Run from Warragul to the Cape Kitchen, Newhaven.
It is sometimes alleged that a road less travelled by, will make all the difference. So, with this in mind the usual route from Warragul to Phillip Island via Lang Lang was cast aside in favour of a more scenic route that incorporated a generous morning tea break at Loch on the Sth Gippsland Highway.
Despite it being a rather chilly morning, it was terrific to see so many sports cars assembled at the departure point with their roofs stowed away in anticipation of a fine sunny day. As well as the more sporting MGs, MX5s, Porsches, Lotus and such-like, the assemblage contained a broad spectrum of vehicles ranging from your classic Morris Minor to a Range Rover Vogue.
The route headed south from Warragul along the Korrumburra Rd for a couple of kilometres before a right turn at the not-very-well-sign-posted Stockdales Rd, which was missed by at least one of our number. Stockdales Rd is a quiet little undulating road that joins back onto Hamiltons Rd which took us over to Lardners Track where we turned left and headed south once again. This part of Lardners Track is quite open and before it begins to tighten up around Topiram, we turned right into Sheehan Rd and enjoyed a rollercoaster-ride to Hallora. Then it was a right turn into Brock Rd which took us over to the Main Sth Rd – this follows a very picturesque route that sweeps along through undulating pastureland before morphing into Timms Rd which climbs out of the valley and joins up with the main Poowong Rd just a few kilometres north of the town. From Poowong it was a straight- forward drive down to Loch for morning tea.
Loch is becoming quite a tourist destination in South Gippsland with its picturesque streetscape encompassing an impressive range of antique shops, galleries?and cafes. It was here that we collected a few more club members on their way to the Island, and spent a pleasant 45 minutes soaking up the sun?s rays at alfresco caf?s or wandering down to the corner to check out what I believe is the jewel in Loch?s crown. This is an old rusty Nissen hut which houses an industrial/mechanical junk shop that carries everything from old pedestal drills to vintage electrical switch gear and even the proverbial kitchen sink.
It was easy to overstay our time in Loch, but eventually the straggly convoy headed out of town on the Wonthaggi Rd which climbs steeply and then follows a ridge line through the South Gippsland hills. Our convoy-leading Bugeye soon caught up with the group of Harley riders we?d seen and heard earlier in Loch, they too were enjoying the scenery and sweeping bends as we all headed south down towards the coast. Those without roofs over their heads were watching a large dark cloud and hoping that our paths would not intersect, however, we seemed to cop the edge of it and put up with some light drizzle as we turned off towards the lovely little village of Archies Creek and onwards to Dalyston on the Bass Highway. Hitting traffic for the first time broke up our convoy, but from Dalyston onwards it was a simple drive through Kilcunda to the Anderson round-about and then on through San Remo to Phillip Island and the Cape Kitchen where we met up with more members who?d made their way directly to the venue. There was plenty of parking available so we circled the wagons, had a bit of chat and watched Steve Hoole fettle his V8 MGB?s throttle linkage before making our way indoors.
Your correspondent couldn?t stay for lunch, so the Bugeye was kicked back into life and pointed towards Warragul for the lonely drive home.
A report on the rest of the Birthday Bash activities will hopefully follow.
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What a superb selection of cars, with one of my favourites being the Morrie Minor complete with LED driving lights and winter woolly-fied steering wheel cover!