Cape Banks to Rocklands Reservior

From Cape Banks, we made our way to Brodies Campground at Rocklands Reservoir, where we set up camp from the 11^th to the 16^th of December. Rocklands had been on my radar for some time, and it did not disappoint. Located on the Glenelg River, Rocklands Reservoir is GWM Water’s largest reservoir. Originally constructed to supply the now-decommissioned Wimmera-Mallee Domestic and Stock channel system, it has since evolved into a key recreational destination for the region. 

Brodies Campsite offers a main area with facilities, a swimming beach, and a boat ramp. We ventured further along a track for a few kilometers and discovered a peaceful, secluded campsite with stunning lake views.    The camp is situated on a nice tranquil inlet, surrounded by remnants of trees from the old damming days. This area is ideal for fishing boats, offering a peaceful atmosphere compared to the busier open waters near Balmoral, where speedboats are more common.

With several warm, sunny days, we made the most of our time by kayaking, swimming, exploring trails on our mountain bikes, and taking scenic drives to discover more of this expansive lake system. 

One day, we took a drive to the dam wall, just 15 minutes from Balmoral. Here, water is released from the reservoir into the Glenelg River. What stood out to us was the intricate water management system designed to filter out the invasive carp species, helping to preserve the fragile ecosystem of the Glenelg River.

Going from the fast-paced rhythm of our previous lives, it’s taking us some time to truly slow down. The constant drive to always stay busy is a tough habit to break. However, staying in one place for a few days gives us the much-needed space to unwind and adapt. Living in a van might sound glamorous—and traveling YouTubers often highlight the polished, exciting side of the lifestyle. But what they rarely show are the off-grid realities: monitoring battery systems (which, thankfully, hasn’t been an issue for us so far), carefully managing water usage, and performing routine maintenance checks to ensure safe and sustainable travel.  This isn’t new to us, but sharing these insights with our followers is something I’m deeply committed to as we embrace and explore our new travel-focused lifestyle.