Freo Graphic

FREO GRAPHIC Apri l 2021 5 We have been on the road in an Apollo Mercedes Sprinter camper van since the middle of March. We are extremely happy with the camper and it is so much easier to use than either a camper trailer or caravan. The fuel economy is unbelievable, after some 4500 km we have averaged 9.5 Lt/100km and it is as easy as driving a car once you get used to the added length. We did a quick trip across the Nullarbor as we had crossed it numerous times in the past then straight down into Adelaide. We had discovered that the van had the wrong size curtain inside the sliding door when it caught in the locking mechanism resulting in it being unable to be opened. Luckily we could still access the rear compartment through the front and rear doors. We thought we may have had to book it in for repair but the people at the Apollo depot fixed it while we waited. They also corrected a couple of other issues and we were on our way within the hour. Very impressed with their service. After leaving Adelaide we went though Hahndorf, a nice but very touristy town in the Adelaide hills. Then next day we set our GPS to avoid motorways and a pleasant drive to Mannum on the Murray River. We took a short trip on the PS Mayflower, one of the old paddle boats and I was allowed to skipper it for about half an hour. It was certainly a lot harder to steer a straight course than in my boat. From Mannum we followed the Murray as far as Waikerie then to Bordertown and Halls Gap in the very scenic Grampians. On to Ararat to search for the Ark without any luck! We went to the Seppelt’s winery and bought a case of their wine after taking a tour of their cellars. The temperature in the drives is constant at 15-16 degrees. We certainly drink our red wine too hot especially at room temperature on a summers day. They have a room in the cellars where for a fee they will organise a tasting of their premium wine. We weren’t game to ask how much. On to Castlemaine, Daylesford then to Blacktown. The temperature is starting to drop as we head into the mountains. We drove up to Mount Macedon and saw some incredible properties. Some of the houses were set so far back from the road they were not able to be seen behind all the colourful deciduous trees. Of course if you live here you have to have the right sort of car, we haven’t seen so many expensive luxury cars in on place in a long time. Interestingly, there were quite a few properties for sale, probably due to covid related business failures. From there we went on to Mansfield, Beechworth, Myrtleford and Bright the onto the Bogong High Plains. We found a lovely camping area named appropriately “Anglers Rest”. Our next stop was Corryong, the hometown of the “Man From Snowy River” where they were MEMBERS STORY Members Road Trip Paul and Kathleen Franklin’s story of their travels over East.