OCTOBER 2015 : Point Lonsdale, Victoria

A few days in Point Lonsdale, Victoria - near Geelong. A very scenic drive south through New South Wales towards Melbourne.

We drove through lush pastures and farmland. A nine hour drive south from our home in Canberra.

We had several stops in some attractive villages and towns. This is the enchanting Long Track Cafe in Jugiong.

Lunch in the regional centre of Albury.

Tossed Cafe, Albury.

Point Lonsdale, a seaside village near Geelong.

Point Lonsdale is on Port Phillip Bay, the entry for ships into the port of Melbourne.

Point Lonsdale wharf.

Cafes on the bay.

Windswept beaches - strong currents and winds from the Antarctic to the south.

Popular surfing culture.

Bells Beach - home of international surfing competitions - and outlets.

Sailing craft.

Wharf cafe at Barwon Heads.

Jack Rabbit winery.

Mussels for lunch.

A lovely part of Victoria - well worth a visit!

M&M

OCTOBER 2015 : Dubbo, Australia

We are home after a wonderful three months away. Delighted to be with our family again in glorious springtime Australia.

                                         

          

We decided to travel to Dubbo, to the famous Taronga Park Western Plains Zoo - 400 kms north of Canberra.

        

A crowded car with Mark and I and our daughter, Ashley, and our grandchildren, Dakota (4) and Koby (1).

          

A very scenic drive north with green countryside and gleaming canola fields.

         

A welcome stop in Boorowa on our way.

         

Our accommodation was in Big 4 caravan park. We had a 3 bedroom cabin with all facilities.

         

           

          

Two happy campers.

          

Western Plains Zoo is a part of the Sydney Taronga Park Zoo and specialises in breeding programs for endangered animals. We hired hired bikes to ride around the 6 kms.

        

Black rhinoceroses.

          

        

Feeding giraffes.

          

            

Hippopotamuses.

       

White rhinoceroses.

        

African and Asian elephants.

        

Lion cubs - 10 months old.

       

Asian otters.

                                          

Siamangs.

        

Gibbons.

           

         

Meerkats.

         

Sumatran tigers.

          

Patting wallabies.

            

Koala and young.

         

Galapagos tortoises. They live until 100 to 150 years old.

         

Sedentary tortoises until the keeper arrives with special food treats.

                              

Native birds in their plenty. This is a male fairy wren.

    

         

Easy ride around the zoo despite the heat. 30o for the 2 days.

          

Meanwhile back at the caravan park we cooled down at the pool.

        

Fabulous pool and slides.

       

The jumping pillow was a great success as well.

                                          

Two exhausted and happy children returning home after 3 delightful days in western NSW.

M&M