Dandenong to Ballarat

Monday, 24th July.

Even though the sun was shining brightly this morning, it was quite chilly when we set off for the drive along the M11 to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.  We exited the freeway at Rosebud and called in to the Corner Cafe where we enjoyed smoko consisting of coffee and a toasted salmon bagel, before continuing along the lovely coastline to Sorrento to catch the ferry from there across Port Phillip Bay to Queenscliff, on the Bellarine Peninsula.  It was a lovely, easy morning....a smooth crossing which took 45 minutes and once we'd disembarked, we made our way along the Bellarine Highway to the outskirts of Geelong, then joined the Midland Highway to Ballarat, with a little detour to a rest stop at the Bunzil lookout in the little town of Maude, where we made sandwiches and boiled the billy.  We had a wonderful view of the valley from the lookout though didn't stay outside for long as the wind went right through us, then we had a steep descent into the valley and an equally steep climb out of it to return to the highway.

When we'd booked and settled into the caravan park in Ballarat, we drove up the main street, had drinks at the Goldencity Hotel, then stopped at Apollo's Fish and Chip Shop for (allegedly) the best fish and chips in town.  We did not agree with this sentiment and the takeaway we bought was consigned to the bin!  Needless to say, we would not recommend Apollo's, Ballarat!

We're only here for one night, have been to Sovereign Hill on a previous visit so will not go there this time but as there is much to see in the eastern states, and we have only passed through on this occasion, chances are we will be back, just not in the winter!