Around Australia: Day 37, Sunshine to Tingara

Summary: Day 37 of my trip Around Australia on my Burgman 650 Executive started out in Melbourne and brought me quickly to Phillip Island. I threw in a little detour, covering the coast via twistie country roads along Bass Strait and West Gippsland Region.

Diary Entry for May 30, 2010

My initial, short entry in my "Around Australia" diary for the day read as follows:

Day 37: Melbourne to Yanakie
This is the way to go — the quickest way to get around in Melbourne: do it on a Sunday morning! Worked like a charm; except two Big Things locations, the Abalone and the Titanic were not at the coordinates I had found on the web. Oh, well — next time.
I had an optional route for the day in my version 2 of the trip planning — I have only published version 1 — a Gippsland loop. I threw this one in after Phillip Island. The route got really interesting after Cape Paterson, from Cape Paterson to Inverloch, and then back through the sticks; e.g. Glen Alvie — nice country and twisty roads.
The rain sort of contained itself to the areas I was not currently riding. Great!
I thought I would make it to Tidal River — well, too ambitious, it got dark too quick… so I retreated and looked for a place to stay. I found a very nice cottage near Yanakie — I reckon the nicest and most romantic overnight stay I had on the whole trip… fire place and all… very nice.

Photo of the Day

Cave Rock Bunurong National Park, near Inverloch, Victoria

Sunshine to Tingara

A lazy Sunday morning; up at 6:45, some Continental breakfast in the Motel restaurant, and gone… not so quick. Angelique, the blonde next door and I had a chat about motorcycling around the country, heated clothing; it sort of delayed my departure.

This is the way to go — the quickest way to get around in Melbourne: do it on a Sunday morning! Worked like a charm; except two Big Things locations, the Big Abalone and the Big Titanic were not at the coordinates I had found on the web. Oh, well — next time. I took a photo of the Burgman 650 in front of Parliament House, for the FarRiders™  Bikes in front Parliament House thread.

Then off to Boroondara and Dandenong (both IBEM locations), followed by the Big Pheasant, which was 10 km off the researched coordinates!
It was only a couple of days before writing this report on July 27, 2010, that I learned I did not map the suspect IBEM location of Yarra Yarra  … which I have now planned to capture in October 2010, after participating in FarRide East #14 to Bemm River, Victoria.

Boroondara seemed elusive. Where exactly is it? Where do I find town signs? The best people could come up with was the Boroondara Tennis Centre, which ended up choosing for the location photo.

The first local government body was the Boroondara District Road Board, formed in 1854 and incorporated the areas which were to become Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell. Hawthorn and Kew were created as separate municipalities in 1860 and the remaining area of the Road Board became Boroondara Shire in 1871. This later became the City of Camberwell. With the amalgamation of the Cities of Camberwell, Kew and Hawthorn in June 1994 the City of Boroondara was created.

Boroondara

Dandenong was almost as elusive. I could not believe that I was unable to find a town sign. I eventually had it, and picked the Veterinary Hospital as location photo. I also took a photo at the Dandenong Train Station, but did not find it as appealing, as the Vet Hospital.

Dandenong

Phillip Island was next on the map. Yes, now that I have seen it; very nice, but I have seen it. What was really annoying, all coordinates for the Big Things were incorrect. Gladly though: I passed one after the other without any effort. The only Big Thing gone for good is the Big Whale: first it was moved, then it was dismantled; it is gone now. I captured all the others: the Wave, Koala, Cows, Worm and Tap.

I had an optional route for the day in version 2 of my trip planning — the Gippsland Loop — which I could just "attach" to South Gippsland as Start and Finish point. Riding it was dependent on the time I had available at the time. I decided to throw this one in after Phillip Island.

Kilcunda Trestle Bridge over Bourne Creek, Kilcunda, Victoria, Australia

The route got really interesting after Cape Paterson, from Cape Paterson to Inverloch, and then back through the sticks; e.g. Glen Alvie, Almurta East and Kernot — lovely country and twisty roads.
The photo below was taken half way between Cape Paterson and Inverloch (Bear Ride #155) in Bunurong National Park.

Sandstone Formation in Bunurong National Park, Victoria, Australia

The Bunurong coast is full of amazing natural sandstone sculptures, attractive sandy coves, rambling cliffs and prominent headlands and the marine life is nurtured by an unusual set of environmental conditions. Between Cape Patterson and Inverloch in areas exposed to the southwest, the Cretaceous rocks have formed steep, high headlands and cliffs, with little vegetation covering the rock faces.

Coastline, Bunurong National Park, Victoria, Australia

The rain today sort of contained itself to the areas I was not currently riding. Great!

Farmland, near Glen Alvie, Victoria, Australia

The wind was blowing strong throughout the day; heavy rain passed through Vitoria's south the day before; the odd uprooted tree, mostly cut to bits, was lining the roads. The fallen tree on the photo below must have been cut only a short time earlier; the saw dust still on the road.

Remains of Fallen Tree, near Almurta East, Victoria, Australia

Bridge over Bass River, Kernot, Victoria, Australia

After completing the Gippsland loop, I started Bear Ride #57 from South Gippsland to Sale. I turned right in Meeniyan onto Bear Ride #59 to Tidal River.

I thought I would make it to Tidal River — well too ambitious, it got dark too quick…
I entered the Wilsons Promontory National Park and gave it a workout for some 13 km, when I turned around. I felt it was pointless going further without being able to see the scenery. So I retreated and looked for a place to stay.
I found a very nice cottage near Yanakie — I reckon the nicest and most romantic overnight stay I had on the whole trip… fire place and all… really very nice!.

There was only a little sign on the road guiding me to "Tingara View Cottage". I was not sure what to expect. I parked the bike in front of a house, lit by incandescent lighting. It created a beautiful flair when I was invited to step into the living room. A very nice couple greeted me, introducing me to their visitor. The lady offered to show me the accommodation, which I quickly, yet kindly declined — I had seen enough, and I mean it in the most positive way. I was made very welcome, no prejudice look at my motorcycle gear, we got on really well, quickly completed the transaction. I was asked, wether I wanted something to eat… really nice.
The lady walked to the cottage, asking me to follow on the bike. My headlamps lit the way for the 150 metre distance. She explained to me how to operate the fireplace, where to find fire wood, and wished me a good night.

Bridge over Bass River, Kernot, Victoria, Australia

The cottage was lovely decorated; matching style everything. Some books about the area on the lounge table. A comfy bed towards the right; a dining table to the left; the kitchen in the back; bathroom back right.
I put some wood onto the fire, used the ceiling fan to force the warm air down, switched on the heated mattress, red a book and went to bed.

Trip Data for the Day

495 km over the elapsed time of 10 hours.

Accommodation for the Night

My room at the Tingara View Cottage, Tingara, Victoria, Australia

I stayed at the Tingara View Cottage in Tingara for the night. Cost: 100 AUD.

My comment: Nice, clean, quiet, lovely decorated and looked after; feels like home; very romantic; great views over the Corner Inlet, Duck Point and Yanaki Beach, from the porch and cottage windows. The caretakers / owners are very friendly and deserve only good customers. Would stay there again anytime. Next time I will take my wife along. The place is just beautiful.

Visitor's Comments

Sorry, there are currently no moderated / approved entries for this page.
Start the ball rolling by posting a comment on this article!