The Grampians

Off again, direction the Grampians National Park, an outcrop of volcanic ranges, and forest in Western Victoria.  An area that I have always wanted to visit, but have never done so.  Walter knew the area well, due to taking part in army training exercises there.

The roads after we left Geelong, were flat and straight.  It was a tad chilly, actually quite cold in fact.

First stop, at a small place, name conveniently forgotten due to the dreadful cup of coffee bought at a roadhouse, full of greasy food, sitting in trays awaiting sales.  A run down village, but probably once a thriving country centre.  Now all the shops are closed and empty,  including two cafes.  So the passing trade has to use the roadhouse.  I tipped most of my coffee onto a grass verge, but ate the stale cake.

There was a beautiful stone church with a dilapidated church hall, proudly opened at the beginning of the last century.  Times have changed.

The first glimpse of the range, rising above the flat ground.

A stop for lunch at Dunkeld, at the foot of Mt Sturgeon, at the southern tip of the Grampians.  A very trendy little town, with upmarket shops selling local produce, such as cheeses, hams, olives and grains.

However, the big road trains still came thundering through the town.  These big brutes are relentless in Australia.

When we turned into the Grampians the tall granite cliffs rose above us.

The road passed through blackened bush, with bright green regrowth.   The Grampians has suffered some huge bushfires over the years, and there are signs of past fires alongside the roads.   Bush fires are a natural phenomenon with eucalyptus forests.   They are natures way of regenerating bushland, but it becomes very difficult these days as people live in bushland areas.

Halls Gap, on the edge of the eastern side of the Grampians, is the tourist centre of the Grampians, and full of holiday accommodation, resturants, gift shops and cafes.  All situated among the trees, and very vulnerable to bush fires.

Walter enjoying a hokey pokey (honeycomb) ice cream.  They have this flavour in Australia now, so he is a happy man.

A very dry and stoney creek bed.

Some burnt forest with plenty of new growth, both on the ground and on the limbs of the trees.

A photograph from a high view point, overlooking ranges and Lake Wartook.

Hazy ranges.

Lake Wartook.

People made piles of rocks.  Happens everywhere.

We walked for about a kilometre, through the bush,

to see The Balconies, which are two ledges of rocks sticking out from the cliffs.  There were signs informing people not to stray from the path, however I saw an advertisement the next day, with a person standing on the lower ledge.  Not a great way to stop people from climbing out onto the ledges.

The gentle sloping valley, covered in bush, was an interesting sight.

The rocky outcrops.

It was a lovely walk to and from The Balconies.

I think this area, beside Mackenzie Falls, was burnt out in February, 2014.  We were meant to visit the Grampians then but bush fires were raging through this area.

The top of Mackenzie Falls.  We did not walk down to the bottom, as it was getting late, and we needed to get to our next destination, Horsham.

Recent new growth on the tall trees.

Finally we arrived at Horsham, on the Western Highway.  A bit tired but very satisfied with our trip through the Grampians.