Cape Palliser Lighthouse and Seal Colony

Living in England I don’t think I had ever seen a Seal in the wild. In New Zealand they are everywhere and I can’t get enough of watching them and taking pictures of them. Especially the baby ones! There is no access beyond Cape Palliser, the ride was pretty long and windy but it was worth it to see the lighthouse and the Seals and pups.

The Putangirua Pinnacles

So I have just learnt what a hoodoo is... A hoodoo (also called a tent rock, fairy chimney, and earth pyramid) is a tall, thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin.

We woke up to a very dull sky and so my pictures of the Putangirua Pinnacles are very disappointing. The walk from the campsite up to the Pinnacles was incredibly atmospheric and wonderfully deserted. This was also a filming location for the 'Paths of the Dead' scene in the Return of the King, which meant that Michael got to watch the trilogy again when we got home.  

Camping in Putangirua

Our first campsite is the Department of Conservation campsite at Putangira, it is a pretty ideal location, it is beside the Putangirua Stream with views of the Cook Strait and a beach just across the road. 

Christmas Camping trip on the Bike

It’s our first Christmas in New Zealand and we are not fully up to speed with the Kiwi way of life yet. Many New Zealanders seem to take their main annual holiday over the Christmas period. Christmas also coincides with the school summer holidays here and it is not unusual for families to take the whole of January off work.  We had not managed to get a holiday organised and so we went shopping in the Kathmandu sale and purchased a tiny tent and some very posh sleeping bags and then set off on the bike for a little adventure.  

Life

Moving to New Zealand

In April 2014, after 11 months of travel, I landed back in England with a bump. My plan was to get a job as quickly as possible to start replenishing my savings that had been depleted, on my 23 country, trip round the world. I had thought the hardest part of taking a year off to travel was making the decision to go, on reflection I realise that the hardest part is having the adventure end.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing

When I first visited New Zealand, walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing was on my list of things to do, but with just 10 days on the North Island I couldn't fit everything in and so I didn't make it to National park. Ten months later and I have somehow persuaded Michael that a 8 hour 19.4km walk is a good way to celebrate his birthday. It was well worth it,  it is probably the best thing I have done in New Zealand. It was like walking into a different world. Simply stunning.

North Island Road Trip - Napier

Day Six

Mum had perviouly visited Napier with Dad when they were in New Zealand three years ago so she had a few hours to herself while Lynne and I took in a walking tour of Art Deco Napier. 

North Island Road Trip - Rotorua and Taupo

 Day Four & Five

 I recomended we visit Wai-o-tapu which is an active geothermal area, having visited previously back in February while on my round the world trip. This meant having to get to the Lady Knox Geyser at 10am for its daily eruption. 

Lady Knox Geyser at Wai-o-tapu

North Island Road Trip - The Forgotten World Highway

Day Three

We are blessed with a a beautiful clear spring day and we head out along the Forgotten World Highway with Mount Taranaki in our rear view mirror. The landscape is stunning and kind of reminds us of Teletubbie land and then there are so many stops for photographs and mum is wondering if we will ever get off this road.

North Island Road Trip - Whanganui to Stratford

Day One & Two

Mum and Lynne catch the Kiwi Rail from Auckland and I pick up the hire care in Wellingtond and drive north to meet them. All goes to plan and I am waiting at Palmerston North Station as the their pulls in. They retrieve their bags from the baggage compartment and load them into the car and we are soon heading North towards our first Motel in Whanganui. It is really wonderful to see them both here and we are all excited for the adventures ahead. Its a relitivly short drive but we arrive tired and so there is only really time to head out for some food and then it is back to the motel where they both desperately try to stay awake to beat the jet lag that is trying to envelope them. 

North Island Road Trip

Mum and Lynne have come over for a two week holiday in New Zealand. They land in Auckland and after a day of jet lag and touristing, they catch a Kiwi Rail train down to Palmerston North, where I meet them with the hire car to join them for a 7 day North Island Road trip.  

Walking past Wellington Airport with a Camera - Definitely not plane spotting!

Our first house in Wellington, was on a road which ran parallel to the runway at Wellington Airport. This meant that when ever we took a walk we would end up walking along Evsns Bay or Moa Point where the planes were either taking off or landing. I would usually have a camera in my hand and so I found myself sat at the end of the runway on a Sunday afternoon waiting for the planes to come into land. 

Wellington Sculpture Trails

There are a few different sculpture trails around Wellington. These pictures were taken on the Meridian Wind Walk in Evans Bay, Wellington at the north end of the airport runway. 

The Miramar Peninsular

Home is now on the Mirama Peninsula and it is a pretty stunning place to be living

Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Park

Its our first week living in New Zealand and we drive up to Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Park on a mission to find a Kiwi. 

And we found two; Manukura a famous white kiwi and Turua a brown North Island Kiwi. 

We also met a very friendly Kokako

US Road Trip Day 28 and Day 29 - NYC!

"Down into Philly for Hand-Drawn Noodles and a Greyhound bus to New York City. Through the Lincoln Tunnel and heavily loaded on to the L train over to Brooklyn, where we found the little walk up we discovered on AirBnB for the next few days. Sunday morning down to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade, the weather holding out for a grey view of the skyline. Up to West Greenwich Village for a walk around the confusing streets, then to the High Line Park and along the greenery among the old train tracks. An accidental stop at B&H Photo (the most ridiculously automated camera store in the world), then past Times Square and over to the grand old New York Public Library and the huge reading room. Closing out the evening with Grand Central Station and the Apple Store they've set up there, then back to Brooklyn for a night of letting the bones settle in the feet. Monday takes us to the World Trade Center Memorial for early tickets and a walk around the marble footprints of the fallen towers. Over to the Wall Street Bull and then into the trains for pizza slices up near Central Park. A short walk around in the lovely green to the Bethesda Fountain and the mosaic at Strawberry Fields, then on to the C train towards the main business of the day. Waiting and waiting and front row seats to see Jon Stewart and the Daily Show, then out from the laughter to walk over to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Shattered and exhausted, so back to Brooklyn and a night cuddling an adopted cat named Ben. This morning spent packing and preparing and hoofing it to JFK, where we sit now waiting for the long night's flight on to London!" (MM)

US Road Trip Day 26 and Day 27 - Two days in Philadelphia to sell the car

"A blustery Wednesday morning of car and clothes washing, then getting the car appraised at the CarMax in Frederick, Maryland. Both of us tired, so along up to just outside the President's retreat at Camp David, where we found a great deal on the Hoover Cottage at the (vaguely) world famous Cozy Inn: a terrible movie watched from a jacuzzi, then dinner at the restaurant carve out of time next door. Thursday breakfast and flight booking in the Cozy, then up to Gettysburg, where I learned the difference between North and South, then over to stand near the footsteps of Lincoln. A long drive through Pennsylvania traffic and past Valley Forge to the oddly named (and, for a pedestrian, murderously designed) King of Prussia, where we had discovered our last chance CarMax. A ridiculous bit of looping around convinced Michael it was time to lose the car (and possibly the iPhone!!!), so we found a nearby hotel and took a bus in before Chinese noodles in Philadelphia. That taste of the City of Brotherly Love wasn't enough, so this morning we packed and Michael sold his long-faithful car before an Indian buffet and another bus into town. Walking up the Rocky Steps and through the streets of Philadelphia before ending at the Liberty Bell and the steps of Independence Hall. Back now under darkening skies, and tomorrow on to New York by Greyhound." (MM)

US Road Trip Day 23 - Washington DC

"This morning up and off to Fairfax, Virginia, where we said goodbye to our steadfast mattress (a sad casualty of a soon-to-arrive need to sell the car), and then in to Washington, DC ... with a massive and frustrating delay spent searching for parking so we could get on the Metro. To the White House and then down to the Washington Monument, accompanied by the pitter patter of rain. Over past the Second World War Memorial and on past the Vietnam Veteran's Wall, then to the end of the Reflecting Pool and up the steps to see Lincoln at his memorial. Back to the car and up north a ways until we crossed in to Maryland in the thick of rush hour traffic, taking us (if counts correct) to 17 states since we left. Bushwhacked by headaches and exhaustion, and a need to get on Skype, we've settled in to a little hotel for some takeout pizza and an early night somewhere near Fredrick, Maryland" (MM)

State count - 17

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland

US Road Trip Day 22 - Shenandoah Skyline, Virginia

"More long hours driving the slow route up through the Smoky Mountains. Some more deer and a few turkey and even a wild vulture along the way, and more stops on mountain overlooks. Along through Virginia and on to the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, with a stop necessitated by a leaking jar of Tabasco olives. Another strange little campsite for the evening, with more rice and oddities cooked over coals and a bit of dried twig. An owl swooped through the trees as the dusk was falling, then we bedded down once more in the back of the car under the trees." (MM)

State count - 15

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia

US Road Trip Day 21 - Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia

Dinner and a movie in the strange little town of Ashevile, North Carolina, then up to run around on Easter Morn to do laundry and prepare for a long day's driving. North on to the Blue Ridge Parkway (by way of getting briefly lost), and then along past deer and mountain views until we found a little town called Fancy Gap to camp for the night. A quick lesson in making rice in little tin takeout trays over smoking coals, then an early (and, for the larger of us, uncomfortable) night in the "boot" of the car. (MM)

US Road Trip Day 19 - Lafayette Cemetary and the bridge across Lake Pontchartrain

"We pack and drive to yet another graveyard, then over the 23 miles of Lake Pontchartrain and along the swamps and beaches to Biloxi, Mississippi. A direction change and over to Montgomery and the starting point of the fire that was the Civil Rights Movement. Yet another cheap hotel and over to the Rosa Parks Museum, right outside the stop where she refused to stand, and then on through three more states before nightfall, with me driving in the rains  of Georgia, South, and North Carolina." (MM)

US Road Trip Day 18 - New Orleans

"A day spent wandering New Orleans till our feet ached. Graveyards and frustrating busses and markets and streetcars and Anne Rice's mansion, hoo boy!" (MM)

US Road Trip Day 17 - Grand Isle, Louisiana then into New Orleans for the night.

"A morning spent on AirBnB nets us a Red Room in New Orleans, but no check in till 3PM sends us down the LA 1 to Grande Isle, passing a roadkilled gator along the way (with the deer, cougar, opposi, and armadillo so far, we've been building a collection of the tire tread dead sightings) ... past stilted houses and out to walk on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico with a flock of squabbling birds. Back up along the LA 1 and over to 'Nawlins', where we found our home for the next couple nights. A walk down to Bourbon Street and the French Quarter and African vegetarian and beignets and hot chocolate at the Cafe Du Monde. Back to a too-high bed in a too-red room." (MM)

State count - 10

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana  

US Road Trip Day 16 - Into Louisiana, a very sad motel pool and the Tabasco factory on Avery Island!

"We continued up through Amarillo (where I tried to teach Michael about Tony Christie) and into Oklahoma, arriving in Altus (the place of Michaels birth) for a blustery evening of pizza and Game of Thrones spoilers. Another frozen dawn (but no tornadoes!) and on to Headrick, the near ghost town where Michael spent my first years. Then on a LONG road through Oklahoma and down to Paris, Texas. An Eiffel Tower chocolate in cowboy hat in hand, then off to terrible Chinese and Texarcana for a night straddling Texas and Arkansas. A very long road (strewn with ex-armadillos) in to Louisiana, where I tried my first Cajun. To Lafayette and then to Avery Island, where a tour of the Tabasco factory gets one of Michaels goofy dreams accomplished. Across the largest river swamp on Earth and down through Baton Rouge, giggling through tongue twisters (and my first shrimp Po'Boy) on our way towards a hotel somewhere on the Bayou before New Orleans." (MM)

US Road Trip Day 14 - Roswell, New Mexcio, Then a quick dash into Oklahoma via the corner of Texas

No trip to Roswell would be complete without a visit to the UFO Museum. Definitely one of the strangest places on this road trip and where we learned that there's nothing a weather balloon can't be confused for.

State count - 6

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico

US Road Trip Day 13 - Carlsbad

State count - 6

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico

US Road Trip Day 12 - Truth or Consequences, Lake Valley and Hatch, New Mexico

Truth or Consequences used to be called Hot Springs but chanced its name after winning a radio competition in the 1950's

State count - 6

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico

Now a Ghost Town, Lake Valley was a silver mining town and has produced 180 tonnes of silver and had its heyday at the end of the 19th century. The last resident left in 1994 and it is a pretty interesting place to take a walkM

US Road Trip Day 11 - Santa Fe and The Very Large Array

Santa Fe was an amazing place to visit, the architecture was unique, even the multi-story car park and Mcdonalds

US Road Trip Day 10 - Bandelier National Monument

Banderlier is the site of the homes and territory of the Ancestral Pueblo People. Most of the structures date from the 12th to 17th centuries

US Road Trip Day 8 - Monument Valley and The Four Corners

"We loved the mesas, but bubble in the tire and low suspension means no driving the desert trail. On to Four Corners, where we took turns being in four states at once.  A Navajo Taco and the long road to Los Alamos, with me driving and dogs jumping willy nilly into our path. Finally a gas station, fit to burst, then on to night at a Michael's good friend's family house near the birthplace of the atomic bomb." (MM)

US Road Trip Day 7 - Leaving Las Vagas and The Grand Canyon

"Lazily off to (briefly) join Route 66 and fiercely compete on finding license plates from all the states. An odd air museum and a closed-eyed walk up to the Southern Rim of the Grand Canyon for me. Some deer / elk encounters and a late night drive into the middle of nowhere. Thoughts of sleeping in a non-existent truck stop, then through the dark to the edge of Monument Valley" (MM)

State count - 4

California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona

US Road Trip Day 6 - Death Valley and and overnight in Vegas

"Overnight in Tulare then onto Las Vegas, via Death Valley and it's shifting sands." (MM)

State count - 2 

California, Nevada

US Road Trip Day 5 - Yosemite

I was completely blown away by the beauty of Yosemite National Park. The day was spent hiking and hiding from bears. Many photos were taken, mainly of squirrels and the famous El Capitan. The drive out was though a blizzard, I was not prepared for snow in California. The preferable route was still closed for the winter.

State count – (still) 1 

California

US Road Trip Day 4 - Monterey to Yosemite

After hearing rumors of a Sun Fish from the long lost cousins and a revelation from Michael that he always wanted to go, we backtrack town the PCH to Monterey to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

State count – (still) 1 
California

The Monterey Aquarium

US Road Trip Day 2 and Day 3 - San Francisco

Only one day in to the road trip and we indulge in a few days taking in the sights of San Francisco

State count – 1 - California

The Golden Gate Bridge

US Road Trip Day 1 - Malibu to Saratoga

We have packed up our little house in Malibu, handed back the keys and by 10am we are heading north along the Pacific Coast Highway. Though Santa Barbara and a quick stop in Solvang to see the little Dutch town. Onwards, to Big Sur to visit the 'aromatic' elephant seals. Finally reaching our destination in Saratoga, our base for the next few days, to stay with long lost cousins while visiting San Francisco. 

US Road Trip Map

US Road Trip

19 States in 30 days

And so we are off again. My round the world trip is nearly at an end, but there is still time to fit in a few more sites before I head back to reality.  We set off in Michaels GTI, with no route planed but lots of places on the 'wish list' and just kind of make it up as we go along. 

A few lazy weeks in Malibu

I land in LA three hours before I leave Christchurch having crossed the International Date Line.

I am here to stay with Michael and he has rented a little house perched on a bluff in Malibu having recently returned from his own round the world adventure.  This is the longest by far I have been in any one place in 9 months and a nice way to wind down from the travel. During our time in Malibu, a mixture of practicalities and catching up with for Michael and site seeing for me, we formulate our next move.  We decide that as I am heading back to England, it might be fun to drive across America to the East coast and pick up a flight from there. Squeezing in one last adventure before the reality of hoping home hits hard.

Nelson to Kaikoura via Queen Charlotte Drive and Picton

We are on the home straight now and heading back to Christchurch where we drop off our faithful camper and I catch my flight onto Los Angeles and Owen heads home.  Luckily it is a beautiful route along Queen Charlotte Drive and then down the east cost. After a month in this stunning country I have to reminded myself not to get complacent about the beautiful views.

South Island Road Trip Day 12, 13 and 14 Methven to Nelson via Hamner Springs

From Sunny Methven we headed towards Hamner Springs where a very happy afternoon was spent in the thermal pools. Then onwards towards Nelson to meet up with a travel buddy I first met in Malaysia

South Island Road Trip Day 11 - Aoraki Mount Cook to Methven via Lake Tekapo

We wake up at the campsite at Mount Cook at take a walk to the view point for the Tasman Glacier

South Island Road Trip Day 10 - Waikouati to Mount Cook via Moeraki Boulders, Lake Waitaki and Lake Pukaki

South Island Road Trip Day 9 - Milton to Waikouati via Dunedin and Otago

We drove out the Otago Peninsula and were lucky enough to spot seals, penguins and royal albatros

South Island Road Trip Day 8 - Invercargill to Milton via The Catlins

You could probable spend a couple weeks in the The Catlins there are so many places to explore along the way. There is lots of rain again today so we spend more time in the camper than we would have liked. However we did manage to spot a few penguins and seals along the way as well as squeeze in a quick walk to Slope Point which is the southern most point of the South Island. 

South Island RoadTrip Day 7 - Hollyford to Invercargill via Milford Sound

Off to an early start despite needing a jumpstart as somehow the headlights got left on overnight leading to a flat battery. 

The Homer Tunnel on the way to Milford Sound

We are pretty unlucky with the weather but then Milford Sound does have a reputation for rain and is the wettest inhabited place in New Zealand

South Island Road Trip Day 6 - Kingston to Hollyford via Five Rivers and Te Anau

We stay overnight in a campsite in Kinston and then after a stop in Te Anau we head up towards Milford Sound. There is a quick detour to rescue a farmer how has got his truck stuck in the mud and we hear about the ridiculous number of cows and sheep that he has on his huge farm. The night is spent in Hollyford and we are really grateful that we are not under canvas as the rain is intense

South Island Road trip days 4 & 5 - Queenstown

We stop for a couple of days in Queenstown and while Owen is busy getting his adrenalin fix jumping out of a plane, I spend the day relaxing by Lake Wakatipu

South Island Road Trip Day 3 - Lake Paringa to Queenstown via Wanaka and Cardrona Valley Road

Our second night of camping was spent at Lake Paringa, It is a beautiful place to wake up 

South Island Road Trip Day 2 - Okarito to Lake Paringa via Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and Lake Matherson

After quick explore along the coast at Okarito we head onto Franz Josef where we are hoping to catch a Helicopter ride to the top of the glacier. 

South Island Road Trip Day 1 - Christchurch to Okarito via Arthur's Pass and Hokitika

We pick our little camper van from Jucy. It is pretty compact and has a kitchen in the boot. 

Christchurch

Owen, A friend from home, has flown over to New Zealand and we have hired a little camper van for a two week road trip on the South Island. But first we have a day to explore Christchurch

Wellington to Picton to Christchurch

There is bit of a stressful start to the trip from Wellington to Christchurch. I am booked on the 9am ferry, for the three hours crossing to Picton where I am due to catch the 12.45 (Naked) bus to Christchurch. There is a shuttle bus from Wellington Station to the ferry terminal and I arrive in good time and join the assembled travellers wait for its arrival. Only it doesn’t arrive, a man eventually arrives to tell us that that it has broken-down and they are looking for a replacement, but not to worry, the ferry will not leave without us. The minutes tick by and I get more and more anxious. My chilled out travelling ways of Asia seem to have been replaced by the stress of the western world. As we approach 9am and the ferry’s scheduled departure time more and more people are giving up on the bus and jumping into taxis. I eventually give in and join some others in a taxi. I feel better once I am on the ferry but it leaves about an hour late and so for the whole crossing I am anxious that the bus will go without me and I will be stuck in Picton for the night when I have a bed booked in Christchurch. I needn’t have worried as the bus waited for the ferry as otherwise it would have left empty and I finally arrive in Christchurch at 6pm.

The crossing is pretty uneventful, but the views going into Picton are worth braving the windy, miss-named Sundeck. And the highlight of the drive down to Kaikoura is the bus driver spotting some seals sunbathing on the rocks and stopping the bus to let us all hop off and see them.

Wellington

From Rotorua its down to Wellington for my last stop on the North Island. Another strange dorm room and a day to explore the capital on foot. Along the waterfront and up to the views from Mount Victoria, then over to the botanical gardens and towards parliament.

Rotorua and Wai-O-Tapu

And so back onto the tourist bus. I am off to Wai-O-tapu to see the Lady Knox Geyser go off to the well rehearsed spiel of the guide. This is followed by a rushed walk around the geothermal features in the park to get back to the bus in time for the ride back to Rotorua. The park is actually well worth a visit, it is incredible to see the unique characteristics of the changing landscape. 

Tokorangi Pa track - Whakarewarewa Forest.

A pleasant day spent ‘naked’ bussing from Phihia to Rotorua via Auckland, happily chatting to a Swiss girl I met on the Cape Reinga trip.

Another hostel error and I end up in a mixed dorm room much to my displeasure. Still on the bright side I am able to get lots of advise on things to do in Rotorua from my new roommates. Another NZ$60 spent and I have booked a tour for the next day.

As for today, I catch a bus out to the Redwood woods.  I am greeted with an information board listing 7 or 8 walks, I opt for the Tokorangi Pa track, an 11.5km/3hrs 30 mins walk.

After the walk past all the Redwoods and the initial assent up to 500 meters I continue to follow the purple arrows until they completely disappear and I am left to guess the route, luckily they do not disappear for too long as the track is completely deserted, most people choosing to take the shorter routes. Part of the walk is trough an area of pine trees that has recently been harvested and the landscape is bleak and impressive at the same time. Onwards to the site of an ancient Maori Pa and some less ancient carvings. And then the endless walk back to the visitors centre at the start. I still have some energy from somewhere and walk back to the hostel.

Bay of Islands - Paihia to Opua

My second day in Paihia and we get beautiful sunshine which is good as I am desperate to get out of the hostel which is full of hung over children who are just waiting to get drunk again. Note to self... do more research before booking hostels.

 I choose to take a walk along the coastal track to Opua which is about 6km.  It is a pretty deserted route which is heavenly after the chaos on the bus yesterday and the crowds at the hostel. It is a really pleasant walk round bays and past, wading birds and mangrove trees.

A very grey Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga

Having made the decision to travel to Paihia, I really have to travel to the northerly most point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga and its promise of seeing the Tasman Sea meeting the Pacific. I have had to book a tour to take this trip. The tour is excellent but at over NZ$100 I can already tell that my budget is going to take quite a hit in New Zealand. Due to its popularity, the tour had to be booked in advance and because of this I was unable to check on the weather forecast.  Which is why I am standing in the wind and torrential rain waiting for the tour bus to pick me up outside or the tourist office at 7am.  

Arrival in New Zealand - First Stop is Auckland

I have said good bye to Australia and the comforts of the homes of the friends and family I stayed with there.  The reality of backpacking in New Zealand is very different to travelling in South East Asia. For one thing there are many more groups of Gap Year kids who are here to work and party and less solo travellers. Secondly New Zealand is predictably and significantly more expensive than Asia, this means that I have had to book my beds and busses a few weeks in, I no longer have the freedom to make it up as I go along as I did in Asia, and I no longer have the luxury of being able to move on immediately if I don’t like a town or a hostel.  I am now as far away from home as I am going to be and nearing the end of my trip, so despite the fact that I am desperately missing Asia I know I have to make the most of my month in New Zealand and not dwell on the things I cannot change.

The Beautiful Blue Mountains - Part Two

For my second day in the Blue Mountains I took the train to Wentworth Falls and walked the National Pass.

The Beautiful Blue Mountains - Part One

Springwood - Sassafras Gully and the Fairy Dell

Sydney

And so onto Springwood in the Blue Mountains to stay with my friend Michaela and her husband Steve. I arrive on Australia day, in time for a barbeque with Steve’s family and some friends. I alternate my days between visiting Sydney and heading further into the mountains.  It is a pretty idyllic place to live, balancing the best of all worlds, city life, town living and rural recreation. After a week of Michaela and Steve’s hospitality I am asking them to adopt me.  

First stop Sydney. I was last her 20 years ago, and even though I have seen them before I head straight to the iconic sights of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

East Cost Road Trip - Newcastle to Hawksnest

Hilary suggests we take a road trip up the cost and so we set off up to Hawknest. From there we take a walk along the Wind Woppa Reserve spit and up the hill at the end. On the way down Hilary spots a huge goanna snoozing on a tree. We then head a little further up the coast for a picnic on the sand. We are the only people for miles on this huge sandy beach but we are both utterly bemused by the 4x4s tearing up and down the sand.

Newcastle

The nearest city to Hiliary’s house is Newcastle so we head in on the train to have a look around. I really industrial city like its English namesake. However a few minutes’ walk out of the city and you get to beautiful golden sandy beaches.

East Maitland

After a dash across Melbourne and to check in with barely minutes to spare I have a short flight up to Newcastle to stay with mum’s cousin Hilary.   

Hilary is really wonderful and it is amazing to spend time to her one-to-one. Of the handful of times I have met her before has been as part of a family gathering. It is lovely to hear her stories and tell her about my recent adventures.  When her daughter Tanya comes over one evening I am really struck by the strong family resemblance between them both and my mum and grandmother.  

Hilary has an appointment in East Maintland so I tag along for the ride, picking up a walking tour guide on the way. 

Cakes in St Kilda

My last day in Melbourne and I go with Alison to visit her mother in St Kilda. Apparently the thing to do is to visit the window of all the cake shops to pick out the cake you want before heading inside to indulge. Predictable I choose a huge chocolate fudge cake.

I then spend some time on the pier watching the kite surfers before walking along the coast to Brighton before jumping on the train back to Mentone.

Bendigo

On my way back to Melbourne I take a detour up to Bendigo, mainly because it has a really funny name and I used to have an old work contact who used to live here and would often talk about the place. It is still really too hot to do too much touristing so after a quick look around it is back to the City to await the ‘cool change’  

A quick stop at Hanging Rock

We took a trip out to Hanging Rock, I really wanted to visit after reading “A Picnic at Hanging Rock” and watching the very eerie film as a child. We arrived too late to get any closer although we did get stopped by the police who wanted to know why we were stopped on the highway. Were firebugs in the area and apparently our behaviour was suspicious. Martyn explained that I was a pom who was excited to see the Kangaroos on the racetrack and we were soon on our way. It was really interesting staying in this area as bush fires are a constant threat especially when temperatures get as high as they have been. It’s unbelievable to think that there are people who start them deliberately.

Echuca

Now to Kyneton and to stay with some more of Mum and Dad’s friends and some more Australian Hospitality. Martyn and Vicky lived in England in the 90s and Martyn worked with my dad. Martyn took me for a day trip to Eccuca, a fascinating town on the banks on the river Murray,  We took a ride on a steamer which would have been relaxing if it hadn’t been so unbearably hot. I loved seeing the river life and the Australian version of the house boat.

Melbourne - The Open

Coincidently I am in Melbourne while the Open is on. And as Alison and Robin are avid watchers I kind of get swept up in the excitement of it all.

Melbourne - Along the River Yarrow

My last walking tour and this time it is along the Waterfront.

Melbourne Parks and Botanical Gardens

Another self guided walk, this time the Secret Gardens walk 6 kilometre walk passing sculptures, monuments and walking through the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens as well as Queen Victoria Gardens and Kings Domain

Melbourne - The Laneways and Street Art

There is so much to see in Melbourne, as I am on a budget I opt to do some self guided walking tours. The maps and guides are available from the visitors centre.

Walk 4 is the Lanes and Arcades tour and it takes me through the laneways and gives me some history at the same time. Melbourne is a really colourful city not least because of all the street art. 

Touristing in Melbourne

We have left the sand sea and surf behind but not the heat as we head back to the city. Melbourne is currently experiencing a heat wave and the temperatures are in the 40s. I have never experienced heat like it. It is unbearably hot but really dry. When you step outside it is like stepping into tumble dryer, or like someone holding a hairdryer in your face. It is not pleasant at all but this is my first time in Melbourne and I am not going to let a little hold me back from sightseeing.

Philip Island Penguin Parade

The penguin colony at Philip Island is big business with hundreds of tourists turning up every evening at dusk to see the Little Penguins return to the colony after, up to two weeks at sea. There are huge stands built on the beach to accommodate the spectators and as visitors have been watching the parade for almost one hundred years the penguins don't know any other way and we are assured that they are not bothered by all the people. In fact, the penguin population in the Philip Island colony has risen from just eight thousand to over thirty thousand in the last decade so they must be happy penguins.