Upper Yarra Reservoir

Trip 8 Cup Weekend 2016, with 3 other school families.

We left about 4pm after school and headed up to Yarra Reservoir.  Arriving around 6pm at site to meet up with the Cliffes, to choose the site and get set up.  All set up by around 8pmand the family feed with the traditional Camping Bolognaise we were all around the fire with a beer by 9.  Joined then by the Connelans.

A fairly good nights sleep and we were up around the fire with our Bacon and Eggs by 7.30.  Followed by a walk up to the Reservoir to be greeted by our new friend the Goanna.

Being joined by the Webbs just around lunchtime, we had our rolls and ventured off on another walk down to the source of the Yarra.  A great 1st Day.

Sunday saw us wake to be greeted by a strong wind warning, with the Ranger comings around to warn us of this.  This cleared out the site a bit but we battened down the hatches and moved a couple of tents in preparation.  We ventured down to The Little and th. Big Peninsula Tunnels in the early afternoon, very pretty.  A quick pan for Gold was fun for the kids.

On returning to the campsite it became clear that we had been sheltered from the wind on our walk and it was picking up as expected.

We cooked our bbq dinner and made a dash for cover as the rain and wind picked up just before dark.

A couple of hours of sheltering inside the old Reservoir workers Mess hall and we hit our beds.  With a fairly sleepless night with the wind a rain.

Monday was a bit colder with a few showers, so we decided to head over the mountain ranges to Marysville for a day out. Heading over Lake Mountain we were greeted b a snow shower, but as we headed in Marysville were greeted with Sunshine.  A visit to the Park for the kids and some lunch in the Bakery was a must.  We then Headed out to Stephensons Falls for a walk and climb to the top of the Falls.

Returning back to camp- we decided to hit the Local Reefton Hotel for Dinner.  Great meal with friends and then returned to the campsite for Halloween celebrations.

Good night had by all.

Canberra, Cotter Campground

Trip 7 Cotters Campground, Camberra.  Anzac Day Weekend, 5 nights taking in the sites of Canberra including, AIS, Space Center, Questacon, Parliment House, The Minature Village, Telstra Tower, Arberarium, Australian War Memorial, The Anzac Dawn service.

The Trip up took 9 1/2 Hours, we left home at 4 AM and were all set up by 2.30PM.  Trip was easy and the kids behaved really well.  They are getting good at the car trips now.  We had 3 stops on the way that took in The tastes of as Mitch calls it Old MacDonalds........ For brekkie.  HMAS Otway at Holbrook and the must stop as always The Dog on The Tucker Box.

Day 1 was the traveling and set up with traditional camping Pasta Bolognaise in the evening.

Day 2 was a visit to Questacon and Parliment House.  The boys loved both of these.

Day 3 was a the AIS, The Minature village and the Deep Space Centre.

Day 4 was a trip to the War memorial.

Day 5 was the Dawn Service at the War Memorial followed by a trip up the Telstra Tower, a visit to the Arebrium, and a drive to the top of Mount Stromlo.

Day 6 was pack up and the journey home. We left at 8.15am and were home by 6pm

Ballnarring Foreshore Reserve

March 2016, Trip 6 saw us head back to the peninsula to Ballnaring Foreshore Reserve.  A 3 night trip full of fun with 2 school families and family.  Tree surfing again at the Enchanted Maze.  Kayaking and beach sports were all the go this weekend.  Dolphins were spotted close to shore.

This was the first trip with the newly added Kitchen, which worked brilliantly.

Wilsons Prom 1 - 2016

January 2016, Trip 5, our biggest and longest trip yet.  We headed off to the prom with good friends from our street for 10 nights.  This was the first real test for the kids as the longest we had done before was 4 nights.

A great success, great walks, surfs, friends and drives. Even rain couldn't spoil the trip.  A must do for everyone.  We took all our toys on this trip, Kayaks, Surfboards, bikes, kites, snorkelling gear, fishing rods and all.

The wildlife is just fantastic and the scenery mind blowing.

Shoreham Foreshore Reserve

Cup Weekend 2015, Trip 4 Saw us head off to the peninsula and Shoreham Foreshore Reserve.  With family this time, beach only meters away.  We had a fantastic trip despite rain and wind.  We had campfires here and cooked on the fire again.  Tree surfing at the Enchanted Maze was also a highlight.

New Jardel maker getting a good workout.........

Stowaway........

Firth Park

October 2015, Trip 3 was to Firth Park in the Lerderderg State Forest.  Spencer's second trip.  We took this trip with a couple of families from Prep C.   A great weekend once we got out of the hustle and bustle of the city.  Just a couple of nights.  A great walk or 2 and the dam with yabbies was a hit with all the kids.

Some cooking in the camp oven was also another great part of the weekend.  

Blackwood Caravan Park

September 2015, Trip 2 saw us head off to Blackwood Mineral Springs Caravan Park in the Wombat State Forest.  Just a weekend away, with it being close to the city it made a great retreat.

It Was Spencer (The dogs) 1st ever camping trip, we had a great time here and would definitely go back.  Friendly owners and a great part of the state.