Friday, January 27, 2012

Kids Welcome Ballarat and Great Ocean Road

Here's a photo memory of the second portion of our recent adventure to Victoria. This section covers Sovereign Hill, Ballarat and the Great Ocean Road, including Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, Port Fairy, Portland, Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles. What an adventure we had, and highly recommend this trip for any family.

Over 100 new reviews of this area will be live on www.kidswelcome.com.au within the next couple of weeks so watch this space (and the slide show!).


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Brisbane to Melbourne

Well, we've been back almost a week, and the memories made on our trip to Victoria will last a lifetime...
Until we can travel again, here's a reminder of the first third of our trip from Brisbane to Melbourne via Wooli, Forster, Sydney, Lakes Entrance, Nowa Nowa, Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsular.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Dubbo and Moree

This combined family of six kids and a couple have become Amber’s best buddies and she is loving table tennis, the jumping pillow, riding their bikes together and shooting the breeze.

This morning one of the kids called to Amber at 7am, but she didn’t stir until about 8. Once her friends headed off to the Zoo, Amber and I jumped on our bikes and pedalled the Tracker Reilly circuit around the Macquarie River. What a lovely track this was and right outside the caravan park.

Next we headed into town. First stop the new Royal Flying Doctor Service interpretive centre which was unfortunately closed on Mondays. Then the craft centre which reminded us of the Buderim Craft Cottage and not the hub of creative activities we found at the Bendigo Pottery.

Next we found This blog covers two days: the first was spent in Dubbo, mostly in the company of our new friends. a water park and a beautiful Japanese Botanical Gardens with huge carp, stepping stones, a teahouse and pergola. Lovely!

By now it was time to go to the Old Dubbo Gaol and it was just as wonderful as I remembered. We were in time for the ‘escape’ re-enactment and met up with our new friends there, which made it even more fun. They invited us out for dinner so, back at camp we cleaned up and wandered to the bowls club next door. This impromptu party ended up growing with two other families joining us and I really enjoyed their company. What a lovely evening!

On to today... we were on the road by 9.30am. Amber was understandably sad to say goodbye, but games in the car got her out of a slump. A few stops, and five hours later, we arrived at Moree and checked into Gwydir Carapark: the only camp spot in Moree with its own series of hot springs.

The rest of the afternoon and evening has been spent soaking. One pool is 39 degrees (the temperature the water comes out of the ground) and the other four pools go down from there as water is pumped from one to the other. As Ii write, Amber is in the middle of a game of Marco Polo with four other kids in the large, coolest pool and a couple of grandparents are keeping an eye on her.

Tomorrow we head to the Gold Coast. This is our last night under canvas before heading home. What an amazing adventure this has been!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Lake Cargelligo to Dubbo

I woke well before Amber and got on my bike as the sun turned everything orange.  I rode down to Frogs Hollow which Pete says is the site of a couple of ochre pits. I couldn’t find them (a sign indicated they were there somewhere) but I did have a lovely chat with another camper, Alan, who was up enjoying the early morning too. He was camped at the free camping area along the bank of the river and he and his wife had been on the road for three months already. Ahh, the life of a grey nomad! Something to aspire to!

We were on the road by 9.30am and heading to Ootha to see the Utes in a Paddock. This amazing sculpture park depicts various aspects of Australian life, all painted on, or crafted out of, Holden Utes. What an extraordinary exhibition this is. Many of the artists were recognisable (for instance John Murray from Lightning Ridge whose prints adorns our wall at home). The signs accompanying the utes tell a range of stories and many are worth reading to the kids. Amber especially liked the story behind a ute painted by the local aboriginal kids.

From here we were on to Parkes where we were lucky enough to catch the tail end of the Elvis Festival. The information centre was teeming with Memphis look-alikes. This weekend-long event takes place the second weekend in January each year and is apparently long awaited. Seems incongruent that such a wonderful town named for  one of the founders of this country, and one of the best radio telescopes in the world should be known for a man who lived and died half the globe away, but the world is a funny place!

Next stop Dubbo. We were staying at Dubbo Parklands Big4. I have stayed here before and really love this spot. Manager, Deidre, showed us their new safari tent accommodation before we set up (avoiding the rain). The rest of the day was spent relaxing, swimming in the pool, playing table tennis and making friends with other campers (most importantly other kids). Amber was definitely ready for the company of other kids and thoroughly enjoyed a huge game of Red Rover.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Murray River to Lake Cargelligo

Water is the theme today and this blog covers two days.

First, yesterday, we spent the day at Echuca. It was a day I was really looking forward too... first we were going on a paddle steamer, and second we were looking forward to exploring the old port.

The paddle steamer didn’t disappoint. We joined the PS Canberra at 2.30pm for a hour-long cruise up and down the river. This beautifully restored vessel is run by steam and the engine is exposed so you can see every piston movement and the smell of wood smoke permeates.

We sat on the upper deck, right on the bow, watching the Murray River Ensign flapping before us as we rounded each bend with a ‘toot toot’ to warn vessels coming the other way. When we turned and headed for home kids were allowed a go at the wheel. As you should be aware, I am just one big kid so, once the little tikes had a go, I was next in line. I hogged the wheel for a bend or so and what a thrill it was!

I found Echuca surprisingly disappointing. The wharf area is certainly beautiful, but the overly kitsch and commercial nature of the old port left me wanting. For instance, there’s a lovely looking self-guided walk of the dock area which takes in the museums and waterfront boardwalk, but you need to pay for it... which seems a little money-grabbing. We certainly enjoyed the cheese shop, bakery and the ice cream shop though!
The highlight for both of us was seeing the Pervensey which is the vessel used in All the River Runs. Although we didn’t actually get onboard (we had chosen another company), it was wonderful to see her as she passed, and this distance afforded us wonderful photos.

Today we were up early (by VIC standards) and on the road by 9.30. We had a long drive ahead to Lake Cargelligo, somewhere new. Along the way we stopped at Jerilderie where Ned Kelly delivered his manifesto to the printer, and Narrandera where we strummed the largest playable guitar in the world. We even had time for a strawberry slice at The Big Strawberry.

Lake Cargelligo is like an oasis in the middle of the golden plains. We are staying at Lake View Caravan Park. It, and the area, attracts numerous ski boats, and apparently has been an aboriginal settlement for eons. Pete (another resident at the caravan park) is a real ambassador to the region and gave us a wonderfully concise visitor guide spiel. He also came over armed with ant spray just at the moment we were about to retreat into the tent, hopping all the way. Thanks Pete!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The banks of the Murray

Ah, the Murray. It seems to have a hold on both of us, similar to one I once experienced from Uluru. We can’t help looking at it: the flowing muddy water, the twisted roots supporting huge proud trees and the dusty eroded banks all have a magnetism to them.

Amber and I prepared for our visit here by watching The Rivers Run, an old mini-series about a couple plying these waters on a paddle steamer. The romance of that rendition was catching and we could both camp here on the banks for months.

Southerners are far different than Queenslanders when it comes to camping. We like to get up with the sun, and go to bed with it too.  Perhaps it’s the cold, but at 9am this morning Amber and I were the only people up. (We had only been up half an hour, but whose counting?).

Today we chose to stay put, rather than drive into Echuca, and I am glad we did. The day started with a paddle upstream while Amber hid herself in the tent with one of her books.

Then we both jumped on our bikes and explored our surroundings. Downstream we found tracks following the river and rode for about an hour, twisting and turning and eventually returning to camp. Sitting on a carved log overlooking the river together was something I will always remember.

Lunch and laundry done and we boarded the kayak together and paddled upstream again. Amber insisted on climbing out on every tree root and large snag and we weaved our way between them. She even found a rabbit amongst some of the roots. We rushed home with the river, then headed for the pool to enjoy the only hour that could remotely be called hot. Amber swam, I chickened out.

Now we sit by the campfire Amber lit a few minutes ago. She is drawing and I am tapping. Most of the ski boats are tied to the bank and the rustle of trees and screeching of cockatoos is dominant. The light at the river is starting to subdue and  I wish I was a painter.

Soon I will warm up dinner and the games will begin... Mastermind tonight, I reckon!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Bendigo rises to the challenge

This has to be my favourite day of this trip so far. We woke early (nice and warm) in the cabin we had booked as a break from camping so we weren’t late to meet Bev at the White Hills Cemetery. Bev is a volunteer and historian here who was helping us find the whereabouts of Amber’s GGG Grandparents and their three infants who were all buried here in the 1860s.

Unfortunately, none of them had headstones remaining, but we did find out they were buried in the independent section, not a specific denomination. We also were treated to a tour of the cemetery including stories of some of the other residents (including the black American who was one of the miners charged for the Eureka uprising). We left Bev giving her a copy of the John Grimson’s life story which she was absolutely thrilled to receive, saying she would be including his story in her tours of the cemetery in future.

Next stop was the Talking Tram tour which takes about 45 minutes. Our particular tram was build in 1914 and was beautifully restored. The tour took us past all the beautiful buildings of Bendigo, and told stories of old resident who would have been here at the time of John and Emily.

Next stop was the Bendigo Pottery where Amber and I had signed up for a half hour pottery lesson. This was so much fun! We learnt to throw a pot and shape it on a wheel. Our creations will be fired and sent to us some time later this month. Bendigo Pottery is well-known nationwide, and we have now made some of our own! Our instruction, John, was a lovely man who had studied his craft in England. He was off to Antigua tomorrow where his son had married a West Indian woman. We had plenty to share, as you can imagine!

There was one more thing to do before leaving Bendigo... try and track down areas where John and Emily had lived. We knew their second daughter, Marion, was born in Adelaide Flat; they had lived for a while in Dead Horse Flat and New Chum; that John had suffered a mining accident in Kangaroo Flat and his will included two weatherboard homes: one in Little Bedford Road and one in New Chum, near Mr Lazarus’s machine.

How exciting it was to find Lazarus Street, New Chum Street and Adelaide Gully (in Kangaroo Flat)! Some of these streets even had old cottages which might have been similar to those John mentioned!

It was well after 4pm when we finally dragged ourselves away from Bendigo and headed for Echuca. We didn’t have time to stop in the town on our way through, but headed to Morning Glory Holiday Park about half an hour further, on a quiet section of the Murray bank. What a fantastic spot!

We set up camp and set a fire, made friends with the neighbours then played cribbage along the river bank before bed!  Certainly a ten out of ten day!

There’s gold in them hills

We had a 3-4 hour drive today so it was important to leave on time. Not as easily said as done ,however, since Amber has truly made the transition to ’tween’ and is now sleeping in. I dragged her out around 8.30am for breakfast and then we packed up in lovely sunny (not overly windy) conditions.

We weren’t far down the road before we spied an alpaca farm called Blue Moon and diverted to take a look. Hand-feeding seems to be rather a trend for us at the moment, so we couldn’t miss the opportunity to add another species to our list.

Then we were off driving down the Goldfields Tourist Route to Bendigo. I listened to Eva Cassidy while Amber caught up on her sleep once again. (Add this to her tremendous appetite at the moment and she must be doing a growth spurt!).

I started to get excited as we neared Bendigo. The idea of being around the goldfields that my great, great grandparent worked was exhilarating. We stopped at the Central Deborah Gold Mine where we had planned a ride in a miner’s cage and a mine tour.

First came the cage tour with Laurie and we dropped four levels in a matter of seconds, getting out to pitch black and learning how miners went to work this way until the 1950s. Then we joined Georg, Snowy and John for an extended tour through the second level. We donned our miner’s helmets complete with back-battery packs. We learnt about reefs, dynamite, drills and different lighting methods  and all the guides imparted this knowledge in a humorous way. It was easy to see why this is an award-winning attraction and I would recommend it for all kids (unless they are really scared of the dark).

Back at surface, we drove to Big4Bendigo Ascot Holiday Park and checked into our cabin. That’s right, we had given ourselves a treat and booked a cabin to completely relax tonight. A little TV, dinner cooked for two nights and a hot shower, and we are ready for an early wake-up call in the morning. We have even mapped out different parts of Bendigo to visit where John and Emily Grimson lived or worked... very exciting!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Halls Gap Zoo and Meerkats

Today was one of those highlights of this trip we have been eagerly awaiting; the day we got to feed the meerkats at Halls Gap Zoo!

This little zoo was rather rundown until new owner Evonne and her Husband took it over four years ago. Slowly they have improved the enclosures and got the animals into better shape and they should be proud of their efforts. The zoo is intimate, yet gives a chance to see some unusual animals up close.

We started with a Meerkat Encounter where we were the only participants to go into the enclosure and hand feed corn and mealy worms to this delightful creatures. (We weren’t so keen on the squirming worms, but the meerkats loved them!).

After that excitement, the rest of the zoo paled in comparison but the Tassie Devils, dingos, fallow deer, bison and bilbies were highlights. Amber took this hilarious picture of a wallaby, which i just had to share!  I must say the bison looked rather forlorn... and wouldn’t you too if your entire species had been hunted to near extinction...

After lunch in a lovely park in Halls Gap we headed up the hill to visit a waterfall and lookout. It had been threatening to rain all day, and was spitting from time to time. Yet, it stayed clear while we walked and enjoyed this beautiful natural environment.

Back in Halls Gap for ice cream at The Four Clowns where Amber announced “I could live in this shop, Mum”. Then back to the caravan park to chill, ride bikes and play cribbage. What a fantastic day!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Storms and seaports

The wind was high when I woke but Amber was blissfully sleeping through the rattling and didn’t stir until almost 9am.  Then it was time to pack up and say our goodbyes to the Pyes and head inland.

Good idea too... the storm clouds were building and it looked like running away might be the best option. We did have time for a short walk and a few slides before we hit the road... then we stopped for a drink in Port Fairy too. This beautiful small town has 50 heritage listed buildings and a lovely little port. I had a similar reaction to it as I once had to Buderim and feel I might return one day! Perhaps it was the old church for sale, right on the highway, which would have made a ‘heavenly’ cafe!

We outran the storm all the way to the lake near Halls Gap where we would set up camp. We didn’t manage to avoid the wind, though and it was hard driving at times with the kayak shifting occasionally and grasses blowing across the road and getting stuck on the window screen.

We stopped at a deserted farming town for lunch. The only sign of life was the Phillipeno lady at the grocery store where we picked up a few supplies before eating cheese and crackers in the car (while it rained) and continuing on.

Lake Fyans is vast, and strewn with white water at the moment. No kayaking today, but the wind is drying the laundry well, and the screeching cockatoos are hanging on to gum trees with both talons.
Amber and I just borrowed raquets and hit a ball around the court (in deference to the comp going on in Melbourne), and soon will, fry up eggs and bacon for dinner!  

Seals by Sea, and slides by land

(Yesterday) 
What another perfect day... we rose late and cooked up pancakes for breakfast then chatted more with Maggie Pye for a while.  Then it was off to Cape Bridgewater for a RIB tour out to see the seals with Seals by Sea.

Cape Bridgewater was about 20 minutes past Portland and a sleepy little town. We arrived about half an hour early which gave us time to go to the Petrified Forest and Blowholes before meeting the boat.

The first of these attractions looks like trees have been drowned eons ago, leaving cylindrical holes looking like trees. Truth is, trees had nothing to do with it, and it is more about different rocks and minerals, but the name stuck and it certainly fits.

It a 15-minute walk to the dock where we met out boat which followed the cliff with lovely views. We didn’t see any wildlife on the way, although we kept looking. At the dock, however, the water was extremely clear and we chatted to abalone divers and learnt about their catch. Then Daniel arrived with our boat and we jumped onboard for a short ride around the headland to the Australian Fur Seal colony. What a magic thing this was... even though the smell was pretty bad! We watched fights and games, and saw very young seals on the rocks.  Then we headed around the next headland where another colony lived... this time New Zealand Fur Seals which are slightly smaller and blacker. They also have quite a different crying sound rather than the bark of their Australian counterparts.

When the swell and smell became overpowering we headed out to sea in search of dolphins and it wasn’t long before we had three playing under the bow. Amber let out a squeal every time one surfaced! What a magic experience!

It was a 40 minute drive back to Yambuk Lake where we chilled a while, then Amber hit the giant slide and I paddled the lake spotting herons. More chilling, talking, dinner and now Amber is drawing and I am blogging! Tomorrow off to the Grampians...

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Marine adventures at Flagstaff Hill

(Only one day behind now!)

Today we left Peterborough bound for Yambuk Lake, about two hours away.

First stop was the Allensford Cheese Factory where we tasted different cheeses and wandered around the free cheese museum. Then off to Warnambol and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum. Much like Sovereign Hill, this village promised to give an insight into life in a fishing village. The buildings and boats certainly delivered, but it was lacking the connection provided by the actors at Sovereign Hill. Unfortunately, buildings don’t engage kids as much as people.

What WAS exciting here was the artefacts found on the Loch Ard... the ship’s bell, Dr Carmichael’s watch and the most extraordinary 7ft high peacock sculpture which, amazingly, survived the wreck.

The highlight of our visit to the Maritime Centre was a craft activity where we each made a felt sailor’s pouch...

On to Yambuk Lake where we met Margaret and Trevor Pye, the caretakers. They welcomed us with stories of possible relatives, then set us up on a grassy slope, leaning in the right direction so we would roll into, and not out of, bed. Our lovely site overlooked the lake.

Set up, dinner downed, and we were back in the car on the way to Warmambol again for the Loch Ard light show at the maritime centre. What an extraordinary entertainment this was, with film projected onto sprayed water over the lake, telling the story of the wreck and survivors Eva and Tom.

It was about 11pm before we snuggled in bed after a very full day.

Highlights of the Great Ocean Road

(Two days later)
This was the day we had long awaited. We were going to see most of the highlights of the natural side of the Great Ocean Road today!

While we ate breakfast, I read Amber the story of the Loch Ard which wrecked on the point of a narrow gorge now bearing it’s name. This had been my favourite part of the GOR last time I was here, and I think most kids would engage with the story of the two survivors: Tom Pearce and Eva Carmichael. He was a deck hand, and she a passenger who lost her entire family. She couldn’t swim and he was quite capable... rescuing her where she was latched onto a fractured spar, keeping her sedated with grog, then clambering up the cliffs to get help.

The newspapers  of the time (1873) had a field day since these two were about the same age, but romance was not to be, and snobby Eva returned to England eventually.

So, back to today... Loch Ard Gorge was our second stop...the first was the famous 12 Apostles, (which used to be called the Sow and Pigs). We got there around 9am, well before any tourist buses and essentially had the site to ourselves. What a magnificent feature this is! Since I was here last (over 14 years ago) a new visitor centre cafe and toilets have been built. The ‘info centre’ is sparse on information, but the toilets are welcome since most stops don’t have them!

Back to Loch Ard Gorge where we looked at the narrow entrance, walked down to the beach and found the caves in which the pair would have sheltered, and wandered around the graveyard finding remnants of the four bodies which were recovered from the wreck.

Then it was on to The Grotto before fish and chip lunch at Port Campbell... in the same spot where Amber’s Dad and I had shared fish and chips so long ago. 

One more attraction on the agenda: London Bridge... which fell down in 1990, leaving two people stranded on the end.  My parents had walked out here in 1989, so we called Mum to tell her we were here
Quite tired by now, we headed back to camp to chill for the rest of the afternoon: a  much welcome repass! After dinner we plan a short bike ride around Peterborough....

Great Ocean Road, storms and koalas

(A couple of days later!)
Yesterday I spent quite some time chatting to Amber about the numerous shipwrecks along this coast. It had little impact in the beautiful sunny conditions. But things change quickly around here and the weather rolled in overnight. The wind came first and i was up securing the tent in the dark. Then the rain came, blowing sideways, so I was up dragging much of our gear inside. Needless to say, I didn’t get too much sleep and it was 8.30 before Amber and I dragged ourselves out from under the covers to a chilly day.

Breakfast and shower later, we packed up and parked the car and trailer across the road, preferring bikes for a wander into Apollo Bay. This gave us the chance to zip in and out trying to replace our light bulb and eventually we succeeded!

Back on the road we headed towards Cape Otway Lighthouse which is about 12km off the Great Ocean Road. I had researched the lighthouse tours, but was not prepared for the excitement on the way: the road was home to endless koalas! First one we spotted because a fleet of cars were pulled over on the verge. After that one, they came hard and fast so, by the time we got to the lighthouse we had seen 33! They are quite a traffic hazard too. One driver (with kids in the back) screeched to a halt and backed up around a blind bend, crossing into the other lane...  I wonder how many accidents are attributed to wildlife?
The lighthouse tour was self-guided so you could go at your own pace. Up the tower we climbed for extraordinary views. Then we headed to an aboriginal centre on the facility where we painted an shell to take home.

All this excitement meant it was getting late when we drove past the 12 Apostles and, since we have two nights at our next spot, we decided to keep going and come back tomorrow for this, Loch Ard Gorge and London Bridge. This gave us time to set up in light, get the laundry and lunch done and even ride around the park before bed! 

Can’t wait for tomorrow!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Challenging day to Apollo Bay

(Three days later) 
The heat eased in the night which meant we got a better night’s sleep and Amber slept in. Then we packed quickly for our big day to the Great Ocean Road (stopping at a wonderful marine discovery centre and tide pools before we left Queenscliff).

Before long we were excitedly headed for Bells Beach, Australia’s most renowned surf beach. We passed a sign welcoming us to the Great Ocean Road which had us ‘high-fiving’ in the car.  Then, passing through Torquay, it was instantly evident we were in surfer country... passing surf shop after surf shop.

It was a hazy day, but still stunningly gorgeous... until I looked back in the rear view mirror and realised the bike rack was swaying a bit more than it should. Inspection confirmed my growing fear: the welds on my new bike rack addition were cracked and wouldn’t last much longer. We limped on for a while and i am not sure if it was my imagination, but it seemed to be getting worse on every bend so we pulled over.

I called ahead to our caravan park and discovered there’s a mobile welder in Apollo Bay (Snowy) who said he could fix it. YES! He could also come to us, so we didn’t have to risk driving any further. While we waited the expected 40 minutes, Amber and I clambered down a grassy slope to a deserted beach and explored the tide pools. Magnificent!

Snowy put our bikes in his trailer and we followed him to Apollo Bay Caravan Park. There, we set up and he started welding (tutting all the while at the bad initial job).

Finally he was done, and the work looked great. Thank you Snowy for your wonderful professionalism AND the reasonable price. We really appreciate it.

We were pretty tired by now and the day was fast disappearing. Just time for dinner and a cool in the pool before my eyes are currently closing! 

We travel for adventure and today was certainly one of those!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Ballarat to Queenscliff

(Posted a day late) Boy was it hot when we woke up this morning, and it didn’t get any better with a top around 40 degrees.  Packing up was a challenge but we took it slow and got there in the end.

As we checked out, we talked to Byron about our trailer plug which had fallen out on the way, dragging on the road. It wasn’t working and it was a public holiday, so difficult to find an auto electrician. He kindly offered to help us rewire if we were able to find a plug.

A fuel station, Bunnings and Auto One later, we found one and returned to take him up on the offer... learning by watching, and talking while we went. Byron told us of the cemetery where Eureka miners and soldiers are buried so we headed there and wandered around. Then we drove to Geelong and escaped the heat for a while.

I think you can judge a city by the way it uses public art and Geelong is very welcoming. The famous painted bollards line the harbour where a long jetty sticks out and an old fashioned carousel welcomes visitors.
Queenscliff was only a half hour drive from there and our campsite is beautifully located overlooking the beach.  

We were itching to get in the water but the tent had other ideas... with the zipper breaking... I was so proud of Amber who calmly worked with me for about half an hour before we got it fixed. 
What teamwork!

In such heat we had not expected the ocean to be so cool! It was refreshing, though, and we rode the small waves for a while enjoying getting wet. After dinner we took off on our bikes and explored this lovely and attractive town. At the ferry terminal (ferries run to Sorrento)a huge tower offers 360 degree views once you have climbed the 137 steps.  Now the dark is upon us and it’s time to cuddle in bed... good night!

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Sovereign Hill back in time

What a spectacular day. After a late night, we didn’t push ourselves but had a leisurely breakfast.  Around 10.30 we headed the short walk to Sovereign Hill, with excitement building.

From the moment we entered the doors, it felt like we had been transported back in time to the 1850s. Many such attractions attempt to do this with old buildings but Sovereign Hill combines an entire village of architecture with period-dressed actors. It is the latter that really makes the difference and we recommend engaging the actors in as many conversations as you can.  

We certainly did and learnt all about horse shoes from the blacksmith, about fiddle tunes from the musicians, about the latest remedies from the Doctor and about how to whiten our clothes from the haberdasher.
Not only that, but we signed up for one of only two additional cost items: a mine tour. We chosen TRAPPED and watched an extraordinary light show rendition of a real-life disaster at Red Hill Mine.

I was struck by the affordability of Sovereign Hill. Delicious pies and pasties are similar prices to those you would pay ‘on the outside’ and unique gifts are also very reasonable. After going through a lesson in the National School, Amber bought herself a pen and ink set. We also spent about an hour gold panning in the creek and came away with a small bottle with a few glinting flecks which was very exciting.

The day moved way too quickly and before we knew it, the doors were closing and we were hobbling our way to the exit. On a personal level, this had been an extraordinary day because my great, great grandfather had been a miner, and before that a policeman in this era.  Sovereign Hill bought history to life in a way nothing had previously done.

Back at camp we donned our togs and headed for the pool. With tens of kids in it, you couldn’t see the bottom, but it certainly was refreshing.  Follow that with Pad Thai and Amber is now rip-sticking... I can see her wheels which light up as she goes....time to get her off for bed! More tomorrow...

Sovereign Hill for New Year

Today’s the day I have been waiting for: I pick up Amber at Melbourne airport after her first ever solo flight! She’s excited and nervous as you should be before a major adventure...

In my excitement I was up before the rest of the campsite. Late by Queensland standards (7am) but early for these southerners who have become accustomed to daylight savings. What a cultural different it creates. By now Mooloolaba beach would be buzzing with runners and walkers, yet Mornington Peninsular is quiet.
So I will slowly pack up my tent and get on the road right behind me (the same one the hoons were screeching down last night). It will take me about 1.5 hours to the airport and I need to be there about 1pm. Then it’s off to Ballarat t see the Blood on the Southern Cross show tonight, and bring in the New Year with my favourite person. I’ll write more later!

Well, now it’s New Year’s Day and last night was really awesome. Amber arrived without drama and we drove to Ballarat, stopping for groceries on the way. Once we set up at the Big4 Goldfields Park, we had Christmas together and shared presents.

Then, at around 8.30 we wandered the 400m to Sovereign Hill for the Blood on the Southern Cross light show which depicts the Eureka Uprising of 1854. What an extraordinary experience this is, and made even more educational when we related it to my GG Grandfather, John Grimson’s experience as a policeman in Bendigo at the time. He wrote home that he was on call and ready to respond and thought he might have to use his pistols. This is what he wrote in a letter back to England:

“I thought I should have been in for it once, at the time of the row in Ballarat. There was some went from Bendigo, at the first outbreak, and it was expected there would be several more. At the second outbreak, there was an order came up to Bendigo for thirty of us to hold ourselves in readiness, to be off in a hurry at any moment. Horses were to be saddled and we dressed, expecting to be off every minute, but it turned out we had not to go.. If we had, I suppose I should have had to have used some of my weapons there.”

Not long after the uprising, police pay was halved and John decided to try his luck with the miners instead... with some success. His wife Emily and two girls came out on a ship and they lived in a calico tent like those we will see today at Sovereign Hill.  It was a hard life and they lost three infants along the way. Things went from bad to worse, and Emily died, then John died from Tuberculosis after eight months in hospital recovering from a mining accident.

The two remaining girls, Emily and Marion, were sent back to England on a ship at the age of 11 (the same age as Amber is now) and eight. Emily was my father’s grandmother.

As you can see, the experience we are having how has tremendous personal connection and it’s time we wandered over to Sovereign Hill! More later. Happy New Year!