Margaret River - The Journey South

7:00 am  Another 'Up early and Off' day today.  

So Breakfast Pack in hand, we joined McLeod Tours and headed to Margaret River.

Our First stop was a welcome Coffee break, 87 km down the road at The Bay Cafe, Mandurah.  

With the Mandurah Estuary beckoning us and a Sunday Market in the adjacent Foreshore parkland, we could have happily stayed for a couple of hours,

 

But we had an appointment down the road at Australind Wood Gallery.

We listened to an informative talk on Western Australian Jarrah, and happily patted beautiful pieces of timber skilfully crafted into items that wouldn't fit in our luggage,

(and was respectfully requested not to take Photos of.) 

It was ok to take this photo to add to my collection of 'Interesting Signs'.

A lovely Lunch was followed by a 'short stroll' down the Longest Timber-Piled Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.  

Yes, we made it to the end and back again a mere 3.7 km round trip.

If we are ever here again,  I would like to  explore the Underwater Observatory - One of only 6 in the World.

Breaking the tip, we stopped in at Gabriel Chocolates.
There was a Talk on Chocolate with Tastings and treats to bring home.

Specialising in Small Batch, single Origin chocolate, they were Western Australia's first Bean to Bar Chocolate maker. 

An unscheduled stop and a real treat for the Horse lovers on the bus, to briefly meet and feed some carrots to our Tour Guide's Horses, who enthusiastically met us at the gate.

The last stop for today was at the Saint John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Chapel in Prevelly.

Built by Geoff Edwards, in Gratitude for help received during the Battle of Crete.

I cannot write its story in just one photo so I am including links at the end of this Post so you can read about it yourselves.

Our 280 km road trip from Perth to Margaret River  concluded with a Welcoming Rainbow and a promise of a beautiful day tomorrow.

Click the Links to read Geoff Edwards Story

Prevelly Chapel

Monuments Australia - Prevelly

Day 5 - Into Perth

G'day it is Stowaway Frog here, am I am writing today's Post.

So, What can I write about today?

With no Off-Train excusions there really was nothing different to do from yesterday. 

Many just watched the scenery pass or rested while waiting for Brunch and Afternoon Tea to be served before disembarking at Perth.

But once we settled in to the Hotel, the Folks got all dressed up and we went out for Dinner - because TODAY was their 45th Wedding Anniversary.

We went to a fancy restaurant, at the top of a building and the floor kept moving - It made me feel a little greener than I normally am...

I don't think the Folks liked it very much, because they waited a long time after the Main Course,  and no one came to offer them Dessert or Coffee, so they left and went looking for Ice cream.

I hear we are not staying in Perth so I wonder what adventures we will have tomorrow?

Day 4. The Nullarbor

The Route from Adelaide to our first stop, if Trains travelled in a lovely sweeping curve would have been approx. 1000 km (653 mi) but they don't, and I "broke" Google Maps several times trying to follow the exact train line.

So overnight we travelled from Adelaide to Port Augusta then on between the Salt Lakes turning at Tarcoola and heading for the Nullarbor Plain.

First stop - the once thriving town of Cook.  

Current permanent population FOUR.*

As well as being a Diesel and Water stop for passing trains - Indian Pacific included, it is also an overnight stop for resting train crews.

For us it is a welcome opportunity to stretch our legs.  

Walking the full length of the train (twice) and of course taking a Photo of the Engine is definitely on the Must Have list.

Back on board it was time to pull out that book or craft you packed but didn't think you would need, while travelling the longest straight stretch of rail in the world and watching the endless nothing of the Nullarbor roll past.  

The sun sets in time for us to roll in to our next stop.  

At roughly 1,000,000 hectares (Approx. the size of Sydney) Rawlinna is the worlds largest Sheep Station and the venue for tonight's Off-train Outback Dinner.

It was a beautiful evening and the food - prepared on board the Train was extremely generous and perfect to share.

Dinner over and the Entertainment and Staff winding down after a very long day by dancing on the tables, 

we knew it was time wander back to our cabins, or look for a nightcap in the lounge.

*(Click Image to read Plaque)

Day 3 Broken Hill to Hahndorf

"Morning has Broken.. 

Like the First Morning" 

and If you are awake at 6:30 am you were treated to an Outback Sunrise.

By 7:30 we were already in Broken Hill and at our first Off Train Experience for the day.

And what an experience it was!  

An interesting and amusing talk on using Native Ingredients from the Chef at the Tipsy Camel.

Followed by Bingo and a Floor show led by Broken Hill's very own Shelita and Amanda - 

What They could do in 6" Platforms and even higher hair was amazing.

(Kudos to Them for being SO glamourous at 7:00am!)

By 9:00 am we were back on Board and off to Breakfast. 

Will it be a Full Breakfast, Scrambled Eggs with Hot Smoked Trout or something lighter? Crumpets with Fresh Berries & Mascarpone!

Coffee, Tea Fresh Juice anyone?

With nowhere to stop between Broken Hill and Adelaide, you chat with other travellers, join in a hand of cards or learn to play UNO and watch the scenery go past while enjoying a Cocktail.  

Here is 2 Challenges for you.

1.  Ask the Bartender to make an LLB that looks like a 'Grown-up drink' 

2. Try drinking this on a moving train and not spill any!

* * *

Finally arriving in Adelaide we were transferred to Coaches for the 30 minute drive to Hahndorf. 

It is Australia's Oldest surviving German Settlement.

First Stop for Wine & Cheese Tasting at The Lane Vineyard.

And Finishing off the Day with Bavarian Hospitality at HAUS.

Bring a sense of Fun and a Very Big Appetite!

Between courses we were treated to some Fun Facts about Bavarian Culture and a Performance from Uber Oompah.

And, of course Stowaway Frog made some New Friends!

(FYI- the cocktail of choice for everyone this trip? Espresso Martini.) 

Day 2 - All Aboard

12:00 Check in  

Lanyards & Room Numbers with Refreshments in the Eternity Lounge at Sydney Train Station before boarding. 

And Mr. S. Frog asked if he could have his own Lanyard, seeing he was coming as an invited guest this time.

Coffee & Conversation was enjoyed in the Lounge while we spent the afternoon watching the Sydney Suburbs & Blue Mountains roll past.

DH and I choose to Dress for Dinner on the First Night,  

(Not a lot of guests do, but the Staff appreciate it.)

And Dinner did not disappoint. 

Three wonderful courses served in the Queen Adelaide Dining Car.

Earlier today, there were some issues with the power and when the Cabin lights dimmed, we thought 'Oh-no, Not again' but, 

when the Staff started singing we realised they had found out about our Anniversary.

A special Celebration Cake from the Chef and Crew.  

They definitely surprised us!

And Our Dining companions happily helped us enjoy the extra dessert!

When it was time to head back to Our Cabin, knowing freshly made beds waited for us and .. 

Oh this is different!

No Chocolate on the Pillow tonight. 

Everyone got a special first night Treat.  

Pillow Mist and Sleep-easy Tea!

From Melbourne to Perth via Sydney

The look on my DB's face as he tried to work out how or why we were going to Perth via Sydney was priceless. 

But if you want the full Coast to Coast experience of the Longest Train journey in Australia, you have to start at the Beginning.  

And THAT, for this trip is Sydney. 

Prelude:

I read recently that "Melbourne doesn't have any  Landmark Building that you get that 'must have' Tourist photo taken in front of."  * 

Sydney however, has the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

So for the rest of our 'Arrival Day', Ice-cream in one hand and Camera in the other, we played Tourist.

Day 1.

I can't say that Sydney rolled out the Welcome Mat for us.  

More like a doormat with "Please Wipe your Feet" printed on it.

But who would have thought we needed to bring a brolly to Sunny Sydney?

So, instead of wandering the streets looking for more Iconic Photo ops, we spent most of the day at the Heritage Listed Queen Victoria Building. Opened in 1898 and Built in the Romanesque Revival Architectural Style.  

It certainly is beautiful.

Why stay so long?

Other than the rain, and a Coffee Meetup with an ex-work Colleague of DH's - I had forgotten to pack my belt, and spent all morning looking for one... heaven help if I had decided I also needed an Umbrella!

We did also Walk through Hyde Park and shelter in the Museum until they called time.

So, footsore and damp who was to argue with Hot Coffee and Chocolate drenched Waffles?
After all - We are on Holiday.

*Be warned - One day, I may just go out and take 'Selfies' in front of all OUR Iconic Landmarks!

I have a Map.

It's not an "Normal Map" - One of paper that never quite goes back into its creases.  
This One is Fabric and is actually an Embroidery Wall-hanging 

With the Awesome title of "MAP MY LAP" (That's my Lap around Australia!)

It has all the Major Roadhouses, Station Stays, Roads & Outback Tracks. 

As well as the  Indian Pacific and Ghan Train Lines. 

(They haven't caught up with The Overland or Great Southern - But I have added those routes in as well.)

It is getting a bit congested around Adelaide as the Great Trains are Based at  Adelaide's Keswick Station.

I have also added Our Great South Australian Adventure of 2008 (Teal with Gold Beads for where we stayed each night.)

Red for the Ghan runs through the Heart of the Country while the Blue of Indian Pacific goes Perth to Sydney

The Great Southern - Brisbane to Adelaide via Melbourne is Orange
And The Overland (also Blue) travels from Melbourne to Adelaide.

Our travels around Victoria are still to be done but I am thinking I will just add some Seed Beads in the places we have stayed, especially when you retrace your steps.

And we haven't forgotten Tasmania!

Our latest Adventure is already Mapped In.

I couldn't resist adding these Iron On Train Patches to my Order.

I just have to work our WHERE I want to put them 

And when it is time to take my Embroidery On the Road - 

It came with a very well thought out Organic Cotton Tote Bag with room for my Threads and Scissors

So Where To Next?  And do I pack it or enjoy reliving the trip when we get back?

* * *

If anyone's interested you can get them from Ecoluxe Travel Decor.  

They specialise in making comfy bedding for Caravans & Campers.

Day 12 - Homeward Bound

 But not before...

You Guessed it - ANOTHER Early Start!

8:40 am 

To the First Nations People it is Kunanyi.  To us it was Mount Wellington and so it is now Kunanyi/ Mount Wellington. 

At 1270 m above Sea Level, it is not the highest Peak in Tasmania, but stands watch over Hobart and from the Summit - on a clear day, you can pretty much see forever.

For us, the early morning mist shrouded the View in an ethereal blanket. 

 

Although we couldn't see those 'forever horizons' we were told about, it was still magical. 

Back down to the Hustle of a Saturday Morning, an unexpected bonus - Hobart's Salamanca Market was open, and we had just enough time to have a quick look at the many stalls. 

Then one last Tour Bus Ride - Dropping some, who were staying longer, at their Hotels before heading to the Airport - Waving fond fare-well and hugging people we may never cross paths with again.

We have seen so much yet only scratched the surface of this World Heritage Place - some of which is only available to Tour Companies like Outback Spirit.

And I have challenged my Comfort Zone on several occasions - But then, isn't this WHY we travel?

Hobart is just 1 hr 15 min flight from Melbourne or if you want to take longer The Spirit of Tasmania takes around 10 hours to cross Bass Straight to Devonport.

Outback Spirit Tours - DestinationTasmania

Spirit of Tasmania

Salamanca market.com.au

Day 11 - Bruny Island, Part Two

Standing on the Jetty at Adventure Bay, I am afraid my sense of humor escaped, and I hummed a few bars of the Gilligan's Island Theme Song. It wasn't lost on some, as we were about to embark on a 'Three Hour Tour.....'

Fortunately the Weather was Perfect as we climbed aboard the purpose built 12 .5 Naiad Boat, donned our Red Waterproof Coats and happily accepted Ginger Tablets, just in case we felt a little "Other".

And with the mandatory Safety spiel out of the way -We were Off...

The fact that we had the company of a second tour group and were not heading into the Southern Ocean alone was comforting. 

We marvelled at the coastline in all its ancient beauty

And got up close and personal with massive Blowholes

We heard stories of Adventurers Past, One who used to jump off the boat and swim through this gap - 

Eventually deciding that it wasn't such a good idea, when one day he was followed by a Shark! 

(Fortunately for him and the passengers on board, He lived to tell the tale.)

They took us out to see the Black-Faced Cormorants - 

Confidently standing atop their Rocky Perch while the Ocean boils beneath them 

We went out to where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean

Then back past The Friars, to see the Australian Fur Seals taking a break before heading back into the water.

 

I debate with myself, if I should pack my 35mm Camera when we go on holidays now.

But then you get some shots that my iPhone just can't manage.  And This is one of them!

It was an awesome Adventure and once safely  back on dry land we were treated to Warming Soup and the Most Architecturally Stunning Salad Roll I have ever seen!

Further Information:

Bruny cruises