Australia - Victoria

Melbourne, like any large city has areas that are badly polluted and others that are much less so. Situated as it is on Port Phillip Bay, and rising towards hills some 30kms away, there are a number of places that are more suitable for people with sensitivities.

As a general rule, anything facing the beach is pretty good. From a holiday perspective Elwood foreshore is very popular and moderate regarding sensitivities, say a 3 depending on the day. The winds are a lot fresher during the winter months, so the air quality is better then, but given the prevalence of on-shore breezes all times of the year are ok. The further away from the city, the cleaner the environment, and I'd suggest heading East rather than West.Heading East out of Melbourne is a road that follows the coastline, known as the foreshore. This has many hotels along it's length ending at Sorrento and Portsea. Staying at Portsea (50kms East of Melb), on the ocean side of Phillip Heads (entry to Port Phillip Bay) has excellent air quality. Outside of Melbourne there is Phillip Island connected to the mainland by a bridge. It has a lovely holiday village and a large range of hotels and houses for holiday rentals. I'd suggest staying on the ocean side as there is always a brisk fresh wind blowing, whereas Cowes, the township, is more sheltered and built up. So for those with sensitivities there is a higher possibility of being affected. Dependent on the severity of your condition, it is possible to have 'time out' by walking along the beaches. Overall, I'd give the "clean" rating in Cowes as a 2-3. Many people with Sensitivities live on the Ocean side of Phillip Island. It is probably one of the best urban environments for people with CFS/ME. I'd rate it at about a 3 - 4. For those who wish to experience the Australian natural landscape and bush, Wilsons' Promontory, about 2 hours drive, is fantastic. There are holiday cottages for rental, or you can get a permit for camping. Wonderful beaches, and lots of wildlife in this National Park. If you can find accomodation that you don't react to this area would rate a 4 - 5.

Going along the South West Coast a trip along the Great Ocean Rd to the 12 Apostles is also a good option. This is a long drive and best done over several days. I would recommend driving past Lorne for the first night. Lorne is in a lovely spot but is heavily built up. Apollo Bay, is a lovely spot for the second night or for a longer stay. Apollo Bay to the 12 Apostles is approx 120 kms, and you pass through some lovely temperate rainforest on the way. I had/have severe CFS/ME and I now live on the coast near the 12 apostles, as this is the cleanest air I could find anywhere in Victoria. I can sustain my health quite well in this location. Like anywhere, there are ocassional days when the air quality is not great for people with sensitivities, from wood smoke, or pollens etc.

In Victoria the prevailing winds are South Westerlies. Basically It makes Landfall on the South West Coast, west of Apollo Bay. The wind has travelled over nothing but the ocean for thousands of kms, and is as clean as you can get. Everything of course depends on the accomodation you find, but there is quite a large variety, and Port Campbell is an excellent spot for a break, even an emergency break if you need one during your travels. Port Campbell is approx 250 west of Melbourne on the Great Southern Ocean.

If anyone is planning a trip, and would like to ask a question, I'd be happy to share what I know.