We got in early with our Australia Day drive this year by having it the day before! This freed our members up for other activities on the Day and avoided some of the traffic, giving us a fairly clear run along some of the fabulous roads Peter Williams had selected for us.
With ample time between meet and departure times there was plenty of opportunity for groups fto form and chat before we split into two groups, one leisurely and the other, well, not so leisurely.
Scenic, as always and with a great balance of twists and turns, rise and falls but fast or easy as you choose. Fortunately our route was not affected by bush fires past or present but, attractive as the landscape is, the bush fire potential was painfully obvious and smoke did obscure some of the views in the distance.
The other major component of a successful drive, great company, was definitely enjoyed, at the half way stop at Warburton and especially after the drive sitting around having a coffee or a drink before dinner, and during dinner as well.
It was great to have time to have extended conversations and make a few new friends, particularly for those on their first drive with us who were extended an inclusive welcome by our wonderful members.
Some of us stayed overnight and enjoyed a bit more of Marysville on the Monday.
Altogether a brilliant weekend.
Lawrence Glynn #3
Well, where do we begin? Every club member has a first outing, and ours with BMW Drivers Club Melbourne certainly didn’t disappoint!
Tony and I joined the club because the trip calendar caught our eye immediately — plenty of social days and drives, which is exactly our kind of thing. So when the Australia Day eve drive to Marysville popped up, we figured there was no better time to dive in.
We made our way to the BP Service Centre in Officer on a glorious Sunday afternoon. It was a busy spot, but finding the club group was hardly a challenge — just look for the conspicuous cluster of BMWs gleaming in the carpark and you’ve found your people! With no familiar faces to greet us, we did what any BMW enthusiast does and started chatting with whoever was nearby. It didn’t take long at all — everyone was incredibly friendly, with a wonderful mix of cars and a great variety of reasons for being club members. That alone told us we’d made the right call joining.
The turnout was impressive, with nearly 30 cars expected on the day. Right on time, Lawrence stepped up and delivered a clear and thorough briefing, running through the schedule and what to expect. Given the big numbers, we split into two groups and settled happily into the second. With Lawrence’s reassurance that the Tourboss would get us there, we focused on the important business — the drive itself.
Once we escaped the service centre and hit the quiet country roads, the day really came alive. The weather was absolutely perfect for having the top down on the E36, and those roads delivered just the right blend of sweeping curves and open stretches to put a smile on your face while keeping everything well within the rules. We made our way to Warburton for a halfway stop — an iced coffee, a good stretch of the legs, and some conversations with fellow members before pushing on for the final leg to Marysville.
And what a final leg it was. That stretch of road is a genuine treat, and we rolled into Marysville without encountering any meaningful traffic — practically unheard of! We’d planned to have a quick drink before exploring the town, but the restaurant’s shady deck, relaxed atmosphere, and frankly excellent company from our fellow club members made leaving completely impossible. No regrets whatsoever.
Over dinner we swapped stories, shared some laughs, and got to know quite a few members. The drive home was spent happily recapping the day and attempting to remember everyone’s names — a task we almost certainly failed at, so sincere apologies in advance if we blank on yours at the next event!
We couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the club. The perfect distance, beautiful scenery, and a genuinely welcoming group of people made for a memorable day out.
We’re already looking forward to the next one.
Cheers,
Michele & Tony Rodriguez #1469
