Tag: victoria

Places, Vic9 Comments

Port Fairy

Itching for Hitching

It is wintry and very cold and windy in Port Fairy on Victoria’s west coast. We rug up and walk around Griffiths Island which is only metres from the shore. This is a place that holds a special meaning to me as I once worked with a gentleman by the name of John Griffiths who was a direct descendant of the Tasmanian entrepreneur and sealer John Griffiths who established a sealing business on this island long before Port Fairy was established. There is lichen covered basalt, oyster catchers dart across small beaches and tiny turban shells called Italian White Snails … Continue reading Port Fairy

Point of Interest, Vic7 Comments

Anderson’s Mill

Itching for Hitching

In an area founded on gold then settled on the wealth of golden grain, Smeaton is one of a number of hamlets dotted across these western plains of Victoria. Built in 1861 Anderson’s Mill at Smeaton served the community until 1959. Now preserved by Parks Victoria the mill, its huge metal water wheel, the office, the Anderson house and all of the outbuildings are in excellent condition. There is an old wooden bridge spanning Birch Creek, a rather grand bluestone bridge and a picnic perfect park of shady oak trees nearby. It doesn’t take much to imagine what life was … Continue reading Anderson’s Mill

Vic, Wildlife3 Comments

A Wise Old Bird is the Pelican

Itching for Hitching

His beak can hold more than his belly can. We were in Mallacoota in Victoria and there had been quite a bit of rain. Once the weather cleared we wandered around the boat ramp watching the commercial abalone boats returning with their catch and amateur fishermen cleaning theirs. The family of pelicans that live on the sandbank opposite the boat ramp, took flight and skimmed in to the pier to get their fill of the leftovers. It was easy to spot the birds that were successful enough to get a fresh feed as the blood dribbled down their huge bills. Continue reading A Wise Old Bird is the Pelican

The Pubs, Vic, Wildlife9 Comments

Blackwood Hotel

Itching for Hitching

Atop a ridge between the Wombat State Forest and the Lerderderg State Park in Victoria is the old mining town of Blackwood. We order dinner at the rambling weatherboard Blackwood pub, it is Pot and Parma night. The publican comes out with a heaped plate of strips of steak for a mob of waiting kookaburras on the deck. There’s seed for the King parrots and last of all a whopping parma for us. Oh, you beauty! Continue reading Blackwood Hotel

The Road Less Travelled, Vic, Wildlife10 Comments

Not One but Three!

Itching for Hitching

We’re camped at Healesville, Vic with friends. It is the middle of winter and freezing. After breakfast we pile into two cars and set out for Warburton following the instructions of the GPS. We soon find ourselves crossing the shoulder of Mt Donna Buang on a dirt road in thick fog. Obviously it is not a popular road as we see only one other car. But to our joy three lyrebirds scurry across our path and the last one stops and shows us his tail feathers. I cannot contain myself as I have never seen a lyrebird in the wild … Continue reading Not One but Three!

Places, Vic4 Comments

Wycheproof

Itching for Hitching

We stop to stretch our legs at Wycheproof, Vic. The old railway line still runs up the middle of the broad main street, but the town appears to be slowing and only one cafe is open when we visit. Yet on the site of an old petrol station there is an inspirational ironmongery, where someone very creative has turned mundane pieces of metal (railway lines, springs, plough shares and brake drums) into works of art. It does your heart good. Continue reading Wycheproof

Caravan Parks, Vic8 Comments

Gentle Annie

Itching for Hitching

It is a delightful spring afternoon, blue sky, puffy clouds, miles of grapevines and lush cow pastures.  The drive down the narrow King Valley in Victoria is idyllic and complemented by classical music. The towns of Moyhu and Whitfield are little more than hamlets. Edi is even smaller. There is a good camping reserve at Edi cutting, it is quite a large area beside the King River with toilets. It is free and although we haven’t stayed there it looks to be popular with the big rigs. We decide on the Gentle Annie campground at Whitfield which is also on … Continue reading Gentle Annie

Vic, Wildlife1 Comment

Rookery or Nursery?

Itching for Hitching

It is early spring in 2012 when we visit Paynesville, Vic with a caravan in tow. Now that is a change for us as in the past we have spent so much time on the Gippsland Lakes just dagging about in boats. I’m surprised to find that the sandy little point at the entrance to the canal which always seems to be home to a lot of water birds has become a serious rookery, with nesting swans dotted everywhere. There are also pelicans, cormorants, ducks and water hens. I skirt the area, not wishing to disturb them and come within … Continue reading Rookery or Nursery?