Local Getaways
We are Having a Few Days in Ballarat
Ballarat is a city located in the Central Highlands region of Victoria. It is situated approximately 105 kilometres from Melbourne and has a population of approximately 110,000 people. Ballarat was founded in 1838 during the Victorian gold rush and quickly grew into a bustling city. Today, it is renowned for its rich history, stunning architecture, and […]
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We’ve Had a Few Days Away at Healesville
For the last few days, Jill and I have been staying at the RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) Resort at Healesville. It is the first time that we have been away together since Jill’s accident in Singapore last September. It was a test to see how well we would cope with some time away […]
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Another Few Days in Apollo Bay
Apollo Bay is one of my favourite places to visit. Last week, I managed to spend three days there in the company of 22 other members of my Probus club. Jill’s mobility has increased enough for me to leave her for a few days, although I was careful to stock the fridge and do the […]
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Three Days at Tidal River
We have spent the last three nights at Tidal River on Wilsons Promontory, the most southerly part of Victoria. The National Park here covers over 500 square kilometres (including offshore islands) and has always been one of my favourite bush walking venues. Over the years, I have walked to every remote camping location on the […]
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Camping, Anzac Day and ‘General Busyness’
It’s been a busy few days for us this week, Just after returning from Perth, we have been thrown into a flurry of activity. Our eldest grandchild, Audrey, (14) has decided to have a shot at undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Their official website tells us that this award is “An internationally recognised program […]
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A Few Days in the Goldfield Towns With My Probus Club
I have just spent the last three days with 24 fellow members of my Probus Club in the towns of Castlemaine and Maldon. We had a wonderful time exploring this historic area of Victoria together. We first met up for lunch in Malmsbury – buying a roll or pie at the bakery and then enjoying […]
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I Have Made The Same Mistake Twice in the One Week!
Last Monday, Jill and I decided to break out of Melbourne and travel east to the little town of Noojee, for lunch, at a quant old pub and bar called ‘The Toolshed’. Noojee is a town in the Gippsland region of Victoria. It’s a tiny town of about 160 people. It would have seen its […]
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We Are In Victoria’s Central Goldfields Region
After leaving Halls Gap, we travelled north to the city of Stawell and then east across the old central Victorian goldfields to Creswick where are spending the two final nights of this road at the RACV Resort there. We pottered around the city of Stawell for some time yesterday morning. This is where Jill lived […]
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The Grampians and Halls Gap
Yesterday, we transitioned to the Grampian Ranges and the tourist town of Halls Gap. We explored a little family history on the way and visited some interesting places. Near Hamilton, we came across two waterfalls on the Wannon River. The Wannon Falls are a bit of a surprise after driving across some expansive undulating lava […]
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Western Victoria – Prime Grazing Country
Our travels yesterday took us through the very western part of Victoria which are a prime sheep and beef grazing region. We stayed there night in the little town of Coleraine. This is the place where Louis Buvelot, a Swiss immigrant and early Australian Painter competed his work of a water pool near the town. […]
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Around Yambuk
It was cool with rain showers in Port Fairy this morning. After a breakfast at the Oak and Anchor, we spent some time wandering along the main shopping street (Sackville Street). We sheltered under shop verandahs as some showers passed through and bought some ham and cheese rolls to take away for lunch. Our time […]
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Port Fairy
We have three nights in Port Fairy – a town in which time has stood still with beautiful cottages and a streetscape out of last century. Prior to British colonisation in the 19th century, the Port Fairy area, then known as Pyipkil or Ummut, was inhabited by the Pyipkil gunditj clan. The region’s ecology consisted […]
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