Bermagui to Lakes Entrance

We packed up and had breakfast overlooking the marina and then went our separate ways - Lisa and Dave to Canberra and us to Lakes Entrance, the first stop on our 650km road trip to Melbourne. This was the part of the trip that had caused us concern as the route had been closed for several weeks because of the bushfires. The route takes us past Malacoota which was the place where the Navy evacuated people from the beach. Thankfully the road is fully opened but the devastation was clear to see. We drove for about 300km from Bermagui to Orbost. Virtually the whole way we were driving through burned forest. In places a 40m area had been cleared both sides of the highway quite incredible given the short time available. From time to time we came across the remains of houses, the brick fireplace and chimney the only sign of what had once been a home. We stopped at a rest area and I took a few pictures but these can only give a rough idea and goes nowhere near showing the extent of the damage, burned vegetation in some places as far as you can see. Yet strangely the recent rains had created several green areas. The verges with buttercups next to dead trees, life and death side by side. The closer we got to our destination the less distressed the landscape until we found ourselves once more surrounded by lush green countryside.Read more