RED ROCK LOOKOUT, ALVIE.

April 13, 2015 / wordynerdbird / 2 Comments

Red Rock is a dormant volcano near Alvie in western Victoria which offers spectacular views of lakes, craters and dramatic landforms that are the result of volcanic action over thousands of years. It is believed to be a younger volcano than others nearby such as Tower Hill near Warrnambool, Lake Purrumbete near Camperdown, and Mt Elephant at Derrinallum. The views from the lookout are breathtaking: craters, lakes, hills and folds that rise dramatically out of the earth, and a patchwork of farms that thrive on the rich volcanic soil.It’s no wonder they call this “Lakes and Craters Country”.

On Coragulac Hill near the peak of Red Rock, is the War Memorial for Alvie and Dreeite servicemen who fought “for God, King and Country” as stated on the stone memorial. As I stood and read the names, I was very aware of the fact that it was exactly 100 years ago that some of these men were fighting and dying for our freedom. I spent two minutes in silence and finished with “Lest We Forget”. It just seemed like the right thing to do.

LAKE COLAC FORESHORE

April 13, 2015 / wordynerdbird / Leave a comment

A path along the foreshore and up to the rotunda contains bricks engraved with dedications and messages from local people. This was definitely my favourite.

The artwork is in the shape the footpad of the Tachyglossus, a now-extinct relative of the echidna. It includes totems of the local Gulidjan/Kolacgnat tribe as well as a boomerang, a gum tree leaf and an outline of Red Rock, a dormant volcano visible on the other side of the lake. It is surrounded by native grasses and plants, and a stone wall that represents British settlement.

HOPKINS FALLS, VICTORIA.

April 12, 2015 / wordynerdbird / Leave a comment

In the early Autumn, the Hopkins River meanders lazily through the beautiful farmlands of western Victoria, gurgling and spilling gently over these rocks and falls near Cudgee, just north of Warrnambool. The water level is so low that some parts of the stream are cut off, forming rock pools in the river bed above the falls. Cows graze along the banks and drink from the cool, fresh stream.
When the river is high and fast, the falls are turbulent and powerful, and the stream below is far too deep and unsafe for cows to graze so close to its banks.

OTWAY RANGES SCENERY.

April 4, 2015 / wordynerdbird / Leave a comment

Lofty mountain ash and other gum trees in the old-growth forest with tree ferns lining the edge of the road.

Younger trees pushing the boundaries of the car park at Melba Gully.

A view through a forestry/logging area deeper into the Otway Ranges.

Kangaroos enjoying a feed on fresh green grass in a clearing on the road into a logging area.

PRINCETOWN, VICTORIA.

April 3, 2015 / wordynerdbird / Leave a comment

RAIL TRAIL. COBDEN, VICTORIA

April 1, 2015 / wordynerdbird / Leave a comment

This old bridge formed part of the railway line between Cobden and Camperdown. It can be found on Sadler’s Road, Naroghid.

Most of the rail trail between Camperdown and Timboon can be walked or cycled. It weaves through the outer edge of the town of Cobden, where these pictures were taken.

Halls Gap, Victoria, Australia.

February 22, 2015 / wordynerdbird / Leave a comment

Halls Gap is a picturesque small town nestled in the Grampians National Park, which features a breathtaking mountain range that rises sharply out of the flat land surrounding them in northern Victoria, Australia. Kangaroos, kookaburras and possums are frequent visitors to campsites and eating areas. Emus, kangaroos and other wildlife roam freely through the natural Australian bush.

Summer storm.

February 13, 2015 / wordynerdbird / Leave a comment

The heat and humidity hung heavily in the afternoon air. The yellow of the wattles and the white trunks and green leaves of the gum trees that lined the road became more vivid in contrast to the looming darkness of the sky. In the gully where the koalas and kangaroos thrive, animal scents rose from the recently dampened earth.
A brilliant flash of lightning cut through the air, finding its earth in the paddock just beside the road, electrifying the air and then the earth around it for a white hot, fleeting moment. One flash was answered by another, further east, as the thunder rumbled deep and loud.
The rain splattered to the ground in big, lazy, messy drops that plashed carelessly on the ground, only to evaporate immediately back into the hazy hotness.