Southern Highlands October 2012

Towards the end of October we had a couple of nights booked in the Southern Highlands town of Mittagong. We were so impressed with Chinoiserie, where we had stayed earlier in the year that we re-booked for two nights. October was chosen so we could be there during the flowering season of Dominic's beloved peonies.

We took a route through Sydney and around Botany Bay heading south towards the Royal National Park. Unfortunately we were unable to drive through the park as the road was closed because of an accident. We picked up the route once again just before Stanwell Tops. We stopped briefly to look out at the foaming surf rolling in to the beach at Stanwell Park below.

Continuing on along the coast road, over the Seacliff Bridge at Coalcliff and arriving at the Scarborough Hotel for lunch. It was a pity it was so windy because it is such a lovely place to eat outside.

Lunch over, we continued along the highway and eventually turned off on to the Illawarra Highway to take us up over the range. Passing through Robertson and skirting Moss Vale we arrived at our beautiful B&B in time for afternoon tea.

Chris made us welcome once again and he soon had us sitting down to coffee and cake in our small lounge area. Dominic was just closing up after his open garden for the day. I shall let the pictures speak for themselves.

We spent our second day visiting Fitzroy Falls and Berrima returning to Mittagong via a different route across country into Bowral and up on to Mt Gibraltar. 

We had just enough time to wander around the garden back at Chinoiserie, but Dominic said it would be better in the morning as the peonies were starting to close up for the night.

All too soon we were taking our leave, but not without some more photos of the lovely house and garden.

We drove up to Lake Alexandra before heading home and walked around the lake before heading up the mountain to seek out the waratahs which are in bloom in October. What a sight it was to see so many of the beautiful flowers growing in the wild.

 All in all a very pleasant couple of days away. One I'm sure we shall do again.

Wangaratta - day 5

With the forecast of possible showers and a much cooler day than yesterday, it was a group rugged up which departed for our tour of Bright. The showers did not eventuate and the sun kept us from feeling too cold.

Bright is renowned for its autumn colours, however the many blossom trees in town were just starting to show off their splendour.

Our coach headed straight for the riverside park where we started the day with morning tea. The Ovens River was flowing very swiftly and was very swollen. With a large snow melt to come it will be watched very carefully as summer approaches.

We watched a video presentation of the area with a historical account of how the High Country has changed since gold was discovered. Then our local guide, Les, took us on an entertaining overview of the town of Bright and also the heritage town of Wandiligong. Once a mining area it is now a producer of apples and chestnuts.

Apparently this town has such a tight knit community they call people from Bright ‘city slickers’. The people from Bright reputedly say they need to lose their front teeth and play the banjo to be accepted in “Wandi” – only in Australia!!

Back in Bright we had lunch in a local café and then had free time to wander around this pretty town.

One last stop – we were taken to the Red Deer and Emu Farm. Situated in the hills outside Myrtleford we were welcomed by the owner who talked about how the business has grown and diversified over time. The views were gorgeous and as we wandered around the grounds the sun found its way through the clouds currently showering the High Country with snow and we saw that snow on one of the peaks shining like a beacon between the wooded hills.

The animals provided plenty of interest as did the emu oil they produce – good for arthritis and dry skin and other ailments – a popular purchase.

lots of emu chicks keeping warm under an electric light

Many deer had shed their antlers - this rack was still on display

On our way back we passed through Everton where they are now the proud owners of a bus shelter.

Only in Australia

Once back in Wangaratta the usual 5 o’clock drinks did not happen, everyone was resting up for their dinner and entertainment on our last night.

It’s been a wonderful few days. Now it’s back to Sydney and reality.

Wangaratta - day 4

Today was yet another highly anticipated day for our tour – Beechworth. The weather was still being very kind with an exceptional forecast of a warm day for the area.

Beechworth is such a jewel in the region for a number of reasons. It is not only the last place the infamous Ned Kelly, bush ranger, was interred before being moved to Melbourne (for trial sentencing and hanging), but also for its development as a gold mining town and important regional centre in the mid to late 1800s.

There are more than 30 heritage listed buildings in the town (most of which are in the two main streets, Camp St and Ford Street) where the majority of the buildings survive from the 1850s. The notable deep gutters were constructed around the 1870s to assist with the disbursement of snow and flooding rains. The beautiful elms lining some of the main streets were planted around 1880 and all the buildings in town are painted with heritage colours and no neon signs are permitted for the businesses, in keeping with the heritage value of the town.

Outside the historic Courthouse

You can still send a telegram, sent via Morse code from here

 In Finch St, there are also some beautiful buildings and the granite façade of the old hospital is still to be found in Church St. It was built in 1856.

One of many beautiful cottages in Beechworth

The park at one end of town has some grand North American Sequoias and other plants which were transported from the Melbourne Botanic Gardens in 1875. This park is near the Museum in Loch Street which is named for Robert O’Hara Burke (of Burke and Wills fame) who was, for a time, Police Superintendent in the town.

At the opposite end of town down Camp St and continuing into Albert St is the highest point of the town and the site of the former psychiatric hospital. The buildings here are NT classified.

Now owned by La Trobe University, it is worth the short drive around the grounds which in spring time are a blaze of colour in the gardens. As you enter the grounds and follow the road to the right there is an avenue of oaks which was planted by an inmate who was simply known by his initials. Also, just at the beginning of the avenue are two magnificent white gums which are estimated to be more than 250 years old.

Before we were taken to the lake for morning tea, we took the route past the Beechworth Gaol and then dropped off our guide. The gaol was built between 1860 and 1864 and was eventually decommissioned in 2005. Again this building is NT classified.

Near the lake a Chinese sunken garden is in the process of being developed to recognise the contribution of the Chinese to the town during the days of the Gold Rush. It being spring, there were blossoms coming out on the trees and along the side of the lake the wattles were showing off their golden tresses.

After morning tea we were left at the Beechworth Courthouse for a very entertaining presentation about the history of the Courthouse as well as an interactive recreation of the trial of Ned Kelly. Naturally, I put up my hand to be involved and took the part of the Prosecutor. Costumes were provided and a script. It was a thoroughly entertaining end to our morning in this historic town.

Acting up in the dock before we started

Michael (aka Ned Kelly) setting the scene prior to the trial of Ned Kelly

All set to 'take to the stage'

Lunch was provided by the CWA across the road – beautiful soup and a roll. As they had a captive audience, they put on a raffle too. After lunch we were free to wander the town. So many places to visit – the honey shop, the pottery store (which, sadly was not open today), lots of cafes to choose from and beautiful buildings to photograph – Tanswells Hotel, the Post Office, and of course, the Beechworth Bakery.

Many a famous Beechworth Bakery Beesting was consumed with cups of tea or coffee this afternoon, despite having had such a beautiful lunch. No room for ice cream sadly. The ice creamery will have to wait for another day.

Our last stop was at Murray’s Brewery where we were able to taste the cordials that are today the mainstay of the establishment. Also housed here is a carriage museum under the auspices of the National Trust. Some renovations were being undertaken, but we were still able to see the carriages, despite their being crowded into a small temporary housing space.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring.