Friday 17th May 2019
Today was a quiet scenic drive through areas we have only seen in the rain and high wind when we were here in 2017 with Paul, Ali, Emma and Kate. The view was definitely improved with beautiful clear skies and crystal clear calm blue waters. It was definitely worth a revisit.
We drove from Scamander to the tip of St Helen’s Point then back to Binalong Bay. We then drove as far north as we could to The Gardens at The Bay of Fires. A very pretty spot. We stopped many times along the way to take in the beautiful waters of the area. A shame the water was so cold as it looked very inviting. Especially the smooth wave at Maurouard Beach. Perfect for a board play.
We then headed inland to Pyengana Dairy Farm and Cafe where I tasted some of their cheeses and bought some Herb and Garlic Goats Cheese. It was very yummy. We then were a little greedy and had afternoon tea even though neither of us were hungry but David wanted to try their home cheese melt on toast and I had the warm Cheese and Herb scones. Very yummy. And just because we could we had their homemade ice cream – Wattle seed, vanilla and Raspberry and vanilla. After a dairy farm lesson where we found out about their automated milking process and herd numbers between 150 and 220 each providing about 25 litres of milk a day.
We then continued the hard way via the forest to Ben Lomond National Park, changing our mind along the way based on road condition. We did a bit of a zig zag as you will see on the map rather than a big back track back to St Helens on the main roads. in hindsight as we didn’t make it to the destination maybe we should have gone on the main roads but we always prefer the less used, more scenic routes. We are hoping to still go up Mt Ben Lomond tomorrow morning which we found out was a ski area and is 1524m before we head to Devonport to vote and catch the boat to Melbourne.
It is an interesting little spot we are camped at tonight and the temperature is forecast to get down to 1°C tonight. Lucky our tent is really small and we like to snuggle because I think we will need to tonight. Anyway until tomorrow.
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- Picturesque water mirror image at St Helens..
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- ..and in the other direction.
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- The mirror reflection was amazing
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- Parked for a moment to enjoy the view
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- Akaroa
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- The beautiful clear blue waters of Akaroa
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- Hooded plover.
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- Akaroa, St Helen’s Point
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- Beautiful wave at Maurouard Beach, St Helen’s Point
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- Binalong Bay
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- The Gardens at the Bay of Fires
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- Pastures at The Gardens at the Bay of Fires
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- Lichen covered rocks at The Gardens at the Bay of Fires
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- and again
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- Nice blue water and waves at The Gardens at the Bay of Fires
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- Cosy Corner at The Bay of Fires
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- Pyengana Cafe – Cheese tasting as well
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- Pyengana Cafe – Dairy Farm – waiting for an extended lunch with their own cheese on a toasted melt. Yummy!
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- Cheese and herb scones and relish for me. Also very yummy and against the rules. So we followed it with their home made ice cream.
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- The milking at Pyengana Dairy Farm is all automated. The cows are tagged and the machinery knows when they were milked last, how much they gave, checks them for mastitas before milking, milks, and also gives them a back scratch if they want one.
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- Taking the most direct route through the forest to Ben Lomond National Park..
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- ..the scenery was beautiful..
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- ..the roads everchanging..
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- ..then the tracks narrowed a lot and were like we were driving through someone’s property..
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- Passing by Mt Saddleback the roads improved, still dirt but wider and well maintained. We saw 2 wedgetail eagles feasting on a kangaroo in the middle of the road here..
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- ..but they were too shy to get a photo. As we drive through the pine forest.
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- We didn’t make it to the Ben Lomond National Park as we were running out of daylight so we are staying here tonight. Mathinna Recreation Oval. Cost $0, but $2 for hot showers.
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- Scamander to St Helen’s Point to Binalong Bay, Bay Pf Fires, Pyengana to Mathinna via the forest – 195km.