YOU don’t have to go far to go on holiday.
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That’s what the Shipwreck Coasters chapter of the National Campervan Club regularly proves with its weekend trips throughout the south-west.
The group recently spent the weekend in Panmure — only a 25-kilometre trip for its Warrnambool members but far enough to relax and enjoy a change of scenery.
Group president Marita Barling said the group’s philosophy was that “you only have got to go round the corner and you are on holiday”.
“You are away from home,” Mrs Barling said. The main attraction of the group’s trips was the fraternity between members, but finding out the secrets of small towns was also one of the rewards.
“You do not see what is in a town until you walk round the back streets.
“We go to the garage sales. We go to the op shops,” Mrs Barling said.
The group travels on the third weekend of every month to small towns and out-of-the-way places between Colac, Portland and Hamilton.
Mrs Barling said the recent weekend at Panmure involved about 26 people in about 18 vans, motorhomes and caravans from Colac, Mount Gambier, Branxholme and Tarrone as well as Warrnambool.
The group’s trips revealed many delightful places off the beaten track in the Otways, the Grampians and places such as Fitzroy River and Sawpit near Portland, she said.
Socialising included card games and passing on skills such as sewing and embroidery.
“It’s a great lifestyle,” Mrs Barling said.
Some members went further afield on “safaris” on other weekends, but for many there was no need to go beyond western Victoria, she said.
The group includes working and retired people and both singles and couples.
People interested in taking part in the group can ring Mrs Barling on 0438 622 863.