Opps too late. Stawell, the town that boomed in 1853 when gold was discovered, this town has so much character with their well-preserved history that shows in the grand old buildings and the pretty gardens to set the scene, it is definitely worth a stroll, stop for lunch or coffee you won’t be disappointed.The mine ceased operation in 1920 but then the Magdale Mine reopened in the 1980s and is still operating as one of Victoria’s largest gold mines. Hi there, wanna come play? 😏😅 The Pioneer Walk displayed some amazing photos of the past and present, brows the shops, I found an Oilskin coat for 50 bucks, even Des  splurged out and brought a coat with a hoody, I’m too old for hoods, true. The magn...

20180426 Good bye to Coleraine, with its historical plaques telling tales of what was once a bustling town full of activity, but now just a town with many abandon and struggling shops, if only these towns put their history to better use like the Blacksmith Shop, it could make a difference, Sheffield in Tassie was once a dying town that is now thriving due to it painted murals. Wannon Falls, created by lava is a 30 metre vertical cliff which cascades into a deep pool below but it didn't look like this when we were there. Just like Des, driving around the back streets of Dunkeld and he drives into the Catholic Church with a sign saying “he has risen”, well! say no more. 27-04-2018 This van is bloody freezing, honest its warmer outside so we packed up and went for coffee. Nice coffee but no pies Arrr, poor Des. Cruising towards Halls Gap when the Grampians come into view, and what a view it i...

20180423 After driving through rolling hills with nothing but wide open space as far as your eyes can see we came upon the town of Coleraine, named after the Country Londonderry in Northern Ireland how  fitting. Unfortunately the photo doesn't do the view justice, but even Des commented how pretty it was. We drove into Coleraine now to find a camp spot and once again we dominate the sports ground by squatting on a bit of a hill overlooking Silvester Oval, now for a walk to town. The grand old National Hotel is of  historical significance as one of the largest and most imposing building in the main street. The Blacksmith shop 1888, it's a rare surviving example of a blacksmith's shop still intact. Peeking inside and the original tools of the trade are still intact, don't loose your history, open it for a coin donation. Helena Rubinstein House, s he ran away from Austria when her father suggested ...