Hastings Vic, Apollo Bay Vic

Ok, just logging in as a little birdie told me my name was metioned ;)

We are down Warrnambool way. There is surfing along a the coast down here, both east and west. I am not a surfer though, so can't really comment. I am still getting to know the area. Whilst it is a friendly place to live, it is leaning more to country/bogan (I mean there are both country folk and some bogans, not calling country bogan iykwim), than to hippy. I would like it to be a bit more hippy, there are enough people though that you can just hang out with those with a similar mindset if you want. Smaller towns would be a bit better, like Port Fairy as previously mentioned. I have often wondered what Timboon would be like, we wanted to look at houses there, but they always fell through.

All you can really do is take a drive along the Great Ocean Rd and see what place takes your fancy if you want to move along the coast.

Rainforest what's the critique on Lakes Entrance?

What about Port Fairy Astrid? Would it be a nice family town...? Would it be 3 hours to Melb from there?

I've been to Lakes Entrance a few times (I was there for a few hours a couple of weeks ago) and it's really lovely :). When you drive in it is just BEAUTIFUL. There is surf out there, but I've never personally surfed there (always stuck to the Island or Torquay or Inverloch) so I'm not sure what it's like. You also have the benefit of the lake nearby. I think the weather can be a bit extreme from what I've heard too, it can certainly get cold! It can become very busy during the holidays though, we could barely walk through the main street it was that packed.

Have you thought about Inverloch? It's just past Phillip Island, it's beautiful and has some great surf spots. Lots of farms and things too.

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If you move to Apollo Bay you'll never get rid of me!

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I'm sure we could work out some sort of BB custody agreement - you have Lu and I alternating weekends. :p

Port fairy is a gorgeous seaside town. Pretty quiet in the off season, busier in the summer. A few nice places to have coffee and eat, a great music fetival once a year and loads of surf. ;) Yeah about 3 hrs from melb. Another lovely spot is Port Campbell. I'd live in either of those towns. :D

lakes entrance is awesome!! we used to holiday there every summer, love the place!

Where is Port Cambell???

Had a look at Inverloch - noice... What is Wonthaggi like - following on from Raven's comments... :rolleyes: I like a bit of an alternate lifestyle so the moccy brigade just isn't me... :lol:

If you don't want the moccy brigade, don't move to Wonthaggi! (No offense to anyone who has or does live there!)

DH's aunty is a school teacher at the primary school there and she has some VERY scary stories to tell *shudder*.

Port Fairy is lovely, my step-sister lives in Warrnambool and loves it there.

Lakes Entrance was lovely, but very very busy- in fact, i would describe it as packed! i know it's peak season atm, but i just felt like there was way too many people there. i get the feeling you're looking for a more sleepy coastal type village, so unless you're heavily into boating, i'm not sure that it's what you're looking for. i would be more likely to head to something along the great ocean road- more rugged and sleepy.

Thanks Rainy - when I googled PortFairy I felt like I had come home! But it's about 5 hours to the inlaws. Maybe that's a good thing hey? They live up at the border near Shepparton - would that be right 5 hrs to there?

I like the green and the old houses. I even found the dream house. DH has long service mid year and that's when the whole kabang could happen...

Port Campbell is half way between Port Fairy and Apollo Bay. ;)

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Rainforest what's the critique on Lakes Entrance?

What about Port Fairy Astrid? Would it be a nice family town...? Would it be 3 hours to Melb from there?

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Think it maybe a nice family town, the whole area down here seems pretty family friendly. It is about 3hrs from W'bool to Melb, so add about another 20 min on that. It really depends on traffic and stops with kids. The first part of the Geelong bypass is in, so that takes about 15min off I think. Just wish they would put in dual lanes the whole way, it would make a huge difference. Just thought you might like to know that Port Fairy has naturally occuring fluoride in its water :p ;) If you do head on down this way for a look feel free to PM me if you want to catch up.