Port Fairy

Left Robe fairly early and started the drive to Port Fairy (around 300km). Once again it was a combination of rural farmland, forestry and coastal routes. Mainly along the A1, with occasional detours to see a variety of sights. These included Tantanoola caves and the Blue Lake at Mount Gambier. The lake changes colour in November to a pure blue which it keeps throughout the summer, apparently this is due to Limestone crystals that come to the water surface during the winter months and therefore create a darker colour. The lake is in a volcanic crater. The short 45 min tour was an interesting way to understand the history of the site (which includes a former land world speed holder driving into Lake - managing to jump out along the way, and an intrepid horseman (and poet*) jumping the permiter fence and was lucky that a ledge broke his fall).


Arrived Port Fairy late afternoon. Similar to Robe its a fairly small town but seems to have a bit more too it and appears slightly more prosperous. The best way to spend an hour or so (as recommended by hotel receptionist) is a walk around Griffiths Island which is a few minutes from the town centre. As well as a range of bird life, there are a number of wallabies on the island.


Photos of journey and Port Fairy - here.


*Adam Lindsay Gordon, who not surprisingly lived a short and eventful life, committing suicide at the age of 37. He is the only Australian poet buried in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey.