25.11 You Yangs Regional Park & Brisbane Ranges
We took a day trip out to the You Yangs Regional Park and the Brisbane Ranges, which are situated just outside Melbourne.    The walk up to Flinders Peak. It's the highest point in the You Yangs. It was a fairly clear day so we could see the Brisbane Ranges, Geelong, and our 'city by the bay'!    We had read that the Brisbane Ranges were the place to see the largest concentration of Koalas in Victoria. However, I think that was before the bushfires had swept through! You can see the burnt remains of the trees amongst the rejuvenating vegetatation. The stark contrast between the bright fresh greens, charcoal blacks and the bright blue sky don't quite come out in the photos here. Labels: brisbane_ranges, day_trips, joanna, matt, photos, victoria, visitors, you_yangs
18.11 Matt WWOOFing: Swan Bay
We spent the day on the Bellarine Peninsular, where Matt was WWOOFing (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) just outside Queenscliff. The only task that day was to bring in three fishing boats...  The first boat to the trailer. Had a small issue with getting the engine to lock in position while it was running. There was also a strong wind blowing too, which blew the boat back towards the pier!    So with the waders on, Matt jumps in to man-handle the boat towards the trailer, with the wind blowing, and Matt slowly sinking into the mud of the bay!  Finally the boat is winched onto the trailer!  It's at this point that a digital camera & mobile phone are produced from the pockets! Unfortunately they didn't work again. If this ever happens to you, apparently (a web search revealed) you should rinse the goods down immediately with distilled water and let them dry out slowly.  The other two boats were much easier! The trama of first obviously took its toll! Labels: bellarine, matt, nathan, photos, swan_bay, victoria, visitors
06.11 Mornington Peninsular: Balnarring Beach
I had searched for some information on BloKarts, which are Land/Sand Yachts, and found out that they used a beach on the Mornington Peninsular. So I thought we could drop in a see what was happening...      ... so no sand yachts, but plenty of Kite Surfers and the odd Windsurfer! Looks the place to return to for a bit of fun in the height of summer! Labels: balnarring_beach, joanna, matt, mornington_peninsular, nathan, photos, victoria
06.11 Mornington Peninsular: Ocean Beach
06.11 Mornington Peninsular: Mornington
03.11 Yarra Valley: Drive to Marysville
  Driving through the Yarra Valley took us past some very tall trees!  Labels: day_trips, matt, photos, steavenson_falls, victoria, visitors, yarra_valley
03.11 Yarra Valley: Healesville Santuary
A day trip into the Yarra Valley, first took us to Healesville Santuary, where you can see a number of the native animals.   The 'Parrot in Flight' Show. Birds fly over and through the crowd!  Interesting use of Galahs (litter picking), since the introduction of the birds they have reduce staff numbers by three! I think they should train a few more Galahs and send them to Canberra!!   Some of the local residents!  Love this sign, particularly bottom-right - Koala-style!  They have free gas barbeques in the picnic areas, so this time we were fully prepared!! Labels: day_trips, healesville_santuary, matt, nathan, photos, victoria, visitors, yarra_valley
01.11 Matt in Melbs: Botanical Gardens
01.11 Matt in Melbs: St. Kilda
Matt arrives in Melbourne at the start of his own 'Australian Adventures', after a slight delay at the airport - perhaps having only a phone number for 'my friend Jo' as contact details didn't quite help fast-tracking process through customs!  Once all the luggage was dropped off at the apartment and an introduction into the tram system and Federation Square, we decided that a cultural visit to St. Kilda was in order!  A walk along the pier, the seafront, and the browsing of Ackland Street ended with a compulsory tea & cake stop in one of the many cafes! The cafe culture is brilliant! Labels: ackland_street, matt, melbourne, nathan, photos, st_kilda, st_kilda_pier, visitors
10.11 Rally of Melbourne
Docklands was used for the start of the NEC Rally of Melbourne, part of the Australian Rally Championship in early November. So as a resident I had to head dow there and take a look!    Labels: arc, cars, docklands, photos, rally_of_melbourne
21.10 Phillip Island
Back in October we decided that we'd take the car down to Phillip Island, just to have a look and see what was about...  Hmm, we're in Cowes and standing outside the Isle of Wight hotel!  The golden sands of Cowes Beach!  It's a bit like a dog cocking it's leg up at every tree it comes across, however this time its a traffic warden marking all the cars within its territory! This ones quite advanced as it uses chalk, other have been know to use stones!!     The rugged coastline of the south-west tip is known as the Nobbies, and this where you can see the famous penguins, if you are there at the right time of day! All we saw was an amazing amount of Seagulls!   On the south coast there are more rock formations, this one is called Pyramid Rock. There were quite a few flies there too!   At Woolamia Beach we had a chance to have a bit of a picnic and escape the flies. Labels: day_trips, joanna, phillip_island, photos, victoria
25.01 No Rest In Sight!
Our trip to Adelaide, to Sydney and back to Melbourne covered a total of 4251 kilometres! It was an amazing way to see a small part of such a vast country and the contrasts of the four different States (SA, VIC, NSW & ACT) we drove through. Obviously we would have loved more time to investigate the lots of different places we came across, but that'll just have to wait until next time! It wouldn't have been made possible with our trusty Magna Wagon, perhaps she isn't quite the lemon that we thought she was! All she asked for was fuel and half a litre of oil! Having a week's break from each other certainly helped too! We have now worked out that we have driven almost all the way down to the east coast, from Cairns to Byron Bay, and all the way along the bottom from Adelaide up to Sydney! Plus, the extra bit we did on our day trip from Cairns to the Bloomfield Track! So what's next? There are a number of things to see in Victoria before we have to sell our Magna on, prepare for our own departure, plus there is the blog to update with a number of things that happened towards the end of last year! There will be a number of posts that will be slightly out of order, so don't panic! Labels: christmas, drives, magna, new_years, sydney
03.01 Sydney to Melbourne
02.01 Sydney Opera House, Botanical Gardens & the Rocks
Our last full day in Sydney, we decided that an early start was to be had and headed down to the Opera House to take some photos before the crowds arrived! We also walked round to the Botanical Gardens, took some more photos before we had to check in for our BridgeClimb!           So while we were climbing the coat hanger, Joanna and Mum spent a little time around the Rocks and the Harbour...        Interesting architecture!  On our way to dinner at Wolfies Grill!        After dinner it was a stroll harbour-side at the Rocks, getting some evening shots!      This one's animated, click to view! Labels: dad, helen, joanna, karl, mum, nathan, new_years, photos, sydney
01.01 New Years Day
  On the ferry to Manly Beach!
 This is the sign that greeted us at Manly Beach. We hadn't seen any of the beaches like this in all our time in Australia.
  Still busy, even if people can't get into the water!
  So instead we went round the corner to Shelly Beach, which was a lot more sheltered, but it had a few blue-bottle jellyfish swimming around!
 On the ferry to Double Bay!
     We had a quick drink in Double Bay before getting the last ferry back to Circular Quay. We did see Leo Sayer while we were there too!!
  From the ferry on the way back!
      Dinner at Darling Harbour!Labels: dad, helen, joanna, karl, mum, nathan, new_years, photos, sydney
31.12 New Years Eve
An early start was had to grab our spot at Mrs Macquarie's Chair for the New Years Eve celebrations! We started queuing at 8.30 in the morning, and we weren't first ones there!
 This was the last time the umbrella was used, as during the bag search I almost poked the chap's eye out with it! He then told me I couldn't take it in because it was too 'pointy'. So I asked what I was to do with it, and he just pointed to the bin! After a few swear words, I obliged, but I wasn't happy!
    The theme of the celebration was 'Time of our Lives', so they put 'some' entertainment on during the long wait, this was just one of them, an aerial writing display...
  The camera never lies! Its ALL...
 ...I tell you!!
  Karl taking the UV rays situation a little too seriously, but I think the pink hat suits!
 From the openness of the place earlier, to this! People were squeezing into every conceivable space available!!
 The perfect view from an inflatable chair tethered to a boat in the Harbour!
     New Years Essentials - Pot Noodles!!
     Some night shots of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge before the fireworks began! The fireworks were totally amazing and lasted for about 14 minutes!Labels: dad, helen, joanna, karl, mum, nathan, new_years, photos, sydney
30.12 Sydney, Bondi Beach & Coogee Beach
29.12 Eden to Sydney
This part of the trip from Adelaide to Sydney had turned into a bit of a 'Top Gear Challenge', with trains, planes and automobiles being used to reach Sydney. Mum & Dad were using the train, while Karl & Helen opted for the plane!
  Back on the road! We drove to Bega (where they make Bega Cheese!) for a spot of breakfast and some picnic supplies!
Unfortuantely at this point our part of the 'challenge' went out of the window, as we hit a massive traffic jam due to a car catching fire and the recovery vehicle faffing around removing the burnt-out shell. This resulted in an enormous volume of traffic trying to get through Moruya. Now this wouldn't have been a problem if the town didn't have the only set of traffic lights on the entire journey up the NSW coast!
  As a result of the delay we decided to take a small detour and have our picnic at Hyams Beach.
 Looks like these santas were modelled on one that was going to the toilet!
   Definitely heading in the right direction!
  Another small detour off the highway took us to the amazing Sea Cliff Bridge!!
 Finally we've made it! Now we just have to find the hostel!!
 Classic road bridge as we head into the city!
We finally arrived at the hostel shortly after 6pm, a cool 8 hours behind Mum & Dad, and 3 hours behind Karl & Helen! Had it not been for the accident and for a set of traffic lights that could have been replaced with a roundabout, we could have been in Sydney at a more reasonable time!
After a bit of a freshen up we went looking for dinner at Darling Harbour! And a good night's rest was in order on our return to the hostel!
     Labels: dad, drives, helen, joanna, karl, mum, nathan, new_years, photos, sydney
28.12 Melbourne to Eden
After doing a little bit of washing and catching a few 'z's we left Melbourne at 9am and headed south via Gippsland. It was an amazing drive, really easy and through some very picturesque countryside, some of which was very lush!
  Just doing our bit to easy the fly situation that had been dogging Victoria!
   We had a lunch stop at the rather beautiful Lakes Entrance! And while we were at the scenic lookout, two pods of Dolphins swam past beneath us...
 ...this picture's animated, click to view!
 The lush greens of Victoria's south-west.
  Finally we crossed the New South Wales border!
 After finding the Eden Tourist Park for our tent pitch for the night we headed into Eden. Thinking that it would have a good selection of places to eat, we were greeted with a rather disappointing array of eateries. We then settled on Fish & Chips and headed for the beach opposite the campsite, set up our chairs and mange'd!
 Our trusty Festiva, just before we put it down and got the rock out of there!Labels: drives, joanna, lakes_entrance, photos
27.12 Adelaide to Melbourne
26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day Sunset
26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day on the Beach
26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day in Hahndorf
  Joanna & I decided to have a bit of drive and ended up in Hahndorf! After a look around the local galleries and a quick drink in one the numerous cafes, I think we'd reacquainted ourselves with the place again and it time to head back to the beach! Labels: christmas, hahndorf, photos
26.12 Christmas: Boxing Day Morning
25.12 Christmas: Together on the Big Day!!
 Finally, after a couple of hours, two litres of IV fluids and a cocktail of drugs Karl arrives back in a rather attractive gown!
  Mum & Dad get their chance to head to the beach to enjoy the beautiful weather and the refreshing water!
 The true Aussie way of replenishing your fluids!
 Christmas dinner being cooked on the barbeque! You just wouldn't do it any other way!
 Cheers & Happy Christmas!!
 The Christmas Cake, courtesy of Coles!
 Congratulations were in order when an engagement was annouced!
 This one's animated, click to view! Labels: christmas, dad, helen, joanna, karl, mum, nathan, photos, port_willunga
25.12 Christmas: Christmas Day
So while Karl was laying back, enjoying a different kind of Australian hospitality. Mum, Dad, Joanna & I headed to the beach, but just as we found our spot, there was a call to pick the old cheese up. Unfortunately Mum & Dad had to leave, which left Joanna & I to... enjoy the beach.
         The only Christmas bird we saw on the whole day!!
 Did we say that we saw Dolphins swimming off the beach?! Ignore the two women, they were just in the way!! This one's animated, click to view!Labels: christmas, joanna, nathan, photos, port_willunga
25.12 Christmas: Christmas Day Morning
24.12 Christmas: Christmas Eve
23.12 Christmas: Glenelg & Adelaide
 A brief drive into Glenelg to get some food!
 The big wheel on the sea front at Glenelg.
 Installation art in the Rundle Street Mall.
 Father Christmas playing the piano, with a handful of playful elves, all made out of sand!
 Another piece of installation art in the mall, with Joanna this time!
  A bit of camera trickery!
 A very familiar layout!
 Waiting for the Tram!
 Don't recognise the colour of this one, but it must be right! We took the tram from Glenelg to the Rundle Street Mall in the city. By the way, for future reference, if you're ever asked whether you have a concession card for the tram, don't say 'YHA', it just doesn't wash. We had a conductor that every time he asked you a question and you thought about your answer, he would run through all the options with you again. Fortunately we weren't the only ones to suffer this, as by the end of the journey we were word perfect with every response that he had! We have two words for him... ticket machine! That'll scare him, in fact I think it might even be more personable!!Labels: adelaide, christmas, dad, glenelg, joanna, mum, nathan, photos
23.12 Christmas: Decorating the Tree
  Breakfast in the glorious sunshine on the deck. Ah, an Australian Christmas!
  The ideal tree just waiting for the festive treatment! Although if the assistant had concentrated on the job in hand, it could have been finished a lot sooner! "Joanna? Joanna?!"
 I was just trying to take a nice picture, when, guess who decides to come into the shot?!
 Finally the tree is finished, and it is time to play around a little!!Labels: christmas, dad, joanna, mum, photos, port_willunga
22.12 Christmas: Port Willunga - First Night
After some dinner from the local takeaway, we decided to head to the beach and as you can tell it was a little bit nippy down there. Even so, someone still went for a bit of a paddle!
    Labels: christmas, dad, joanna, mum, photos, port_willunga
22.12 Christmas: Melbourne to Port Willunga
With Christmas in Adelaide and New Year's in Sydney, it was going to be a very busy time for us, especially as we'd decided that we would drive everywhere! The first part of our epic road trip across a small part of Australia started in Melbourne and would eventually end in Port Willunga in South Australia, later the same day.
On the way we came across a couple of interesting things...
 On our way through Horsham, we drove past this amazing 'Giant Koala'! In fact this is one of the most useful giant things, as it is used as the entrance to the attraction!
 As we came into Keith, we saw a brown sign (usually a point of interest) with 'Landrover on a Pole'! Well, we just had to stop and have some lunch under the famous landmark! But, what a waste of a Series 1 though! The Landrover was complete, even with a new exhaust!?
 A very pleasant surprise as we came off the A8 to head cross-country, a free ferry at Wellington (SA)!
   Nine hours later and we've arrived at Port Willunga Beach, so the perfect time to have a cup of tea! I'm looking surprisingly fresh!!Labels: christmas, drives, joanna, nathan, photos, port_willunga
13.01 International Guests Visit Melbourne
Mum, Dad, Karl & Helen visit Melbourne, and we get to show them the city we've called home for nine months!
 A visit to Fed Square to watch the unveiling of another door on the giant advent calendar. A brilliant aerial display that lasted for twenty minutes!
   From Fed Square to Southbank to watch the hourly flame show!
 Mum & Dad about to enjoy a delicious cake on Ackland Street.
 Mum & Dad on St. Kilda Pier, just before we saw a little penguin in the breakwater.
 Mum, Dad and Joanna riding through the city on a tram! Joanna sitting in the 'special needs' seat!
 After enjoying a meal at The Fitz on Brunswick Street.
  Labels: christmas, dad, helen, karl, melbourne, mum, photos, visitors
13.01 Suzuki Night Market @ Vic Market
The Suzuki Night Market is a weekly event at Victoria Market on a Wednesday evening. It's the perfect place to spend an evening eating, looking at the wares on display and listening to the live entertainment!
    Labels: events, markets, melbourne, photos, summer
12.01 Christmas in the City
07.01 Hello Ruby & Mary!
Dearest Mary & Ruby,
Thank you every so much for the Christmas card that was hand-delivered to us! It was a lovely surprise, as was the message! Just to let you both know that I am looking to right the situation, and if not now then when we hit the shores of New Zealand!! I hope that you are both well and you had a good Christmas and New Year!Best wishes for 2008!Nathan & Joanna.Labels: ruby_mary
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The walk up to Flinders Peak. It's the highest point in the You Yangs. It was a fairly clear day so we could see the Brisbane Ranges, Geelong, and our 'city by the bay'!
We had read that the Brisbane Ranges were the place to see the largest concentration of Koalas in Victoria. However, I think that was before the bushfires had swept through! You can see the burnt remains of the trees amongst the rejuvenating vegetatation. The stark contrast between the bright fresh greens, charcoal blacks and the bright blue sky don't quite come out in the photos here.
