Just beyond the Great Ocean Road in Victoria traveling west is the small beach side town of Portland. It was here we spent 6 fabulous nights to enable us to fully explore the region and discover the best of Portland. What an amazing location we found it to be, there are so many things to see and do!

This is one of those few towns we have been to where we could picture ourselves living and certainly somewhere we will revisit in the future.

The Portland weather was great to us and we enjoyed beautiful sunny skies and good weather. March and April may just be the best months to visit before the really cold weather sets in.

Portland Marina

Discover the Best of Portland at the Port

Portland has a large, deep, sea port and is currently a major timber and wood chip exporting location. The Port of Portland is a great way to discover the best of Portland. Watching the trucks at the Port being unloaded of the wood chip cargo is eerie when you watch for the first time. The trucks are raised high into the air to an almost upright 72 degree angle until all the cargo is released. It is fascinating to watch and it would be interesting to know how those trucks are locked in.

Each truck only takes a few minutes to unload. A new truck enters the Port every 30 seconds, 7 days a week. They unload products including logs, wood chips, aluminium ingots, livestock, grain and fertiliser.

A large fishing fleet occupies the Marina with Rock Lobsters, Abalone, Fish and Squid all bountiful and caught in the beautiful local waters. It’s a busy wharf with lots of activity.

The Jetty’s and Pontoons are perfect fishing grounds for land based fisherman and the rock walls are home to a variety of fish. Snorkeling and spear fishing are very popular here.

Portland Camping

For our accommodation at Portland we stayed at the Henty Park Campground which is behind the Portland Cable Tram Station. The Tram takes you on a 7km journey around the town and is mostly run by volunteers. The Campground is a free 48 hour stay for vehicles which are self contained and became a great location for us to make new friends and a great base to discover the best of Portland and nearby beaches.

We also had one night at the Sawpit Picnic Area just out of town to break up our stay at Henty Park.

Here are Our 22 Best Free Camps in Australia

Cape Bridgewater Beach

Cape Bridgewater

A short 15 minute drive out of town is Cape Bridgewater, one of the best beaches in the region. It is as good as anywhere with beautiful white sand, clear blue waters with waves rolling in on a calm day. It was here I attempted to go surfing with my Cousin Tim and his wife Amy, only my second ever attempt. Alas, at least I tried.

There are so many awesome beaches around Australia, here are our lists of Best Beaches –

The Best Beaches in Australia 1-10

The Best Beaches in Australia 11-20

The Best Beaches in Australia 21-30

Seal by Sea tour

Seal by Sea Tour

We also completed the Seal by Sea Tour at Cape Bridgewater and this would have to be our best value for money tour on our trip so far. You will discover the best of Portland by sea for just $40 per adult. They will take you along the rugged coastline to view the cliff faces to the first of several large Seal colonies.

Then they took us further up to the tip where we witnessed big NZ Fur Seals and a few Australian Seals before heading back to the first group of Seals where they have a shark cage located. For an extra $20 they provide Wet suits and snorkeling gear to allow you to swim with the Seals. We were all very keen and jumped into the waters to engage with the Seals.

The Seals were otherwise occupied though and didn’t come to us in the cage so we asked could we go out of the cage. The guide said we could but it would be at our own risk. “Risk of what” we asked? “Great Whites” he said!! Without hesitating we all jumped into the water anyway and for almost an hour we swam with the Seals. The Seal Pups were so inquisitive and would come right up to us, sometimes stopping in front of us to take a look.

Watch our videos of us swimming with the seals:

Seal by Sea Tours are still just $40 but they now have new snorkeling tours. Book the trip we did or view their new tours at their website – http://www.sealsbyseatours.com.au/

Cape Bridgewater Koala

Our First Koala Encounter in the Wild

Heading back from Cape Bridgewater we were surprised to find a Koala beside the road. We stopped to ensure he didn’t venture onto the road and were amazed when he came over to Adele allowing her to pat him. The Koala was surprisingly friendly and then it took off heading for our Motorhome. At first we thought he was looking to hitch a ride but eventually we got him into the bushes away from the road.

Amy Surfing

Tim Surfing

Blacknose Point

Blacknose Point is a very popular surfing spot at Portland and our cousin and his wife got out the surfboards and headed in for a paddle. We sat on the rocks and enjoyed watching them in action and managed to capture some great photos.

This time I left it to the experts, my training wheels are still on at this stage!!

Portland Wind Farm

Portland Wind Farm

The Portland Wind Farm is one of the largest in Australia. These huge wind turbines generate electricity from the wind. This one in Portland produces 500 GWh annually, enough electricity to power approximately 125,000 homes each year or over 7% of Victoria’s annual power.

Petrified Forest

Petrified Forest

Just past the Wind Farm is the Petrified Forest. The formation of the Petrified forest is a collection of hollow tubes of Limestone called “solution pipes”. These have been eroded over millions of years of rainfall. Water gathers in a shallow pan of sand and seeps downwards dissolving the Limestone. The mineral saturated water then cements the sand, forming hard, trunk shaped pipes. Some of these pipes can be up to 20m high.

Portland is approximately 200kms from the South Australian border in the south west of Victoria. It’s a great place to stop with lots of shops, excellent accommodation for a weary traveler and the people of Portland are very friendly. The winter months do get very cold so the peak tourist season is usually from October to May each year.

The Great Ocean Road begins about 120kms East of Portland just past the town of Warrnambool.

Some other great places to stay along the Great Ocean Road are:

Anglesea Beachfront Caravan Park

Marengo Holiday Park

Have you been or are you yet to discover the best of Portland? Tell us about your time in Portland?

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

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Photography and Socials

Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2upyEfM – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2GoBt37 – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses – Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2RL7CY7  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/2ve3w2Z This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/37pCAM9 – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2RpOJed  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/37oKkhb  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

___________________________________________________________________________

Where to Find Us

Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/

Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3

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This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.

Our very first night on the road, I got pissed!! I wasn’t looking to save money on alcohol that night.

The whole saga of packing up our house and the nightmare of reducing our lives to what we could fit in a Motorhome was horrific and our first night on the road was huge. Our new neighbours were awesome and I went hard. From what I remember and what I was told, it was a lot of fun.

Whilst that hasn’t happened since, what has been a constant is Happy Hour. Every day back at camp there’s Happy Hour happening and we’re often front and centre. If there’s not a community one then we will have our own.

A few drinks each afternoon have been a part of the social life living on the road as we travel Australia.

Without the budget we had at home when working we don’t have the funds like we used to. Our favourite drops of Small Batch Bundy and $30 bottles of Sparkling have been reigned in significantly and we have mastered a few skills at reducing our costs on joyous festivities.

Our Tips on How to Save Money on Alcohol

Let’s look at our Best tips to saving money on the turps!!

Give up the Grog!!

Ohhh who are we kidding!!

Not going to happen is it! We do have one friend who actually did give up all alcohol whilst doing the lap.

But we can save money by ensuring we are drinking responsibly and maybe cut back on our consumption. This is probably wise given we spend a lot of time driving.

Happy Hour at Quobba

Downgrade

As I mentioned, before we left we could afford closer to the top shelf for our drinks but now it’s all bottom shelf. Basic level spirits and wine and sparkling under $10 are our budget. Even better is when the are on special.

I’m not a beer drinker but our son even found himself buying Tun when we were traveling. A Carton of 30 cans was cheaper than a slab of any Aussie beers.

Downgrading has probably been our best way to save money on alcohol while traveling!

Uncle Dan

We find Dan Murphy’s the cheapest of the major chains and Liquorland can have some great specials too. The Cleanskin range of wines is excellent value and has a good Sparkling White for $6-7 and even a Sparkling Red. Adele likes Moscato and we buy them for $5-6 a bottle. I don’t get any headaches from this range.

They have a huge range of beers and usually at the best prices.

I enjoy ciders and buy these by the carton which also provides more savings.

Become a member for free and receive even better discounted prices.

Visiting Wineries

We have visited so many winery regions around Australia and learnt this is where we tend to over-spend our budget. Now when we visit wineries we go with a plan.

One of us has to drive so the sober one makes the buying decisions. It’s so easy to walk out with a carton of wine way over your budget after you’ve visited a winery or 3.

We only sample what we genuinely think we might buy. By reading the wine list first and working out which drinks we know we would enjoy it helps us make better buying decisions.

Drink at Camp

We don’t go out very often when traveling. We make all of our own meals and drink back at camp. This has saved money on alcohol heaps for us during our travels.

Pub Stays are Never Cheap

Early on in our trip we worked out those Free or $5 Pub spots for camping ultimately always ended up costing us the equivalent to 2-3 nights in a Caravan Park. 2 meals and a couple of drinks each and you can easily blow $100.

We rather find a Free Camp or if we ever do stay at a Pub, we go in for 1 drink and then head back to camp.

Bundaberg Rum

Drink Slower

The first thing we taught our sons as teenagers was to not drink too fast. Of course, when they’re young they go hard early and the next day I’d tell them all about what they missed out on.

By drinking slower not only will you wake the next day with a clear head and no embarrassing photos taken of you, it’s a lot cheaper too therefore you save money on your alcohol bill.

Set a Time

Consider setting a time of day before you allow yourself to start your first drink. I never drink before lunch time, only very occasionally in a social setting I might have a Cider with lunch, but mostly it’s at least 4pm before I’ll have my first drink of the day. There are some days where at 2 or 3pm I’m thinking I’m a bit thirsty but I check the clock and figure I’ll wait a bit longer.

I’ll have 2 drinks before dinner and then I’m done.

Stop to Eat

Start drinking as close to meal time as possible, that way you can stop while eating and if you’re anything like me, I struggle to keep drinking after I have eaten.

Dudley Wines Kangaroo Island

Don’t eat Salty Food

Put away the chips. Same goes for biscuits and dip. All those salty, fatty foods just make you thirsty and you drink faster and more.

For snacks, instead choose carrot, celery, olives and bread with a homemade pate.

Bread can also help absorb the alcohol.

Drink Water

In between drinks have water. It might be after every second or third drink. It will help you pace yourself and keep your night under control.

Wine Spritzer

Our friends love their wines and decided to mix the White Wines with some Soda Water. They’re main reason was to just dilute some of the alcohol but it also makes the wine bottle last longer. This will help to reduce the cost when drinking wine.

Others mix their wine with water or lemonade for the same effect. (I wouldn’t but apparently others do)

Of course you can add Ginger Ale or a range of juices and garnish it to make a Wine Spritzer.

Don’t Drink and Drive!!

This could be an ultimate cost from drinking. If you’ve had more than one, hand the keys to someone who hasn’t had any or arrange other transport.

Our ‘How to Save Money on Alcohol’ is just one of a series of articles we have compiled on ways to save money while traveling. You may also enjoy reading:

How to Save Money on Food and Groceries

Save Money staying at Caravan Parks

How to Save Money on Accommodation

Pin It!

Let us know if you have any other tips on how to save money on alcohol!

Drink responsibly and safe travels!

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

___________________________________________________________________________

Photography & Socials

Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2upyEfM – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2GoBt37 – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses – Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2RL7CY7  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/2ve3w2Z This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/37pCAM9 – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2RpOJed  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/37oKkhb  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

___________________________________________________________________________

Where to Find Us

Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/

Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3

___________________________________________________________________________

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.

Doing the Big Lap of Australia means a lot of hours driving our Highways. It’s a huge country and there can be long distances from one destination to another so I have my favourite driving songs as I travel.

Listening to great music helps keep me concentrating and my energy levels high.

My phone has hundreds of songs for the many times a good radio station isn’t available and I thought I’d share with you my favourite songs as I drive.

My original plan was a list of 10 but I couldn’t reduce it to just that few so it’s a Top 15. The list is not in any particular order.

These aren’t necessarily my all time favourite songs, just the ones I love most when I’m driving and in the mood to whittle away some time by belting out some tunes.

If you see me driving and singing out loud, it’s probably one of these playing 🙂

What is your favourite song when driving?

1. Way out West – James Blundell & James Reyne

At one stage over our trip, I don’t remember exactly where it was, but I mentioned the words Way out West and it reminded me of this song. I quickly jumped on and downloaded it and it’s been a favourite since.

2. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol

We were helping our friends renovate their house in Narrandera NSW before it went up for sale. I was mowing their ridiculously large backyard singing this song out loud, all the time thinking the sound of the mower was louder then me singing. Apparently not!!

Our friend Kerry said to me, “I don’t want to scare the buyers away” haha

3. Copperhead Road – Steve Earle

Just has to be on the Best driving song list!!

4. Life is a Highway – Tom Cochrane

Another one where recently I commented Life is a Highway and it took me back to this song. It’s a ripper and now I can’t help but sing it out loud.

5. Ride Like the Wind – Christopher Cross

My mate Jason just reminded me of this one and it goes straight to the Top of the list.

6. Zombie – The Cranberries

Wow, the voice, the pain, the message, the song. The song is in memory of 2 boys killed by IRA bombs in England in 1993. She sings this with such emotion it’s so hard not to feel it and sing with her. There’s no version better than hers and losing Dolores O’Riordan recently was a sad day.

7. Radar Love – Golden Earring

Play this and not get pumped up, I dare you. You’ll be belting out the tune in no time.

8. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynard Skynard

Great song that has stood the test of time. Has to be loud so you can sing loud too haha

9. Bustin Loose – Moving Pictures

Better known for their song What about Me, but for me this is my favourite song of theirs, I just love it.

10. My Immortal – Evanescence

The voice, the song. The songs writer said “My Immortal’ is a song of pain and despair caused by the loss of a family member or very close friend. We’ve all felt that pain and this song really resonates for me

11. Father & Son – Cat Stevens

This song makes me think of my sons as I travel. Cat Stevens sings the song in 2 voices, one as the Father and one as the son with a powerful message. The son wants to travel, Dad wants him to settle and think of his future. I give you the Legendary Cat Stevens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-7c4VNGOgU

12. April Sun in Cuba – Dragon

No best of list for me can be without Dragon. One of my all time fave bands, watched them play so many times. Marc Hunter, was a crazy human, but what a voice. Such a sad day when we lost this legend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHFFuukk9Y8

13. Hotel California – Eagles

How do you pick just one Eagles song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wDfiCDoHy4

14. Fire Lake – Bob Seger

Another one who I could have picked any Bob Seger song and been happy with it. I am hoping that one day I may see him play live. Bit of a Bucket List item J

Bob Seger described the song as “The lyric is about taking risks. About risking love, chucking it all and just heading off with a bunch of wild people, whatever.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld1l4Ud7jp8&t=21s

15. Yesterdays Hero – John Paul Young

Gets me singing every time no matter my mood. We saw JPY at Wagga’s Rock at the Races and he is still as brilliant as ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVSEiveFY7g

Favourite Driving Songs Close Contenders

These are the ones to lose out from my list.

Jukebox Hero – Foreigner

Sounds of Then – Ganggajang

Solid Rock – Goanna

Jack & Diane – John Mellencamp

The Gambler – Kenny Rogers

Straight Lines – Silverchair

Learning to Fly – Tom Petty

You ruined me – The Veronicas

Walk of Life – Dire Straights

Here I go again – Whitesnake

Imagine – John Lennon

Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen

Piano Man – Billy Joel

Baker Street – Gerry Rafferty

Kryptonite – 3 Doors Down

Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin

And anything from Dr Hook, Boz Scaggs, Billy Joel, Dragon, Pink, Toto, AC/DC or The Angels could also easily have been there 🙂

What are some of your favourite driving songs?

Safe travels

Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave

_______________________________________________________________________

Photography and Socials

Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:

Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2upyEfM – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.

Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2GoBt37 – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses – Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2RL7CY7  This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/2ve3w2Z This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/37pCAM9 – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2RpOJed  – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.

Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V  –  is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.

Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/37oKkhb  This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.

___________________________________________________________________________

Where to Find Us

Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/

Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3

_______________________________________________________________________

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.