Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Waterways and Whales, Warrnambool

Just out of Warrnambool, Hopkins Falls is worth a look. Situated amongst lush green farmland, it's a short walk from the carpark to the viewing area. In late Spring/early Summer, young eels begin their long journey from here, as they head to the Coral Sea for spawning.
Hopkins Falls, WarrnamboolWarrnambool River Cruises take you up and down the Hopkins River, looking at properties either side and giving a full commentary along the way. 
I think Oddball the dog lives along here, as I read that he fell in the river recently and had to be rescued by a passerby. 
Thinking he's a penguin, maybe? Just kidding....
Warrnambool River Cruise
Speaking of Oddball, the sheltered and often shallow water at the mouth of the Merri River is great for a splash on a hot day, with Middle Island as your backdrop. You can do tours to the island at low tide.
Middle Island,Warrnambool
Middle Island,Warrnambool
Middle Island,Warrnambool
The foreshore has patrolled beaches, good for riding the waves and soaking up some sunshine.
Warrnambool Beach
Logans Beach, Warrnambool
Further along, over Hopkin's River, Logan's Beach is the perfect spot to see a whale or two in Winter. We've stood in the rain for an hour, mesmerised by the sight of mother whales and calves rolling around in the waves just off shore. Put it on your bucket list.
I can't find my photos, taken with a phone, so I possibly deleted them due to having to squint to make out the dark shapes in the water. I'll take the 'good camera' next time. 

And high above Lake Pertobe, at Cannon Hill, is where you catch a stunning sunrise at the end of the day. Nice, huh?
Lots of things to do around the lake, like exploring the walking trails and hiring paddle boats. Good place to catch the NYE fireworks display, too - if you happen to be in town on that night.
Lake Pertobe, Warrnambool

What: Warrnambool
Where: Around Warrnambool
When: Daily
Why: waterways
How Much: Prices Vary


Tower Hill, Warrnambool

Between Port Fairy and Warrnambool is the volcanic crater, Tower Hill. After suffering much destruction, it became Victoria's first National Park and a State Game Reserve. It has been repaired, revegetated and reinvigorated over the years and is now a wild wonderland to explore.

The drive in is gorgeous, with basalt cliffs, forests and a lake along the way. The wildlife welcome you - drive very slowly to ensure their safety and to appreciate the scenery. 
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
At the Visitor Centre carpark, picnic tables sit under tall gum trees, where we usually spot a koala or two, doing what koalas do best. Sleeping.
On one occasion we noticed two koalas in the one tree, both fast asleep.
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
Then one woke up, realised he had a house guest - and went B-A-N-A-N-A-S. 
SERIOUSLY.
I've never heard a koala make a noise. Any kind of noise.
I've never seen a koala move fast. Or even kind of fast. 
Until now.
The angry koala was angry. Like turning Hulk Green angry. Growling loudly, he went over to the other one and tried to start a fight. 
In the tree. 
He chased him down the tree, some full on fisticuffs proceeded - just a few metres in front of us - before the other one galloped off across the picnic ground and up another tree.
GALLOPED.
I kid you not. 
A moment later, they were both fast asleep in their own tree, like nothing had happened. 
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
There's great walking tracks all around the park and we visit here at least once - sometimes twice - every time we come to Warrnambool. We like to try coming here at various times of the day, to see different animals, and the scenery looks amazing in morning or afternoon light. Wildflowers, birds, native animals - they're all right here and it's a peaceful place to chill out for a few hours.
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
Tower Hill, Warrnambool
What: Tower Hill
Where: Princes Hwy





When: Daily
Why: wildlife, walks
How Much: FREE




Monday, December 21, 2015

Portland to Port Fairy

Leaving Portland and heading to Port Fairy, we drove to the Fauna Park  first. You can't enter the park, but the animals are visible through the fence, so we took a walk around the outside. 
*I think this is where the Six White Boomers live, when they're not travelling around Australia with Santa.  
**may or may not be true.
Portland Fauna Park White Kangaroo

Portland Fauna Park White Kangaroo
We've visited Port Fairy many times over the years. It's a gorgeous little village - great for walking, Saturday markets, fishing, boats cruises around the port, historic buildings, beaches. 
But I seem to have lost all my Port Fairy photos in the Great Photo Cull of 2015.
Nooooooooooooo.....
*cries*

Here's a few that survived "Photogeddon".
Because they were filed under 'Warrnambool'. 
Because I am apparently rubbish at filing.
Lucky.
 Port Fairy
 Port Fairy
 Port Fairy
 Port Fairy

What: Port Fairy
Where: Port Fairy
When: Daily
Why: picturesque fishing village
How Much: FREE to walk


Cape Nelson Lighthouse

Just a ten minute drive out of Portland and we found ourselves at Cape Nelson Lighthouse. 
Cape Nelson Lighthouse
We took a walk around the grounds, admiring the Lighthouse Keepers's Cottage whitewashed walls and red chimney tops. The Assistant's cottage is available to rent as holiday accommodation.Cape Nelson Lighthouse 
Cape Nelson Lighthouse 

Cape Nelson Lighthouse
The 32 metre tower was built in 1884, after many shipwrecks occurred along this coastline, and served to light the way for ships entering Bass Strait. It is still used as a maritime navigation aid, not only at night, but during the day the tall tower can be seen to indicate location. Tours are held at 11am and 2pm daily.
Cape Nelson LighthouseWe had missed the timing of the tour, so instead we explored the rugged coastline around the lighthouse. A 3km walk took us around the grounds, where wallabies, echidnas and many birds were spotted. Nearby is a Gannet Colony and the lighthouse is a popular whale watching area, both in Winter and Summer.
Cape Nelson Lighthouse
The area is part of the Great South West Walk, a 250km loop trail that can be done in short sections, or in one big extended trek.
Cape Nelson Lighthouse

Cape Nelson LighthouseThe wreck of the Isabella can be seen from the clifftop. The ship hit the cliffs in 1837, one of many that sank along these shores.
Cape Nelson Lighthouse

What: Cape Nelson Lighthouse
Where:Cape Nelson Lighthouse Rd, Cape Nelson
When: Daily
Why: history, sightseeing
How Much: $15

Portland Historic Tram

We jumped on the Portland Cable Tram mid-morning on a chilly day. We had barely taken our seat, when one of the kind staff (ALL volunteers) suggested we grab one of the lovely hand-made rugs from the pile on a corner seat - which we gratefully accepted. 
Portland Historic Tram
All settled in, cosy and warm, with our nanna rugs in place, we sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Portland Historic Tram 
The historic trams,  some from Melbourne's cable tram network of the early 1900's, have been lovingly restored or replicated to create a wonderful way to get around Portland.
Portland Historic Tram
The hop-on-hop-off journey allowed us to see a big part of Portland, from the  Botanical Gardens to the wharves and all along the waterfront. The volunteers gave a running commentary of the history of the town and the sights we were seeing. We were amazed at the huge logging industry at work, and seeing ships dock in the deep water port to load up on woodchips and sawdust.
Portland Historic TramPortland Historic Tram
The turning point for the tram is the World War 2 Memorial Tower, which we climbed to enjoy 360 degree views of the area.
Portland Historic TramOn the way back, we stopped to visit the All Saints Catholic Church, where Saint Mary McKillop is depicted in the stunning leadlight windows of what was once her local church.
Portland Historic Tram
We chugged back along the 7.3km of tracks to the depot, before exploring the Museum and marveling at the model train depicting Portland in the 1950's.
Portland Historic TramPortland Historic Tram

What: Portland Cable Tram
Where:Bentinck St, Portland
When: Daily
Why: history, sightseeing
How Much: $15


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Cape Bridgewater

From Portland, it was a 20 minute scenic drive to Cape Bridgewater. We stopped for lunch at Bridgewater Bay Beach, before heading up to the lookout for a better view of the 4km stretch of surf beach and to watch seals frolick in the waves.
Cape Bridgewater
Cape Bridgewater
Cape Bridgewater
From the carpark at the Blowhole, we were greeted by the whoosh whoosh whoosh of the 29 huge wind turbines on the wind farm next to it.
Cape BridgewaterWe walked the short distance to watch the waves crash onto the volcanic rocks at the Blowhole...
Cape Bridgewater
...before heading in the opposite direction to explore the Petrified Forest.
Cape Bridgewater
The forest looks like uprooted trees turned to stone, but is actually hollow limestone tubes, eroded over the ages by rainfall.
Cape Bridgewater
The strange landscape is made all the more eerie, by the Triffid-like turbines towering over the barren land. 
Cape BridgewaterWhoosh.
Whoosh..
Whoosh...
Cape Bridgewater
Cape Bridgewater
*nearby is Stony Hill, the highest clifftop on Victoria's coastline. Also, Tarragal Limestone Caves and Bridgewater Lakes. I'm adding them to my must-visit-next-time-list, but you might get there before I do.

What: Blowhole and Petrified Forest
Where:Cape Bridgewater
When:  Daily
Why: nature
How Much: FREE