Mt Tassie@Balook (my rating C)

Mt Tassie is about 2.5hrs drive from Melbourne,  is located about 17km south of Traralgon via the Traralgon-Balook Road or about 3km north of Balook and the Grand Ridge Rd.

Mt Tassie, at 750m,  is the highest point in the Strzelecki Ranges.

We left home about 10.30am, arrived Traralgon at lunch time.  We had our picnic lunch at Newman Park (Oh yes, we re-visited the park today, the kids just love this playground.  Though it was Sunday and the car park was over-full, it didn't feel crowded. The only queue when we were there was for the mini-steam engine.)

We set our journey at 2.30pm, went onto Grand Ridge Rd via Gormandale,   the drive was really pleasant.

It was 3.30pm when we arrived at the guest house at Balook, and had the scones there.  Ummmm, yummy scones, especially the cream & jam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We sat the outdoor dining area, overlooking the forest, everything was just peaceful and relaxing, it felt like the time had stopped, and all I wanted to do was just sitting there, sipping my coffee and listening to the sound of the nature.

Anyway, the kids were too busy to enjoy the 'timeless' moments.  Back to the road at 4.30pm, heading towards Mt Tassie.

It was a bit of guessing game to locate the Mt Tassie lookout.  We had a few wrong attemps and made us "no, guess not this way, let's U turn".

Eventually, we got it right, and here we were, on the summit of Mt Tassie.

So, if you go to Mt Tassie from Traralgon, via Traralgon-Ballok Road,  you'll see the sign "Mt Tassie" on your left,  (You won't see any sign pointing to "Mt Tassie" if you head from Balook, unless you do your head check).

 

(The sign "Mt Tassie", you only see the sign if you head from Traralgon)

follow the left path up the hill, and then you'll see the path split, follow the left path, you'll then see the lookout!

 

 (You'll then see the road split, stay on the left path, the right path leads to a dead end)

 

 

(Congrats, here you are, at the lookout) 

The path that leads to the lookout is a bit exciting!  Thank to Lucien, my 4x4, we moved on without hesitation. :-D

WR Ruthven Park@Preston (My rating C)

WR Ruthven Park in Preston is a popular park, the oval is popular for the ball games, and the playground is popular for the kids.
 
The playground is at the corner Donald Street & Malpas Street, Preston.

It is an offleash park, it has toilet facilities too.

We came to this park last Saturday afternoon.  There was a football game on.  The kids had fun in the playground, but couldn't kick the ball, as the grass area surrounding the playground isn't big enough for the ball kicking.

My kids loved the climbing frames, but they were bored after 45 mins.  So.................. guess this is a playground for a short play, but not the one if I want to spend time for the whole afternoon.

Richard Grayden Memorial Reserve@Philip Island (My rating A)

Richard Grayden Memorial Reserve gave us a wonderful surprise and a real good fun.

It is near the main bridge (Address: 2-4 Forrest Ave, Newhaven), a very nice playground with a few rare-seen play equipments besides the BBQ and Toilet facilities.

 

(map from Council Website)

 

(Playground)

 

(Flying Fox?)

 

(Playground and Basket ball Hoop)

 

(Climbing Frame)

 

(What's this?  How to play? Can you guess it out?)

See other places to go with your inseparable pooch.

Mussel Rocks Beach@Philip Island (My rating B)

Mussel Rocks Beach is an onleash beach in Cowes Philip Island, it's a short stroll from the Cowes City Centre.  there's a car park at the beach.

** the nearest toilet facilities are at the end of the Thompson Road (further down the Philip Island Road, in the area where dogs are not permitted which is very pity, you might want to have someone to look after your little pooch while you need to be excused).

The sandy beach is just beautiful, dogs are allowed in the early morning and evening during summer time (i.e.: 7-10am & 5-8pm Dec 1 to Apr 30), and no time restriction between May and Nov, but they need to be on-leash.

I would rate it A if dogs could come during the day in summer, and wish they could go offleash.............

 

(Sorry about the graffiti..........)

 

(Entry to the beach, guess that's why it's called Mussel Rocks)

See other places to go with your inseparable pooch on the island.

Red Rocks Beach@Philip Island (my rating B)

Red Rocks Beach is at the end of the Red Rocks Rd, there's a car park and toilet facilities, and BBQ. :-)

The sandy beach is just beautiful, dogs are allowed in the early morning and evening during summer time (i.e.: 7-10am & 5-8pm Dec 1 to Apr 30), and no time restriction between May and Nov, but they need to be on-leash.

I would rate it A if dogs could come during the day in summer, and wish they could go offleash.............

The grassy area at the car park is certainly another great spot for relaxation and enjoy the day!

 

(Red Rocks Beach)

 

(BBQ Facility) - Toilet is at the rear

 

(Grassy Area at Car Park)

See other places to go with your inseparable pooch.

Day Trip on Philip Island with your beloved Dog (my rating A)

What come to your mind when someone mentions "Philip Island"?  Well, for a long time, I used to just think little penguins, churchill farm and the Nobbis, all the places that dogs are not allowed.  And that made me hesitated to go to Philip Island...............

Until.......... I was studying the map of Philip Island one Friday night, and suddenly discovered some beaches are 'sort of' dog friendly, that says, dogs can go there on-lead, and numerous playgrounds.

OK, that sounds encouraging enough.  We set our journey to Philip Island.  We explored 2 beaches and a playground last Sunday (yes, it was super windy).

See the links below.

Red Rocks Beach (My rating B)

Cowes West Beach / Mussel Rocks Beach (My rating B)

The beaches are very nice, dogs are allowed in the early morning and evening during summer time (i.e.: 7-10am & 5-8pm Dec 1 to Apr 30), and no time restriction between May and Nov, but they need to be on-leash.

I would rate it A if dogs could come during the day in summer, and wish they could go offleash............. .

Richard Grayden Memorial Reserve (My rating A)
This playground is just off the main bridge, has a few rare-seen play equipments!  It also has BBQ & toilet facilities.

Big thank to this cafe, we had a good shelter from wind and rain in the outdoor dining area, could  comfortably with Jessica, my forever baby, enjoying the yum yum lot lunch!  Yes, the name of this cafe: Euphoria Gallery Cafe, on Philip Island Road@Cowes.

The other feature I noticed and appreciated is the map of the toilet facilities, and how clean they are!

 

(Map from Council website: the green shadowed areas are NOT for dogs)

JJ Holland Park@Kensington (My rating C)

JJ Holland Park is a big park with big offleash areas.  An advanced skatepark at the cnr of Kensington Rd and Childers St for intermediate players, a nice medium playground and basketball court at the other end of Childers St (near Ormond St).

The shared path gives young children a nice place to ride bike.

The only downside to me is the constant loud noise from nearby rail tracks.

 

(basket ball court next to the playground)

 

(playground)

 

(oval opposite the playground - offleash)

 

(Offleash areas - highlighted in yellow)

George Bass Coastal Walk: Punchbowl Rd to Half Moon Bay (My rating A)

Just like what the Park Notes says, the George Bass Coastal Walk offers the panoramic coastal views.  The winding path up and down makes the walk more rewarding.

Punchbowl Rd is a narrow gravel road crossing the busy Philip Island Road.  It's on your left if you go towards the Philip Island.  Just slow down when you're nearly there, you don't want to miss the turn.  The car park is at the end of Punchbowl Rd.

Suggest you to bring a walking stick if you have an unstable knee, coz you'll need to climb up and down the hill.

It took us 2.5 hrs return from Punchbowl Road - Half Moon Bay - Punchbowl Road.

 

(Map at the Entry)

 

 

(Winding Path)

 

(Half Moon Bay)

 

(Overlooking Half Moon Bay)

 

(lookout near the entry)

 

See the blog entry for walk from Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay here

George Bass Coastal Walk: Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay (My Rating A)

George Bass Coastal Walk is a long walk, dogs are allowed on leash.  It says 5 hrs return on the VicPark Notes.  Would suggest you to allow7 hours (to and return) if you want to do the whole lot in 1 day.

We did this walk in 2 occasions.  The first occasion, we started from Punchbowl Road, to Half Moon Bay, it took us about 2.5 hrs return. (See Blog Entry here)

The first attempt from Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay was made in last Spring, we gave up because there were just simply too many flies buzzing around, not very enjoyable..............


Today, we had the second attempt to walk this section (from Kilcunda to Half Moon Bay).  And we made it! It took us 2 hrs one way (minimum rest), 5 hrs in total, including 1 hr at the beach.

We parked at the car park@Bass Highway (Kilcunda).  I prefer the car park there than the one at Shelly Beach, because it has the toilet facilities (and clean!) and a playground.

 

(This is where we parked, 

follow Bass Coast Rail Trail for a short while, 

you'll see the entry to Coastal Walk on your left)

 

(Sign after 5 mins walk from the Car Park)

It took us 2 hrs from the carpark (Beach Mark 13) to Beach Mark 8 (the one next to Half Moon Bay which is Mark 7).

The first section is quite flat and easy.  There are many benches along the trail.  Please do enjoy your rest and snack here, because the bench at Beach Mark 11 is the last chance you'll be able to sit and rest, until you reach the Beach Mark 8 (Sandy Waternote, what a musical name!).

 

(The first section)

 

(Path is quite flat and easy)

 

(panoramic coastal view)

 

(Who wouldn't want to have a little rest and have a bit snack/tea here?)

 

(This is the last resting spot before the climbing and long walk)

Shortly after Beach Mark 11, the path becomes grassy, and it goes steep up the hill and down the hill.  Suggest you to bring a walking stick if you have knee problem, especially after rain.

 

(This is one of a few hills to climb over, the trail is on the left)

The reward is the ocean with panoramic views, the vast green fields, the chirping from birds, and the clashing of the waves!  Doesn't that sound picturesque?  No cars, no noise, no crowd..........

 

(winding path separating ocean and meadow)

 

(Big Wave)

 

(Bigger Wave)

 

(Exploding Wave)

Half Moon Bay was the original destination because we did this walk 2 years ago, from Punchbow Rd to Half Moon Bay.

But Sandy Waternote was like a strong magnet, it attracted us all!  We spent nearly 1 hour on this beach, studying the waves and the sand............

 

(Entry to the Beach Mark 8: Sandy Waternote)

 

 

Suggest you to bring water bottle, snack and wear hiking boots, and yes, I do think sunny winter is the best season to hike here, it is windy,  thus a good windproof jacket would be very useful!

Don't forget to get the Map from VicPark website.