Advertisement
Well it’s been an action packed April in the land down-under which consisted of us jetting all over the continent in an attempt to do everything we hadn’t got round to yet before being forcefully removed in June when our visas expire! As it turns out though there was no real rush as my work decided (against their better judgement??) to offer me the opportunity of sponsorship thus allowing us to remain in Oz on a more permanent basis - too easy mate!
The first stage of our travels saw us venture to the state of Victoria for the first time as we touched down in the city of Melbourne. Rather than head for the city though we pick up a car (and our friend Emma!) at the airport and set off for the south coast and the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. Now maybe we’ve been spoiled with the delights of Bonny Scotland but Average (or nae bad) Ocean Road might be more appropriate in reality. The first section is nice enough as it’s actually on the coast but after that the Ocean Road becomes more of a Great Inland Road (?) until hitting the coast again
at the impressive Twelve Apostles and other accompanying rock formations - not quite what we expected but you live and learn I suppose.
Anyway without being too critical (is it too late for that?) it was still an enjoyable day and we reached our home for the night - the picturesque coastal town of Port Fairy - ready for a slap up meal and a few glasses of wine! The following morning, after a nice brekkie in the local bakers and a wander round the local market, we take the actual non coastal road back to Melbourne which turns out to be a fun-filled 3 hours of repetitive fields and very limited local radio stations - doh! We finally arrive back in Melbourne late afternoon and inadvertently (I blame my navigators - yes I had 2 of them!) end up in the shabby chic seaside suburb of St Kilda where we blow the cobwebs away with a wander around and a stroll down the promenade.
After making it into Melbourne proper it’s a quick turn-around before we meet up again for dinner at the Waiters Café (down a shady lane but an awesome find by Emma - she
knows all the best places!). We then move onto the Town Hall where we have tickets to see Ross Noble (Geordie stand-up) who is one of the many headline acts during the famous Melbourne Comedy Festival. The next day is spent wandering around Melbourne taking in the sights before saying our goodbyes. We then head back to sunny Queensland having arranged to rendevous again in 2 weeks time at an un-godly hour in Sydney airport enroute to The Red Centre and Uluru in the Northern Territories.
After leaving our apartment in Brisbane at 4.30am on Saturday we arrive at the sprawling metropolis that is the Uluru/Ayers Rock resort around lunch time - start to realise how big the country really is! Since arriving last June we haven’t strayed too far away from the coast but, no matter what pre-conceived notions you may have about the outback, seeing the Red Centre for the first time was a very memorable experience. Getting your first glimpse of The Rock on approach to the ‘airport’ gives an idea of the scale of the place - literally nothing as far as the eye can see but red sand, bush (technical term) and the biggest
stone you’re ever likely to see!!!
The rest of the day is spent getting up close and personal with afore mentioned rock and making acquaintance with the local wildlife - flies, thousands of them, don’t shoot till you see the whites of their eyes (in a Michael Caine accent sounds better). Yes it soon becomes apparent that the flies are relentless in their quest to land in your eyes, ears and mouth hence the trip to the info centre to exchange 10 bucks for a very fetching fly net - see photos (you may laugh but you would do the same!). Having had such an early start we retreat back to our little cabin for a power nap in preparation for the evenings activities - the Sounds of Silence dinner under the stars in the outback.
This is definitely one of the highlights of visiting Uluru as you are whisked to a suitable vantage point in the middle of nowhere for champers and canapés to watch the sun setting on the outback, and of course the rock itself. It’s then a short walk down to your table for a bbq buffet (including crocodile, emu and kangaroo), as much
wine as you can drink, a spot of didgeridooing and a bit of star-gazing under the clear (in theory - we went on a cloudy night!) night sky. A great night all the same but, as well as the sunsets, Uluru is all about the sunrises so its off home for a reasonably early night before a 5.30 wake up call - doh.
It was a struggle but totally worth it as the sun begins to creep over the horizon and the first light of the day illuminates the rock (probably worth mentioning at this point that it is forever changing colour throughout the day dependent on the light - v cool). After the sunrise it’s off to join a guided ranger walk round the base where you gain an insight into the Aboriginal perspective and the significance of the area to their culture and folklore. No rest for the wicked though and our next stop is the only other blip on the horizon - The Olgas - which lies about 60km away.
Rather than one big rock these are an area made up of various formations but just as impressive as their more famous neighbour and have
walking trails leading into the heart of them (where you are rewarded with stunning views). The following day is a repeat of the above - up early to go and take in the sunrise and a final wander around before heading back to civilisation (the nearest town to Uluru is Alice Springs about 600km away!) and rest bite from the incessant flies!
Safely back in Bris Vegas with our first guest from home in tow (hint hint you’re all welcome) our next outing takes us to the beautiful Moreton Island (2nd largest sand island in the world after Fraser Island) about an hour east of the city. We meet up with our 4x4 eco tour and take the scenic catamaran journey across the bay (complete with dolphins) which concludes with the boat rocking up on the beach and everyone driving straight off onto the sand - offroad! First stop The Desert in the middle of the island where we go sand boarding down vertical sand dunes (still suffering from a cracked rib) and then its off to the fresh water lake for a dip before lunch (to wash the sand off!).
The journey in between involved a high
speed tour of the coastline (flat out along the oceans edge up a deserted beach) and following lunch we spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and sunbathing at North Point beach. The other highlights of our few weeks with Emma were a moonlight wine tasting tour in Roma St Parklands, a tour of the Sunshine and Gold Coasts (north and south of Brissy respectively) and a night at the theatre to watch The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) - v funny. That all adds up to a very busy April and we’re now living the quiet life (up to a point) with a view to moving to a swanky new apartment (2 bedroom hint hint) at the end of June in preparation for the Frasers East Coast Adventure beginning in July! It’s a hard life but someones got to do it………….
PS the fireworks photos are from Buddhas Birthday celebrations which were on at South Bank in Brisbane a few weeks ago :-)
Advertisement
Tot: 0.203s; Tpl: 0.021s; cc: 12; qc: 76; dbt: 0.1429s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Mum & Dad Marley
non-member comment
Sunrise, sunset ......
How lucky are you!!! Watching the sun rising and setting must be such a peaceful, beautiful experience - we just love the pictures! Again you have brought all your experiences right into our lives and it is so great to follow your travels. You certainly packed a lot into April, you will be shattered now. Time to rest and recharge before the Frasers (dare I say, Senior) arrive for their trip of a lifetime - we are so looking forward to sharing the excitement of all your travels together. It will be a magical time. Continue to live the dream and take good care of each other. Missing you both. Lots of love Mum and Dad xxx:)