The Beach is such an OZ icon. Growing up in Western Australia, the beaches are white sands & the Indian Ocean - quite stunning. The Victorian Coast is different as it's more earthy and rugged, as if it's endured many changes and lifetimes.
The Bridge over Separation Creek - I love how the bush meets the sea.
A close up of the river stones. I so wanted to steal these for the garden but realised the petrol we used to drive here was already a bigger carbon footprint I wanted to leave on the plan [my green conscious couldn't live with guilt].
We went to Kennett River on Saturday afternoon to go for a walk in the bush and to see the koalas. I love the above shot as the eucalyptus trees in the forest are so tall. And yes it was so peaceful.
What still amazes me is the amount of koala's in the trees - I have never seen so many outside a Zoo in my life. There they all are - sittin' up like Jackie - eating & sleeping away - well they don't really do much else. And don't need to.
I quite like this one - He [or she] looks like a very old soul - especially like the big button noses. It comforting to see so much wildlife in their natural setting.
To any visitors out there - never try not to pet them as they are still wild animals and can quite nasty - although you'll never guess to look at them.
However the birds are a different story as they are far more interactive. The Parakeets and the Rosella's are happy to feed straight from your hands. This time they came to us on the balcony.
White Gallahs - they look nice but they are really the bullies of the bird world. They are very large and make a god awful racket in the morning.
And yet another OZ Gallah - this time with 2 birds in my hands. These birds are almost like pets. The colours of their feathers are so vibrant.
Two days and nights were just not long enough on the coast. Hopefully the four of us can do this all again at the end of Summer.
We were staying at Wye River, a little hamlet hide way on the Great Ocean Road. The Great Ocean Road was built as a memorial for those fallen soldiers of WWI. It is an ocean side road from 
I love signs like this - apparently many tourists have almost driven off the many cliffs to their deaths or head on collisions on the road - hence the above sign was born. 
This the view from the house - straight to the ocean - quite amazing and very peaceful.
B & Andy in the frame - there a few towns on the road built after WWII as beach side getaways for 
Our accommodation was not as salubrious or Architectural digest as this one - however still cosy for the weekend - the log fire was essential for the cool nights on the coast.
The view from the beach - you can see the houses are dotted between the tree tops - again very pretty. Below is very lovely Wye River Beach - it was a little cool but the sun was out and that made up for the wind !
Firstly off to Mt Ainsle to see the best view of Canberra. The vista from the War Memorial (down Anzac Parade) to Capital Hill (down Federation Mall). Very impressive.
Canberra owes itself to Walter Burley Griffin who won the 1913 capital city competition. Although its quiet and only has a population of 300,000 - It's a very clean and pretty city (Opponents also say its lifeless and not a true indication of Australian Society - is it that bad to have an ideal for a country?)
Canberra is based on several axises - The most prominent is the central government triangle & vista to the War Memorial - with avenues to the City (civic) and to the American-Australian War Monument (Russell).
Above is the very Art Deco inspired War Memorial - quite lovely - Below is Parliament - quite impressive on the outside but a bit like a 80's Joan Collins inspired Mansion (WAY too much bright color and marble). At this point the party needed rest so the other monuments will need to be left for another trip.
After a quiet evening (the weekend party was STILL recovering from Friday night) on Sunday we ventured to Floriade on the banks of the lake - It was very pretty however it contained a lot of the same rather than different displays of flowers and plants.
There was also a few display marquees around too- mostly they were full of crap (a bit like the below example ) 'Beanie' Tent consisted of people who made beanies ( a hat for those NOT in the know) - the below is a breakfast beanie - complete with toast!
Yes and this too was in the gallery - however we were laughing but at them not with them.
After a few more flowers, then the glass works & markets - we all made way to the the pub for Sunday lunch...I actually got sun burnt it was that bright & sunny.
After a playing a fabulous game - Articulate ( a bit like Pictionary with words) and a few too many wines, Andy and I cooked a Sunday roast to say thank you for our hosts Erin & Mark...then we woke up early for the LONG drive home. 
While the lovely Brigid kept us entertained with humorous Crazy Cousin Anne stories and a CD compilation EMI would be envious of.
At the moment the countryside between the capital and Melbourne is fabulous - Canola fields are a plenty and mountain ranges are lush and green. Amazing what a little rain does.
As Albury-Wodonga was the half way point - we decided on to stop for lunch...it's a very pretty town on the Border of VIC & NSW on the Murray River.
We left Albury soon after and got into Canberra by mid afternoon - not before spying this cunning place on words bead shop...they must have spent hours coming up with that.
