Day 104 - January 4

Most backpackers check out times are 10:00am. Warrnambool Beach Backpackers was no exception.

One of the better backpackers I've stayed at.

We packed all of our stuff and was set off to the Grampians National Park. We headed toward Portland (the birthplace of Victoria) as that was where the turnoff would be for the Grampians mountains, according to Craig. Too bad he was sleeping until we got to Portland and we missed the turn towards the mountains. We spent about 30 minutes trying to find the turnoff and we kept passing a strawberry farm. I decided that it was a sign and that we should stop there. While asking for directions we also picked strawberries.

I picked the greenest strawberry there was. It was super tart! If you ever need a strawberry picker, I'm not the droid you're looking for. They also had strawberry wine. It was really good.

We finally headed toward the correct direction, Hamilton. From hamilton we went to Dunkeld. In Dunkeld we checked out the info. centre where they showed us the highest peak in the Grampians, Mt. William; elevation of 1,167 m (3,827 ft).

We climbed to the top of Mt. William. Seeing mountains was not a new thing for me, but being at the highest point of the mountain was another thing. The view was exhilarating. It was  a 360 degree view of the Grampians.

Fitting that I had a Canadian hoodie and he had an American Shirt. Shortly after I pushed him off the cliff.
Canada FTW!

At the top of the peak there is a dial that shows the name and elevation of the other mountains.

I pwn these mountains!

Break dancing on the dial.

In the distance to the right, there was either a controlled fire or lots of people stop, drop, and rolling.

We climbed down and drove toward the town of Halls Gap. It was like driving to Banff, but without snow. Halls Gap, like Banff, was situated in the mountains.

We stayed at Brambuk Backpackers Hostel where it costed $25 a night for a 12 person dorm. We had the whole dorm to ourselves. It looked like a military dorm with all the bunkbeds so close to each other.

Our room. So many beds to choose from.

 The main room.

We went into town and bought beef to make burgers. Craig put some burgers on the 'barbie'. There were 2 eggs in the 'free from other backpacker' part of the fridge, so we added that to out toppings. we also had avocado and Brie cheese with English muffins as the bun. It tasted awesome!

The chef at work.

That's one giant piece of meat!

<> <><>

 The meat is bigger than the buns. 

Luckily I can stuff giant meat in my mouth... wait a sec...

After dinner we walked along a path through a short field and the woods. We walked off the path into the field where there were a bunch of kangaroos.

This was the first time Craig had seen them. He decided to chase them. It was epic!
Warning! The following show features a stunt performed by an American. Any injuries or deaths that occur to him will be ignored.

I walked really close to a couple. If you slowly walk to them, they stay their ground.

Although we did hear of a kangaroo attack the day before, it's usually not a good ideat to chase kangaroos, especially Red Kangaroos, they're the largest.

We also watched an indigenous dance presentation.  They had special dances that were to keep bees away or to communicate with nature.