Ahhh the weather has struct again with major rainfall limiting what we can do while in Bairnsdale and Traralgon.

Bairnsdale seems a lovely country town that is somewhat deserted due to the weather. The forecast for Victoria is for widespread major rainfall of between 100-300mm and potential flooding. We are told by the Caravan Park manager that we may have to evacuate should the level of the Mitchell River rise by a metre or so but thankfully that didn’t happen.

We squeeze in a quick trip out to Paynesville, with some friends we met in Eden, just before the rain hits. Due to the deluge, the only real time outside we manage is a walk along the river and a wander through the shopping precinct of the township.

Just as the rains ease off, it’s time to move again. We pick up and relocate to Traralgon dodging rain showers along the way. There is so much to see in the area but we are already booked to move again so we make the most of an afternoon drive in the Latrobe Valley and manage a trip down to Port Welshpool and Port Albert via the forested area around Balook.

The drive takes us through farming areas, past power stations, up into pine plantations, through rain forest and then on to lakes and ports. Pretty much everything is covered in the space of a hundred or so kilometres. Of course the showers of rain are blowing through the area and limiting the opportunities to take photos so only a few are shown here.

Balook, at the top of the range nestled within the rain forest, is very small but has a great cafe where the owner tells us about the local parrots. A quick trip to the park gives us a chance to see these beautiful birds which are quite happy to let us get close. Their colour is amazing which makes me wonder how they hide from predators. Then when you try to find them in the trees you realise that they blend in better than you expect.

From Balook, we follow the Tarra River, or creek at this point, from the top of the range down through the valley and onto the bay. Coming across Port Albert where a look back at the mountains from the pier shows us ominous clouds that are headed our way.

Nevertheless we manage to stop at a few places including Port Welshpool during the drive. There, we have a clear shot of only part of the Long Jetty as it is currently being restored. Still the photo with Snake Island and Wilsons Promontory in the background is pretty good.

We round out the trip with dinner in Morwell then back to Traralgon for the night.

Onto Healesville in the Yarra Valley for a few days of sampling the local wines, gins, beers and fruits. Well someone has to do it…