William Ricketts Sanctuary

The William Ricketts Sanctuary is in the Dandenong Ranges National Park just under an hour's drive from Melbourne's CBD.

Amongst the beautiful bushland are clay sculptures of aboriginal people and native wildlife. The sculptures are the creation of William Ricketts who was born in Richmond Victoria in 1898. When he was a child his mother took him and his siblings regularly to the Botanical Gardens in Melbourne where he began his facination with nature.

Later moving to the Dandenongs his love of nature and fascination with aboriginal people grew. He travelled a number of times into the Northern Territory where he lived with the Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte Aboriginal people. Their traditions and culture inspired his sculpture.  He was particulalry fascinated with their connection to country and love of the land.

Whilst he was not an Aboriginal himself he believed he was from the lyrebird totem and he considered himself adopted by the Pitjantjatjara nation.

The sanctuary has a number of winding paths that allow you to meander through the bushland and view the range of scultures. William's cottage and kiln are still on the property and form an intregal part of a visit.  There is also a cafe located next to the car park where you enjoy morning, afternoon tea or lunch.

to find out more about the Sanctuary see http://www.visitmelbourne.com.au/regions/Yarra-Valley-and-Dandenong-Ranges/Activities-and-attractions/Nature-and-wildlife/National-parks-and-reserves/William-Ricketts-Sanctuary.aspx

If you like William Ricketts scultures many of his central Australian works can be found at Pitchi Ritchi Bird Sanctuary near Alice Springs.

Botanical Gardens Cranbourne

These amazing gardens have been established to showcase Australia's native bushland and include 363 hectares of untouched heathlands, wetlands and woodlands.

Established on the ancestral home of the Boonerwurrung people the gardens are an hour's drive from Melbourne. The ancient wetlands used by the Boonerwurrung still exist within the Cranbourne Gardens and some areas are rich in indigenous plant foods.  Birds and animal life are also in abundance drawn to the area by the water.

The Gardens includes a number of areas including the red sand garden which reminds me of some of my favourite areas in Outback Australia. Just love the red of the dirt against the blue of the sky!

An area called the Dry River bed illustrates the power of water in shaping the landscape and river beds.

The Rockpool Waterway provides a great spot to sit and rest whilst you watch the water cascade down the sloping area to a small waterfall. 

Children also enjoy the Rockpool

Other areas include the Eucalyptus Walk, water saving gardens and drought tolerant plantings.

There are a number of walking tracks around the gardens and also a bike trail. With a cafe, shop and playground the gardens appeal to people of all ages.

Gardens through the ages

The recently opened second stage includes The Ian Potter Lakeside Precinct, Weird & Wonderful Garden and River Walk and is as stunning as stage 1.  A second cafe is also located within the new precinct. 

River Walk

Creating your own relaxation hub 

Ian Potter Lake

To find out more http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/rbg-cranbourne

Wildlife encountered on tours

Australia has a range of unusual and interesting wildlife many of which we encounter whilst on tour.

Koala

One of the most popular is the koala as most tourists are keen to see these cute and cuddly marsupials.
On our tours we observe koalas in their natural environment whilst touring the Great Ocean Road or Great Otway National Park. Sometimes they will climb down out of the trees and wander across the road so care needs to be taken not to injure or kill these amazing animals.

A baby koala is known as a joey and when small is not so cute being hairless, blind and earless. When it is born it crawls into a pouch on its mother's belly and attaches itself to a teat where it feeds on milk for 6 months. During that time its fur, ears and eyes grow. Once outside the pouch the joey will stay close to the mother often riding on her back. Which is an amazing sight to see.

Koala with her joey on the Great Ocean Road

Koalas live in a particular type of gum tree that is also the source of their staple diet.  The eucalyptus leaves they eat are low in protein and are toxic to many creatures. Given this a koala lacks energy and can be virtually motionless for around 16 to 18 hours a day.

The long term future of the koala is threatened due to a number of factors including habitat loss and the impacts of urbanisation. Most Australians would be pretty devastated if we lost these amazing creatures.

Kangaroo

The kangaroo is probably one of Australia's most recognised wildlife and is also another marsupial that's popular with tourists.  There are over 60 species of kanagroos and their close relatives which include wallabies, wallaroos, tree-kangaroos and forest wallabies. The larger red kanagroo is found in arid regions and the eastern and western grey Kangaroos are found in great numbers across much of southern part of Australia.

Kanagroo from tour of Great Ocean Road

Like the koala a baby kangaroo is called a joey and when born they find their way to their mother's pouch and fasten onto a teat where it remains for about 6 months. The joey then pokes its head in and out for a couple of weeks until it feels safe enough to fully emerge. Over the next 2 months it will still spend some time in the pouch before it becomes self sufficient. 

Kanagroos in the Grampians

Kanagroos are herbivorous and eat a range of plants. They use their strong back legs to hop along and their tail provides balance.  Its not true that they jump down the streets of our cities but they can be found close to residential areas in some parts of Australia.

Dingo

The dingo is a free roaming wild dog found in Outback Australia. Dingo is a European adaption of a name used by Aboriginals in NSW with many other clans calling them by different names.

Dingoes are nocturnal creatures in warmer areas but can roam during the day in colder parts of Australia. They are often observed on their own but in reality live in a social environment with other dingoes.

Often maligned by many our experience is that as long as you take care when close to a dingo, don't offer it food and pack away all your food and belongings at night they pose minimal threat to humans.

This dingo was photographed whilst on tour in the Outback at Glen Helen Gorge.

We're also lucky on some tours to encounter a range of birdlife.

Boobook Owl

The Boobook Owl is a small brown owl found in Australia they hunt mainly in the evenings and early morning and are sometimes active overnight. This owl was captured whilst on tour in the Outback.

Superb fairy wren

The Superb fairy wren is a beautiful bird that is found in Australia. Like many birds the male has bright colouring whilst females are plain fawn.

Little penguins

The most popular spot for viewing the little penguins and the highlight of any visit to the Island is the iconic Penguin Parade. At the Penguin Parade you can watch the little penguins make their way across the beach heading towards their nesting areas after spending their day hunting in the ocean.

Penguin Parade

Tourism Victoria

Once upon a time, you could sit on the beach in the evening and the penguins would wander past quite close to you.  It was an amazing experience, but as crowds grew the need to protect the penguins and their habitat meant viewing platforms and walkways were constructed. Today there are a range of experiences that you can purchase including having a Park Ranger guide you to a private area to view the penguins on the beach (Ultimate Experience) or enjoying the penguins in the comfort of a Sky Box (VIP Experience) where you’ll also have fantastic views across the beach and help the Ranger count the penguins as they return for the night.

For more information see  Phillip Island's Nature Park for more information.

Come join us on a tour and you can experience this wildlife firsthand. Longhorn YOUnique Tours

Brampton Island

Brampton Island is one of the most southern islands in the Whitsundays Islands Queensland. Like many of these islands it has beautiful beaches and a range of water activities to enjoy.

We flew into the island from Mackay on a light plane, an experience that gave us a great view of the island as we came into land. We purchased the all inclusive meals package which ended up being a fantastic idea as the food was amazing with a different 3 course gourmet meal served everynight.

The island is a National Park so its not overdeveloped and there are  a range of walking tracks which allowed us to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. We saw some stunning sights whilst circumnavigating the island and a range of birds and butterflies.

The highest point of the island is Brampton Peak which is 214 metres above sea level. It was a bit of hike to the top but the views were worthwhile.

At low tide you can walk to nearby Carlisle Island and relax on the beach looking back at the resort. You can then walk or swim back to Brampton Island.

I loved snorkelling in the shallow waters between Brampton and Carlisle Islands or just relaxing on one of the many beaches.

A great way to end a day on Brampton Island is to have quiet drink and watch the sunset across the ocean.

The resort was sold by Voyages in 2010 to Brampton Enterprises and was closed in January 2011 for redevelopment. 

Healesville

Healesville is located in the Yarra Valley, Victoria and is probably best known as the home of the  Healesville Sanctuary. The Sanctuary showcases more than 200 species of Australian wildlife which can be viewied in natural habitats set amongst 30 hectares of bushland.

You can see koalas, dingos, platypus, kangaroos, wallabys and a range of birdlife. 

Not to be missed is the Spirits of the Sky spectacular which is scheduled at 12 pm and 2.30 pm each day.

The new children's play area is a fantastic place for children to play and explore.

The Land of the Parrots is worth a visit as you will probably get an opportunity to have one feeding out of your hands. 

The Sanctuary also has a range of Magic Moments to enjoy. These cost an additional money but are well worth the experience of getting up close with the animals.

The Sanctuary incorporates a wildlife hospital where you can view the amazing work they do saving and treating sick and injured wildlife.

Healesville has much more to offer than just visiting the Sanctuary, as it's  surrounded by beautiful Australian bushland.  A great place to enjoy this, and located only a short drive from the Sanctuary, is Badger Creek. The picnic ground includes toilets and BBQ's and there are a range of tracks to wander along and experience the beauty of the area. These range in distance, with 2 shorts ones of approx 1 kilometre each being the Coranderrk track and the Lyrebird track.

The Corranderrk track is named after an Indigenous Mission that was established in the area in 1863 after a group of Wurundjeri elders squatted on a traditional camping site on Badger Creek and requested ownership of the site.  The Lyrebird track is named after the lyrebird a ground dwelling bird that has the ability to mimic the natural and artifical sounds of their environment. We saw a female lyrebird whilst wandering along that track.

There are a range of penstocks located at Badger Weir which are used to regulate the flow of water into Coranderrk Weir. This pipe ensures water continues to flow into Badger Creek retaining the water supply to the many animals and birdlife that still live in the area.

1 Day Yarra Valley Private Tour - Wildlife and Wine

1 Day Wildlife and Puffing Billy Private Tour

12 Apostles

The 12 Apostles are one of the most popular attractions along the Great Ocean Road. They are part of the Port Campbell National Park and located between Princetown and Peterbough.  Whether seen from the air or land these rock stacks are truely an amazing site.

These amazing rock stacks appear to rise out of the Southern Ocean. In fact they have been created from constant erosion of the limestone cliffs by the powerful action of the ocean's waves and blasing winds. Little by little caves are formed from the erorsion and after many years of swirling action the caves eventually become arches which over time collapse leaving the rock stacks isolated from the shore.

The power of the ocean and winds continues relentlessly so access near the 12 Apostles is now restricted. There are well set out paths and viewing platforms providing fantastic views along the coast in both directions. 

You can access the beach via Gibsons Steps which are located on the Great Ocean Road just before you arrive at the 12 Apostles. These steps use the traditional access of the Kirrae Whurrong the original inhabitants of the area. They were carved into the cliff by Hugh Gibson a local settler. 

View from the beach at the base of Gibsons Steps

There are toilets and a cafe and you can take a helicopter ride directly from the site. There are a number of options for helicopter rides including extended rides over Port Campbell http://www.12apostleshelicopters.com.au/

                                                                             

The 12 Apostles are located 275 kilometres west of Melbourne. Approximately a 4 hour drive along the Great Ocean Road via the scenic route and given the Great Ocean Road is one of the worlds most renowned drives the time and distance are well worth the effort as you'll travel through seaside towns with some of our famous surf beaches and have the chance to see wildlife in their natural environment along the way.

An alternative inland route is faster and less kilometres travelling via Winchelsea and Colac.  Many people take the alternative route home.

1 Day Great Ocean Road Private Tour

2 Day Great Ocean Road Private Tour

3 Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Private Tour

3 day Melbourne to Adelaide Private Tour

4 day Melbourne to Adelaide Private Tour

Rainforests of the Otways

The Otways are part of the Great Otway National Park which is located in north west Victoria. The National Park covers a total area of 103,000 hectares and incorporates rainforest and coastal areas along the Great Ocean Road.

The Otway Ranges include an amazing rainforest with steep ridges and deep valleys with tall forests and fern clad gullies.  There are a number of spectacular waterfalls and a range of walks that allow you to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the forest.

A fern clad gully

 The dampness of the rainforest

creates an interesting eco system

You can walk to a range of falls including Stevensons Falls, Hopeton Falls, Triplet Falls and Sabine Falls.  For those who are unable to walk long distances Houpeton Falls can be viewed from above only a short walk from the car park.

One of the many waterfalls

Logging was once a big industry in the Otways and a railway line was built to transport the logs to the railhead and sawmills. Remnants of the old railway and plant can be found in some areas.

A bike trail has also been developed along the old railway line with two main sections one from Birnam station and picnic ground to Maggios Rd stretching 4.8 kilometres and the other Gellibrand to Wimba a distrance of 9.5 kilometres. Old Beechy Rail Trail

Thankfully logging is now limited to plantation timber but this still has impacts on habitat of native plants, birds and animals. 

Koalas and wallabies are often observed

 in their natural environment

Tourism is now a major part of the Park and minimal impact touring is important to ensure the long term sustainability preserves the area for generations to come.  In the summer the Otways provide a quiet, cool and peaceful environment. In the winter the waterfalls run and although it can be cold the Park is still enjoyable if you're suitably dressed.

Maits Rest is one of the most popular walks as its a short drive from Apollo Bay. Here you'll experience the beauty of the rainforest on a relatively easy walk. During the day you may be lucky to locate an Otway Black Snail. This is a carnivorous snail endemic to the region and recognised by a gold spot on its shell. At night you can experience glow worms.

 

Melba Gully is an interesting walk which includes a boardwalk constructed to minimise impact to the forest. The Gully is filled with myrtle beeches, blackwoods, tree ferns and there is an understory of low ferns and mosses.

The Otway Fly provides an opportunity to walk through the trees on a boardwalk and whilst wandering through the trees you gain a real sense of the majestic nature of this forest.

Otway Fly Tree top Walk

The Ridge Cafe is located in Beech Forest and recognised for its organic food. It has an amazing array of home made and tasty treats, our favourite is their chocolate pudding.  

The Forrest Brewery and Cafe is also worth a visit and was the site of this year's launch of the Apollo Bay Music Festival Forrest Brewery & Cafe

So if you're intending on visiting the Great Ocean Road don't forget to take the time to enjoy this beautiful rainforest.

2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour
3 Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Tour