meander to the mount

[1954homemade]

Hi Reddo,

"gunna havta show those chrysler freaks what a real car looks like."

With so many Chrysler owners in town, you must be a very brave man indeed !!! ;D ;D No i'm sure some of them will appreciate your 56 Holdan Panno - might bring back sweet memories !!!

We haven't done so as yet, but we will book into the Borderland Caravan Park, McKoy St, Wodonga. We stayed their last year and it did the job nicely.

There are normally various venues of choice for the Saturday night, but I see this year that a special night is being put on by the club with bands, dinner etc. I'll give you the info when we see you.

Regards
Di

[minicamper]

Hi Guys,

I doubt I could manage to join this trip, even if there was space (that and my VV wouldn't be ready), but if i could add my two bits of advice to help your meander through my part of the world better.

First I agree with Tinnie/Gristy. Moe is well, no offence to anyone from the Valley, but a not nice place. It is the butt of jokes here in Vic. Traralgon is a MUCH better option, more amenities, nicer and bigger town, the Caravan Park in Pakenham is more of a "zoo" (as the local Police call it, for the locals who can't afford rental housing. I pass it regularly and never see genuine tourists there, it's mostly onsite Jayco cabins.
As far as the Ferry goes, it's nice but not exactly cheap. There are two that bounce back and forth between the sides of the bay from 8am daily and takes around 40 mins from memory.(Queenscliff is well worth a wander around- has a nice Steam Train ride running too)
I live on the Mornington Peninsula and would be more than happy to meet/guide anyone who would like the company from Pakenham, can even do you maps of the local area if need be. Pakenham-Koo Wee Rup road is definitely a better option. if you run out of room on the Peninsula (planned park) there are heaps of other options. If anyone wants to bypass the ferry, as long as you hit the Monash Freeway between the peak hours, its an easy trip down to Geelong, not exactly pretty, but easy.
The trip from Queenscliff to Warrnambool is beautiful. The road is however, VERY windy (as in not straight) hilly (sinlge lane and busy on weekends with minimal overtaking opportunities in sections and windy (coming off the Southern Ocean so take care). Apollo bay is lovely, but very busy most of the time. If anyone doesn't want to or can't go direct to Warrnambool, there's a basic and cheap Caravan park in Peterborough. (it has lots of onsite vans that looks like a graveyard for old Millards etc).
God, i could go on for hours, I just remembered, a warning to all, when coming into Port Campbell, the road slows, then turns sharply to the right and straight down a very steep hill into the town, so take it slow! i got caught out here once.

Surfside in Warrnambool is definitely the go. It's divided up into "hedged" rectangles of about 10-20 sites per rectangle, perfect for groups. (make sure you stop and say hi to my colleagues and friends who run the new Bunnings store as you pull into town!) Take a look at the fantastic photo on the office wall. Its a shot of the park in the 60's with all the cars and vans we love doing what they were built to do..

If anyone needs any help with the "after Gristy/Tinnie" leg to the Peninsula (home of minicamper) leg feel free to contact me. Afterall, you'll be passing by me, just down the road!

Cheers
Chris

[1954homemade]

Hi Geoff & Jude,

We have decided to go to the mount. ;D ;D

As mentioned previously we won't be able to join you all on the Meander as we will already be in Albury on 16th March and so will travel to Mt Gambier from their.

Not sure as yet what day we wil be leaving as no doubt the Easter traffic may leave a bit to be desired.

What plans do you have for travelling home afterwards? Are you doing a mad sprint in order to be back for work or are you taking a leasurely stroll?

Regards
Di

[Geoff & Jude]

hi di

originally we were going to go back home via adelaide, drop in to see the roadmaster workshops on the way in the maclaren vale and do a couple of wineries etc.

that was when i thought the school (tafe) holidays began on easter monday - but alas, they don't.

so now, we're going to take about a week to come home, get back maybe the following friday, but haven't sorted out what way at this stage of the game.

geoff 'n jude

[earlee]

hi all

Mrs earlee and I have booked into the Blue Lake van park for 15 to 20 March.

Not too sure about the meander yet.

Hmmm , maybe i can get the lantern van ready by then ...

[Geoff & Jude]

hi earlee

it would be good to have you come along on the meander - we all missed you and your humour at coledale this year.

the meander leaves coledale tuesday morning (the 11th) after an overnight stay (10th) and arrives at the mount the following monday (16th).

you can see the full itinerary at www.vintagecaravans.proboards30.com/index.cgi?board=runevent1&action=display&thread=1179794298&page=2 page 2, reply 26.

hope you can make it.

ps. we will be doing final confirmations to all the van parks at the end of january, so anyone else who is interested in joining us must contact us by then.

geoff 'n jude

[earlee]

hi geoff and jude, ;D ;D

thank you for those very kind words about missing me - i am surprised you remember who i am !!

I hope your friends understand that this years coledale site (my site) was for this year only ! thinking, thinking, must ring norm, my best mate.

We are the opposite to JBJ, as we have a cousin who is planning to give birth to a little human, in late March, in Adelaide. That just happens to coincide with the trip to the Mount. Maybe the meander if i am lucky and the FC nationals. ;D ;D

Geoff - are you going to disappear for a short while so i can ask Jude for a drink. maybe?

earlee.

[Geoff & Jude]

hi jailbar

that's good news, we would have missed you and sue not being along.

hope both of you can make it.

geoff 'n jude

[Geoff & Jude]

glad to hear it jailbar ;D ;D ;D

geoff 'n jude

[Deleted]

JBJ Wrote

"I'd rather be Caravanning with friends than sitting in Newcastle."

So I ask ... "What is wrong with Newcastle .... Hmmmmmmpppphhhh

Yup... i suppose when ya think about it caravanning anywhere has gotta be better than sitting in ... " anywhere"

Reddo

[Deleted]

JBJ Wrote

"I'd rather be Caravanning with friends than sitting in Newcastle."

So I ask ... "What is wrong with Newcastle .... Hmmmmmmpppphhhh

Yup... i suppose when ya think about it caravanning anywhere has gotta be better than sitting in ... " anywhere"

Reddo

[Geoff & Jude]

hi all you meanderers.

we'll be ringing all the van parks on the meander soon to confirm the numbers for reservations/confirmations for the tour.

here is the list of those currently on the tour.

meeting at coledale on monday 10th march

geoff 'n jude
dennis and sue (jailbar)
peter and denise (humpty)
john and carol (spyder)
brian and julee
don and carol (card 711)
colin and sue
alan and jenny (marvin)
richard and margarete
bruce and lynne
(10 vans)

joining the tour at flinders (vic.) on thurs 13th

jarrod ellis (j-rod)
mark and tanya grist (gristy)
leigh and karen (sportsman 1)
brendan
(4 more vans totalling 14)

if this is correct for you, there is no need to respond to this posting.

if not correct, please advise us by posting the correction here or by sending us a pm as soon as possible.

we will confirm all reservations for the meander around feb 10th, so please advise of corrections before then.

looking forward to seeing you all on the tour.

(we will repost this message in about a week for those who missed it.)

geoff 'n jude

[Geoff & Jude]

jubbard said:

hi all you meanderers.

we'll be ringing all the van parks on the meander soon to confirm the numbers for reservations/confirmations for the tour.

here is the list of those currently on the tour.

meeting at coledale on monday 10th march

geoff 'n jude
dennis and sue (jailbar)
peter and denise (humpty)
john and carol (spyder)
brian and julee
don and carol (card 711)
colin and sue
alan and jenny (marvin)
richard and margarete
bruce and lynne
(10 vans)

joining the tour at flinders (vic.) on thurs 13th

jarrod ellis (j-rod)
mark and tanya grist (gristy)
leigh and karen (sportsman 1)
brendan
(4 more vans totalling 14)

if this is correct for you, there is no need to respond to this posting.

if not correct, please advise us by posting the correction here or by sending us a pm as soon as possible.

we will confirm all reservations for the meander around feb 10th, so please advise of corrections before then.

looking forward to seeing you all on the tour.

(we will repost this message in about a week for those who missed it.)

geoff 'n jude

just a (2nd) reminder that we will confirm bookings next week for all the van parks.

if the info above is not correct, please pm us asap.

geoff 'n jude

[fcdriver]

Hi all
Hope to catch up with any of you on Wednesday night 19th to say Hi...!!....
We will be driving our 59 Holden (two tone blue).....No van staying at Intercontinetal ;D.......
Yes I know it's not Vintage vaning.... ......But what can I do....
We will be travelling with the Fe Fc Holden car club.
So travel safe, enjoy yourselves and hope to say Hi to any of you still at the Mt.. when we arrive.
Roll on Easter........ ;D.......
Bye Bruce

[Geoff & Jude]

jubbard said:

hi all you meanderers.

we'll be ringing all the van parks on the meander soon to confirm the numbers for reservations/confirmations for the tour.

here is the list of those currently on the tour.

meeting at coledale on monday 10th march

geoff 'n jude
dennis and sue (jailbar)
peter and denise (humpty)
john and carol (spyder)
brian and julee
don and carol (card 711)
colin and sue
alan and jenny (marvin)
richard and margarete
bruce and lynne
(10 vans)

joining the tour at flinders (vic.) on thurs 13th

jarrod ellis (j-rod)
mark and tanya grist (gristy)
leigh and karen (sportsman 1)
brendan
(4 more vans totalling 14)

if this is correct for you, there is no need to respond to this posting.

if not correct, please advise us by posting the correction here or by sending us a pm as soon as possible.

we will confirm all reservations for the meander around feb 10th, so please advise of corrections before then.

looking forward to seeing you all on the tour.

(we will repost this message in about a week for those who missed it.)

geoff 'n jude

have contacted all the van parks and confirmed the above bookings.

only a month and a day till we meet at coledale.

see you'all there.

geoff 'n jude

[cobber]

Unfortunately for us, me and the missus, the FJ and ol' 36 are unable to be part of the “meander to the mount”

We will all be leaving for Mount Gambier from Dubbo late Wednesday the 12th and doing battle with the trucks along “The Newell” as far as Tocumwal where we will have a look at the old caravans in that “Chrysties Museum” that has been mentioned on this forum a few times
Then spend some time with friends in Rushworth before heading off to the “Restoration Barn” at Castlemaine.

With a bit of luck we might be able to meet up with the meander mob at Warrnambool so that we can be part of the grand parade into Mount Gambier on Sunday the 16th

Getting excited already... hope all the old bit hang in there, me the FJ and ol'36 .

Cobber.

[firefighter]

Hi cobber

I am disappointed that old 36 is not coming to the mount I really
wanted to have a look at your van

I am the one who put chrysties museum at tocumwal on the
forum little bit hard to find , its a few kms out of toc on a couple of acres with 1 small sign pointing down a dirt road................. the locals at toc will be able to point you in the right direction
I know now you will like this museum
" the restorers barn at castlemaine " another good thing you have picked out to vist

after you leave castlemaine you will go through daylesford my old home town " spa centre of australia "

now the..... GAY centre of australia....note if you drop any thing on the ground DONT bend over and pick it up ;D ;D
well worth a vist at daylesford .......daylesford antique centre...
at the old woollen mills on the ballarat rd this is a BIG antique centre with a cafe ...couple of hours to look through it
geoff ;D ;D ;D ;D

ps cobber...... chrysties is a private collection I would ring and organize your vist with mr chrystie before you go

[cobber]

Thanks for those directions Geoff, I have been to the restorers Barn before but I would have been disappointed to not get into Chrysties. Was it you or somebody else that said there were vintage caravans to be seen at Bendigo or Ballarat ?

My previous post may have been misleading....it's only the “meander” down the east coast we are missing out on, Ol' 36 the FJ me and the missus will be at the mount you bet.
As always it will be good to put faces to names.

Cobber.

[firefighter]

cobber

yes you were a bit misleading

alan....... austin 125 lives at huntly bendigo , if you would like to see his collection of caravans vans , books & models give us a yell as alan does not come on the forum much
you would be going past his gate coming from rushworth or toc
he is leave for the mount on sunday 16 th
f/f ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Geoff & Jude]

hi all you meanderers ;D ;D ;D ;D

the question was asked regarding toll roads on the trip.

here's the answer.

there are 2 options from flinders (on the morning peninsular) to appollo bay.

the first is using the ferry across port phillip bay - cost around $90 -$100 for the crossing.

the second option is to go north around melbourne which i think would put you onto toll roads.

most people seem to have opted for the ferry trip but the choice is yours.

the choice around melbourne would be the only toll roads on the trip (i think) but we will have an e-tag in our car anyway so if you have one you might as well use it i suppose (just in case).

see you at coledale in a week (looking forward to it).

geoff

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Geoff 'n Jude,

One option for your route from Flinders is to drive north on the Dandenong-Hastings Road until you join the Monash Freeway. This freeway will take you right through the centre of Melbourne, under the Yarra River via a tunnel and then join you onto the Westgate Freeway, which becomes the Princes Highway to Geelong. (From memory you meanderers are taking the scenic route through Geelong and Warrnambool??)

The route I have outlined above is very straightforward - no diversions, no turns - just follow the signs to Melbourne and then Geelong. A relatively short part of the Monash Freeway is a tollway called Citylink, and the toll for this section is $5.17 for a car and caravan ($5.97 off peak or $7.96 peak time for a ute and caravan). If you have an E-tag for Sydney or Brisbane tollways the toll will be charged to your account, otherwise you have three days to phone in and pay the toll on your credit card.

While there is a toll, it's not that high and I think might be worth paying to provide a simple way through Melbourne if you're not familiar with the city. However there are of course other ways to get where you're going without paying a toll, and I or other Melbournians will be happy to make some suggestions if you would like.

See you at the Mount,

Don Ricardo

[Geoff & Jude]

thanks don

the main route has been set as the ferry crossing but that info will be handy for those who choose to use the alternative (there are directions for the alternate route in the handout).

geoff

[humpty2]

We will be going on the ferry.......route appears to go on the M1 before we turn down to Flinders, is that section a toll road?
The area in question is from Traralgon through to about Warragul where,I think we turn to head on down to Flinders.

[Geoff & Jude]

hi humpty

we'll be on the princes freeway up to nar nar goon (i presume this is free - maybe a local can confirm).

the section of the m1 (parkenham bypass) we travel on is just the off ramp to leave the parkenham bypass (extension of the princes freeway) to get back onto the princes highway so we can turn onto ryans rd and head down towards koo-wee-rup.



i cant imagine any toll booth being before this interchange.

some local knowledge might also be able to confirm this.

geoff

this section of the route will now be changed, please disregard the map above.

[Don Ricardo]

Hi Geoff,

The toll road doesn't commence until about 7 kms from the CBD. The interchange you mention is about 50 kms out, so you're a long way from any toll gantry, or from having to pay any tolls.

Just to explain, Melbourne toll roads don't have any toll booths, so you can't pay cash as you go through as you can in Sydney or Brisbane. Hence the comment in my previous post about paying by phone within three days if you don't have an E-tag.

Something else about the local Victorian culture - in Sydney I have noticed that people refer to freeways/tollways by their route number. However, in Victoria we tend to refer to roads by their name, eg Princes Freeway, Pakenham Bypass, Monash Freeway, etc. If you ask a Melbournian about your way to the M1 you're likely to get a very blank look indeed! All the freeways/bypasses I mentioned are part of the M1 by the way (but I had to check the Melways just to make sure)!! Just a bit of trivia for you.

Don Ricardo