Melbourne to Portland 358km

I am joining an organised group to walk the Aussie Camino.

Getaway Trekking is a Melbourne based company who arrange walks here in Australia and overseas including the Kokoda Trek in PNG and walks in Spain, Japan, UK and Morocco.

The Aussie Camino was first developed by Luke Mills around 2014 in recognition of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop.

I have been staying at the Mary MacKillop Spiritual Centre in East Melbourne.

This morning I met the group in the Mary MacKillop chapel where there was a brief overview of her life and then an opportunity to visit a small museum and purchase items in the gift shop.

Before all this I went and found coffee and a croissant and visited the big cathedral near by St Patrick’s – very grand.

We are a group of 11, we have a mini bus and a trailer – we headed out with a sense of adventure and excitement buzzing in the bus. We are from as far as QLD, Sydney and regional Victoria.

The drive was interesting with lots of rural scenes to look at and much chatter- everything from walking, travel, animal spotting and Gin! I requested a stop if we see baby goats. At Warrnambool there is a quick pit stop at the Info Centre here they have a display from the movie Oddball – I have added it to my watch list.

We arrive at our accommodation for the next 3 nights the very comfortable Victoria House. I have a comfortable room and ensuite – no bunks for me tonight. We go to the local pub for dinner then back for our walkers briefing for tomorrow.

There are breakfast plans, weather to think about and a possible sunrise to watch.

I’m excited to get started with the walking tomorrow.

For now it’s time to rest, recharge and prepare….