#Creswick
#SlatyCreekCampground
#freecampingVictoria
In this episode, we travel in our converted Ford transit campervan, with our dog, to Creswick, Victoria, Australia. We free camped at Slaty Creek Campground In the episode I show you around the free campsite in this episode.
On this getaway, our friends Laura and Rob bring along their new La Vista caravan free camping for the first time. They show off their camp cooking skills and provide some camping tips.
We decided to share the camp cooking on this getaway. For breakfast, our friends cooked us Spanish beans with chorizo and for dinner, made chicken schnitzels with a mushroom sauce with a side of potato mash. Adam and I cooked roast chicken and vegetables in our camp oven and cooked up a ‘big breakfast’ over the gas burner. There’s nothing like outdoor cooking!
In this episode, we try gold panning, where Rob shows how he uses his metal detector in the search for gold. We take you for a walk around Creswick and Saint Georges Lake.
Creswick is a historic former gold-mining town, located between Ballarat and Daylesford. The town is surrounded by thick pine and eucalyptus plantations, many of which were first established when the Victorian School of Forestry opened in 1910. A number of historic buildings which serve as a reminder of the town's gold mining history line the streets of Creswick. There is the post office (built in 1862), former town hall (1876), former Bank of NSW (1861), and several other public buildings and churches. At the corner of Albert Street and Raglan Street is a bandstand that dates back to 1897.
Creswick offers several natural attractions and outdoor activities for visitors. Enjoy bushwalking and scenic drives through the extensive Creswick Regional Park.
Visit Calambeen Park which was the town's Chinese camp in the gold mining days and now features lakes that are suitable for fishing or swimming. Park Lake Botanical Reserve, located on the Midland Highway, is a 15-hectare park that was established in 1860 and features a lake, rotunda, established trees and recreational facilities.
ST. GEORGES LAKE
St Georges Lake is a local favourite for swimming, walking and photography. Once a mining dam, the lake has been developed into a picturesque haven for relaxation and recreation. The main picnic area features free electric barbecue facilities, picnic tables, bench seating, grassy lawns, toilets and a walking track.
SLATY CREEK CAMPGROUND
We camped for free at the local Slaty Creek Campground within the Creswick Regional Park, which consists of three camping areas. Campground No 1 is at the entrance, which has the drop-toilets. The area provides camping on both sides of Petticoat Link Track, with Slaty Creek running alongside.
This whole area is fantastic for bushwalking, birdwatching and gold prospecting. No booking is required, and camping is free.
THE FARMER’S ARMS HOTEL, CRESWICK
The award-winning pub and restaurant is a perfect out-of-town destination. The Farmers Arms offers a paddock-to-plate experience. They have an inviting atmosphere and friendly and knowledgeable staff. You can sit in the relaxed bar, lounge area or beer garden and enjoy a classic bar meal and one of the 12 beers on tap. They are pet friendly, where you have your dog in the beer garden.
We hope you enjoy our channel. We enjoy part-time van-life, creating weekly episodes that are live at 5pm (AEST) Sundays, and sharing our experiences on our travels with our cavoodle, Twyla. In our episodes we stay at free and paid campsites, showing our tips and tricks on how to make life on the road easier and fun. Come join us on our adventures!