Road Trip!

There is something special about an Australian road trip.

The freedom of the open road, the changing landscapes, and the gradual shift from one environment to another remind us just how diverse this country really is. From dry, sunburnt plains to lush green forests, every stretch of road tells a different story.

Spring is one of our favourite times to travel south. It’s October 2019 and we set off on a leisurely road trip through eastern Australia, heading towards Victoria to visit family in Leongatha.

As always, the journey was as important as the destination.

Our first familiar stop was Bliz Cafe in Nimmitable, our traditional coffee stop whenever we head south towards the coast. From there, we continued on, eventually stopping at Cann River for a simple roadside picnic and a much-needed cuppa.

The little rituals are often what make a road trip memorable.

Our first overnight stop was Marlo, a small coastal town in East Gippsland, just south of the New South Wales border.

The road we had planned to take from Cann River had other ideas.

We had noticed the increasing wind during the drive, but we certainly weren’t expecting a fallen tree to bring our journey to an abrupt halt. There was a brief pause while the male members of the collective group of stranded travellers gathered to inspect the situation and discuss possible solutions.

Unfortunately, no one had a chainsaw.

The tree remained firmly attached to its stump, and after some head scratching, the decision was made.

Time for a detour.

Backtracking through Orbost, we found ourselves travelling through a very different landscape.

It was a hazy spring day, with the flat, green farming country stretching out around us. The scenery was understated rather than dramatic with open fields, rural roads and that quiet sense of space that is so characteristic of country Australia.

Marlo

Marlo is often described as “where the Snowy River meets the sea”, a beautifully simple description of this small coastal town in East Gippsland.

Perched on a headland overlooking the floodplain and estuary, Marlo is where the meandering Snowy River completes its long journey before flowing into the Pacific Ocean through a sandbar estuary.

It’s a quiet, understated kind of place, where the landscape takes centre stage. Wide open views, waterways, sea air and a sense of space create the feeling that life moves at a gentler pace here.

After our unexpected detour from the fallen tree, arriving in Marlo felt like exactly where we were meant to be.

We found Marlo to be a wonderfully quiet coastal town, surrounded by waterways, beaches and the rich river flats of East Gippsland.

The landscape here is shaped by the meeting of land and water — fertile farmland stretching along the river, sheltered estuary waters and a coastline that invites exploration. The area is well known for its fishing, bushwalking, birdlife and peaceful remote beaches.

Unfortunately, our stay was far too short to experience everything Marlo had to offer, but we did manage a lovely walk along the river towards the estuary.

And once again, Jeff had discovered another scenic path for us to follow.

Leading up another garden path perhaps?

(Although, in fairness, his choices usually do lead us somewhere worth discovering.)

There’s nothing worse than sand in your shoe!

Just below the Marlo Pub, where we were staying, sits the Marlo Jetty, a simple spot that perfectly captures the character of this little coastal town.

When we visited, it was wonderfully quiet and almost deserted. Standing on the jetty, we could look out along the estuary in both directions, watching the water stretch away towards the meeting point of river. No crowds, no rush, just the sound of the water and the feeling of having discovered a peaceful corner of Australia.

Further along the estuary, we came across a rather unique piece of waterfront real estate.

Someone had built a small cubby house complete with its own “For Sale” sign and a chair positioned perfectly to take in the views.

Naturally, Jeff had to conduct a thorough inspection.

The verdict?

A cosy one-bedroom residence, uninterrupted water views, an open-air kitchen and a peaceful outlook.

Perhaps not quite up to our usual accommodation standards, but the location was hard to beat.

Ahhh… the serenity.

Further along the estuary, there was another intriguing little construction.

This one was less “waterfront real estate” and more a work of creative imagination.

We loved these unexpected little surprises along the way, reminders that sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you weren’t looking for.

Beachcombing……

Two heads are better than one 🙂

The Marlo Pub is clearly the place to be, especially on a Sunday afternoon.

Happy Hour certainly caught our attention, with beers for $2 and wine for $4. Add in a complimentary bowl of deliciously salty hot chips, and we were very easily convinced to settle in for a while.

The real highlight, though, was the view.

Perched overlooking the water, the pub is the perfect spot to watch the day wind down as the sun sets across the estuary. The only reminder that you’re still surrounded by nature comes in the form of the insect repellent thoughtfully provided by the pub and yes, it was definitely needed!

A cold drink, hot chips, a beautiful view and nowhere else we needed to be.

Pretty much the perfect end to a day in Marlo.

Cheers to a beautiful sunset.

Fish Tacos

Great food, a comfortable bed and a peaceful night overlooking the estuary.

Marlo wasn’t a planned highlight of our road trip, but it definitely turned out to be. 

Catherine & Jeff