Lake Lascelles The lake is quite popular during peak times such as Easter when there may be upwards of one hundred camps. A 4wd is not required to access the lake. Most of the time there is plenty of room and the lake is far from cramped. Unlike quite a number of Victorian waterways in the summer months. Generally, there is excellent weather for watersports, fishing, swimming and the lake is within easy walking distance of the small town charm of Hopetoun. Lake Lascelles is a

Each fire season in regional and rural Australia a bushfire threat exists to property, flora and fauna. Lives are at risk in these fire fuelled environments. The winter months of June, July and August are dry in Northern Australia and the summer months particularly in February are hot and dry in southern Australia. Pre-season fire mitigation management can only go so far. Many call for more work to be done by authorities. The debate is ongoing with how much clearing should be

Hanging Rock Famous or perhaps infamous in Australia as a place of intrigue and mystery. The backstory is of three schoolgirls and a teacher on an excursion to Hanging Rock and all seem to have disappeared into the rocky outcrop never to have been seen again. Despite many failed searches for the missing people. Occurring on Valentines Day, 1900. Hanging Rock is about eighty km from Melbourne in the Victorian countryside. A large rock is wedged above the walkway to the summit

Docklands, Melbourne An early Saturday morning solo drive of several hours for a 9 am Portarlington ferry departure. Before dawn, hopping kangaroos were avoided on the empty Western Freeway in the vicinity of Beaufort. 160 km west of Melbourne. Over two hours of driving still to go to reach Portarlington. A small bayside town. To reach Portarlington meant driving through the large city of Geelong. Both are on Port Phillip Bay. Geelong to Portarlington is 30 km by road. On the

OKTOBERFEST BALLARAT On one day only. Kryal Castle, Oktoberfest Ballarat Victoria. Experience the enchantment of Kryal Castle in Ballarat, Victoria, on a day filled with excitement and festivities. The organisers are working tirelessly to establish Oktoberfest as a recurring event, aiming to bring a touch of Bavarian culture to this charming Australian city. Ballarat, located 115 km west of Melbourne, is a picturesque destination easily accessible via the well-connected Weste

Kryal Castle Built in 1973 as a medieval fantasy themed park on eleven hectares of elevated land. Located at the foot of Mount Warrenheip twelve km. from central Ballarat. The castle grounds are meticulously maintained, with every corner exuding an air of grandeur and history. Beyond the immaculate cleanliness, the grounds come alive with the daily spectacle of jousting events that transport visitors back to a time of chivalry and valor. These events are just the tip of the i