BATH FOUNTAIN HOTEL AND SPA JAMAICA

Liz’s blog 15th July

We woke today with the sound of rain on the roof but the wind has eased so we’re all go today. Our target is Mount Gambier, home of the limestone caves.
We started out weaving in and out of the streets to find the highway out, traffic was heavy and visibility poor but we eventually found our way out, to the M1 motorway, 6 lanes wide. From here it was fairly easy, apart from the rain and the traffic, at least we were on the right track and couldn’t get lost. This motorway wound it’s way through the second half of the town, through a pretty cool road tunnel, through the hills, and out of the rain, to rolling farmland. We turned inland at Tailem Bend (who thinks of these names) which then went along the coast, through Coorang – a huge area of saltwater marshland . We filled up at a wee place called Meninges where we met 2 blokes, 1 a fisherman who wanted us to check out Beachport and Salmon bay and the other one who’s dad was a motorcycle cop and told us that they all dressed in black and snuck up behind you to surprise you with a ticket. From here we raced along to Kingston, home of the giant lobster and from there across to Mt Gambier. The whole time we were zig zagging between huge dark clouds which broke loose on us every now and again. We made it to Mount Gambier, huge forests, a huge paper mill and a complex of limestone caves under the city and around the area. We were a bit wet but dried off pretty quickly. Pizza haven for tea and the Aussy Masterchef elimination night on the telly.
Tonight we stay here and tomorrow it’s “the great ocean road” and Melbourne.

Liz’s Blog 16th July

Well maybe I was a bit ambitious with today’s plan.
After we left Mount Gambier we turned off the main highway to cut across to the coast. Our first fill up was only a wee way on in Nelson where we met a guy who warned us of how long it would take us today, as once you get to Victoria the roads are a lot slower, and to watch for cops. He wasn’t wrong. In our travels today we would leave South Australia behind us and enter into Victoria – land reknowned for speed camera’s, strictly enforced speeding limits and wait for it a speed limit of 100km/hr. As soon as we crossed the border the traffic slowed up, passing opportunities were limited and it became quite a bit colder. We stuck to the main road until we reached Warrnambool (population 32000, at least 2 MacDonalds, Subway, KFC and Redrooster) and then turned to join the Great Ocean Road. This road was fairly straight to start with but as it reached the coast became quite winding along the coast. The views of the limestone cliffs were amazing and there were several pull in points where you could stop and take photos. The last time I had been down there was 1993 and it had certainly changed since then. There was a lot more traffic, fortunately going the other way, and they had developed the most famous stop, where the 12 apostles were, to a full on tourist destination. They have built a visitor centre, complete with cafe, a huge car and bus park, a helicopter sight seeing business was operating from a building behind the car park with at least 4 helicopters, 2 up at a time. They had built a walkway underpass to get to the lookout which was the only part that was the same. The view, however, was awesome, and although you couldn’t see all of the 12 apostles (limestone pillars, built up over thousands of years) it was still a great sight. After this the road continued winding up the hill and back along the coast to Apollo Bay and eventually back to Melbourne. Probably half way back we decided to leave the Great Ocean road as the traffic was very slow, and it was so cold we needed a quick return to somewhere warm. We cut through from cape Otway, through the beech forest, and back to Colac where still freezing cold we joined the A1 towards Melbourne. This part of the motorway was very slow, tedious and cold, so when we finally we got to Geelong, we called it a day. It was already 4pm and we had only gone 440km. A slow day.

Liz’s Blog 17th July

Today we re adjusted our target, it would now be Geelong, Melbourne, Phillip Island then Orbost along the coast.
Late start, Confuser lost the program just before we left
Quick recalculations left us going through the centre of Melbourne instead of around, and I was not pleased. However we did get to see the centre of Melbourne, go over the huge bridge and throught the ??Burney street tunnel which I swear went straight down before resurfacing on the other side of the city, after a very long time inhaling exhaust fumes.
We then went through a couple of toll roads – good luck finding us to charge us for that one as even we didn’t know where we were.
From there we travelled the motorways with “confusers” help aiming for Phillip Island.
The scenery was picturesque and who knew that Phillip Island was actually an island connected to the rest of Aussy by a bridge. The wind was off the sea so it was pretty chilly but the sea

View over the Graham's Wetland Reserve.
Earmarked for future development by Wyndham Council.
Werribee South.
Victoria.

"The Werribee Council will consider buying 63 acres of rivermouth land for a recreation reserve.
The Shire Engineer said that about 63 acres exists unstream from the boat ramp at Werribee South. This area is the balance of a subdivision at present being dealt with by council and is designated 'Landscape zone.'
The area is flat and swampy and subject to flooding and only a small portion is suitable for building.
'A suggestion has been made that the council acquire this land for possible future recreation needs, but because of its situation it is felt that the usual requirements - playing fields, etc. - would not be suited, but that its natural swamps and the State rivers drains which cross the land in question form the basis of a passive recreation areawhich may include a bird sanctuary, scenic walks, barbecues, etc."
"Based on valuations of the low areas at Corpus Christi and the rateable value of the property, it is thought that cost of acquisition would be in the order of $300 to $350 an acre. However the ultimate purchase price would, of course be subject to a sworn valuation.
Under the ordinance, the area cannot be further subdivided because it has less than five chains frontage to Diggers Road and the Council also owns between 1.5 and two chain stream reserve" Werribee Banner newspaper of 25 July 1973, page 8

TUG-O'-WAR FOR LAND ON RIVER
Fifty-four acres of low-lying land at the Werribee River mouth are featuring in a tug-o'-war between a Werribee South farmer and the shire council. The farmer, Mr Ralph Graham, of Farrants Road, has the land. The council wants it . . . But at the right price.
The council first showed interest in the land in mid 1973, when the shire engineer said that 63 acres could be bought for between $300 - $350 an acre.
In 1970 shire council considered private development of the land for a wet marina, hotel/motel, shops, residential subdivision.
Another application came forward last year when Mr Graham wanted to build a wet marina on the land. The council supported the plan "on the condition that propper facilities and services were provided, and a definite progremme of development be submitted." The Board of Works opposed the plan.
Mr Graham then submitted another proposal for a dry marina, to be built in five stages, with a total capacity for 600 boats.
Originally a figure of $5,000 an acre, a total of $270,000 was placed on the land by Mr Graham. The council valuer proposed a value of $1,000 an acre. No further arrangements to negotiate a meeting were taken.
The 54 acres adjoin Crown land under the council's control, as a committee of management of the foreshore. The council had in hand a grant of $40,000 from the Dept of Urban and Regional Development in Canberra.
Council decided to have the land appraised by two independant valuers, and consider the matter at a future meeting.
- Werribee Banner of 07 May 1975, page 1.

COUNCIL BUYS WERRIBEE SOUTH RIVERLAND
Werribee Shire Council has purchased 54 acres of land at the mouth of the Werribee River for provision of recreation land.
Deposit on the purchase price was provided by the Australian Government and it is anticipated that the total cost of $164,000 will come from Canberra.
- Werribee Banner of 23 July 1975, page 1.

Parkland plan given approval
A concept plan for the development of 22 hectares of parkland at Werribee South has been approved in principle by the Werribee Council.
The land is leased by several people at present and development would not go ahead until funding was available and the leases had either expired or had been ended by negotiation.
The area known as Grahams Land is undeveloped and has significant areas of remnant saltmarsh and wetland vegetation.
The land is bounded on the side by the Werribee River, immediately upstream of the boat ramp and opposite the Rivercoast Estate.
The plan proposes that the remnant vegetation be conserved and formal development restricted to the north east corner of the land.
The reserve would have a walkway system with access from the coast, the car park and the Diggers Rd - Beach Rd intersection.
The paths would include "Tranquil dead ends" which lead to points of interest and to scenic views.
Any planting in the reserve would be limited to indigenous specis suitable for the area.
Rock platforms for fishing would be considered, and observation platforms for bird watching could be built.
In the area for formal development seating and picnic areas would be considered.
A possible final stage for the development could also include a floating restaurant if anybody interested in the proposal could be found.
The development of the area could be found from four areas according to the report. The areas were -
As a normal budgeted item within Council estimates.
Sale of part of the land which could