Feeling the Rush

Grampians to Gold Fields

Victoria

May 12 to May 17

Stunning Grampians.

"Not another national park," says Garry, eyeing the looming peaks of the Grampians in Western Victoria. But we've learnt every park is different, and once we were among the volcanic cones we were amazed, astonished and intrigued. The Grampians are composed of sandstone which was heated, compacted and uplifted an eye-glazing 430 million years ago to form the most extraordinary pinnacles and ridges.
Another fantabulous national park.

Beginning the 6km trek up to the Pinnacle via the Grand Canyon. 

"Oh, I love these hikes up mountains, Jennifer." The body language says it all.

Sandstone like we've never seen it before. Diced and sliced.

Almost at the top.

The village of Halls Gap nestled in the valley below.

Atop the Pinnacle. 

Lake Bellfield. You can see Myrtle, a teeny weeny white dot on the edge of the clearance in front of the dam wall.

The return journey. 

Yup, it was worth every step. 

Back to nature: We loved our campsite at Halls Gap. 

Scores of roos and amazing birdlife.

It was cold overnight - almost zero - so an open fire was most welcome.

Nocturnal visitors.

The Balconies and MacKenzie Falls were part of the Grampians itinerary. The Balconies had easy access so the mini-buses were rolling in but the hike down to the falls kept the crowds at bay.

The Balconies. I had to elbow a few people out of the way to get this photo. Bloody tourists.

Lake Wartook in the background. I pushed a few people over the edge for this shot! Ha ha.

MacKenzie Falls. Quite stunning.

Further downstream with the falls above.

Gold fever struck as we emerged from the Grampians and moved through Ballarat and Bendigo. Lots of fascinating history and beautiful old buildings. Gold delivered vast wealth to the region. 

For some reason I took very few photos of Ballarat, except the one below of the Lake Wendouree wetlands with its myriad birds in the centre of town. While in Ballarat we dropped into the Museum of Australian Democracy and revisited that extraordinary time in Australian history - the Eureka Stockade - which laid the foundations for our democratic system. One interesting tidbit gleaned was that Fiji and New Zealand were both invited to join the Australian Federation in 1901. They declined, for obvious reasons, but an interesting bit of trivia. 

Bendigo was once the world's biggest gold mine but mining finally ceased in 2013. Despite that, the town is vibrant and beautiful, very European. 

There was a Marilyn Monroe exhibition when we rolled through. Garry couldn't resist a peek up and the lovely lady's skirt. 

We also stopped in a swag of little towns that obviously were not always so little. When the gold rush was on they were thriving metropolises. Our favourite was Tarnagulla which in the 1860s had a population of 5000 - now 300. 

The remains of the Poverty Mine, which tapped into one of the richest gold reefs in the world.

The former Wesleyan Methodist Church - one of six churches - which was burnt down in 2000.

This church is privately owned but there are several others for sale, if you feel inclined.

The Colonial Bank with a chimney to facilitate its gold smelting service.

That's all for now. More of the Bangers' adventures shortly.