One of Australia's numerous wine regions is The Yarra Valley, about 2 hours east of Melbourne. We came to its rolling hills of vineyards, orchards, and eucalyptus forests yesterday in a sweltering heat, near 40C or topping 100F. The cabin we rented for two nights was hot, as well, but our hosts had closed shades and provided us with a big fan and ice-packed air cooler, so it wasn't too awful.
The clear skies gave us our first great view of the Southern Cross, as well as a big, bright Jupiter on the northern horizon. The weather changed dramatically over night, and by morning the air was almost cold! The morning also brought a bevy of wildlife, a mob of kangaroos grazing and boxing, Australian magpies fluting, Galahs flashing in the sunlight, even a dingo darting through the paddock.
We spent much of the day at the famous Healesville sanctuary, a zoo working to save endangered species and improve native habitat. Great exhibits on birds of prey, platypus, possums, way too much to see and absorbing a few hours. We then headed into the hills for some more wine (and cider, yum!) tasting. Some good Chardonnays, Shiraz, and cabs, but the Pinot noir, not so much.
Off tomorrow to the Great Ocean Road to the west of Melbourne, a route I (Aaron) drove 33 years ago.
The clear skies gave us our first great view of the Southern Cross, as well as a big, bright Jupiter on the northern horizon. The weather changed dramatically over night, and by morning the air was almost cold! The morning also brought a bevy of wildlife, a mob of kangaroos grazing and boxing, Australian magpies fluting, Galahs flashing in the sunlight, even a dingo darting through the paddock.
We spent much of the day at the famous Healesville sanctuary, a zoo working to save endangered species and improve native habitat. Great exhibits on birds of prey, platypus, possums, way too much to see and absorbing a few hours. We then headed into the hills for some more wine (and cider, yum!) tasting. Some good Chardonnays, Shiraz, and cabs, but the Pinot noir, not so much.
Off tomorrow to the Great Ocean Road to the west of Melbourne, a route I (Aaron) drove 33 years ago.
Hi Aaron, Keith told me about your blog...just popping in to marvel at your adventure and offer wishes for you to stumble onto Wedge-tailed Eagles and Fairywrens whilst being surrounded by wombats and platypus.
ReplyDeleteAnnie Jacobs
In fact, Annie, we saw a pair of Wedge-tailed eagles in a field today on our way from Port Fairy on the Great Ocean Road to Ballarat! And we've enjoyed the flitting of the superb fairy-wren almost ever day. Will post a photo of the former soon. Thanks!
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