Point Nepean National Park is on the very tip of the Mornington Peninsula. It is famous for its old forts and as the location for Australia’s Prime Minister Harold Holt’s drowning.
Access and Parking to Point Nepean National Park
We parked near the cottage and then took the track to the forts. There is an option to take a shuttle bus, but this seemed to defeat the purpose of being there. The tracks and views make the experience here, not just the old forts.
Coastal View at Point Nepean
As you walk along the main track, there are signs warning of unexploded munitions in the surrounding sand hills. This is because the area was once a live firing range. Only go where you are permitted, because exploring off the tracks could prove to be dangerous.
Warning Sign
Harold Holt Monument
We found the monument to Harold Holt and looked around at the beach he had been swimming at. While we were there the bus came by, as this was one of the stops you could get on or off at. Great place to take pictures.
Harold Holt Memorial in Point Nepean National Park
Fort Nepean
At the forts we looked through the old gun emplacements and fortifications. Before the historical significance of the area was acknowledged, a large amount of material was salvaged for scrap.
Fort Nepean Gun Post
There are some old gun barrels on display at Fort Nepean and the tunnels are open for inspection. Motion detectors turn the lights and audio presentation on when you enter.
Old Artillery Guns
The walk is not difficult, but can take a while depending on how much you explore. Remember to take water and sunscreen, dress for the weather and probably take something to eat as there is no kiosk at the end of the track.
Fort Nepean
The old quarantine station is nearby and worth looking at if you are interested.
We went to the Avalon Airshow, just out of Melbourne on Saturday 4th of March. Getting there was very easy. We bought tickets from VLine online which covered the train from Southern Cross Station and a shuttle bus from Lara Station to Avalon. The trains were running every 20 minutes to cater for the demand. At Lara, there was a queue of buses ready to take people. All very well organised and it ran smoothly.
There was an easy to follow map provided at the gate when we arrived at 8:30AM. There were also several large bill boards around the airfield with maps on them. The ground displays were very well set out, usually with defence force personnel around to talk and answer questions. The weather could not have been better. A top of 28oC. A little cloudy in the morning, but this was mostly gone by midday. We remembered the sunscreen, and were very pleased we did. Some people didn’t bother and by mid-afternoon, a few very red a sore people were standing around.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Most of the current RAAF aircraft were present. The main draw card was the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. We headed there first to avoid the crowds later in the day. The barriers let people get quite close, so you could see a lot of detail and take some great pictures. At one of the two on display, you could reach up and touch the wing if you were tall enough.
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Avalon Airshow March 2017
F/A-18
All three types of F-18s operated by the RAAF were on display, the classic F/A-18A Hornet, the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the new F/A-18G Growler. The Super Hornet also put on a fantastic flying display showing off its abilities. Watching it climb vertically to 10,000m was spectacular. Having never seen one fly before, its maneuverability was surprising and watching it fly down the runway with a 50-degree angle of attack very impressive.
F/A-18A Hornet Avalon Airshow March 2017F/A-18F Super Hornet Avalon Airshow March 2017F/A-18G Growler Avalon Airshow March 2017
Royal Australian Air Force
The old P-3 Orion anti-submarine and patrol aircraft was there, along with its new replacement the P-8 Poseidon. The other Boeing 737 derived aircraft operated by the RAAF the E-7AWedgetail was sitting nearby.
The RAAF’s lead-in jet trainer the BAE Hawk put on a flying display. Although impressive, it showed the huge gap between trainers and a real combat aircraft like the Super Hornet which had flown earlier.
BAE Hawk Trainer Avalon Airshow March 2017
Singapore and New Zealand sent Hercules transports. The RNZAF put on a very nice flying display with theirs. Singapore also sent F-15s which looked very impressive on the ground.
United States Air Force
The US had some of the best aircraft there. Three F-22s were the highlight, along with a B-1 bomber. The F-22 looks a lot sharper than the F-35 and its pilots were very proud of their machines, willing to talk and answer endless questions from spectators. Several older F-16 jets were parked up near the F-22s giving a stark contrast to the old and new technology.
F-22 Raptor Avalon Airshow March 2017F-16 Avalon Airshow March 2017B-1 Bomber Avalon Airshow March 2017
Antonov An-124
What looked to be the biggest aircraft there was the Ukrainian Antonov AN 124. A very impressive looking transport.
Antonov An124 at Avalon Airshow Melbourne March 2017Antonov An124 at Avalon Airshow Melbourne March 2017
Helicopters
Many helicopters were also on the ground display. The Tiger battlefield helicopter looked very lethal, despite the problems that the Army has had with its implementation. The nearby NH-90, which has also had its fair share of issues was also open for a close look by the public. The US contribution to this section was the Apache attack helicopter, always a great sight in its dark grey camouflage.
Tiger Helicopter Avalon Airshow March 2017NH-90 Helicopter Avalon Airshow March 2017Apache Helicopter Avalon Airshow March 2017
Historical Aircraft
Many historical aircraft were on display from many Australian collections. Airworthy examples from RAAF Point Cook, Temora and HARS put on some very nice displays. The Super Constellation, looked huge (and it is a big aircraft), as it circles the runway. On static display were a Harrier jump jet, Canberra bomber and what looked like half of the Temora Aviation Museum’s collection, including the Boomerang, Meteor and Hudson.
C-47 Dakota Avalon Airshow March 2017BAE Harrier Avalon Airshow March 2017Canberra Bomber Avalon Airshow March 2017BAE Harrier Avalon Airshow Melbourne March 2017Training Aircraft Flyby Avalon Airshow March 2017
Australian Army
The army had an M-1 Abrams tank on display, along with the types of shells it could fire. They had many other types of vehicles on display, but most people were interested in the tank.
M-1A Abrams Tank Avalon Airshow March 2017
Getting Back To Melbourne
When we left at 2:00PM, there were still hundreds of people streaming in from cars and buses and the car park was almost full. Some had decided to watch from the boundary fence, and along the roadside. They would have seen the flying displays, but not well, and missed all the ground static displays.
The trip home by train was as easy as the journey in. Arriving back in Melbourne, we had a quick freshen up at our hotel, a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant, and got ready to see a show at night. Overall a very satisfying day.
We drove directly to Melbourne and our accommodation, the Mercure Welcome Melbourne. We had the car parked by the valet for $35 a night. There is an option to park it for $25 a day at a nearby secure parking, but as we didn’t want to walk with bags and would need the car several time, we went for the valet option.
The Mercure Welcome Melbourne is on the corner of Swanston Street and Little Bourke Street. This is right in the middle of the city, so is convenient to nearly everything and at $117 per night was excellent value for money. The room we booked was small, but we were aware of this and only planned to sleep there, so extra room wasn’t needed.
Our eldest daughter had already booked into the hotel, so we caught up with her, and went for a walk along Swanston Street. Where Swanston meets Flinders Street, there is a row of horse-drawn carriages. We rented one for a half hour trip which cost us $100. The cost is the same for one person, or a full carriage. The horses take you down St Kilda Road on a loop. It’s almost as much fun watching other tourists take photos of you, as the trip itself.
Simply wandering around, we came across some excellent street art. An entire alleyway full of graffiti. There are several areas where street art is visible. We asked the concierge for the best area, and he gave us directions.
For dinner, we wandered down to Degraves Street. A narrow lane-way closed to traffic, it’s full of eateries. You can choose to eat inside, or in the street. An excellent choice of meals. There should be enough variety to satisfy most people. We went for Italian, with Italian Peroni beer for me and a cider for the wife.
Dog Statue Swanston St Melbourne
The Businesmen – Statues on Swanston Street Melbourne
Horse and Carriage Swanston St Melbourne
Melbourne Arts Centre at Night
Street Art
Street Art
Day 4.
This was the day we caught up with our youngest daughter at Holmesglen TAFE. She has just finished her catering course for the RAN. As a finale, a lunch was put on for family and some Defence Force Personnel. Everything went very well, and afterwards, we drove her back to HMAS Cerberus, and then for an afternoon snack in Morningtion. There was time for a quick walk on the beach and a chance to look at the beautiful beach houses. These are one of Mornington’s biggest attractions and a must see if you are in the area.
Beach Change Houses Mornington
Beach Change Houses Mornington
The drive back into Melbourne CBD was uneventful. The road is quite boring but along the way are quite a few pieces of artwork, ranging from giant birds, rams heads, gnomes to a pretend hotel. Arriving back in Melbourne, it was necessary to drive slowly through China Town’s Little Bourke Street at night to avoid the numerous pedestrians. They seem to just walk out into the road without regard for traffic.
There was a beautiful sunset over Melbourne and we had a great view from the bridge over the Yarra River next to Flinders Street Station. An evening stroll down Southbank was very relaxing after the drive back, with many of the decorations from Chinese New Year still in place.
Sunset Over the Yarra River
Park Sculpture St Kilda Road
Melbourne Arts Centre at Night
Day 5.
12 Apostles Great Ocean Road
An early start saw us leaving the hotel before breakfast was served. Our car was ready and waiting as promised by the valet.
The drive to the 12 Apostles and along the Great Ocean Road was very easy. Although the scenery is boring at first it improves along the Great Ocean Road, with some spectacular ocean views. We arrived just as the helicopter flights were setting up for the day.
Helicopter Flight
The helicopter flight was spectacular and provides an unrivaled view of the 12 Apostles and the coast line. We took the 30-minute flight for $135 each. The helicopter has eight seats. Beware if you sit in the rear, as the view from the middle seats can be a bit restricted.
Eurocopter EC 130 T2
12 Apostles Helicopter
The flight went west past Port Campbell and then returned. The views of the 12 Apostles Great Ocean Road were amazing and a totally different perspective from those on the cliffs. As well as taking photos, there is a recording made of the flight which you can buy and is given to you on a USB drive.
It’s highly recommended that you get to the Visitor Centre early, as when we landed, the queues were quite long to get on the flights. At this stage though, they were getting another two helicopters out to cater for the growing crowd.
12 Apostles Victoria
12 Apostles Victoria
After the flight, we crossed the road to the lookout. The views here are fantastic and despite crowds everyone can get a good view. If you want to go down to the beach, travel east to Gibson Steps, where there is another lookout an steps down to the sand.
Port Campbell
Ten minutes down the road from the 12 Apostles visitor centre is the small town of Port Campbell. There is a very nice café sitting right opposite the beach. We had apple pie and coffee for a morning snack, rounding off a very enjoyable morning. The town was quite peaceful and relaxing when we were there, but a local told us that in summer, the population swells by 3,000. If you want a quiet time, probably best not to be there during school holidays.
RAAF Museum Point Cook
The RAAF museum was next on our itinerary. It was a three-hour drive from where we spent the morning. Arriving at 2PM, we still had two hours to see the excellent RAAF collection. It hosts aircraft from World War One to the present. The latest examples being an F-111 and a McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom. The World War One and Two exhibits are exceptionally well presented in enclosed hangers, where you can walk around the aircraft for some brilliant views.
The modern hanger hosts the F-4, F-111 and a Canberra. They are displayed behind a Perspex barrier. There are viewing portals in the Perspex so that un-obscured photos can be taken, but you are unable to get close to the aircraft. The forth hanger is more of a storage facility, with the displays held behind a wire mesh. There is an elevated viewing platform, but many of the aircraft on the far side of the hanger are obscured.
The final hanger is where restoration is taking place. This area also has an elevated platform, but the whole area looks a bit of a mess, as it is a workshop, with partially restored aircraft and parts lying around.
Bristol BloodhoundSurface to Air MissileRAAF Museum Point Cook
CAC Boomerang RAAF Point Cook
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom RAAF Point Cook
Supermarine WalrusRAAF Museum Point Cook
GAF Pika and Jindivik RAAF Point Cook
Overnight we stayed at the delightful Quality Suites d’Olive. These semi-detached units consist of a bedroom with king size double bed, lounge, kitchenet and spa-bathroom. All very nicely appointed and good value at $190 a night. They had turned the air conditioner on before we arrived, so the whole unit was nice and cool. Dinner was had in their restaurant; also very nice, with excellent wait staff.
Day 6.
The following day was our biggest planned drive from Point Cook to Bowral in New South Wales, a total of eight hours driving. The Hume Highway is very easy driving, with dual carriage way most of the way. To speed an otherwise boring trip, we only stopped at the roadside service stations. Nothing special about any of them except that they are clean and sold petrol and snacks.
Windmills on the Hume Highway
Bradman Museum
Arriving in Bowral at 3:00PM, we went straight to the Bradman Museum, for a two-hour immersion in Australian cricketing history. Any cricketing fan needs to go here at some time, just to get a feel for the history of the game. This is a world-class museum, despite being in rural Bowral.
Sir Donald Bradman Statue
Bradman Museum Bowral NSW
Bradman Museum Bowral NSW
The Invincibles – Bradman Museum Bowral NSW
Accommodation for the night was at Briar’s Country Lodge. This old inn is in a lovely setting, with a large pond and rotunda out the back. Obviously set up for weddings, it is very picturesque. The inn has a restaurant where you pay up front for your meal and then have it delivered to your table. Much like a pub. Although neither of us liked the meals we ordered, the beers on tap – try the speckled hen; and cider kept us happy on the outside veranda through the evening.
Beer and Cider Briar’s Country Lodge
Day 7. Plans for this day were cancelled, as the forecast temperature was in the mid-forties. Instead of going to Nowra and the Fleet Air Arm Museum, we headed straight home to Singleton. After a leisurely breakfast, we undertook the three-hour drive home, only stopping at a service station on the M1 to Newcastle for coffee and a toilet break. We arrived home to 44oC heat.
The Route Taken
For other great stories from Australia, please use the main menu above, or click on this link
