George Bass Coastal Walk with Sherlock

Kicking off 2026 with a bang—or rather, a buzz—of flies, our family drove 2 hours to tackle the George Bass Coastal Walk at Kilcunda for some fresh air and New Year's vibes. Weather started perfect: crisp morning sun, light breeze, ideal for a coastal stroll with Sherlock leading the pack. Little did we know, noon heat, crowds, and an insect apocalypse awaited.

The Enthusiastic Start Turns Chaotic

We set off buzzing with energy—Sherlock bounding ahead, kids walking fast expecting some hidden lookout that would wow them, adults snapping pics of the stunning Bass Coast views. But just 20 minutes in, reality hit hard.

The sun cranked up, turning the trail into a sweaty uphill battle with relentless hills and kicked-up dust clouds coating everything. Worst of all? Swarms of flies descended like a scene from Lord of the Flies. They dive-bombed faces, clung to legs, and turned our enthusiasm into a desperate flap-fest—Sherlock included, shaking his head like a wet dog on steroids.

Kids Bail, Adults (and Sherlock) Push On

The kids wisely called it quits, trekking back to the car to escape the fly frenzy and heat. Us adults, stubborn as ever, pressed on with Sherlock (poor guy had no vote). Another 15 minutes of dodging bugs and gasping up inclines got us to a lookout point—rewarding ocean vistas that barely made the ordeal worthwhile.

Sherlock guzzled water like he'd run a marathon; I've never seen him down a full bowl in one go. Spirits broken but mission sorta complete, we headed back, dust-caked and fly-traumatized.

Lunch Recovery: Fish, Chips, and New Year's Treats

By return, it was prime lunch hour. We hit a local spot for the crispiest fish and chips—salty, golden perfection that revived our souls. Sherlock? Totally pooped. He flopped in the shade, ignoring an offered shrimp (unheard of!).

Only after 45 minutes did his food radar ping back on. New Year's called for indulgence: I shared plain fish (batter-free, promise) and a few fries. I'm sensing the side-eye and disapproval look—I know it's not everyday fare. But after that trail heroics (and the 2-hour drive each way), he earned the sustenance. Who's judging a good boy on January 1?

This walk was a hilarious reality check: nature's beauty comes with bugs and burnout. Next time, dawn start, bug spray arsenal, and maybe skip noon. Sherlock's already dreaming of softer adventures—probably on the couch. What's your wildest New Year's outing gone wrong? Share on the comments 🐾