Are you expecting overseas visitors desperate to see the iconic Aussie kangaroos in the wild - and the zoos just won't do? Or do you fancy spending some family time in a stunning location, having a picnic, while watching kangaroos watching you?

When we first moved to Australia we lived in the centre of Melbourne. And it actually took us quite a while to see kangaroos in the wild - because we didn't know where to go! Well, there are plenty of places to see these beautiful, iconic creatures in the wild, and Plenty Gorge Park is one of them.

Plenty Gorge Park is only 25km from Melbourne CBD, but when you enter the park you feel like you've arrived somewhere remote. The park offers some stunning views of the gorge, across Blue Lake - and the Plenty River bordered by gum trees is beautiful.

Scenic Plenty Gorge Park

The feeling of remoteness was helped by the fact that there were hardly any cars parked in the picnic area when we visited a Sunday in May. And as we started walking on one of the signposted tracks, we didn't meet anyone at all! Well, apart from the kangaroos and there were mobs of them.

We started off in the Hawkstowe picnic area, which was showing off some stunning autumn colours. There were several tables and gas barbeques, but you can as easily have your picnic on the grass under the gum trees, like we chose to do.  

Hawkstowe picnic area

BONUS PLATYPUS SPOTTING?

We decided to head off on one of the walking tracks in the park. There are several to choose from and all of them with stunning views of the gorge as well as open spaces and grassy areas for games and your picnic. Check out the park notes and map here. 

Plenty of grass and open spaces for your picnic - just watch out for the kangaroo poo!

The Plenty River and a walk on the river gorge would also have made an interesting bush walk. However, my daughter spotted a sign warning for snakes and declared she is more of an ''open spaces and kangaroo spotting''-type of girl rather than one who likes snakes. 

Plenty River

It is rumoured you can spot platypus in the Plenty River. I would love to have seen one of these evasive creatures in the wild, but no luck this time as we hurried off to see the kangaroos. However, we did see some galahs and other birdlife in the pond near the picnic area.

Pecking galah

 

Mobs with as many as 30+ kangaroos in the Plenty Gorge Park

THE KANGAROOS

Oh my goodness they were everywhere. Watching you in the bushes, big mobs of them in the open plains, and some of them just relaxing lying on the grass. We even managed to spot a couple of joeys peeking out of their mothers pouches.

Kangaroo joey peeking out of the pouch

These kangaroos are pretty muscular fellows, so it is probably wise not to go too close. Having said that they must be quite used to people as they mostly didn't run away from us.

"6 foot 4 and full of muscle"

Overall the Plenty Gorge Park receives top notch mark from us for kangaroo spotting as well as for beautiful, quiet location and grounds. The only negative was that you can't take your dog with you further than some of the picnic areas, but that goes without saying, as kangaroos and dogs sadly don't mix. 

Have you visited this park? If so, what did you think? Please let me know in the comments and also if you know any other good spots for seeing kangaroos in the wild near Melbourne. 

 

How to get there: 

Plenty Gorge Park and Hawkstowe picnic area is accessible via Gordons Road via Plenty Road, South Morang. 

 

 

 

Ever since moving to Australia over 6 years ago I have been smitten with everything Aussie. But as we are approaching yet another Australia Day I started pondering what is it exactly that makes this country such a lucky place to live in?

So regardless of the debate over the correct date to celebrate Australia Day I wanted to celebrate my adopted country by listing my top 10 reasons for why anyone should move to Australia, pronto!

 

1. THE WEATHER

To me the summer is just endless. Living in Melbourne Australians often complain about the long and cold winter, but as someone born not far from the arctic circle, this is nonsense. It might not be only sunshine & summer all year long, but even in the colder state of Victoria, the warm spring, the hot summer and the mild autumn easily stretches to cover ¾ of the year, which to me is the right kind of balance.

Beach Boxes in Victoria, Australia

What I love most about the long summers is the light. Leaving the house in the morning without it being pitch black makes the early mornings so much more palatable. And the truth is that lovely weather also calls for more time spent outside. 

2. STUNNING NATURE

Queensland, Australia

To a foreigner Australia may seem a massive desert bordered by beaches. And while it's true that the central Australia is huge (in fact 70% of Australia is so dry it could be classified as desert) what has surprised me is the great variation in scenery.

The Great Ocean Road, Australia

In Australia you can find amazing natural beauty from rain forests and tall trees to the desert, mountains and beaches. You can even ski in winter! Nature Parks are plentiful and of course Australia can boast of several Unesco World Heritage sites such as the iconic Uluru or the Great Barrier Reef. Where ever you go you are guaranteed to be surrounded by stunning nature and breath taking scenery. Its a country made for road trips!

Typical looking road in Australia. 

3. CUTE WILDLIFE

If you have ever seen any of the Cockatoo Collection products (and you’re bound to, if you have come across this blog!), you can tell I’m fascinated by the Iconic Aussie animals.

And no, I don’t mean the venomous snakes and spiders (still don’t like them although I recognise they are pretty misunderstood creatures), but what other country can boast about fluffy koalas sleeping in tree tops? The sight of a wallaby hopping along the roadside still makes me stop and grab the camera. And don’t even get me started on the quirky wombat, resembling a giant guinea pig with a re-enforced rear!

The Australian animals are just cuter than anywhere else in the world.

4. LAID BACK ATTITUDE

Living in Australia is easy. And a lot of this is thanks to the friendly Aussies and their laid back attitude. Nothing is too serious or too much trouble. No wonder the Aussies have become famous for phrases such as ‘easily done’ and ‘no worries’.

Australians are easy to be around with. Even the most highflying CEO will turn up in shorts and sandals and call you ‘mate’– and the size of your house or financial status is just not that interesting. Aussies don’t stand for ceremony and you can as easily asks your friends for dinner at your home or invite them to join you for a BBQ in a park (or ’barbie’ to use the local lingo). It’s this easy going, laid back attitude I most love about Aussies and which makes it easy to settle in Australia.

5. THE OUTDOORSY LIFESTYLE

Aussies love the great outdoors, whether it is camping, surfing or just having a BBQ outside. Many people bike to work and I’ve never seen as many people jogging while pushing a pram as in Australia.

Surf boards at local Life Saving Club

Being outside is such a great gift to give your kids and a major motivation for our family to make Australia our home. I rather have a girl that’s learning water skills at the local Life Saving Club than one that’s hanging around in a shopping centre. This is also where the gorgeous weather comes in. It’s so much easier to spend time outside when you don’t need put on layer after layer of clothes just to collect the mail from your post box.

Girls on stand up paddle boards in Victoria, Australia

6. SIMPLY GOOD FOOD

Roadside fruit and veg for sale in Queensland.

Blessed with amazing fruit, vegetables and seafood all year around it’s not surprising Australia is called the lucky country. The mangoes alone were enough for my niece to pronounce she is considering moving to Australia when she grows up!

Fruit picking in Victoria. 

It is not only the superb fresh produce that has won me over though. The country is bursting with high quality restaurant combining different ethnic flavours and giving them an Aussie twist. You rarely get disappointed when you eat out, which is a massive tick in my book.

7. LIVABLE CITIES

I’m admittedly biased when it comes to my home city, Melbourne, but the fact remains that Melbourne has been listed as the most livable city in the world for the 7^th time in the row with Adelaide and Perth featuring in the top 10.  The international darling Sydney is not far behind coming up as the 11^th most livable city in the world in 2017. Australian cities generally score high on healthcare, education and infrastructure as well as stability, culture and environment.

Sydney

The weather, good public transport system, the art & creative scene, with international standard sporting events such as the Australian Open tennis is what makes Melbourne a top city for me. The Australian cities may not have the same scale as say London or New York, but they feel safer - and the air is fresher.

Melbourne

8. HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING

Although the cost of living may seem high to overseas visitors the employment rate and the Australian salaries are high and the economic recession of recent years have not hit Australia as hard as other parts of the world.  

The overall standard of living is high with excellent health care, good education system and public services.

9. MULTICULTURALISM

One third of Australian have been born abroad and the majority of people come from somewhere else – as long as you go back far enough in time. This makes Australia an easy place to live in with Australians being welcoming and friendly to foreigners. Australia is a melting pot of nationalities and especially in the cities you feel the cultural mix adding spice to the everyday life.

10. BEACHES, BEACHES AND MORE BEACHES.

Beach on the Sunshine Coast

Admittedly beaches could fall under the stunning nature headline. But the beaches in Australia are so beautiful they definitely need their own mention (and yes, I couldn’t stop at 9 reasons!). Did you know there are 10,685 beaches in Australia? You could visit a new beach in Australia every day for 29 years. And now it is even backed by science that spending time near the sea is good for your mental health. Need I say any more…

These are my top 10 reasons for why Australia is a great place to live. Have I forgotten something? Or am I looking through rose tainted glasses? Let me know your comments below.

So it’s August and suddenly you feel the need to embrace winter and snow in all its glory. But you don’t fancy the investment – either in terms of money or time? If this sounds like you, don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to experience snow in Victoria without splashing out on an expensive skiing holiday. And your kids will thank you for it!

Downhill Slopes in Falls Creek

LAKE MOUNTAIN – A ‘TASTER’ ON FUN IN THE SNOW

The closest place to see snow near Melbourne must be Lake Mountain. Just an easy 2h drive and you can have a day out building snowmen, throwing snowballs and tobogganing. However, the resort is pretty small and there are no downhill slopes, so unless you are a fan of cross-country skiing or playing in the snow this may not be for you.

Lake Mountain Tobogganing

We went to Lake Mountain on a Sunday in August and there was certainly enough snow on the slopes. However, be prepared for a full on experience (unless you go cross-country skiing which we didn’t try) as the slopes for tobogganing get really busy. The slopes are not steep so Lake Mountain is ideal for small kids. I think our 9 year old was ready for some more adrenaline – but she still had a great time enjoying games in the snow!

Lake Mountain - Building a Snowman

One thing to keep in mind is that Lake Mountain gets busy on winter weekends. We arrived in Marysville (30 mins from Lake Mountain) at 11am to find that the car park was full and we were turned away! So either arrive early, or have a lazy morning and aim for an afternoon in the snow instead. We ended up visiting Steavenson Falls in Marysville for a few hours until the resort was open again - well worth a visit.

It may also be worthwhile hiring your warm clothes and toboggans in Marysville as we had to queue for a good half an hour for the toboggan hire. Look out for packages hiring both clothes and skis/sledges for a deal. Or plan in advance and buy your winter clothes in the yearly Aldi sale or on Gumtree. The entry to the resort was $56 for a car, which was fair for a day out.

Steavenson Falls in Marysville

BRIGHT: A BEAUTIFUL TOWN WITH ACCESS THE ALPINE NATIONAL PARK - WITHOUT THE PRICE TAG

Now Bright requires a bit more planning as the town is a good 4 hours drive away from Melbourne, and from there it’s another hour or so to the slopes of Mt Hotham and Falls Creek.

However, Bright is a beautiful town and well worth a weekend away in its own right. And once you are in Bright, you are on the doorsteps to the Alpine National Park and can easily have a full day on the ski slopes and be back in Bright for the night. And the best bit is that the accommodation in Bright is much more affordable than in the actual ski resorts.

The Alpine National Park - first glimpses of snow

We went to Falls Creek, which was a real alpine experience with beautiful high mountains, amazing views and plenty of snow and slopes. In fact, I found it difficult to believe we were in Australia (although I read somewhere that Australia has more snow in winter than Switzerland!) and the skiing reminded me of my native Finland. In terms of the resort, Falls Creek has everything you would expect - and hiring skiing gear, lessons etc was a breeze.

Downhill skiing in Falls Creek

We had a lovely but tiring day on the slopes and went back to our cosy house in Bright for the night. The next day we took it easy and explored the creek around Bright and soaked in the sun at the terrace of Bright Brewery (highly recommended) where we had a great lunch, before heading back to Melbourne.

The Alpine National Park - on the drive up to the ski resort

AND THERE IS PLENTY MORE…

Of course there are also other places to see snow and go skiing in Victoria. Mt Buller is a 3h drive from Melbourne (stay mid-week and book early for packages) and Mt Baw Baw is just 2 ½ h away from Melbourne, although smaller than Mt Buller.

We still have to see these two places – so please let me know your favourite way to experience the snow!

Rugged cliffs and magnificent coastline, pristine beaches, unique Aussie wildlife, mountains, lakes…the choices are endless! Victoria truly seems to have it all. But where to start?

When you have visitors from overseas you really want them to experience all the best places. And for the first time in 3 years we finally have family visiting from my Nordic home, which prompted me to list my top 5 weekend escapes around Victoria - all easily accessible by car from Melbourne.

No 1: THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD: the coastal drive to rule them all

The 12 Apostles

No surprises here: the great ocean road surpasses in my mind all the famous coastal drives in the world (not that I have seen all of them: but when you know, you just know!). From the magnificent steep cliffs and the world famous 12 apostles, to the winding coastal roads with its beaches and rock pools, the scenery along this route is too stunning for words. And even if you have taken this road before, there is always a cove or a bay you haven’t seen, waiting to be explored.

The 12 Apostles

The great ocean road also takes you past the Cape Otway national park. It is worth driving to the lighthouse, not only for the lighthouse and its history, but also as on the road leading to it, you are bound to spot some cuddly koalas, sitting on the tree branches sleeping the day away.

On the road to Great Otway Lighthouse

Although you can do the drive in a day I recommend staying overnight in any of the coastal towns along the road. Starting from the surfing hot spot of Torquay (and the world famous Bells Beach) all the way to Warrnambool there are plenty of places to stay overnight. Just book in time as it gets busy in summer. My own favourite stop is Apollo Bay or the more quiet Peterborough – but you are guaranteed to be happy anywhere.

Apollo Bay

No 2: WILSONS PROMONTORY: coastal wilderness, white sand and iconic Aussie animals

Squeaky Beach

Wilsons Promontory, the southern most tip of mainland Australia, is all about the great outdoors. The white beaches and rock formations of Squeaky Beach (yes, the sand really squeaks!) would be enough to warrant a high score on any list, but for me the main attraction of this stunning nature park is the Australian wildlife.

Whisky Bay

Boulders on the beach 

Kangaroos hopping away at dusk, emus, echidnas are all there, but for me the top reason for staying overnight at Wilsons Prom are the quirky wombats (or as my friend calls them ‘giant guinea pigs’). If you are staying at the campsite you will definitely spot these funny creatures at dusk, wondering about sniffing for food. But make sure to lock all your food in your car or you will suddenly find yourself being robbed!

A wombat at the Tidal River campsite

 

As Wilsons Promontory is a national park the only way to stay there overnight is on the campsite at Tidal River or in one of the campside lodges or cabins.  Again, it gets extremely busy and there is a ballot for the peak summer period so get in there early. If you can't get a spot it is still worth while driving there for a day trip - just set off early and be prepared for a road trip!

Tidal River

There are plenty of outdoorsy things to do from hiking (the trail from Tidal River on top of the mountains to Squeaky beach is a must) to water activities. Or if you are feeling lazy why not just slowly float away with the tidal river current.

Mountain top walk from Tidal River to Squeaky beach

No 3: HALLS GAP & THE GRAMPIANS: majestic mountains, waterfalls and wildlife

The Grampians - one of many scenic lookouts

If sea side is not your thing then mountain top views, waterfalls and kangaroos might be more up your street.  

Staying in Halls Gap or nearby you will have access to the beautiful Grampian walking tracks and plenty of stunning scenic lookouts. The areas is full of Australian wildlife such as cockatoos, emus and kangaroos and any overseas visitors desperate to spot their first kangaroo in the wild is guaranteed to get lucky here. 

BONUS ROUTE:

If you have more time on your hands (lucky you!) take the great ocean road, then drive through Ballarat with a stop at the small wildlife park (my favourite as the park is small, focusing solely on Australian wildlife and you get close to the animals) or at Sovereign Hill for a deep dive into the gold rush era. Then make your way to the Grampians – a route that will give you seaside, mountains and wildlife all in one!

No 4: ECHUKA AND MURRAY RIVER: red gumtrees, steam boats and swims in the river

River Murray

Beautiful red gumtree forest on the banks of Murray River, gentile trips on steamboats and an interesting history as Australia’s largest inland port makes Echuka one of my top 5 destinations in Victoria (perhaps a tiny bit influenced by the warmer inland climate. Let's face it, the weather in Melbourne doesn't always live up to the expectations!).

There is plenty to do here: take a trip on a steam boat, visit the historic wharf or just stroll around town with its shops and cafes. The large Sunday outdoor market on the lawns next to the riverbank with fresh produce, arts and crafts is also worth a visit.

For a bonus different experience have your dinner at one of the massive clubs (and no, I don’t mean nightclubs) on the other side of the river in the New South Wales border town of Moama. The clubs – a mix of meals and gambling – are a result of a time when gambling wasn’t allowed in Victoria. Think along the lines of good pub food and slot machines rather than fine dining and a fancy casino.

No 5: LAKES ENTRANCE AND THE GIPPSLAND LAKES: lakes, rivers and beaches

Lakes Entrance

The Gippsland lakes are really a network of waterways joining up and connecting to the sea offering loads of opportunities for boat trips, fishing and swimming – it is all about lakes, rivers and beaches here.

Take it easy and go on an all day boat trip with stops on the way, or if you prefer to explore on your own terms, hire a motorboat. No experience needed as the waters on the lake are tranquil. The scenery has almost a tropical look to it with riverways surrounded by bush and plenty of pelicans and other birdlife.

But the lakes are not the only option here. Cross the sand dunes that separate the lakes from the sea and you are on the 90 mile beach. With a vast expanse of white sand and beautiful waves it is easy to find an empty spot and spend the day swimming or just relaxing under the parasol with a good book.

The 90 Mile Beach

Stay at Lakes Entrance with its pretty harbour. And if you are on a mood to explore further – and are not worried about going underground - the Buchan Caves with spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations are well worth a visit. 

Lakes Entrance on Australia Day

Let me know your top spots!

Hope you feel inspired to do some exploring! Please comment or let me know your own top spots. After all it could have been easy to prolong this list or make a different list altogether!

Australia is famous for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world – but let’s face it: it is tempting to snuggle up in front of the TV as the cold weather kicks in. However, chilly winter days are perfect for enjoying the beautiful coastline and getting your cheeks rosy. And you don’t necessarily need to travel far.

This stunning coastal walk along Melbourne’s Bayside beaches takes you along secluded bays, white beaches, rugged cliffs and rock formations as well as a scenic coastal path – and easily becomes a whole days entertainment (with a bonus fish and chips pit stop half way through!). And only just over half an hour away from Melbourne CBD

If you don’t fancy fighting for a parking spot or battling the crowds for a space for your beach towel, then winter is a good time to appreciate the sandy beaches. Especially if you have a furry friend, as dogs are welcome to tag along during winter months. 

My favourite coastal walk is a 5km round trip from Sandringham to Half Moon Bay and takes you first on to the beach, while on the way back you can take the path across the cliff tops offering stunning views over the bay and what almost resembles a bushland walk at points. Even if you have been to both beaches before, the walk is worth while due to the changing scenery between beaches, rugged cliffs and scenic views. We often take this walk as a family and our daughter and dog both love it (could it be the fish and chips?).

The walk starts at the Sandringham Yacht club, where there is a carpark right next to the beach. If you look south you can see the large expanse of white sand and the red cliffs of Half Moon Bay in the distance. This is where you are heading.

The large beach is perfect for running off some first energy or digging into the sand (if you have 4 legs) but soon the sand reduces and makes way for some rugged cliffs. Enjoy exploring the rock pools and listening to the waves while you walk the cliff path. 

 

On the way you will find interesting sand formations and a rugged coastline. The route is normally fine to walk on but during heavy winds the path will get wet and slippery from the waves. There is also some easy climbing involved and at one point there is a drop from the cliffs to the sea - so this part of the walk won't be suitable for small kids. But there are multiple exit points from the beach up to the coastal path so you can easily swap between the beach and the path and do what is right for you.

 

 

The walk takes you further along until you are on the quiet beach next to Red Bluff. The distinctive red cliffs are fascinating and have been the inspiration for many local artist in the past. There are boards up on the coastal path with examples of these paintings along with some facts and history.

Here it is time to head up from the beach to the coastal path. It is possible to walk across the cliffs on Red Bluff which will take you to Half Moon Bay (and I have to admit I am guilty of braving this). However, the cliffs are unstable and certainly not suitable for small kids or elderly. In addition brown snakes have been spotted basking in the sunlight in summer so it is better to keep away. 

Up on the coastal path you will have an amazing view of the Red Bluff cliffs, the beach below and a tiny Melbourne skyline in the distance.

From Red Bluff make your way down to Half Moon Bay. This beautiful sandy bay is a perfect picnic spot – or if you fancy a cup of hot chocolate or fish and chips the Cerberus Beach House restaurant has a chilled out beachfront cafe that will hit the spot. Enjoy a walk on the jetty, spot some pelicans and have a well deserved pit stop. And you may also want to come here in the evening as the sunsets are amazing.

On the way back I tend to choose the clifftop walk that will give you beautiful views over the bay while the path is mostly sheltered by bushes. Tiny birds chirp in the bushes and rainbow lorikeets can be seen on the path.

If you live in another part of Melbourne it might seem funny to go for a day out to another suburb – but this coastline walk has plenty to offer. And as an added bonus both Sandringham and the close by Black Rock have plenty of great cafes and shops to explore when you've had enough of fresh air. 

 

HOW TO GET THERE:

Address:  Jetty road, Sandringham (warning: the carpark is quite expensive if you don't have a Bayside parking sticker. You may want to park on Beach road and walk down to the beach)

For public transport take the Sandringham line train to Sandringham, then head for the beach. You can access the beach on numerous spots from the Beach Road (no need to start at the Sandringham Yacht Club)

 

Get back to nature and head off to some beautiful bushlands with plenty of wallabies thrown in - less than an hour away from Melbourne.

Let’s face it, if you are a foreigner and just landed in Australia the first thing you want to see are some kangaroos / wallabies in the wild.  However, for us this was far from the reality when we first moved to Melbourne  – there were plenty of skyscrapers but the only wallabies we managed to see where the ones in the zoo (and one dead one by the side of the road, but let’s not talk about that).

For sure, there are plenty of places you can go for some kangaroo spotting, such as the Grampians or Wilson’s Prom. But if you don’t fancy travelling far, one place ideal for spotting wallabies and other native Australian wildlife is in the magical bushlands surrounding the Royal Botanical Gardens, or the Australian Garden, in Cranbourne.

The Australian Garden is worth a visit in itself – the idea of the garden is to showcase the Australian flora and fauna in different settings from the dry inlands through to the coastal areas, as well as to give inspiration on how to use native plants in your own garden. It also includes a lot of waterways and rock pools - fascinating for kids!

But what I particularly love is the massive 363-hectare area of bush and wetlands with a huge array of native wildlife that surrounds the garden – already when driving into the area there are signs asking you to watch out for bandicoots, echidnas and snakes, getting you right in the mood for some wildlife spotting.

You are bound to see some wallabies spying on you in the bushes or just enjoying their lunch in the grassland areas. My daughter calls them the ‘wallaby spies’ - you’ll only need to look closely and there is always a face watching you somewhere.

Wallabies are not the only wildlife found in this area – snakes including copperhead and tiger snake are common so you need to watch your steps – we spotted a tiger snake a few weeks back basking in the sun. There are also plenty of birdlife including the pretty New Holland Honeyeater. Other commonly seen animals include the short beaked echidna and the southern brown bandicoot.

There are several walking tracks of different length and many of them are also ideal for biking with the whole family. The woodlands picnic area is a short walk from the carpark and ideal for relaxing after your walk. There are several free barbeques, a playground and plenty of grass area for games.  

Overall the Royal Botanical Gardens in Cranbourne is a great place to visit – especially if you are keen to see some wildlife or have some overseas visitors in tow – but it is also a great place to get some fresh air, take a walk or bike ride or just to enjoy being out in the nature.

 

How to get there:

The Royal Botanical Gardens in Cranbourne is less than an hour away from Melbourne

Address: Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne, (off South Gippsland Highway). Melway Ref: 133 K10

PS: if you don’t fancy Cranbourne another great place for seeing kangaroos near Melbourne is the Yarra Valley, around Kangaroo Grounds – again only a short drive from Melbourne.

 

 

 

If you love the stunning, iconic Aussie cockatoos but only ever spotted them from a distance (like me), then Grants Picnic Grounds in the heart of the Dandenong ranges is the place to go.

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