Saturday, March 24, 2012
THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
In mid March we moved along to Peterborough, a central location on THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD a very tidy park with lovely amenities, not always found at other parks. On the one side was Bass Strait and the other was Curdies Creek, lots of green grass as opposed to gravel and plain dirt.
From here we travelled back and forward along the Road turning into the many viewing spots to observe the might of the sea and the effect it had on the limestone cliffs, imaginatively named 'The Twelve Apostles' (now only nine in number) 'London Bridge' 'Bay of Islands' etc.etc. Sometimes there was quite a walk to observe a blowhole or whatever and some days could be quite tiring, specially when the temperature climbed to 30 degrees.
On the Sunday morning - before John watched the Melbourne Grand Prix, we went up to the corner and observed a vintage car rally as it went past - they are so beautifully restored shiny and bright.
One trip was back to a historic and quaint little township called "Port Fairy", the name of which had me wondering, but I was told it was after a ship called Fairy which sheltered there in 1828. The beautiful 19th century buildings have been in the main, sensititively joined by other constructions over the years which match their beauty, we took a walk and identified some of them and explored the port which has a flourishing fishing industry.
On our way home we visited another volanic crater, locally named Tower Hill and on the way to the bottom which was only wetlands - not a lake - we encountered an echidna, kangaroos and emu, probably many other creatures were in the bush also, but not showing themselves to us.
On the way home we passed through Warrnambool and took the opportunity to grocery shop and refuel,
wow we get through a lot of fuel - I figure we will be financially much better off when we get home, not driving such long distances and consuming so much diesel.
From here we travelled back and forward along the Road turning into the many viewing spots to observe the might of the sea and the effect it had on the limestone cliffs, imaginatively named 'The Twelve Apostles' (now only nine in number) 'London Bridge' 'Bay of Islands' etc.etc. Sometimes there was quite a walk to observe a blowhole or whatever and some days could be quite tiring, specially when the temperature climbed to 30 degrees.
On the Sunday morning - before John watched the Melbourne Grand Prix, we went up to the corner and observed a vintage car rally as it went past - they are so beautifully restored shiny and bright.
One trip was back to a historic and quaint little township called "Port Fairy", the name of which had me wondering, but I was told it was after a ship called Fairy which sheltered there in 1828. The beautiful 19th century buildings have been in the main, sensititively joined by other constructions over the years which match their beauty, we took a walk and identified some of them and explored the port which has a flourishing fishing industry.
On our way home we visited another volanic crater, locally named Tower Hill and on the way to the bottom which was only wetlands - not a lake - we encountered an echidna, kangaroos and emu, probably many other creatures were in the bush also, but not showing themselves to us.
On the way home we passed through Warrnambool and took the opportunity to grocery shop and refuel,
wow we get through a lot of fuel - I figure we will be financially much better off when we get home, not driving such long distances and consuming so much diesel.
MOUNT GAMBIER
Whilst staying at Heywood we drove to Mount Gambier. Along the way we found a strawberry farm and I had to restrain myself from eating the whole 500 grams, sweet and delicious, totally superior to those found in the supermarkets.
At Portland we observed a wind farm in action and the Cape Nelson lighthouse and watched the boiling of the seas of Bass Strait.
Also along the way was miles and miles and miles of tree plantations, mainly pine and eucalyptus stretching across the border with SA and into Victoria.
In 1870 the South Australian Government were alarmed that so much clearing of land had been done, they encouraged land holders to plant trees and sent out 200,000 until 1924 when they had given 11 million to 63 landholders. Brilliant thinking eh ! The area also has sheep, cattle and wheat farming and looks lovely and prosperous, of course stretching across to the Victorian side also.
Mount Gambier is the largest city in regional South Ausralia, located on the slopes of a dormant volcano and in my opinion quite spectacular. Inside the crater created by the volcanic eruption is the Blue Lake and it is a gorgeous shade of royal blue. The blurbs tell that the water absorbs tiny crystals of calcium carbonate from limestone and the red colours of the spectrum which then show blue, and after about April they resume a grey colour, so glad we visited in March to see that spectacle. We spent some time climbing as high as we could find to take more and more photos.
At Portland we observed a wind farm in action and the Cape Nelson lighthouse and watched the boiling of the seas of Bass Strait.
Also along the way was miles and miles and miles of tree plantations, mainly pine and eucalyptus stretching across the border with SA and into Victoria.
In 1870 the South Australian Government were alarmed that so much clearing of land had been done, they encouraged land holders to plant trees and sent out 200,000 until 1924 when they had given 11 million to 63 landholders. Brilliant thinking eh ! The area also has sheep, cattle and wheat farming and looks lovely and prosperous, of course stretching across to the Victorian side also.
Mount Gambier is the largest city in regional South Ausralia, located on the slopes of a dormant volcano and in my opinion quite spectacular. Inside the crater created by the volcanic eruption is the Blue Lake and it is a gorgeous shade of royal blue. The blurbs tell that the water absorbs tiny crystals of calcium carbonate from limestone and the red colours of the spectrum which then show blue, and after about April they resume a grey colour, so glad we visited in March to see that spectacle. We spent some time climbing as high as we could find to take more and more photos.
Friday, March 23, 2012
I FORGOT TO MENTION...
I forgot to mention that while we were staying at Ararat we drove to Halls Gap market on the Sunday, not a very big market, there were lots and lots of people there because it was a long weekend in Victoria - as I think it was in Tassie also.
On the way home to the van we called in to Stawell, and to the oval where the famous Stawell Gift is held. The oval featured some beautiful gates installed as a memorial to World War 1 soldiers, very picturesque and with lovely rose gardens on one side.
We visited a Uniting Church with some beautiful coloured glass windows and a gold mine from which 2 million ounces of gold has been extracted over the years.
On the way home to the van we called in to Stawell, and to the oval where the famous Stawell Gift is held. The oval featured some beautiful gates installed as a memorial to World War 1 soldiers, very picturesque and with lovely rose gardens on one side.
We visited a Uniting Church with some beautiful coloured glass windows and a gold mine from which 2 million ounces of gold has been extracted over the years.
SIR REGINALD ANSETT TRANSPORT MUSEUM
Moving on we drove through miles and miles of Grain Fields and the Grampion Mountains.
On the way was Hamilton, famous as the place from where Reginald Ansett began his Transport Empire, firstly in 1931 driving a Studebaker car to Ballarat.
The Victorian Government, anxious to protect their railways refused to give him a licence so he circumvented this by selling oranges to people at greatly inflated prices and the government had to admit that they WERE non fare paying passengers !
Undaunted in 1936 Reg bought a Fokker Universal passenger plane and the Ansett empire was born!
The memorabilia on display conveys the company's rapid growth from a single vehicle road service to an international airline; which was subsequently run into the ground financially and deliberately by a New Zealand airline in March 2001.
I remember it very well as I was on the last flight to Brisbane and stranded there for 6 weeks till I could get one of the specially arranged flights with Quantas.
On the way was Hamilton, famous as the place from where Reginald Ansett began his Transport Empire, firstly in 1931 driving a Studebaker car to Ballarat.
The Victorian Government, anxious to protect their railways refused to give him a licence so he circumvented this by selling oranges to people at greatly inflated prices and the government had to admit that they WERE non fare paying passengers !
Undaunted in 1936 Reg bought a Fokker Universal passenger plane and the Ansett empire was born!
The memorabilia on display conveys the company's rapid growth from a single vehicle road service to an international airline; which was subsequently run into the ground financially and deliberately by a New Zealand airline in March 2001.
I remember it very well as I was on the last flight to Brisbane and stranded there for 6 weeks till I could get one of the specially arranged flights with Quantas.
ARARAT CONT....
To demonstrate what a small, small world it is, the owner/manager of the Caravan Park at Ararat at which we were staying, used to rent the house next to ours in Howrah, Tasmania approximately 11 years ago WOW - JR reckons she has changed, I guess I have too.
Aradale was a mental institution in Ararat and was opened in 1867; designed to be a town within a town, it had its own market gardens, orchard, vineyard, piggery and other livestock were kept on site. As it stands today the complex comprises 63 buildings which span a period from the 1860s to 1991. It was decommissioned in the early 1990s with patients transferred to community living and to other facilities.
NMIT one of Victoria's largest TAFE organisations, acquired Aradale in 2002 and now operates a vineyard, winery, lavender farms and trains students there.
The tours of the institution are conducted by the friends of Aradale.
I enjoyed the examples of beautiful architecture in Ararat township, I think it was described as Queen Anne.
Aradale was a mental institution in Ararat and was opened in 1867; designed to be a town within a town, it had its own market gardens, orchard, vineyard, piggery and other livestock were kept on site. As it stands today the complex comprises 63 buildings which span a period from the 1860s to 1991. It was decommissioned in the early 1990s with patients transferred to community living and to other facilities.
NMIT one of Victoria's largest TAFE organisations, acquired Aradale in 2002 and now operates a vineyard, winery, lavender farms and trains students there.
The tours of the institution are conducted by the friends of Aradale.
I enjoyed the examples of beautiful architecture in Ararat township, I think it was described as Queen Anne.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
ARARAT
Chosen for its central position we began as is usual with a trip to the lookout photos not worthwhile due to fog and clouds, however they burned off later.
The Gum San Chinese Centre is a special building with a typical style roof donated by Ararat's sister city Taishan and said to be worth $400,000. We learned much about the culture of China, the miners' journey to Australia and why they trekked from Robe in South Australia to Ararat in
Victoria; toured a pretend mine; John spent some time panning for gold, unsuccessfully, we are no richer !
The Gum San Chinese Centre is a special building with a typical style roof donated by Ararat's sister city Taishan and said to be worth $400,000. We learned much about the culture of China, the miners' journey to Australia and why they trekked from Robe in South Australia to Ararat in
Victoria; toured a pretend mine; John spent some time panning for gold, unsuccessfully, we are no richer !
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
ROUNDING OUT MILDURA
After checking out the spectacular Red Cliffs themselves we tripped around the area some more finding a sign offering figs for sale, and as I had been enjoying some bought elsewhere I was happy to get some more and they were very cheap at $3 per kilo ..mmmm.
When we moved our camp on to Hopetoun for a couple of days in a council run ground, it had very nice grassy sites and was reasonably quiet for a little rest.
When we moved our camp on to Hopetoun for a couple of days in a council run ground, it had very nice grassy sites and was reasonably quiet for a little rest.
BIG LIZZIE
"Big Lizzie" is a very very large " Mechanical Monster ' (one description) designed to clear the dense mallee scrub in the Red Cliffs area in 1920 for the Government Soldier Settlement Scheme.
It was 34 ft long, 11 ft wide and weighed 45 tonnes with a speed range from 1/2 to 2 miles per hour and she had a carrying capicity of 10 tons.
Her journey from where she was built in Richmond, Victoria to Red Cliffs took 2 years.
Her work done, in 1924 Big Lizzie was broken up and sold and used for other projects.
With a Golden Jubilee coming up in 1970 she was located and the Big Lizzie Association was formed to oversee the restoration of the "rusty old hulk" and she now stands proudly, together with one of her trailers, in Barcley Square, Red Cliffs.
I was overwhelmed with her size and found the story quite fascinating.
It was 34 ft long, 11 ft wide and weighed 45 tonnes with a speed range from 1/2 to 2 miles per hour and she had a carrying capicity of 10 tons.
Her journey from where she was built in Richmond, Victoria to Red Cliffs took 2 years.
Her work done, in 1924 Big Lizzie was broken up and sold and used for other projects.
With a Golden Jubilee coming up in 1970 she was located and the Big Lizzie Association was formed to oversee the restoration of the "rusty old hulk" and she now stands proudly, together with one of her trailers, in Barcley Square, Red Cliffs.
I was overwhelmed with her size and found the story quite fascinating.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
MILDURA
Under dark and threatening clouds we packed up and drove through more mallee scrub and eventually came the familiar, burgeoning and abundant vinyards and orchards.
Their visitors centre shared a large building with the local library and acquatic centre.
Confusingly Mildura is south of the Murray -therefore in Victoria - and nearby suburbs to the north are classed as New South Wales - wow our GPS was very confused - as were we at first.
The first day trip we took was to nearby Wentworth where the Darling River merges with the Mighty Murray - it's called a confluence. Once again much of this area's history happened around here with Captain Sturt and other explorers, surveyors, then pastoralists and
Wentworth became one of Australias busiest ports in river-boat history.
It was quite fascinating to us to try to see the effect of this confluence of all rivers west of the Great Dividing Range.
The other fascinating thing we learned was that much of the mallee scrub in this area was cleared and lots of this most fertile land plus a Fergie tractor were given to returning WW2 soldiers.
In the devastating floods of 1956 the 'fergies' were used to build massive levees to protect much of Wentworth and there are monuments to honour their work.
'By God and by Fergies' is their motto.
The Perry Sandhills nearby originated after and Ice Age - 40,000 years ago and they are formed and reformed by wind erosion. They are a unique and continually shifting range covering approx 400 acres, they were used as a bombing range in WW2 and are the location of filming of many scenes from The Man from Snowy River, Burke and Wills, Flying Doctors and Boney and also used for many television commercials.
We climbed them and marvelled at the nearby Murray River Gum estimated to be 500 years old.
At the Pioneer Museum in the town were many interesting historical exhibits including replicas and fossils of Australias mega-fauna - all large - bear animal, kangaroo, marsupial lion, giant emu and goanna, wombat, bilby and bettong.
Their visitors centre shared a large building with the local library and acquatic centre.
Confusingly Mildura is south of the Murray -therefore in Victoria - and nearby suburbs to the north are classed as New South Wales - wow our GPS was very confused - as were we at first.
The first day trip we took was to nearby Wentworth where the Darling River merges with the Mighty Murray - it's called a confluence. Once again much of this area's history happened around here with Captain Sturt and other explorers, surveyors, then pastoralists and
Wentworth became one of Australias busiest ports in river-boat history.
It was quite fascinating to us to try to see the effect of this confluence of all rivers west of the Great Dividing Range.
The other fascinating thing we learned was that much of the mallee scrub in this area was cleared and lots of this most fertile land plus a Fergie tractor were given to returning WW2 soldiers.
In the devastating floods of 1956 the 'fergies' were used to build massive levees to protect much of Wentworth and there are monuments to honour their work.
'By God and by Fergies' is their motto.
The Perry Sandhills nearby originated after and Ice Age - 40,000 years ago and they are formed and reformed by wind erosion. They are a unique and continually shifting range covering approx 400 acres, they were used as a bombing range in WW2 and are the location of filming of many scenes from The Man from Snowy River, Burke and Wills, Flying Doctors and Boney and also used for many television commercials.
We climbed them and marvelled at the nearby Murray River Gum estimated to be 500 years old.
At the Pioneer Museum in the town were many interesting historical exhibits including replicas and fossils of Australias mega-fauna - all large - bear animal, kangaroo, marsupial lion, giant emu and goanna, wombat, bilby and bettong.
RENMARK
Some rain over the next night changed the weather pattern and we pottered off to nearby Renmark/Paringa, did the usual things, visitor centre, saw lock no. 5, looked at the fantastic views of the Murray cliffs at the lookout between showers, then went to nearby Paringa, had some lunch, spotted something labelled "The Black Stump" reputed to be the largest of 11 in the country.
Chores - washing, drying, getting ready to pack up, resting, took up the rest of our stay.
On the last evening the attendant 7 kookaburras went into a frenzy as we fed them and I wondered who was going to feed them the next night ?
Mildura is the next 'port' of call
Chores - washing, drying, getting ready to pack up, resting, took up the rest of our stay.
On the last evening the attendant 7 kookaburras went into a frenzy as we fed them and I wondered who was going to feed them the next night ?
Mildura is the next 'port' of call
Saturday, March 3, 2012
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