Wine trip and Cruise on the Lakes

With a two and a half hour cruise on the Lakes booked for the afternoon, we thought we would visit a local winery. We knew about it because one of the cruise boats goes there and drops people there for lunch. It was only about a 20 minute ride out of town, heading to a spot on the North Arm called Wyanga Park Winery. It was a quaint little place, with wines of course, and dotted around with art from the owner as well as her art group. We chatted with the assistant and heard a little about the place and the wines, sampling some of course.

After buying some wine and bits and pieces and having a good look around the place we ordered a coffee and went out onto the verandah. There we were introduced to a couple of four legged residents, one of whom, Stella, jumped up onto the table and started sunning herself. She looked to be a cross between a King Charles Spaniel and something else.

It was a very relaxing place to spend some time, but mindful that we had to be at the jetty by 1:30, made our way back to Lakes. Rather than go back to the front, we stopped at a little cafe on the North Arm side called The Boathouse where Rae had a rather nice Chicken and Leek pie, and I had a BLAT. It was very relaxing sitting in the sun out of the wind, and was a good choice all round.

Had a browse around a couple of the shops before boarding the boat.We found a seat inside and the boat motored up toward the heads and around past Bullock Island where most of the commercial fishing boats bring in their catches. From there we passed several islands to our left, one of which has a large population of goats, introduced to cut down on the weeds, with great success. We went past Metung, where we had visited the previous day, and then into King Lake, one of several large lakes in this area of Victoria.

We then travelled between Paynesville (also visited the previous day) and Raymond Island, also travelling a little way into one of the man made canals there. Lots of large houses with absolute frontages and each with a private jetty - a view of how the other half lives!

We could see Raymond Island a little better - apparently with lots of koalas, but we didn't spot any of them! That was the half way point and thereafter the boat made its way back along the southern side of the lake, and making a short detour out to the heads where a large colony of seals were sunning themselves. Also, as if on cue, a pod of dolphins appeared. They frequent this area as it's a great fishing place for them.

It was an interesting and relaxing trip, and afterwards we went home to freshen up before trying one of the local clubs for dinner. It was very busy but competitively priced, with a great range on offer. Apart from that, it was very good quality food. Rae had the Parma and a pot special and I had a lamb roast.Read more