Lake Tyers and 90 mile Beach

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We had to get up early enough to leave the park at 10am (except we were about ½ hour later – no problem). While Barry was dumping the waste water we heard a regular loud deep “hoo”ing sound coming from the trees over the fence. Barry thought it was an owl but it was after 10.30am and it didn’t sound quite right to me. We went into the office and asked - turns out it’s the male Bronzewing calling for a mate. The Manager said they make that noise outside his bedroom window early in the mornings – he REALLY loves that. It was amazing how far the sound carries and how loud it is.

We dropped into Bairnsdale to see if we could get a replacement mirror without spending a fortune. After trying a few places, Barry found a set in Super Cheap Auto for $46 with 2 mirrors. They aren’t quite as good as the original but at least they fit. He fitted one immediately and we set off for Lakes Entrance. The Eagle Point Manager had recommended staying at Lake Tyers Caravan Park so that was our destination, one of two we had tossed up between.

We arrived at the Park, after calling ahead, and were shown a “flat” drive-through area we could set up on. We drove around the very narrow gravel campground roads, getting increasingly worried at how small all the sites were and how hilly. When we got to the assigned sites we couldn’t see any way that we would be able to fit in and keep the van flat. And it wasn’t a drive through – just parking across the front of three sites with all the water, power and dump pipes on the wrong side and in the way! It is important for us to get the van level because the fridge won’t work properly if it is not and it’s not good for the chassis. We have a spirit level gadget that is fitted to the van’s pin box (neck) to help get it just right and we carry strong plastic ramps to run up if necessary and chocks to keep it there.

Barry walked around the Caravan Park looking for a better site for our needs and arranged everything with the Manager – not a problem as the park was almost empty. Then the fun began trying to back into the chosen site with quite low trees and other tents and caravans nearby. It took us about 20 minutes to get it right – Barry reckons we’re still practising. By the time we were settled we were both too tired to go into Lakes Entrance and decided to have a lazy afternoon and evening.

After a late lunch we did summon up the energy to go for a short walk along the beach, which turns out to be part of 90 Mile Beach. There was a pelican swimming and a few wading birds, including Pied Oystercatchers foraging in the shallows where the lake and beach meet. The board showing the descriptions said they had black bodies and white “underpants” so you couldn’t miss them. Along the shore we saw a group of people fishing; one person using a parachute wing to pull him along on a surf board (evidently called kite-surfing) – a very skilful thing to do with the strength of the wind and waves at the time; and a funny sand sculpture someone had made that looked a full size woman with strange legs and clothed in a bra and long skirt made of lots of seashells, and seaweed for hair. Someone had enjoyed themselves! I took my shoes off, mostly to stop them constantly filling with the loose sand, and walked barefoot. It felt lovely, except where there were too many small broken shells all over the beach. I even managed to make some of the wet sand squeak (by accident the first time), although nowhere near as well as Squeaky Beach at Wilson's Promontory.

We finished up going into the Waterwheel Pub right next to the beach and sitting on the verandah having a Lemon, Lime and Bitters each, very refreshing. Then Barry had a local beer (a pale lager called “150 Lashes”, which he enjoyed). We watched a few wattle birds looking for scraps around the tables and then went back for a quick dinner.

We’ve decided to have a rest day tomorrow, maybe only going into Lakes Entrance in the afternoon.

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Photos

Common Bronzewing
His deep, loud "hoo-ing" sounds very like an owl but are his mating call.

Part of 90 Mile Beach
Squeaky sand and lovely cool water - bliss!

A sand sculpture?
Someone had fun making this

Comments

[Snap Shot Stacey]

I'm surprised you've not heard of kite-surfing before! And it's a shame you didn't get a picture of the Pied Oystercatchers. I love the lady with her shells! Reminds me of when Nanna and Grandad visited and we made cars out of sand and shells. :D

[Snap Shot Stacey]

bronze?
His wing looks more green to me!

[dragonlady]

Bronzewing colour
Yes it could be. The coloured bar on the wing was metallic and looked anything from rich green to dark bronze depending on where the light caught it.

[Snap Shot Stacey]

colours
I love how we both wear the same colours. I have a friend who says she's wearing her 'Stacey colours' whenever she's got purple and turqoise on.