We have found time to hitch Roma up and head off for another couple of days.
Not far away and to a town that we normally just head over to for the day.
So where are we heading - Ballarat.
That other large town built on a history of gold.
Packed up and all organised, we pull out of the driveway. And no dramas this time.
Except me trying to manage the sat nav ; and the road trip music. Our new sound system can use a USB so I was able to put our "road trip " music onto that. But damned if I know how to find a specific song to play as we start our journey. I know some caravanners have a favourite song playing as they head off. We will just have to accept the song that commences once I remember how to start it up again.
Righto, the brain has kicked in so the music is on.
Now to tackle the sat nav. Why does technology have to be so complicated ? To try and locate the caravan park I tried a variety of different road names in neighbouring suburbs and it would not recognise any , so we will just have to wing it with my notes that I jotted down.
From Bendigo we can choose a couple of different roads to take.
But today we head down the Calder. The reconfiguration at Ravenswood is taking shape, and the intersection will be so much safer when it is complete.
Our first stop is not far down the road as we have to stop in Campbells Creek to drop in a quote to a returning customer.
A quick chat and we are back in the BT 50 ,with our down time beckoning.
As we zoom through Gulidford you look across the paddocks , and just see the dryness. Not much rain has fallen around these parts. But the farmers are busy as many paddocks are dotted with large round bales of hay, ready to be sold or stored for livestock food.
As we gat closer to Daylesford the paddocks are a lush green. Everywhere you look is just a patchwork of colour. There are still crops of canola with their bright yellow flowers contrasting against the rich brown soil and the healthy bright green of the pasture. This area is renowned for it's potatoes so if you see a roadside stall, my advice is stop and grab a bag.
Another safe road addition is a new roundabout at the intersection of Midland highway and Daylesford / Trentham road. Anyone who has ever travelled this road will know how long you could sit at this stop sign waiting for a break in the traffic. So another patience sapping intersection has been improved.
The road through this small town can be slow as it is very popular with tourists. It is definitely worth pulling up for a stop though and a roam through the shops or enjoy a meal or coffee at one of the many cafes.
From Daylesford it does not take long to reach Ballarat. You wend your way past tall native gum trees or pine forests before you head down the hill to enter the outskirts of the town.
So glad I had jotted down some notes as it made navigating around the town so much easier.
The caravan park - Big 4 Windmill Park - is on a major highway which will eventually take you on another adventure. But we only travel a fraction of that highway. Head out under the Memorial Arch , along the Avenue of Honour and we find our destination on the right , nearly opposite a very useful Woolworths supermarket.
We were welcomed by such friendly staff and they walked us down to our ensuite site which was situated right down the back. Lovely big trees and the sound of birds singing filled the air. Oh but it is close to the airport so you will also hear small planes buzzing around.
www.ballaratwindmill.com.au
Set up does not take long and a cold glass of wine was our reward for an uneventful day.
This park is not overly big but it covers most entertainment bases for families, even down to chicken feeding. It has a heated pool , tennis court and games room and a few herbs available for those who are tempted to whip up a tasty meal.
One thing I did find very useful was the hot water tap on the outside wall of the ensuite. So I could fill my kettle up with hot water rather than wait for it to boil , to wash the dishes. Yes our van is not a nice big luxurious one fitted with a hot water system, just very basic.
Our first full day was November 11th, Remembrance Day. So where would we head; the service at the Cenotaph.
Mobile phones are useful to tell you where things are and then if you do not know the area,Google maps to get you there.
Not many people around when we arrived so we were lucky to grab a close car park.
A Remembrance day service, like Anzac Day, is very moving. Speeches, wreath laying and the Last Post and Bell Toll followed by the minutes silence. And we were so blessed to be able to have a chat later on with retired chaplain, Keith Lanyon, the guest speaker. His speech was very moving as his words cut through us , as they were so close to home. He gladly gave over a copy of his speech without hesitation. This is what life is all about. Be yourself and treat people the way you wish to be treated.
This service was so rewarding in so many ways and "I tips my hat " to Ballarat RSL and the City of Ballarat. Thank you.
www.ballarat.vic.gov.au
www.ballaratrsl.com.au
Now you remember that great car park that we snaffled, well we were hemmed in. Due to the roads being blocked , and the amount of traffic coming down the hill, we did not have a hope in hell of reversing out for some time so we did the next best thing, and went and had a coffee.
Our next stop for the day was MADE - Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka.
The museum dedicated to democracy.
www.made.org
Again very friendly staff and so lovely to share information about the exhibit or other tourist places around the area.
In my opinion this is a must see place if you come to Ballarat. It cost us under $10 each and it is great value for the money. It explains all about the Eureka Stockade and it has in pride of place, The Eureka Flag.
The flag has been restored as best as possible and whoever took on this job is a great seamstress. I hate mending at the best of times and this job would have been so stressful, considering the history involved and the quality of the old material.
Our next visit was to the Botanic Gardens. A nice free wander around perusing some lovely plants.
Massive redwoods line gravel pathways. Families were lolling about the soft green grass. And we meandered right up to the end of the gardens to have a look at the Ex POW memorial. Another moving monument to those involved in conflict. And we were lucky enough to have a chat to the son of a Ex-POW who's name , sadly, was displayed on that wall.
Another ' must see ' place if you visit Ballarat
To head back to the ute we wandered along the Prime Ministers walk, a path lined by statues of all previous heads of our country. We checked out the plants in the large glass conservatory before ending our Botanic Gardens visit.
Now a great time to visit Ballarat, if you love plants, is when the Begonia festival takes place, in March. Very colourful and stunning Begonias.
So there you are that is day one. We try and fill in at least one day of interesting events where we can reflect on the beauty of our landscape or the enjoyment of our towns.
A cup of tea, home made pies and vegies for tea and a quiet evening chatting was all that was needed to end a lovely day.
Well I will come clean. Our trip was not purely just for a relaxing weekend away. Actually it was to watch our granddaughter compete in her sporting pursuits. But we needed to be a little cagey about our destination.
So most of our Sunday was spent sitting on hard chairs in a hot sporting hall, watching karate.
But cue proud Grandparents music ; miss won a bronze and a gold and also became regional champion in her age group. So glad that we juggled things around to be able to get here. Yes it meant hubby worked weekends but we would not miss seeing her compete for the world.
So afterwards we just went for a drive around outlying areas of Ballarat.
Sometimes a spontaneous drive will deliver you a real treasure. And today we came across a small park with tree stumps carved in to sculptures : four sculptures dedicated to different aspects of the war. All in a roadside park at Corindhap. A great place to stop for a wander, but there were no toilets at this park. There was a sign a little way further on directing you down a side road.
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Ballarat is a city with beautiful wide tree lined streets. The avenue of honour deserves a walk along a section, just to read the brass plaques and honour the sacrifice they gave.
The amount of memorials dedicated to those who fought or died in world conflicts can be found in various areas of Ballarat. Standing and reading them really makes one feel humbled.
Ballarat has some fabulous historical buildings adorned with intricate carvings and stained glass.
The gardens are worthy of a quiet stroll or maybe a picnic.
And if you are interested in shopping well there is plenty of choices to help you part with your money
All in all Ballarat is a place worthy of setting up for a few days.
So after three nights we ventured back home. We really needed more time there as there is so much more to see and do. But it is on the list for next time.
And no, I have no association with Ballarat at all I just like the city and enjoyed our time there. Actually I am Bendigo born and bred ! And there is always friendly banter by way of Bendigo versus Ballarat.
www.visitballarat.com.au
https://ballaratbotanicalgardens.com.au/
