Ballarat

14th September 2026

Distance: 308 km

No rush this morning as we only had 300km to drive to Ballarat so after a lazy breakfast my daughter went to get fuel. She discovered her fan belts were squeaking so there was a change in urgency.

Fortunately she found a mechanic who tightened the belts almost without any wait so all was once again sweetness and light and we set off for Victoria.

The rest of the journey was uneventful, we stopped at Hamilton for lunch, probably a mistake as it was very busy and we should have stopped a bit later at Dunkelp a much smaller town only a little further on.

It was noticeable that Victorian roads (at least those we travelled on) were in a very poor condition compared to those in NSW and SA. They were full of potholes.

Arrived at the NRMA Holiday Park in Ballarat about 4pm and set up on two adjacent sites not far from the amenities block. After a bit of a chat decided to stay three nights, so an extra night was booked.

15th September 2026

Distance: Walking only!

Sovereign Hill

When we checked in to the caravan park the girl at the desk told us that Sovereign Hill was only a short walk away, Looking it up on Google maps it is indeed a mere 600 metres so just after 9.30am we set off through the back gate of the caravan park.

I wore my warmest feather jacket as the top temperature forecast for today was only about 11°

We arrived at the entrance to the park a few minutes before 10am and joined a small crowd assembled outside. There were already two coach loads of school children assembled and more arrived while we waited. They had their own entrance and as we had pre-purchased tickets we were nearly the first to enter.

I had been before some years ago but it has expanded a lot since then and seems more popular than ever.

We had a really fun day, saw many demonstrations/re-enactments, travelled into the workings of the gold mine, rode in a horse drawn carriage, had a Devonshire tea, an excellent sausage roll, my daughter even panned for gold and found some!

Amazingly we didn’t leave until nearly 5pm, there was so much to do, as I say it was a really good day out.

16th September 2026

Distance: 32 km

Fuel: 37 L

It was very cold this morning, I ended up wearing my big jacket and gloves, it took ages for my fingers to warm up.

We had few plans today other than visit Lake Wendouree – the site of water sports for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. (canoeing, kayaking, rowing)

Our first stop was a shopping centre near the lake to get milk and other odds and ends plus a warm jacket for Katie. Because it is supposedly spring all the winter clothes had gone so there was little choice.

We then drove the couple of kms to the lake to see the Olympic rings etc. Because it was a miserable day we didn’t stay too long.

Following this we drove to Ballarat Vintage & Collectables Market just out of town, it was an interesting place to look around though it is sad to think that records and DVDs are now collectable items.

Filled up with fuel on the way back to the caravan park before returning to my book until dinnertime. While it rained overnight it didn’t actually rain today even though it looked like it might at any moment.

17th September 2026

Distance: 407 km

Fuel: 41 L

Into NSW

We are on the move today to Jerilderie in NSW. After breakfast. packing up and preparing to leave was the order of the day. Once I was hitched up we were ready to go. As Katie reversed out of her spot she noticed a puddle of oil left on the concrete. Not a good sign.

We stopped at a town called Elmer and using my tarpaulin she crawled under the the car to see where the oil was coming from. Turns out it was from the engine rear seal and not an insignificant problem.

After a bit of discussion is was decided to abandon the trip and return to Canberra from Jerilderie. We changed our route slightly so that we could buy some oil in Shepperton to keep the engine topped up.

We stopped at the Big Strawberry for a strawberry ice cream (of course) and at some Silo Art we saw by the roadside.

Eventually arrived in Jerilderie just before 4pm, filled up with fuel before going to the caravan park and set up our camp, unfortunately we didn’t have adjacent sites but were very close.

Spent a very pleasant few hours at the next door sports club where we had a few drinks and a very large meal which I could not finish.

18th September 2026

Distance: 430 km

Back to ACT

Sadly this was to be the last day of our trip for the reasons outline above. So it was a straight drive east until we hit the Hume Highway then heading north to the Barton Highway and Canberra. We stopped once at a village just outside Gundagai to make tea and take a rest from driving.

While it was disappointing that we didn’t achieve what the trip originally set out to do, we had a very enjoyable time, it was a good shakedown trip for the new home built motorhome. Even I have at least one thing I want to change on my camper when I get home.

We still have the Oodnadatta Track to conquer on another adventure!

Statistics

Distance Travelled: 3500 km

Fuel Used: 350 Litres

Average Fuel Price: $2.50/L

Total Fuel Cost: $880

Accommodation Cost: $360

Mount Gambier

12th September 2026

Distance: 61 km

Today was a chance to explore the attractions of Mt Gambier. The area was once the bottom of an ocean and the rocks are limestone, these rocks are porous and dissolve into the water flowing through them creating caves. These caves can collapse forming the sinkholes.

Umpherson Sinkhole

First stop of the day was the Umpherson Sinkhole, it was originally a garden made on a property by the landowner. It was, as always, very interesting though a lot of stairs for me.

This was followed up with a trip to the Crater Lakes, two lakes in volcanic craters next to each other.

The Blue Lake

It is very blue and is also the town water supply. Apparently the third biggest water storage in SA.

The Valley Lake & Centenary Tower

Basically on the other side of the road was the Valley Lake. Its is used mainly for boating and skiing so swimming is discouraged.

Overlooking this crater is the Centenary Tower, built in 1900 to celebrate the founding of Mt Gambier a hundred years earlier.

To get to the tower is a steep climb, It seemed to take ages and it was very steep but the view is worth the climb.

Made a quick stop at the Valley Lake after descending.

Engelbrecht Caves

Next stop was a short drive to these caves. We were lucky to find that a tour was about to start so we signed up for it.

The caves were originally used as a rubbish dump and tonnes of rubbish had to be removed to make them usable for tours by the council.

Mount Schank

This extinct volcano is about 13 km south of the town.

We started climbing to the rim but it was obvious to me that I was not going to make it so Katie went on alone. I flew my drone to see if I could see her on the rim.

The flight was cut short by rising wind when the drone complained about the wind.

Little Blue Lake

Final call of the day on the way back to the caravan park was to the Little Blue Lake which is a popular swimming hole for the town. Apparently the water is a constant 12° (cold!).

13th September 2026

Distance: 90 km

Port Macdonnell

A twenty minute drive down to the coast and this port town. It seems to have a fairly large harbour and fishing fleet, nearby is the most southerly point of South Australia.

We spent an enjoyable few hours there including lunch of excellent fish and chips.

Returned to Mt Gambier by a different route along the coast making one stop on the way.

Hells Hole

Stopped at Hells Hole another large sinkhole popular with divers though I have no idea how they get down to the water as it is a long way down from the platform. Under the surface are a series of caves (so I am told).

That evening went to the local RSL club for a meal.

BTW the caravan park at which were staying, right in the centre of Mt Gambier, had recently gained its own sink hole. Because it is on private property no one knows quite what to do about it. Those on council property are usually filled in and covered in concrete.

A Spring Trip

5th & 6th September 2026

Distance: 274 km

Fuel: 23 L

The Target

Over the years decades I have made a few attempts to travel the Oodnadatta Track between Maree and Marla in South Australia. Every time I have got near the rain has come and closed the road for, sometimes, several weeks.

This month my daughter and I are going to try to travel the track.

She has a new campervan that she has built herself based on a Delica. It is not quite ready to go as I take my teardrop camper to her house for the weekend to prepare for this trip.

7th September 2026

Distance: 342 km

Fuel: 34 L

First Day Out

Today we set out but because of some minor fixes needed on the Delica we were late leaving to our original target of reaching Goolgowi or even Hay was far too ambitious, we would have been driving at dusk, a time I try to avoid as the animals start moving about. We decided to review our situation at Barellen.

Barellen is the place that Evonne Goolagong grew up, it is a small town but we decided it was the best place to stop if we could find accommodation.

Barellen Showground was mentioned in both the Camping and the Caravan book so we decided to have a look. Turns out it is $30 a night for a powered site, $15 for an unpowered site, the facilities were pretty good so we went to the town’s General Store and paid for a night.

We were lucky, the previous week had been the Horse Show when doubtless the town and showground would have been booked out

8th September 2026

Distance: 409 km

Fuel: 39 L

Barellen to Lake Benanee

We are still in NSW and still heading east.

Ah! the Hay plain, flat and desolate as always, tonight we are staying at a free rest area still in NSW.

Lake Bananee is a rest area that I have stopped at before but never stayed overnight, it has toilets but no other facilities. Pleasant enough place to spend the night.

9th September 2026

Distance: 440 km

Fuel: 53 L

Lake Benanee to Burra

We set off fairly early for Burra partly because there were no showers or facilities here in the rest area.Tonight we are staying at the Bon Accord Hotel in Burra, they offer free unpowered sites in exchange for a buying a meal, a powered site was $35

We arrived at Burra fairly early and booked into the hotel, after setting ourselves up we had plenty of time to explore the town. It is a town we have stayed at before but last time it was more of a social occasion where we all met up on our way to Uluru, I don’t think we even left the caravan park except to buy fuel on that occasion.

The camp stop in the hotel grounds suited us well as we were able to park close together.

Burra

The town itself turned out to be very interesting, it is an old mining town.

After visiting the mine we wandered the town and later enjoyed a coffee and snack there.

In the evening we had a very nice meal at the Bon Accord hotel.

Disappointment

Sections of the Oodnadatta track have closed after some rain and the rest is still 4WD only, so after much soul searching decided to abandon the original intention of this trip and revise our plans. What had been side trips now became our primary focus and a trip to Lightning Ridge was added.

10th September 2026

Distance: 365 km

Fuel: 41 L

Burra to Lake Albert

Our revised trip meant heading south toward The Coorong and Lake Albert near the mouth of the Murray River but before we left we had to make a small pilgrimage just outside of town to the house featured on the Diesel and Dust LP from Midnight Oil.

We headed south, on our way we came across some Silo Art which we had to stop for.

And Map the Miner.

Followed by a giant Rocking horse where we stopped for coffee

We crossed the Murray River on a free cable drawn ferry at Wentworth Road ferry.

Before eventually arriving at Meningie and our caravan park next to Lake Albert.

11th September 2026

Distance: 309 km

Lake Albert to Mount Gambier

Fairly easy drive initially along the Coorong.

By the time we arrived in Mt Gambier my windscreen and bullbar were a mass of insects, I have never seen so many in one day. The area must be a breeding ground for them, all that stagnant, fresh water I guess.

After setting our camp up we went for a walk into the centre of Mt Gambier – this sink hole is right next to the council offices.