Sugarloaf Reservoir, Christmas Hills

One of Melbourne's 'newest' dams, Sugarloaf Reservoir was built in the early 80's. It supplies Melbourne's North, West and Central suburbs and is an off-stream reservoir, receiving water from the Maroondah and Upper Yarra catchments. At critical times of low water supply, Sugarloaf can be fed by Eildon Reservoir and the Goulburn River via the North South Pipeline.

On a sunny day, the water sparkles and shines. Keen fishermen line the designated fishing area at the edge of the dam, waiting for a bite from the Redfin.  The Sugarloaf Sailing Club holds regular sailing activities and social events.

Picnic areas, barbecues, and a 15km walking trail around the perimeter should keep you busy for a while.  Nearby wineries and the beautiful scenery of the Christmas Hills makes this a lovely spot for an outing on a sunny day. Look out for birdlife and a few furry critters out and about.

What: Sugarloaf Reservoir

Where:Simpson Rd, Christmas Hills

99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne

When:Daily 8:30am-5:00pm

Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm

Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm

Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays) and the second and last Saturday of every month. - See more at: http://prov.vic.gov.au/visiting-us#sthash.lrTejqnp.dpuf

Why: picnic, wildlife, bushwalk, fishing

How Much: FREE

Nearby: Kangaroo Ground Memorial Tower

Victorian Archives Centre, North Melbourne

This is a roadtrip of a different kind - exploring a paper trail over 100km long.

The Victorian Archives Centre  and Public Records Office offers a free guided tour of the archives once a month - bookings required.
(No photography allowed)

We checked our belongings at the front desk and our tour guide, Leigh, led us through the Reading Room and down into the repository.

I felt a little like Agent 99 from Get Smart as we stepped into the air locked entrance to the archives. The doors closed behind us and re-opened into a huge room, with rows and rows of archiving storage units filling the vast space. No sign of KAOS or chaos here...

The hour flew by, as we wandered up and down the rows, stopping to look at documents, art, artefacts and furniture.  We heard fascinating stories behind some of the items and learned of methods used to digitise files and restore water damaged documents.

Once the tour was finished, I checked out the current exhibition in the foyer, Transporting Art. From 1978 to 1993, 36 artists such as Mirka Mora, Clifton Pugh, Michael Leunig and  Mental as Anything each transformed a Melbourne W Class tram into a work of art. Images of these works adorn the walls, as well as a photographic display of the history of our trams.

Records can be accessed by the public, for projects, family history, etc. See the PRO website for more details and they hold information sessions on a regular basis. You can also volunteer to assist at the Centre.

What: Public Record Office of Victoria - Victorian Archives Centre

Where: 99 Shiel St, North Melbourne

99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne

When: Mon - Friday 10am - 4:30pm. Second and last Saturday of each month.

Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm

Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm

Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays) and the second and last Saturday of every month. - See more at: http://prov.vic.gov.au/visiting-us#sthash.lrTejqnp.dpuf

Why: history, research, family tree

How Much: FREE

1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, Upper Ferntree Gully

So whose bright idea was it to climb up a mountain on my day off? Oh, that would be me....

It was a beautiful crisp, sunny morning last week when we took on the 1000 Steps.  

At least we planned to.

 

 

Then we took a wrong turn and ended up walking up a track with steps alongside it. They seemed a bit...big...and there was no handrail mentioned by friends... 

There was a lot of steps, but we didn't count them....and the track was very steep. There were more people walking down the track than running up the steps.

I was dazed and confused at this point. 

Turns out we were walking up Lyrebird Track, a 2.5km ascent to One Tree Hill, which meets up with the 1000 Steps at the top.

We got to the top. Eventually. I was moaning and groaning the whole way. Also stopping to take photos. Posting on Instagram. Checking Facebook.  Anything to get out of taking one. more. step.

Then we began the descent down the 1000 steps, which was a beautiful 1.8km walk amongst the ferns and tall gum trees. Crimson Rosellas were feeding along the path and we could hear cockatoos and bellbirds in the forest.
I had to admire the people tackling the arduos climb - some were running, some went up and down a couple of times as we came down. 
OMG - I was exhausted just looking at them.

The whole walk took us about 90 minutes. We weren't rushing - obviously - and it really was a nice outing once my heart rate steadied, my lungs felt like they weren't on fire anymore and my jelly legs returned to normal. :)

There are a few monuments and information plaques along the way, telling the story of the troops that braved the Kokoda Track in PNG and the local Papuans, 'The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels',  who were such a great help to them in the dense jungles during wartime.

What: 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

Where: Upper Ferntree Gully

When: daily

Why: hiking, war memorial

How Much:FREE

Grant's Picnic Ground, Sherbrooke

Grant's Picnic Ground is a beautiful setting for a picnic, has numerous walking tracks through the forest and a dedicated bird feeding area.


The bird feeding area was built about two years ago and is managed by Parks Victoria. The area was made to ensure that the native birds were only fed seed suitable for their wellbeing and not other foods offered by visitors, that may be harmful to the birds health.

The birds are mainly Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, with a few Crimson Rosellas and Corellas in the mix.

Purchase a token from the kiosk next door, and the Parks Vic Officer will hand you a large tray with a small amount of seed in the centre.
As soon as you walk into the area, the Cockatoos are the first to feed. One landed on my tray immediately and took me by surprise with the weight of his body. These guys are well fed, that's for sure.

I barely had time to take another step before his feathered friend landed on my right arm. Then another on my left arm. Then one on my shoulder. And another on the tray.

I was having a total Hitchock moment by this stage, with cockies on one arm squabbling over position and huge yellow wings flapping in my face from the birds on my other arm. Not to mention holding the tray with 2 birds on it weighing a TON!

I found I was much more comfortable placing the tray on the ground and letting them finish it without me.
I did appreciate their frangipani style formation which had a couple of my Instagram pals doing a double take. 

What: Grants Picnic Ground

Where: Monbulk Rd, Sherbrooke (just before Kallista)

When: daily

Why: feed native birds

How Much: $4 for a tray of seed.

Pentridge Prison, Coburg

Pentridge Prison is one of Melbourne's most infamous landmarks. The imposing bluestone building housed some of the country's notorious criminals until its closure in 1997.

I last visited the prison back around 1998 (according to my tour booklet) when Jesuit Social Services ran Pentridge Prison Unlocked Tours.
The tours were then extensive and covered almost the total area of the prison. The grounds and cells were intact, including prisoners scrawlings on doors and bed frames.

These days, some of the site has been developed into housing and work continues to be carried out in many areas. Last year, an archaelogical dig unearthed the foundations of a panopticon - a type of rare, circular prison block.

This time round, we joined Pentridge Prison Tours for a peek at the only section of the prison that is currently available for viewing.
D Division is the former remand prison, where inmates were held until sentencing and was also the site of the last prison hanging, in 1967.

Our guide was a former guard who worked at Pentridge for 16 years. The one hour tour was interesting and informative, with plenty of insights from someone who knew the place well.

The bluestone areas of the site are all Heritage listed, so hopefully the prison site will be maintained for future generations to see such a big part of Melbourne's history.

What: Pentridge Prison Tours

Where: Urquhart Street (Cnr Elm Grove) Coburg

When: Tour times vary

Why: historical Melbourne

How Much: Prices vary

*get a coffee at : Zaatar, Coburg

Eureka Skydeck, Southbank

The Southern Hemisphere's highest viewing platform, Eureka Skydeck has a prominent place in our city's skyline. The uber fast lift takes you from the ground to the 88th floor in just 38 seconds.

On a clear day, you can see forever. Almost. 

Stunning, floor to ceiling, 360 degree views of Melbourne and beyond from inside the Skydeck, as  well as a breezy outdoor area, The Terrace. Viewfinders around the deck pinpoint famous landmarks and buildings.

For those of you braver than I am,  you can step inside a giant glass cube, the Edge Experience, and be projected 3 metres from the building - and 300 metres above the ground. 

You can watch the people inside the cube from the Terrace. They all seem to enjoy the experience. 
Maybe I'll do it next time. 
Maybe.

What: Eureka Skydeck

Where: 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank 

When: Daily 10am - 10pm

Why:birds-eye view of Melbourne

How Much: $19.50 (Additional cost for the Edge) (The Entertainment Book has a 2-for-1 offer)