Day 1
Melbourne to Elliot Ridge campsite. 10km
Flight into Melbourne a little late and caught the red bus to Southern Cross station. There are kiosks inside and outside the terminal to pay 23.90 one way using apple pay or credit card.
Arrived at Accor Ibis Styles King Street around 2.00am and checke din ok except forgot ID.
In bed by 2.15 and Woke 6.30am to head to Woolworths on Bourke Street for a breakfast and snacks for the road.
Off at 8.45am to Bogong Camping for gas which opens at 9.00am while Backpacking Light and Macpac open at 9.30am. Paddy Palin moved but I heard its closed?
Toilet stop back at hotel then checked out and then waited for the train to Geelong.
Platform 1 for the train booked on line previosuly and sent to Darwin for $10.00 all the way toApollo Bay.
Train was alittle late arriving as a trespasser on the lines had to have police take hime/her off.
Arrived at Geelong 12.04 bus to Apollo Bay 12.05 departure.
Only 6 people on board and only 3 got off at Apollo Bay, some come and go along the surf coast.
2.15 arrival at the Tourist Info centre.
Went straight into the visitor centre and toilet. At the centre bought the map $14.95 , tide chart (free)and booklet/map for $19.95. Departed around 3.00pm
Out to the starting platform by asking the ladies then off along the car park until a dirt walkway near the beach side not road side, pas tthe sideshow, skate ramp, toilets and golf course to then see the first blaze leading across the road. Along the road ove rthe bridge until the Marengo sign appears wher eI take a exit to the beach to walk along until a caravan park entrance appears and through the caravan park. a little dring at the tap and on my way until another blaze indicates a walk along a grass track in front of the houses. After the houses the inland track begins to narrow with beach walks, stairs and single track thats not muddy.
I didnt realise or see any signs indicating there was a beach walk as an alternative that goes all the way to Shelley Beach. I did only see the Shelley Beach turnoff. On the inland section past Shelley Beach I could hear a trumpet sound that I had hoped wasnt coming form the Elliot Ridge Campsite, it seems it was from the Shelley Beach Picnic Area carpark.
Then a wider uphill section of Elliot River Track through the forest before Elliot Ridge campsite sign appears on the left to enter.
3-4 Ladies at the shelter and some people at the group campsite, I chose 5 campsite near the shelter/8 sites. More tents further on, quite busy but still some empty sites. Not fully booked. Water from the tanks is yellow but tastes all right filtered.
Dinner of salad bought from Woolies eaten for dinner that was going to be my lunch.
Matt who I met on trail near the seat overlooking the beach lets me know of the koalas in the tree above us. I was looking everywhere since hearing the sounds of the koalas nearby. Plenty of bird sounds around.
Everything went to plan, train, bus, walk.
Bus sickness through the hills, hot sweaty humid day.
Thought i saw a snake but not sure it got more scared than I did. Something black.
Pack weight
11.4 on plane with food plus 1 kg electronics and 2 litres of water (2kg) plus a salad and chocolate bar.