Melbourne's iconic corner

The corner of  Flinders Street and Swanston Street with 4 well known buildings is one of the most iconic corners in the city of Melbourne.

On the south west corner sits Flinders Street Station famous as a meeting point as people arrange to meet under the clocks at the Station's entrance. Its also one of the oldest stations in Australia. The current building opened in 1910 replacing the original building which was circa 1854. 

Currently an international design competition is being developed to re-energise the station and its surrounds whilst making sure integral heritage features are maintained. Prize pool is $1m  Competition site

One of the amazing parts of this building is a large and beautiful ballroom which was once used for elaborate dances which is now derelict. Image of the ballroom

On the north west corner is Young & Jacksons Hotel, previously known as the Princess Bridge Hotel it has been a meeting place since 1861.

Famous for its nude painting of Chloe the hotel has been restored and refurnished and now combines a boutique bar with a and classic pub.

On the north east corner is St Patrick's Cathedral, the Mother Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Utilised for regular worship and prayer since 1868 the Cathedral was designed by William Wardell in the Gothic Revival style. The Cathedral has a highly regarded organ with exceptional acoustics which is popular with leading musicians and choral groups.

On the south east corner sits Federation Square a radically modern building in defiance to its 3 historic neighbours.  Designed as a new civic square construction began in 1998.  During its construction and still today there is controversy over the design. Many hate the Fractal Facade with its 3 surfaces of zinc, glass and  sandstone. Others admire the interlocking and cascading spaces and how the buildings open at all angles into the city, creating unexpected connections and vistas.

Federation Square is home to major cultural attractions, world-class events and the modern piazza has become the city’s meeting place.

Within the Square are specialty stores, restaurants, bars and the Ian Potter Centre which is part of the National Gallery of Victoria housing a collection of Australian art.

Performing inside Federation Square

The mighty Murray River

Starting its life in the Alps and meandering through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia to its mouth at Goolwa, the mighty Murray River is 2,500 kilometres long.  The River is fed along the way by several other rivers including the Darling and Murrumbidgee.

Said to be around 130 million years old the Murray and its abundant resources have been used by various indigenous people including the Ngarrindjeri and Nganguraku people.

Courtesy Tourism SA

Today the River is the backdrop and main focus for many holiday makers. Key amongst its attractions are water sports of many kinds. Our family enjoyed water skiing and camping at Picnic Point for many years and we've skied at many other great locations along the River.  Some of the main areas for skiing are Echuca-Moama, Lake Mulwala, Lake Boga near Swan Hill, Tocumwal, Lake Hume and Lake Bonney in South Australia.

A boat license will be required when travelling over 10 knots in NSW Maritime NSW and in South Australia when driving a boat with an engine SA Government

Enjoying a warm day on the River's edge

Another great way to holiday on the Murray River is to hire a houseboat with a group of friends and travel this majestic River. Many people will trail a ski boat behind the houseboat which allows them to enjoy a range of activities.

Travelling the River in this manner you get a chance to enjoy its towering cliffs ancient forests of red river gums and a range of wildlife and birdlife. At night you can pull into seculded sand bars to camp and enjoy the changing mood of the River as night falls.

Courtesy of Tourism SA

Navigating the Murray River requires you to travel through a number of locks and weirs that date back to the 1920s and 1930s This adds to the sense of adventure and interest a houseboat holdiay provides. Murrary River locks, dams, weirs and barrages

You can hire a houseboat at many towns along the river including Echuca-Moama, Mildura, Renmark, Murray Bridge, Waikerie, Morgan and Blanchetown.

Courtesy of Tourism SA



Fresh water fishing is also another popular past time along the length of the River. Murrary Cod is one of the most sought after fish, along with freshwater crays we call yabbies. Brown and rainbow trout are found in the upper regions of the Murray and below Yarrawonga trout cod are found.  You will need a fishing license see NSW fishing license or South Australia Fisheries  depending on which area you are fishing. Fishing from Victoria is covered by a NSW license as the River is within NSW state boundaries.

 Wistaria Cafe Historic Port Echuca

There are a number of historic towns along the River which retain a sense of times gone by. The historic Port of Echuca is one such place to visit. You can wander around the Port, take a ride on a restored paddle steamer or eat at one of the many restaurants or cafes in the area.

Crossing the Murray at Waikerie

Continuing the sense of going back in time a range of ferry crossings still run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’re free to use and something we enjoy doing when we're heading to or from outback South Australia.

There are a range of accomodation options along the Murrary River including camping, motels, apartments and houses for rent.

To find out more about the Murrary Region:

Murray River Region Tourism South Australia

Murray River Region Tourism Victoria

Albury Region NSW Tourism

Early morning walk in Sydney

One of my favourite activities when staying in Sydney is to take an early morning walk around the Harbour area and return to the city via the Botanical Gardens.

As I wander it provides a chance to gaze at some of Sydney's most iconic sights, commune with nature and look back in history.

Sydney Harbour Bridge and one of the fast ferries waiting for passengers

The Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of the most photographed attractions in Sydney.  Opening in March 1932 its construction took more than 1,400 men 8 years to build.  It greets me as I arrive at Circular Quay and wander past the ferry depot.

Today the Bridge carries an enormous amount of traffic as people travel between the city of Sydney and the North Shore.   Some of the best views can be experienced from the top of the Bridge if you're game enough to go on a Bridge Climb.

The Bridge also forms an amazing backdrop to Sydney's New Year celebrations each year.



The iconic Sydney Opera House

Designed by Denmark’s Jørn Utzon the Sydney Opera House was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973. Its a masterpiece of modern architecture and recognised all around the world as being located in Sydney. So much so that it was inscribed onto the World Heritage List in June 2007.

 For some strenous exercise many people run up the steps

The Royal Botanical Gardens cover 30 heactares of prime land at the edge of Sydney Harbour and around Farm Cove.  The Gardens historically created a buffer for the Governor from the general public, which of course in those days consisted predominately of convicts.  They were opened to the public in 1831, and now many people enjoy their beauty and serenity.

View towards the Botanical Gardens from the Opera House steps

Throughout the Garden there are a number of featue gardens, an extensive collection of trees and a range of flowers and art.

One of the many sculptures within the Botanical Gardens

The Garden is also a haven to a range of wildlife and birdlife. You can find out more information on the various species on the Garden's site.

At the entrance to the Botanical Gardens

The gardens near Macquarie Street

There are also a range of building within the Gardens including Government House, Herbarium, Pavilions and a Garden shop.

Justice & Police Museum

Walking back to the hotel I love to wander through the streets close to the Harbour where many lovely old buildings remain.

One such building is the Justice and Police Museum  which was a historic police and court building between 1856 and 1886. Today it holds an archive documenting police investigation and other important records proving insight into NSW's social history.

Museum of Sydney

The Museum of Sydney building blends the history of Australia's first Government House with modern architecture. Interestingly it is also the first point of contact between the Gadigal people and the British arriving on the First Fleet.

  

Grampians National Park

The Grampians are a rugged and ancient mountain range that appear to rise out of the surrounding plains. Also known as Gariwerd  the area is steeped in Aboriginal history. With a wide range of wildlife and a stunning array of wildflowers, particulalry in the spring, the area is very popular with holdiay makers.

You can travel to the Grampians from Melbourne via Halls Gap or Dunkeld  both of which are around 3 hours travel time.  Halls Gap is the larger town and provides the most direct access to the Grampians. It also has an extensive range of accomodation, restaurants and a range of other attractions. Dunkeld has become popular in recent years due to the Royal Mail Hotel's reputation for amazing food and accomodation. Approaching the Grampians from this direction also provides some stunning views of the mountains.

Grampians from  the  Dunkeld Grampians Road

You get a sense of how ancient the mountains are as you gaze out across the area from a number of lookouts and see the region laid out before you as if its nature's own magnificent canvas.  I particularly love visiting during the winter months and waking up in Halls Gap to see the mountains rising out of the early morning fog .

There are a number of 4WD track or you can experience the area close up by bushwalking the extensive network of walking tracks throughout the National Park. Walks range from short to multi day walks and from easy to difficult. For more information on walking the Grampians

The Balconies

The area is also popular for rock climbing particularly Mt Arapiles which is said to have some of Victoria's best climbs. If you're not experienced at rock climbing you can learn to climb, join a group or hire a guide.  Arapiles Climbing Guide

View across the Grampians from Barokalookout

The remains of Heatherlie Quarry are an interesting look back on the European History of the area. Many of Melbourne's great buildings including Parliment House have been built with sandstone from the Heatherlie Quarry which is listed as a site of historical significance by the National Trust.

At the Quarry you can explore wokers cottages, old equipment, railway sidings and see some of the partly quarried rock walls. 

There are a number of waterfalls in the Grampians National Park including Silverband Falls which is located a short drive from Halls Gap.  Leaving your car at the car park you can access the falls themselves via an easy walk of approx 20 minutes. The area around the falls suffered significant damage during floods in early 2011 and hopefully natural regrowth will  ensure it is returned to its former glory shortly.

Silverband Falls

MacKenzie Falls is a lovely waterfall that can be seen from a viewing platform located a short walk from the car park. You can also normally walk to the base of the falls, where this photograph was taken, via a steep staircase but access is currenlty closed due to the infrastructure suffering extensive flood damage. 

Mackenzie Falls

At the Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre you will find the Gariwerd dreaming theatre and be able to watch a film depicting the Gariwerd Creation Story. You can also explore the interpretive displays, participate in workshops or book a tour with a Cultural Ranger .

There is also a cafe that serves bush tucker and a range of other snacks and a shop that sells a wide selction of gifts, maps, bush tucker and books. 

Brambuk National Park and Cultural Centre

To the Jardwadjali and Djab wurrung people Gariwerd (the Grampians) are central to their creation stories. Recent investigations have revealed Aboriginals have inhabited the region for up to 32,000 years.

Aboriginal Rock Art

Tourism Victoria

It is also said that up to 70% of Indigenous rock art in Victoria is in this region with well over 100 sites identified. Only a few are accessible to visitors.

Aboriginal Rock Art

Southern Grampians Shire

The park has an extensive range of wildlife. One of the most popular are kanagroos and wallabies  who greet most people in the mornings as they graze in the camping grounds and areas surrounding and within the towns.  

Kangaroos in the area surrounding Brambuk

2 day Grampians tour

3 day Great Ocean Road and Grampians tour

Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges are less than an hour’s drive from Melbourne and the gateway to an amazing experience which includes towering mountain ash forest, lush fern gullies, stunning gardens, quaint villages and a ride on a 100 year old steam train. Birdlife, wildlife, cafes and restaurants abound in the Dandenongs making it attractive for nature lovers and tourists alike.

The area has been popular with day trippers since the late 1800’s and was formed into the Dandenong Ranges National Park in 1987. The NP covers an area of 3215 hectares and has some 250 kilometres of walking trails.

Formed from a volcano eruption more than 30 million years ago the mountain range is a series of rolling hills now covered by temperate rainforest. After European settlement the tall timbers of the forest were sought after and a number of timber camps were established in the mid to late 1800’s. In the early days timber was taken out of the ranges by bullock teams.

During the depression of the 1890’s the Government allocated 10 acre farmlets to poverty stricken city folk on the basis that they cleared and farmed the land and lived there for 8 months of a year. Clearing the forest by hand was a back breaking job and I assume many didn't survive the hardships. 

Prior to European settlement the Dandenongs were on the boundary of the lands of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people. The foothills provided a rich source of food and medicines. To find out  more about Australia’s Indigenous Culture.

You can also read some interesting dreamtime stories on the Emerald Primary School’s history of Emerald site. 

Gardens

There are a range of beautiful gardens to enjoy in the Dandenong Ranges these include:

William Ricketts Sanctuary

Amongst the beautiful bushland of the Dandenong Ranges are clay sculptures of aboriginal people and native wildlife. William Ricketts blog  

The Sanctuary is open daily from 10:00am to 4:30pm daily (except Christmas Day).

National Rhododendron Gardens

A short drive from the township of Olinda this garden is internationally acclaimed for its rhododendrons and stunning views across the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley.  Set on 40 hectares the gardens also have azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils ensuring a colourful array whenever you visit.

The gardens have a gift shop that stocks a wide variety of items. There is also a cafe which operates during the spring months only.

Operated by Parks Victoria the gardens are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except for Christmas day. 

Alfred Nicholas Gardens

With a mix of native and exotic trees, picturesque waterfalls and an ornamental lake these stunning gardens are part of the Burnham Beeches Estate. Nicholas, who developed the Aspro formula with his brother, travelled throughout Victoria and to other parts of the world to find established trees for the garden. 

Kookaburras, king parrots and a range of rosellas are often seen in the gardens.

Now operated by Parks Victoria the gardens are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except for Christmas day.

George Tindale Memorial Gardens

Established by George and Ruth Tindale the gardens have a collection of rare and exotic plants and flowers set amongst tall mountain ash forest.  Ruth continued to work on the gardens after George died and her flair as an artist is evident in the walks and sculptures throughout the park.

Covering 2.4 hectares the gardens are now managed by Parks Victoria.

Mount Dandenong Arboretum

Set on 16 hectares the Arboretum has a collection of deciduous trees and conifers from around the world.  Eight specimens are listed on the National Trusts Significant Tree Register. You can now download an iPhone app from the National Trust Trust Trees

R.J. Hamer Arboretum

Set on 120 hectares the Arboretum has stunning views and numerous walking trails set amongst a collection of liquid ambers, maples and deciduous conifers.

Spring Festival      

Showcasing the best of the gardens the Spring Festival includes a range of open gardens, various flower and garden festivals, tours,, lectures and food and wine events.

Other attractions

Puffing Billy

Puffing Billy is one of the most popular attractions in the Dandenong Ranges with children and adults alike enjoying a ride through the Ranges on this 100 year old steam train.  Running on a narrow gauge heritage steam railway the Puffing Billy runs from Belgrave to Gembrook.

There are a range of stops along the journey including Lakeside which is a popular stop for a picnic or paddle boat ride on Emerald Lake.  A range of dining options can also be included on some trips.

Train services run each day but on a limited timetable so make sure you check times before travelling to the station. For information on timetable and fares.

Sky High

The Sky High has a number of viewing platforms with stunning views of Melbourne, the Morning Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay and the You Yangs.  There is a cafe, restaurant and conference centre amoungst the extensive and well kept gardens which include a “secret garden”, English gardens and forest walks.

View from Sky High on a misty day

Popular with families as a picnic area there is a small fee charged on entry. (Currently $5 per car)

Now managed by Parks Victoria the area is open Monday to Friday 9 a.m.  to 10 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Walking trails

There are a range of walking trails from leisurely walks to energetic hikes available throughout the Dandenongs.

Kokoda Memorial Track

Named in honour of the Kokoda Track in New Guinea this steep 1,000 step climb is a popular destination for hikers.  The climb is a jungle like experience dotted with plaques providing snippets of the history of the trials and tribulations of Australian soldiers and their allies at the hands of their Japanese captors.

In recent years the Memorial Track has been used as a training ground for people intending on visiting Kokoda and following in the footsteps of Australian diggers.

Sherbrooke Falls Trail

A walk of 1.2 kilometres this is an easy walk on a flat track through mountain ash and sassafras some dating back more than 200 years.

Dandenong Ranges Tourist Track

This 17 kilometre track meanders across the cool and clear waters of Woori Yallock, Menzies and Sassafras Creeks. You will pass through the temperate rainforest of the Dandenongs including fern filled gullies, towering mountain ash on boardwalks and across bridges.

One of the many picnic areas found along the walking trails

1 or 2 day tours of the Dandenongs

Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is recognised as one of the world's best drives. Along its length are stunning coastal views, lovely seaside towns, the beautiful  and ancient rainforests of the Otway Ranges and a range of wildlife.

View of the Great Ocean Road from Teddy's lookout Lorne

Before the road was built most of the towns along the coast only had the sea as their link to Melbourne and Geelong.  From Lorne the coach road went through dense bush to Winchelsea where it met the rail line.

The idea for a road was around since 1864 but it only came about at the end of World War 1 when it was thought it would be a way to provide employment to soldiers returning from the war. 3,000 ex ”diggers” were employed to build the road and it was built as a memorial to those that died in the conflict.

Great Ocean Memorial Arch

Surveying began in 1918 and construction began in 1919 and finished in 1932. By 1922 the Eastern View to Lorne section was completed and the Lorne to Apollo Bay and Anglesea to Lorne sections were finished in 1932. The road is 243kms in total today.

The most amazing thing about the road is that it was built by hand with pick and shovel and the story goes that no-one died in an accident during construction.

Torquay is a popular seaside town with holiday makers and is the start of the Great Ocean Road. It was originally occupied by the Wathaurong people until white settlement occurred around 1871, before then picnickers visited the area from about 1860.

In 1891 the Joseph Scammell was shipwrecked off Torquay and her anchors are on display at front beach and the boat ramp. The surf life saving club opened in 1946 and is considered to be the oldest and largest club in Victoria. We've been lucky enough to see whales frolicking here as they make their way home after mating in the Southern Ocean. 

Due to its proximity to Melbourne Torquay has grown substantially and now has a number of golf courses and hotels including Peppers adjacent to the Sands Golf Resort and the Crowne Plaza. There are a range of restaurants, cafes and shops including a large and popular range of surf clothing outlets.

Torquay beach near the Surf Life Saving Club

Bells Beach is tucked away off the main road and is the site of the world's longest running Surf Carnival Bells Beach was originally part of farmland owned by a man called Bell and this was one of the best private beaches around. The Carnival is run every Easter and attracts competitors from all over the world.

Bells was also where the final scene of the movie Point Break was set although to the disappointment of a lot of fans it wasn’t actually filmed here.

The beach at Point Addis

Returning to the main road Anglesea is the next town where in the early 1900’s beach boxes lined the river bank and the dunes along the beach. The town started to grow in 1919 with the building of the Great Ocean Road. Today it still retains much of its village atmosphere and with patrolled surf and swimming beaches and the Anglesea River running through town there are lots of options for enjoying the water or strolling along the walkways along the river bank. 

Anglesea River

Anglesea has a history of fires with major fires occurring in 1966 and 1982 but by far the worst were the Ash Wednesday fires on 16^th February 1983 when over 140 houses and several lives were lost. In the decades since the bush has regrown and the animals have returned.

Kanagroos draw tourists to the Angelsea Golf Course

At Aireys Inlet Split Point Lighthouse built in 1890 became a welcome relief for sailors trying to navigate the treacherous waters between Victoria and Tasmania. 

As with Anglesea and many other areas in Victoria the Ash Wednesday fires were devastating in Aireys Inlet, in fact they were worse here than most other places, practically wiping out the town, destroying over 170 houses. The town has been rebuilt and like most towns along the Great Ocean Road tourism is their main industry.

a la grecque is one of the few restaurants in Aireys Inlets. There is a cafe located near the lighthouse which is said to be famous for its scones.

Split Point Lighthouse

Lorne is situated on Louttit Bay, named after a Captain Louttit who sought shelter there in 1841 whilst retrieving cargo from a nearby shipwreck. Timber cutting started int he Otway Ranges and sawmills were established and tramlines ran out of the bush down onto the beach were the timber was transferred to ships and taken to Geelong or Melbourne.

The town has a number of historic buildings including the Grand Pacific Hotel opened in 1879 and the Lorne Hotel which opened in 1876 along with construction of the pier.

Lorne has a population of around 1,000 permanent residents but every New Years Eve this swells to around 13,000 and over the first weekend in January up to 20,000 people will come to watch around 4,000 compete in the Pier to Pub swim race. This is described in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest organized ocean swim.

Lorne has some of the largest accomodation providers along the coast including the Cumberland Lorne Resort, Mantra Erskine House and The Grand Pacific.

It also has a range of restaurants, cafes and shops. Qdos Arts Gallery located high on the hill behind Lorne has a gallery, cafe and sculpture park.
A great place to view the ocean and the Great Ocean Road is Teddy’s Lookout which is named after a local ranger who used to go up there to look for stray cattle. The rotunda dates from the 1880’s.

Kennett River is a small settlement between Lorne and Apollo Bay and a popular spot for tourists to stop and look for Koalas and Native Birds.

Birds at Kennett River

Koala at Kennett River

Apollo Bay seems to be the natural mid point along the Great Ocean Road. You can find out more about it on our  Apollo Bay blog

The Great Ocean Road starts to wind through the rainforest of the Otways before coming back to the coast and onto one of the most popular sights of the journey the 12 Apostles

On the beach at Gibsons Steps

The 12 Apostles like many of the strucutres along this part of the coasline show how the neverending force of the Southern Ocean carves the coastline over time.

Loch Ard Gorge was named after the clipper Loch Ard which was wrecked on Mutton Bird Island in1878 after a 3 month journey from England. Only two of the fifty one on board survived. The gorge has been the location for scenes from The Pirate Movie in 1982 and the 1992 TV series Journey to the Center of The Earth.

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Loch Ard Gorge

Port Campbell is a lovely sheltered town named after Captain Alexander Campbell, a whaler who sought shelter there during a storm in the 1840’s. Even today it is still the only sheltered refuge between Apollo Bay and Warrnambool.

In 1882 the town became famous when someone decided that, with people worried (unjustly) about a Russian invasion, he would spread rumors of a so-called invasion and he told The Age newspaper that their fleet was ready to attack. Some other newspapers in Melbourne went as far as to report massacres and thousands of Russian troops making their way towards Melbourne. Finally someone sailed to Port Campbell to find out what was happening and instead found out the truth.

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Port Campbell from a helicopter

London Bridge was a double span arch and resembled its namesake but in Janury 1990  the arch closest to the mainland collapsed leaving two people stranded out on the other arch. Some people now refer to it as the London Arch.

London Bridge

1 day Great Ocean Road Tour

2 day Great Ocean Road Tour

3 day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tours