Summer Holidays

Day 1 - 10th January 2011

Yesterday we set off on holidays with my mum & dad, Griswold's eat your heart out...

9.30am time to pick up ma & pa, with all those bags it was evident that mum was prepared for the long journey (only 4 1/2hrs) with all she had packed, crisps (chips), sweets (lollies), ginger (soft drink). Our destination Paynesville.

Paynesville was originally called Toonalook which is an aboriginal name for place of many fish. The Post Office opened on 8 November 1879 as Toonalook and was renamed Paynesville in 1886 by the Dickson family who still reside in the area.

Paynesville is a popular tourist resort, 18 km from Bairnsdale on the McMillan Straits. Located at the centre of the Gippsland Lakes system, Paynesville is surrounded by Lakes Wellington and Victoria to the west and Lake King to the east, with McMillan Straits separating it from Raymond Island.

As the boating capital of the Gippsland Lakes, Paynesville promises a memorable holiday to its visitors. The town is unique in that it boasts a network of man-made canals - which provide easy access to the lakes and the region's attractions.

Situated at the mouth of the Mitchell River are the famous Mitchell River Silt Jetties. The Jetties form a delta of interest to both scientists and visitors - extending almost 8 kilometres into Lake King from the cliffs at Eagle Point. You can drive or walk along them.

Paynesville is a mecca for the boat enthusiast and is famous for yachting and speedboat racing as well as water-skiing.

It is the headquarters for the Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club and speedboat championships are held each year.

Raymond Island, accessed either by boat or on the car ferry, has attractive shorelines and plentiful bushland. Go koala spotting or look for other native wildlife.

Close by is Eagle Point. Visit the Bluff or take a drive along the Mitchell River Silt Jetties - the second longest in the world.

We headed into Bairnsdale this morning and decided we would go see Gullivers Travels a the cinema. We were a little early so decided to go for a coffee first as we crossed at the lights I walked with dad who is a bit achy this morning from Arthritis and not so steady on his feet. Mums bounding along behind Rob fell over and has a shiner of an eye as a result. She hit the side of her face and her glasses pushed into her face. Not sure who was more in shock mum or I! Any way all is good we sat for a while as Rob went to the optometrist to get her glasses fixed. Eventful start to the holidays, quiet night tonight dinner at the Pub then off to Lakes Entrance in the morning.