Sun, 21st Jan, 2024 Carpark near Janet & Geoff’s place, Sorrento, Vic to Spirit of Tasmania, Geelong, Vic to Devonport, Tas (Ferry rides)

Woke to the sound of the ocean crashing on the beach. Packed up and headed down to Sorrento Pier for our 9am ferry across to Queenscliff.

Arrived at the ferry arrived ready for the 8am load.

Went for a wander along the foreshore. Bit different to the painting of 1904.

Watched the cars line up ready to board.

Wandered down the jetty. The beach and water is looking lovely under the blue sky.

Found another art work - the old building is still there.

Watched the ferry load then head off to Queenscliff, across the bay.

Janet and Geoff came down to say farewell. Janet pointed out two other historic buildings in the distance - one to the left with 3 chimneys and the other one is hidden by the pines (1 chimney visible).

Walked back along the jetty and found a historic plaque. Janet said there was a tramway up the top of the path that took patrons around to the Mornington Hotel (which was the one I saw in the artists’ trail info), now called Koonya - same as the ocean beach. We have run out of time so we didn’t walk up for a look. It has been wonderful being able to catch up with both of them again.

We drove in and parked. The sky has clouded over now. Chatted with a family that was admiring our truck. They are planning a year trip soon with their children. We boarded - drive in, drive off, which is good. Straight to the other end for us.

It is only a 45 minute trip but we got out and went up to look around. Steve can check out the roof and solar panels too.

All aboard and off we went. Janet texted to say the ferry looked nose down - I replied, yes that’s is where we are parked - haha. Nice view back over Sorrento bay but not so nice further along - very dark clouds are coming. Typical Melbourne weather, sunny and bright one minute then cold, wet and gloomy the next!

Walked up to the top deck - cold wind now.

Went back down one deck to hide behind a pillar so I could still look out. Lots of lovely homes along the cliff with their boat houses down below. Poor things!

Spotted a seal on a rock on the other side.

The people on the left get good exercise - the others have a chair lift.

The chap we were chatting to before said that helicopter on the foreshore was owned by Lindsay Fox (Fox Transport) as he lives there.

It is choppy, not too bad but the wind is cold. Steve went inside so I ended up following him as you could see well through the glass windows. He also found some information for me.

Looking along the coast of Point Nepean. I can just make out a ship coming through the heads which is called The Rip on my map.

On the other side was more info.

Looking out the starboard side we spotted what looked like a pergola standing in the water. I asked a lady in the cafe and she said it was ‘Chinamans Hat’ but no more info so will have to look it up. I did - “it is a unique structure that serves as a haul out side for Australian fur seals. Popular site for snorkling and swimming with the seals.”

Back to the port side - Fort Nepean Quarantine Station stands out - even looking through the windows. We explored that on our previous visit.

Getting choppier as we near the heads - The Rip. We will be going through it tonight to head to Tasmania. Point Lonsdale light house stands out.

The call comes over for everyone to head back to their vehicles. As we headed out to the front to go down the stairs I spotted the other lighthouse at Queenscliff then across to the ferry terminal.

Back into the truck to disembark the ferry. I took photos of the Wikicamps map. Shows our ferry trip marking and where we will come down on the Spirit too.

The ramps lowers and off we go. 

There is misty rain now so just drove along till we found a park for a cuppa. There is lots of things to explore here when we return in February. Hopefully the weather will be nicer.

Headed towards Geelong. Lots of lovely old buildings in Queenscliff.

Nice drive through the trees.

Heavier rain as we head towards Geelong. Stopped at Bunnings to exchange a gas bottle - the rain has stopped now.

Through Geelong - looks like lots to explore here. Lots of lovely old buildings that I admire as we sat at the T-intersection lights.

Grand old church.

The streets are very busy so we just kept going along the Princes Highway as the Spirit’s new home is in Corio Bay, just north of here.

The info from Spirit suggested parking at the Corio Village where there was lots of shops and cafes and plenty of room to park so we took their advice. Topped up our other groceries so we only have to get the fruit and veg from Devonport, though Malcolm said not to buy potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers as he has heaps in his vegie patch.

I had a few onions so peeled and chopped them up to store in the freezer for cooking and threw out the nearly empty honey jar. All good to cross now. Our overnight back is ready to go too.

Had lunch and read for a while as it was still dark and gloomy.

Headed to the other side of the bay called North Shore on my map to have a cuppa and wait till we could get in the line to board from 4.15pm - we don’t sail till 6.45pm.

The sign says it is Moorpanyal Beach now. Nice mural on the toilets and sting ray sculpture.

I think the Spirit of Tassie is hiding over there somewhere.

View across to Geelong.

The wind is very strong as we walk around the path. Steve will take a Kwell to keep any sea sickness away and we have the cabin so we can just lay down and sleep through the crossing.

As we walked past this house with all glass front you could see straight through to the other side. Great for their view but you would feel like you are in a fish bowl as every car or person went by.

Further along we can now see the Spirit of Tasmania II.

Crazy fishermen getting cold and wet.

The sky has cleared so looking brighter but the wind is still strong and cold. View over Corio Bay.

Headed back to the camper. Even the seagulls are cold, curling up on the bitumen to try and get some warmth.

Chatted with a couple from Ballarat heading over for the first time so gave them some must-do spots to see. 4pm headed around as we could see lots of vans parked along the roadside.

Drove in - they must have opened up early as there are heaps of vehicles already checked in. Down to the water then around the bend and into the line.

I zoomed in on some murals on a wall across the road.

We showed our ticket and was told what line to get in. Parked in the shade. Steve went with a staff member to check the gas bottle, he asked about fruit, veg, fish and honey and had a look inside the camper and asked Steve to open the fridge and freezer. All good. Also asked about fishing gear.

They have a cafe here so I went over for a look. Nice models of different Spirit ships but no information.

Headed back to our truck - everyone lined up now.

Vehicles started moving forward into the sunny section so we got in and followed the instructions of what line to go in. We go up the ramp to get onboard.

Steve noticed the vehicle in front of us now was a left-hand drive camper so got out for a chat with the driver. I then joined them. He and his wife are from Holland and brought it over in a container for a year trip. We chatted about the problems of international travel, insurance etc and things to see in Tassie.

Cars started boarding. 

Then the motorbikes. We had to laugh as one of the riders was brought down from the cafe in a cart and then laughed again watching him trying to start his old bike with its long forks.

Followed the left hand drive up the ramp then down into the ship. The other couple were guided right and we were guided left and right up to the front of the ship. Steve said the speedometer will be going backwards as we are facing the back of the ship now.

Locked the truck and across to the staircase - all the cars parked this side.

Through the door and there were escalators to take us up or down. We were on Level 8 so headed up.

Passed the reading room then the cinema (mostly kids movies at the moment) and up a set of stairs to our room. Took a photo to post on Facebook. We are about a third back from the front.

Went for a walk. Lovely photos on the wall - this is what we are coming to see - the Aurora Australis.

Decided to have dinner before the ship got moving as the wind hasn’t stopped blowing. Don’t do food shots normally but its a great feed here.

We are at the rear of the ship - probably above our truck actually. Someone could have cleaned the windows!

The engines started and it shuddered a lot but eventually we got moving backwards then turned around.

The Dutch couple sat on the next table so we continued our chatting. They showed us photos of their camper in Norway covered in snow at -36 degrees - now that’s just too cold. He built their home of timber slats and 5 years ago changed the roof for solar panels so they have plenty of power but now need to get batteries to store it.

Walked along to the port side windows - bit clearer and got a view back.

Lots of tourist brochures here so we helped our Dutch friends chose places and things to see. They are interested in timber so we made sure they had the one for the Wall which is amazing, Huonville - wooden boat area and talked about all the tall trees in Mount Field NP. I said we were wanting to see the Aurora Australis and they showed me pictures of the northern lights - amazing.

Looking across Port Phillip Bay at mountains - they need a moving map to show us what we are looking at. Decided to look on Google Maps so not sure what I was looking out.

Had a cuppa then back to the cabin. Steve had taken a Kwell with dinner so he had a shower and went to bed. I showered then worked on my laptop for a while but the boat started moving a lot as we headed through the heads (about 10pm) so I decided I should go to bed too. I could see the lighthouse at Point Nepean shining as we are on the port side.