On the way to Melbourne II

In Mallacoota, it was all about relaxing. Mallacoota is located in the middle of a nature reserve. There is one bay after another here. We found a nice motel. All the motels we spontaneously booked were fine. They are privately run - usually by couples. Most of them have a barbecue area with a large grill and a small swimming pool. They are well-maintained and equipped with cattle, toaster, and dishes. In one motel, the owner even cleaned the car windows in the morning. We continued to Lake Entrances. A pretty touristy place. Touristy here means crowded, and crowded means that there are 10 other people on the beach or that there are other people in the restaurant along with you. All very relaxed. Here is the entrance to an extensive lake area that is 7 times larger than Sydney Harbour. After a 3 km beach walk, we reach this entrance and can observe seals. Dolphins also appeared. Later we were told that a large white shark (5 meters) was spotted at the entrance last week. Their preference for seals regularly brings them here. The next day we explored the area by bike. Our last stop took us to Phillip Island - the island is about 150 km from Melbourne and is a recreational area for Melbourne. On the way here, we drove for about 2 hours through seemingly endless forests. In order to get a closer look at some animals, we took a detour to a small zoo. Koalas to touch, kangaroos to feed, wombats and lizards to marvel at, seeing dingoes live, it was worth it. We skipped the daily penguin parade. Here, the spectators sit behind glass on a grandstand and wait for the penguins to return at sunset, walking right past them. There are almost 2,000 of them. Certainly an impressive sight, but the idea of ​​everyone here trying to get the best spot for a photo, as well as the total commercialization of a completely natural spectacle, kept us away. We hope to encounter one or the other penguin in New Zealand. On a smaller island group, the Nobbies, there are about 2,500 seals. The surf on the beaches facing the open sea is rough. Another blowhole, but without an opening to the top, was very impressive this time. Friday morning was the return date for our Fiat. Honestly, we are glad that we survived these stages without any problems, as we were accompanied by a warning light throughout the entire journey, which was occasionally joined by the oil pressure warning light. After an extensive orientation run through Melbourne, we will now choose a few hotspots before heading to New Zealand. The end of our stay in Australia is approaching. We have experienced countless impressions of an impressive country with various facets. We traveled about 1,600 km. The coast of Australia alone measures about 25,000 km - not to mention the vastness of the Outback. We have seen so much and yet so little. We will certainly not forget Australia and hope to leave a few millimeters of tire tread on these roads someday.