Flinders Ranges Part 1

My first thoughts about the Flinders Ranges are of being cold, almost constantly cold, despite wearing thermals plus 3 other layers! True to form, it seems whenever we try to camp off grid (be it a free camp, State Forest or in this case, National Park), it rains. So it rained and was quite miserable the day we arrived and the second day. It cleared up throughout the third day there and we got to enjoy a bit of sun, and then the rain set in again that night and it rained on the day we left. So really, my opinion of the Ranges is pretty much seen through a grey drizzle.... not the best first impression :)

The drive out to the Ranges is lovely. From Quorn to Hawker there are a lot of ruins; beautiful old stone buildings that have been left to fall apart and crumble. They are beautiful and it is such a shame that they have been left to all down. I saw quite a few Flinders Ranges postcards with ruins in the sunset or sunrise on them and many of the ones we drove past could have been the ones on the postcards. Admittedly, we saw them through misty or drizzling rain, but they were still postcard worthy. I think they are a remnant of a time when it was more profitable to farm there, or perhaps it is just that over time the stations have grown much larger and there has been no need for the old buildings in these larger, amalgamated properties.

Not a great photo as the weather sucked and I was having camera issues

The Ranges are beautiful to look at, even covered in cloud. There is so much difference throughout the ranges. I thought they would be much more like the Blue Mountains, all rugged and sharp with deep gorges in amongst the mountains. I didn't expect the green rolling hills and almost open plain areas between the mountains. It is a beautiful mix of environments.

Probably the best views we had of the outside of Wilpena Pound

We camped at Dingley Dell, a National Park site with a (very clean and non stinky) drop toilet, garbage bins and fire pits. There were 2 other campers the first night, we were there alone the second night, and a Winnebago was there the third night, but each time they camped at the opposite end to us (wonder what that says about us???) and you didn't even know anyone else was there. I don't think it would be all that pleasant if it was full, but there are only a limited number of marked sites so it wouldn't be overwhelming. The camp site is right on the bank of a creek.... you can tell from the geography that it is a creek, because there was no water in it. All of the creeks were dry and they all had interesting rocky beds. At Dingley Dell the creek is a mix of rocks with a lot of shale. You could see why people build with it, as it breaks off in lovely flat rectangular pieces. The kids and I had a lot of fun playing in the dry creek, finding different coloured rocks to draw with and generally exploring. There was almost always a kangaroo or two bout 20m away keeping an eye on us.

View from the campsite

We had fun drawing on the rocks, exploring which rocks gave which coloured writing and making rock towers, when it wasn't raining, As these photos show, we did get some sun on Tuesday afternoon and all had fun playing

 A rainbow using coloured rocks

 Testing rock colourrs

Tilda's rock tower

It wasn't this dark really, just had camera issues. By the time it was this dark we were hiding inside out of the freezing cold

Smythesdale

We spent our first 3 days in the Ballarat area 20kms out of town at a place called Smythesdale. This little town offers a camp spot for travellers, complete with water, toilets (BYO loo paper!) and hot showers, for a donation that you leave at the Post Office.

I saw my first genuine (ie, not overly touristy and not overpriced) antique shop in the main street of Smythesdale and I hugely recommend a visit there for anyone in the area. There were all sorts of unique, interesting and quirky items. I felt quite nostalgic seeing a number of things that were similar to items that had been in my Gran's and Nana's houses when I was a child. I found a book I was so tempted to buy... but had no reason to. It was like a kids exercise book from school for working with pastels. It had velum sheets in between each drawing page to protect the work. It was done by a female and each page was dated from 1928 (making it 88 years old). Each page had a simple drawing on it, eg balloon, an orange, a rabbit etc. There was something so simple and elegant about it. I wish I had have bought it but really, what could I do with it?

We also found a BMX (or in Rory speak a "Mex") track that the kids had a ball on. Rory rode it on his balance bike, which is really quite funny if you think about it and I can just imagine what the teenage BMX riders would think if they saw it. Tilda managed to do her first ever jump over one of the jumps which she was rightly very proud of! Despite riding in the rain, the kids loved it and keep looking for new BMX tracks now.

Greg had a fossick in the river and found some more gold. In fact, while helping him, I panned my first lot of gold! Super exciting stuff... I found three flecks of gold!!!. So all up now we've possible made a dollar or so. We have a long way to go to even recover the cost of the gold pans (yep, pans plural because Tilda needed her own).

(I don't have any photos of Smythesdale, just videos from the "mex track")

Mornington Peninsula - Part 2

There was so much to do and see at Mornington that I had to split this over two blog posts. There have been a few other places where I could have done this too but didn't, but I guess Mornington gets two posts because I have lots to say and lots of photos to share.

Heronswood Garden
For those into organic gardening, heirloom seeds or just beautiful gardens, I am sure  you have heard of The Diggers Club. Heronswood is home to The Diggers Club and, as a former member and buyer of  their seeds, I was very keen to see the garden. I enjoyed this peaceful, serene break from the busy times we've been having. Greg looked after the kids as they explored the garden, leaving me to wander and enjoy at my leisure. It sure was bliss! I loved the beautiful gardens, the specimen trees and most importantly (for me), their different vegetable/edible gardens. I am inspired by what I saw and look forward to getting home and rebuilding my veggie garden and planting other, decorative gardens. I have so many ideas and thoughts swirling in my mind now.

 Mountain Ash specimen tree

 Part of the Mini Plot

Funky looking (Dr Suess reminding) plants

The Beach Huts

The foreshore for most of the Peninsula is dotted with these very retro, very cool looking beach huts.

Rye Adventure Playground

I'm not sure what it is about Victoria but it seems to have so many amazing, interesting and fun playgrounds for kids. The one at Rye is definitely worth the visit.

Mornington Peninsula - Part 1

We had a great week camping at Mornington Peninsula. We stayed on the foreshore at Rosebud. I am amazed that the Victorian Government still allows camping on the foreshore reserve, as it seems so many Councils are barring it. The amenities are old but they were clean while we were there. Admittedly we weren't there in peak time and I would imagine that when the park is packed, the amenities may not stand up to the volume of use.

The water at Rosebud was wonderful. It wasn't particularly warm but it was shallow for many metres out and so the kids could play happily and freely without me being in a permanent state of stress and anxiety over Rory. He could roam freely and follow the "big kids" without feeling constrained. It was safe for everyone so was a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing time. There were shells to find, water to play in and of course, many games with Willow and Sakari.

The Enchanted Adventure Garden
We visited the Enchanted Adventure Garden and had a great time there. While not cheap, we certainly did a lot while there and we all enjoyed it, even Rory.

Tilda and Greg got to do the tree top climb. Tilda did so well climbing through the treetop of the junior lines and Greg did very well scaling the much higher heights of the full climb.

We also enjoyed the tube ride, having so many goes on it that our legs were burning from pulling the tyre tubes up the hill so we could ride down again.

Tilda amazed us all by being able to figure out the tyre maze by herself, not long after the owner of the park told us that it was very hard to solve and most people can only solve it by working backwards. (We've decided that if she ever fails at visual perception in maths,she must not be trying after proving herself so capable with this maze).

 The entry topiares are not to be missed! A sign of great things to come.

 All dressed up ready to go

Peninsula Hot Springs

Tilda and I had a mummy-daughter day the the Hot Springs . We had a lovely time together and I would highly recommend it to anyone, although at one point during my relaxing soaking it crossed my mind to wonder how many people wee'd in the springs.... oh well, not so relaxing at that point!

We started our day at the top pool which as a 360 degree view. It is 42-43 degrees.... kind of uncomfortably warm after you've been in there for a while but the day was quite cool and overcast so it was rather pleasant.

We worked our way down the hill side, with the pool temperatures decreasing slightly as we went. Normally people start at the bottom and work their way to the top but the top 4-5 pools become 16+ only after 10am so they recommended we start at the top so we could enjoy the hotter pools as well. each pool is of a different size and temperature. Some pools are larger, like the cave pool, and others are smaller, only comfortably seating 2-4 people. We enjoyed each of the pools, but skipped the spa and Turkish bath. I would have enjoyed trying the Turkish bath but Tilda didn't want to do it and I couldn't leave her alone.

We tried the foot reflexology walk. I made Tilda do it twice. There are 10 different types of stone mediums in an ankle deep warm pool. There are tiny, very pointy stones and larger, smoother stones. I'm not sure if it did me any good but it was fun to do.

There are a couple of pools where you sit in the hot water for a few minutes and then plunge into a cold pool. Tilda dared me to do it, so the pair of us did it, not once, not twice but four times! She was so proud of herself as there were some older boys (early 20's) who went to try it and couldn't bring themselves to do it.

 The the top pool

Further down the hill side in a 36-38 degree pool