Around 260km from Melbourne, this lovely town is a real beacon for all sorts of travellers.

Even the Whales love it here…Southern Right Whales come to this area to give birth between June and October, and can be seen from the shore.

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As with most coastal towns the emphasis here is on the water.

Although lighthouses dot the coast there were still plenty of wrecks in this area…thus the name of the shipwreck coast which has stuck to this day.

Tower Hill state Game Reserve is only 15 kilometers from Warrnambool and is set on 614 hectares, and occupies the crater left from a now extinct volcano.

From the moment you turn off the highway the fantastic lookouts start.

Aboriginal relics were found in the volcanic ash; which is thousands of years old. The first record of Europeans at the site was not until 1802 led by Captain Baudin.

Nowadays Tower Hill is a favourite for visitors to the region as well as home to some incredible wild life.

The aboriginal history of Tower Hill is explained in the visitors centre.

We meet up with Paul Kelly who was only to happy to share a little history.

Activities include a chance to learn how to throw a boomerang, not as easy as it looks.

The best views are reserved from the top which is accessed via a boardwalk.

All along the trail picture post card moments present themselves.

The park has a picnic area and there are many and varied walk options available.

Each and every week on this show we feature the latest and greatest as far as Caravans and RV’s go. This time we are trying something a little different.

Many of us would know the story, many years ago we splurged and spent our hard earned on the smartest van we could afford…but like many of us it has some character lines forming, well it is looking tired.

Well know there is a solution…a restoration.

Debbie from Warrnambool Caravan Repairs shed a little light on the process.

The cost of renovating is less than that of a new van and at the same time you are utilising that model that has already given the family so many great memories.

Even the outside gets a touch up and the shell is carefully resurrected and the chassis is checked and resprayed.

And you can add whatever you like to make it comfortable for the whole family.

All the mod cons are installed including the very latest in sight and sound equipment.

Warrnambool Holiday Park is a proud member of the Top Tourist Park Chain.

The cabins are neat and provide comfort for your stay, under shaded tree lined streets.

and during the warmer months ready access to the swimming pool is an absolute must.

Or there is pool of another kind in the games room located just off the swimming area.

While the vanners have it made thanks to large sites and the addition of ensuites for the vans.

This is really catching on in most parks now and are very welcome…especially in the middle of the night.

Give them a call on 1800 650 441, it's free!

Our next port of call is the delightful seaside village of Port Fairy, 300 kilometers from Melbourne and well worth the extra 30 minute drive from Warrnambool.

Port Fairy has been a long time favourite for destination for Victorian holidayers, on the Great Ocean Road.

The name Port Fairy came about when Captain James Wishart a sealer in the 1820's was faced with a tremendous storm, he managed to find shelter in the bay here and name it Port Fairy after his cutter, The Fairy.

Twenty years later it was renamed Belfast by James Atkinson, after his home town in Ireland.

An act of parliament in 1887 changed the name back to Port Fairy.

Port Fairy also plays host to the very popular Folk Festival, the biggest in Australia.

The town is known for tourism, and one look around and you can see why.

The Port Fairy Wharf is a tourist attraction all of it’s own and many a tourist has spent the day down here watching the casual and commercial anglers go about their trade.

A raft of nautical paraphernalia dot the water front as well as popular eateries and one thing is for sure…the catch is fresh!

Now Port Fairy still being very much coastal, we felt the best way to get your bearings is by stretching your sea legs.

And while we were visiting the Port Fairy wharf we took the chance to jump onto one of the many charter boats available to see the town by water.

There are some magnificent homes along the water here, and viewing them by boat is the best way.

We took the aquatic angle, whilst other tourists take the land based option…on foot.

This area is also known for the migration of the mutton birds, also known as the short-tailed shearwater.

This colony of birds is known as the 'Pea Soup' colony.

Each year the birds return to the nesting grounds almost exactly on the same day.

With eggs hatching in January.

Battery Hill and Fort offers a different perspetive on Port Fairy.

With massive canons and guns thought to be from the 1860's.

It is well worth a look if you are interested in the history of the area.

After our charter up the river earlier we were intrigued by the lighthouse that stands proud over all of Port Fairy.

The lighthouse was originally housed on an island called Rabbit Island but has over time been emcompassed by Griffiths Island.

So it is now known as either the Port Fairy Lighthouse or the Griffiths Island Lighthouse.

Built in 1859 by a scottish stonemasons, when

this region was prolific with sea going traffic, and up until as late as the 1980’s was still considered one of Australia’s largest fishing fleets.

Thus the need to illuminate the watery highway.

There has not been a lighthouse keeper in residence for some fify five years, as automation took over.

All along this easy walk by the lighthouse further information is available, designed to paint a picture of days gone by.

Port Fairy Anchorage Holiday Park was the last stop in our coastal tour.

It is well within walking distance to the town proper.

And the cabins range from the budget style all the way through to what can only be described as pure luxury.

Indoor heated pool makes usable all year round.

There's an extensive games room, mini golf, and lazy sunday mornings a free pancake brekky.

To book your stay when you are in Port Fairy free call 1800 063 346.

On Next Week’s show Tania leaves the black top and heads to Dargo in Victoria for some off road action. She meets up with an AFL legend, shares some stories with a few local characters, and experiences the small towns of the region.

Well that wraps up another Discover Downunder, but there's more next week.

Don't forget the Jayco Competition, get those entries in!

Also a reminder about the 2008 Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow at Caulfield race course.

Lots of fun and chock full of motorhomes, campers, caravans, tents, camping equipment and 4 Wheel Drives.

Fun for everyone, it starts April 23rd. Log on to their website for more information,

www.caravanshow.com.au

And pick your copy of the latest Caravan World, it makes great reading.

See you next week, and get out there and Discover Downunder.

Products & Contacts:

1. RV SHOWCASE : TRACK TRAILER
   
   www.tracktrailer.com.au
   
   
2. JAYCO
   
   P.O. Box 636
   1 Jayco Drive,
   Dandenong South
   Victoria 3175
   
   Ph: (03) 8792 2000
   Fax: (03) 8792 2192
   
   
3. ROMA CARAVANS
   
   18/70B Hume Highway
   Campbellfield Victoria 3061
   
   Ph: (03) 9357 7440
   Fax: (03) 9357 7445
   
   Email: info@romacaravans.com.au
   
   
4. MAY WEST CARAVANS
   
   Ph: (03) 9369 3300
   Fax: (03) 9369 3302
   
   Email: info@maywest.com.au
   
   
5. WARRNAMBOOL CARAVAN REPAIRS
   
   Hyland Street
   Warrnambool, Victoria 3280
   
   Ph: (03) 5562 7359
   Fax: (03) 5562 7359
   
   Email: garyr@dod.com.au
   
   
6. FOURBY FITOUTS
   
   Ph: (03) 9708 6605
   Fax: (03) 9708 6604
   
   Email: info@fourbyfitouts.com.au
   
   
7. WARRNAMBOOL HOLIDAY PARK
   
   Freecall: 1800 650 441
   Fax: (03) 5562 0552
   
   
8. PORT FAIRY CARAVAN PARK
   
   Freecall: 1800 063 346
   Fax: (03) 5568 3373
   
   www.anchorageportfairy.com
   
   
9. PORT FAIRY CHARTER BOATS
   
   Departs Port Fairy Wharf
   
   Ph: (03) 5568 1480
   
   
10. WORN GUNDIDJ VISITOR CENTRE
    
    Open daily from 9am
    
    www.worngundidj.org.au