A lightstation tour

A determined, random guy out fishing

A sleepy morning means breakfast by the beach. Even the sun was sleepy with a half-hearted attempt to break through the whispering fog. After all, we’re in Australia and next to the beautiful ocean so why not have breakfast with a view?

With reluctance we left the beach to those determined to do a little casting and those who preferred sun salutations to continue our Great Ocean road adventure. We detoured from the main road to stop in at the Cape Otway Lightstation. (It’s worth the detour.)

Of course this sounds like a little jaunt from the main road but was actually quite the winding, lengthy road to get there. We passed through a ghost forest; silvery, proud trees still tall although no longer living with new growth beginning. It was an eerie tribute to a bush fire a couple of years ago.

We managed to snag a rare parking space (some people really should learn how to park) and beat the crowd to the entrance booth. I worked in copious amounts of sunscreen while hubs sparingly dabbed on some (life just isn’t fair but hey, skin health) and we were off to see the lightstation.

Cape Otway Lightstation

A couple of the buildings were set up for tourists to wander through and learn a bit about life for lightstation keepers. One of the rooms had an old pump organ that everyone kept calling a piano. Clearly, they weren’t reading the signs. The history in this place was fascinating. I wouldn’t call myself a history buff by any means but it was interesting. And the buildings were gloriously cool inside. Although it was a beautiful day and windy the sun had an edge to it.

The best part was the lightstation itself. They had the whole building open to visitors. We climbed up the narrow, tight stairwell.

Lots and lots of stairs

At the top was a short ladder that brought us to a tiny room.  Photos from over the years were hung and other baubles, artifacts, essentials of a life gone by were displayed. A guide was on duty, a very good story teller, and he wove a story so real that he made the history come to life. Clearly this guy knew how to make dusty history sound as if it happened yesterday. I half expected to see a ship a sea when I stepped out on the wrapped balcony.

The wind whipped around the smooth walls of the lightstation and nearly sent hub’s ball cap for a swim.

View from the lightstation balcony

We enjoyed coffees and delicious dessert back at the lightstation café where paintings of ships decorated the walls.

As we headed back to the Great Ocean Road we hoped to see a koala or two. After this, we would not be in their native territory. A guide told us of a spot where they had been seen recently, just past the silvered trees. A few cars were stopped in this location and we asked the people if they had seen any. It turns out they were from Brazil and that high up, amongst the waving tree tops, a couple of koalas were taking a nap.

I got to see koalas and kangaroos (a wallaby too) in their natural habitat and not the zoo. Win. 

Cozy koala snoozing the afternoon away

 

May your day be cheerful, chill and caffeinated.

Walking among giants

A gorgeous coastline

The sun rose quickly, no clouds to toy with its view and already I was sweltering. The sun was a warm hug to my skin and clearly I was going to need sunscreen. We were off to conquer the Great Ocean road and see the sights!

The ocean view was amazing with many opportunities to enjoy the view as the road curved, cut around corners, nestled into the carved out pathway in the hillsides.

Just in case you forgot which side of the road

We stopped in Apollo Bay, about mid-way on the Great Ocean road, leaving us with time to sightsee the area. Also, it gave us the time to see the rest of the sights on the road tomorrow.

Hubs remembered touring a tree top walk with friends on a previous visit. Let’s do it! According to the map it was a decent 40 minute drive away. On the road however… if you thought the pig tail loops, sharp corners, steep drop-offs and narrow roads in the Black Hills weren’t for you then this road was not your cup of tea.

We drove through dense, tropical-like forest and vegetation. It was so green and lush it was like it had rained yesterday. The sheer vibrancy of emerald green boggled the mind and confused the eye. Trees towered up to the sun, filtering most of the light. The occasional ray of pure sunshine shocked the senses amidst the life of the forest.

Just when we thought we’d never see daylight or landscape with a view we emerged out of the valley on a hilltop. What a view. Rolling hills with deep valleys and cows dotted everywhere like ornaments on the hillsides. Round bales defied gravity’s pull and perched rock-steady. A sweeping glance, out and over those hills; I spied the ocean, like an ethereal veil hugging coastline.

Only a bit farther on we found our destination – Otway Fly Treetop Adventures. You could zip line the experience but we chose to walk. A nominal fee got us inside. It’s a fair warning to say you can get half of the daily recommended steps in (5k).

We hit the trail, a lovely wide path that wound serenely down to somewhere. An occasional hoot or shriek of delight echoed oddly amongst the trees accompanied with a whirring sound. Ah, the zipline tour. If we peeked carefully around a tree, snakes and spiders ya know, we caught a glimpse of someone racing along high above.

Catching the walkway from another view

The trail flattened out and led us to this.

The overlook tower

I climbed the narrow stairs, even narrower when people were coming down. It’s a one way kind of stairs people, there should be signs. I hugged the center column as some tourists had no problem taking the entire stairway. With each step, I thought I was having dehydration problems. Dizzy, swaying, etc. I get to the top, stick a thumb out and sight it with a tree. Nope, the whole tower was swaying with the strong winds that managed to comb through the trees. Well, then, if that’s all then I’m okay. We heard several different languages in the tower as other tourists congregated to enjoy the sight.

The walkway from the ground

Touring onward we enjoyed the nature walk on the suspended walkways. It was a fabulous experience walking among the giants.

Lush vegetation around the trees

The giants at ground level

May your week (end) be restful, serene and the coffee abundant.

Cacti, olives and galahs

Galah birds

Yesterday I saw some of the prettiest sun dogs I have ever seen in my life. I posted a photo of it over on Insta and Facebook. It makes me wonder if they ever see sun dogs in Australia? I would guess not, as I doubt it gets cold enough.

After the springs and Sailor Falls we headed more inland, to the more predominantly farmland area. Hubs knew people from a previous (he had a working visa) visit. Prior to our arriving in Australia we had emailed, texted via Whatsapp or Skype phone called his old bosses and friends. They kindly welcomed us to stay with them when we visited.

As we drove, the hills flattened out a bit with the occasional hill reaching out above to the heavens. It was fascinating to see perfectly harvested fields with the occasional swath cut around the trees in the field. Apparently it was illegal to cut down the trees. Even dead (upright) trees remained in the fields almost like a tribute to time gone by. That’s what they looked like with their bark faded to an ethereal silver while still standing proud and tall. 

Last, steep climb to a deck with a view

We took a few tangents off the highway to explore as we went north into the sun. A sign for Mt. Tarrengower Lookout tower by Maldon piqued our curiosity. It was also a good excuse to stop and stretch our legs. Driving up the winding road to the lookout tower we saw no one else visiting the lookout. As we climbed the stairs to the uppermost deck I thought I was hearing voices. It was really eerie. I distinctly heard a report of no fires being sighted. I tell hubs and the rascal had the gall to chuckle! He points over the railing on the opposite side of the tower. I go look and oh, there’s a ute parked there. Somehow I hadn’t seen that when we drove. Right. Past. It. It was a blonde moment, I’m telling you. The voices belonged to the current shift of fire watch. Ah ha, got it. The tower is worth a visit as the view is incredible.

View from the lookout tower

Driving the scenic countryside we had viewed from the lookout tower I was mildly surprised to see all the cacti cropping up in pastures or field fence lines. Tourist that I am, I didn’t expect to see so much cacti considering we were still a good two hours from the outback (as hubs informed me).

Shortly after arriving at the farm of hubs friend/former boss he took us for a driving tour. He took us by ‘small’ fields of 160 acres (and larger ones too). Unfortunately for hub’s hopes of seeing combines in action, they had finished harvest the day before.

Hill covered in cacti

It was a great tour and having the opportunity to learn first-hand about farming here. An interesting fact I learned was that they spray during summer (no crops are growing) to keep the weeds down and preserve moisture levels in the soil. It shows how different farming can be as you traverse the world, I find it enthralling. (Can you tell I love learning?)

Mature olive trees

Next door to some of their fields are olive fields. I knew that olives grew on trees but seeing it up close is so much better. The trees were planted perfectly so that no matter what direction you looked they lined up as far as the eye could see.

Young olive trees

Ready for new trees

Some of the fields had been ripped up, prepped and ready for planting the next generation. Seeing fields in each of those stages showed a picture book-like story of the hard work that goes into orchard/grove farming. Especially having to work around the drip lines, removing them at some point in the clearing process.

Green olives, to be harvested end of March, April

Galahs, colorful birds in the cockatoo family that had a nice call too, took up residence in one of the large trees outside of the home of our hosts. Pretty birds and larger than I had thought they would be. This was a bird encounter that was more pleasant than having to listen to the corellas. Corellas were noisy birds that wouldn’t stop ‘talking’ that we had encountered early on in our Australia adventures.

May your week cozy warm (it’s chilly outside!), bright and chipper.

Spring to fall but please take the stairs

Wombat Dam near Daylesford, a perfect lunch spot

While I’d love to claim procrastination for this delayed posting it was two things. First, writer’s block like I have never experienced before. I knew exactly what I wanted to write about but I sat here staring as the cursor blinked steadily, waiting. My words were ‘loading, please wait,’ indefinitely as it turns out. The second was a migraine. The words were flowing on Wednesday but the little nagging headache quickly raced into migraine status. It’s no fun, I’m telling you.

Turns out the remedy were essentials oils for muscle & head tension and a heated rice bag wrapped in a towel under my neck. Darkness and silence were an absolute must. Yay for essential oils (therapeutic grade), DoTerra of course, for the win.

Its winter so how do we spring to fall, skipping summer entirely, and stairs? What do stairs have to do with it? Well, it’s not exactly what you first imagine it to be. I’m not talking about the seasons; they’re more of a place, mineral springs and Sailor Falls, to be exact.

Next on our travel stop was Daylesford to visit hubs’ second cousin and his family. We rented this cute little white car and off we went! Never have I struggled so much to get out of a car. Ha! Clearly I’m used to my pickup. The whole sitting so low with gravity wanting to keep me close definitely was an experience. Bafflement, amusement and resignation best describe the little car encounter. Anywho.

We were blessed to catch up with them before they took off for travels of their own. The cousins were wonderful hosts and tour guides. When they heard of our lack of kangaroo sightings they took us to the golf course. Turns out the roos like to chill over golf too. Although I think it was more so the tasty, tender grass than the actual game.

Apparently we were disrupting their evening

A wonderful hotel-meets-b&b was our resting locale for two nights. The breakfast was amazing and that doesn’t do the description justice. An indulgence for sure but what a lovely getaway! Bellinzona. Check it out, stay there, love it. Just my personal recommendation. Oh and park on the street, not in the back unless you’re looking to get your steps in for the day.

Enjoying the water fountain from a shady nook at Bellinzona

As we left Daylesford, the show must go on, we stopped in at Sailor Falls and mineral springs. It was close by and on our route. Since Daylesford is the spa capital of Australia we had to stop at a mineral springs.

One thing we didn’t quite realize was that it’s summer and the rainfall isn’t exactly plentiful then. The falls were smaller from what we could see from the top. Oh well, let’s still go see it, we thought.

We get to the trail to go down to the falls. Trail is a loose definition at this starting point. It was a zig zagging network of stairs to descend to the luscious, tropical green below. It can’t be that bad right? I mean, the soothing sound of the falls does beckon. Bonus, there is a mineral springs on the trail that loops back to the falls viewing point.

The stairs with hubs at the 1/3 point from the end

It was surreal to be walking that path in this wood with the tree canopy far above and knowing that cars were zooming by on the highway up above. This was a little world tucked away from time.

On we trekked to the mineral springs. I was hoping to step into the spring and sit awhile and enjoy the serene surroundings. A sign showed the little diversion to the springs. Sure enough there was a little spa of sorts where we could sit and enjoy the springs. The only catch was its summer time. Little rain equals dry. Dry enough that the springs weren’t running. Well, that was a bummer.

Back to the trail we hiked on. The trail took us on a scenic tour around a hill that merged with the other side of the ravine (I guess you could call it that). My poor muscles were complaining by the time we reached the top and the point of down. After all what goes up must come down. I was so thankful to go in a downward direction.

Oh the view though! Far below was the narrow, well-worn trail we had walked. Across the distance were the misleading stairs. I could see another couple of poor schmucks, err, adventurers winding their way down and talking excitedly about the falls. The green foliage so reminiscent of the tropics, waved gently in the breeze; nodding to the hot sun high in the sky.

The falls while diminished were still beautiful. No thundering roar in this season but a steady rumble of cool water. It’s a wonderful to place to breathe, appreciate the stillness (no hustle and bustle here) and enjoy God’s handiwork.

Hubs and Sailor Falls

Spring to fall but please take the stairs; my current dilemma. Stairs. My under-conditioned muscles had already lodged a formal complaint. Unfortunately there was no elevator magically appearing. The incentive to make it to the top was the air conditioning in the car, for me. Hubs’ was looking forward to drinking the mineral water at the visitor hub.

Well, we made it to the top and didn’t run out of oxygen so that’s a small win. Hubs rushed over to the springs fountain and fills the water bottle completely full. He was so excited about it and how it was supposed to be so good for you. He graciously allowed me the first sip. Me, being rather hot and thirsty, took a big sip. I casually glanced away as I gave hubs the water bottle so he wouldn’t see my expression as I reluctantly swallowed the ‘healthful’ spring water. Got to share the love you know? Heaven knows I wouldn’t want to spoil the experience for him. Ha! It may have health benefits but effervescent and full of minerals were such an understatement. Perhaps soaking in a springs like a hot tub would be more enjoyable.

Needless to say the water bottle was quickly emptied on the grass; after I had enjoyed a good chuckle at hubs expression when he tried the spring water.

May your week be happy (it’s almost done!), filled with laugh out loud moments and hot coffee.