Road Trip!

Thursday, 25 October – Lakes Entrance

We love a good road trip and we love heading to Phillip Island for the MotoGP.   Traced the track of our previous Phillip Island trip two years ago, heading south through the Monaro region and down the eastern cost of Victoria, this time breaking the journey with a night at Lakes Entrance.

First up – coffee!  The Belz Cafe in Nimmitabel doing a roaring trade across the road from the long time established Bakery.  I’ve had coffee at the Bakery in the past 😦  No wonder the Belz is so busy.  A cafe is only as good as it’s coffee and service.

And so was the Bacon and Egg Roll.

Already there were sightings of many motorbike enthusiasts on their way south.  It’s like an annual migratory stream of bikes, all with the same destination in mind – Phillip Island.  The further south we went, the more bikes.

A brief stop at Orbost for a cuppa – I had way too much energy!

Lakes Entrance

Staying at the Esplanada Spa and Resort – the largest hotel complex in Lakes Entrance.  It was comfy.  After sitting in a car all day, we were ready for a long walk before dinner, heading along the Esplanade taking in the sights of boats and across the bridge to the beach.

We found a French restaurant for dinner, thinking of it as a small warm-up for our trip to France the following year. We weren’t disappointed — just honest, comforting French cooking,

Froggy’s Bistro, Lakes Entrance

• Veal Blanquette with Trumpet Mushroom Sauce
• Poisson de Jure (Rockling) with Provencale Sauce
• Peach Melba – OK, not so French but it sounded good.

Friday, 25 October – Inveloch

We were on the road early, heading toward Leongatha with a morning coffee stop in Bairnsdale. We chose Paper Chase Café.  Great atmosphere and a lovely space to linger, but sadly the coffee didn’t quite live up to the setting.

Heading further south, we then spent the day in Leongatha, enjoying a relaxed family-style lunch with family, and the chance to slow down and catch up properly. Nothing fancy, just good pizza, a glass of red, and easy conversation around the table, the kind that makes you feel instantly at home.

From there, it was a short twenty-minute drive on to Inverloch, where we settled into a warm, cosy one-bedroom townhouse for the next three nights. Perfectly located within walking distance of the essentials – pubs, cafés, and the local supermarket – it made an ideal base for exploring the area and an easy commute to Phillip Island over the weekend.

Inveloch Beach

The tradition (set by Jeff and his good friend Ralph over many years of MotoGPs) was Friday night dinner at the Inlet Hotel.  A crowded place on a MotoGP weekend and the food is very good.

• Battered Flathead and Chips for Jeff
• Veggie Stack for me

Saturday, 27 October – Philip Island

A cold day for Day 1 of the MotoGP.  We arrived at 10.00am and set off to the left of the course.  An overcast day with only a small shower in the afternoon.  Food wise we chose Dahl & Rice from the Indian tent around lunch time (it was OK) but the Greek spicy lamb from the other side of the track in the afternoon was certainly far more delicious.

An quick get away from the track at the end of the day made for a relaxing dinner.  Jeff had packed one of his very hearty Beef Cheek dishes, accompanied with boiled potato and asparagus which we enjoyed back at the townhouse with a glass of red.

Sunday, 28 October – Phillip Island

A very early start to get to the gate before opening at 8.00am.  We managed to secure a fantastic position track side right on the fence and set ourselves up for the day in a spot where we had a panoramic view of the track plus could see the ocean.  The sun was out but it was still cold during the morning.

Coffee and jam donuts for morning tea – hey, it’s the MotoGP!

An aerial display at lunch time by the Airforce PC-21s.   A bit of a weak show (disappointing).

For lunch on Day 2 we shared a Kaisar Spicy Sausage.   So good, with lots of chilli.

Thank good the afternoon warmed up enough to take off our coats!  And sunblock was needed after burnt faces from the wind on Saturday.

Thoroughly enjoyed the main race with much excitement, spills and tension.

Unfortunately it was a two and a half hour slow slog to leave the carpark and get off Phillip Island at the end of a long day of racing.  This was a little hard to take.  But, we made it back to Inveloch just after 8.00pm and managed to beg some pizzas from the Pizza Shop as they were closing.

Two tired people.  Two happy people.

Jeff & Catherine