November in Melbourne

Photos by Maria Ngo 

Melbournians are beginning to enjoy more freedom in November 2021. We are now able to gather in larger groups outdoors. With these new freedoms, I organise walks and lunch meetups with friends and participate in a meetup that a friend organised at seaside Mordialloc near the marina. As you can see from the photos, boats (on land and in the water) as well as signs, railway stations and even locks on fences catch my interest on this walk.  

There was also a man dressed in a black and red checked shirt that matched the colour of the Cherry- Ripe (a type of popular confectionary) he was eating while perched on a log – this was too good to pass by without a photo. 

Eating cherry-ripe in Mordialloc

November is a beautiful time to visit the Williamstown Botanic Gardens.  The fox gloves are in bloom and there is a freshness to new growth in the garden. It is not a large garden but an inviting and relaxing one to be in if you are in the area. Also, if you have never seen a giant rhubarb, that can grow taller than an adult, there is at least one clump in the garden near the Edwardian ornamental pond. At various times of the year, you can see bulbs like daffodils and irises come into bloom. The formal palm avenue reminded me of the row of palm trees at Catani Gardens in St Kilda.

Timeball tower, Williamstown Botanic Gardens, Bay Trail, Williamstown 

According to the Hobsons Bay City Council, the Williamstown Botanic Gardens was opened in 1860 and is listed on the “Victorian Heritage Register as significant for their historical, aesthetic, scientific (horticultural) and social significance to the state of Victoria. They are also listed on the National Register and classified by The National Trust of Australia (Vic.)”

There are huge old well-maintained trees near the main entry which are just picture-perfect on a fine day.

From the gardens we stroll along the Bay Trail. This trail gives you clear unhindered views of Port Philip Bay. I see a sign warning of snakes in the area. Yes, this is Melbourne, and where there is any open ‘bushland’ of sorts, you must stay alert to our local reptilian inhabitants – especially as the weather warms up. With clear skies and few trees along this trail, it is a good idea to wear a hat, sunglasses and even sunscreen, while enjoying the beautiful sunny mild day.

We pass the Williamstown Timeball Tower on the way to Nelson Place which is the main dining strip in Williamstown. From the Botanic Gardens to Atomic Bar and Restaurant is an easy 3km walk across flat terrain. 

The Hobsons Bay City Council tells us that, “The Timeball Tower was a means whereby ships could accurately set their chronometers with accuracy being essential for successful navigation on long ocean voyages. At precisely 1.00pm each day, the ball at the top of the tower would descend slowly down its shaft.

“The Williamstown tower was built in 1849 of local bluestone. It was originally a lighthouse, and later served as a Timeball tower from 1861 to 1926.

“Many such towers were built, but they have not survived to anything like the degree that historic lighthouses have. Today, working Timeball towers are extremely rare. In addition to the one located at Point Gellibrand, there is a working Timeball tower at Greenwich in London, and only three others in the world. It is undoubtedly the jewel of historic Williamstown”.

Oldest Memorial drinking water fountain in Melbourne, lunch in Williamstown

If you enjoy architectural walks that include colonial era buildings that date from the 1830s, this website provides excellent information on the history of the area. It also includes information on the oldest memorial drinking fountain in Melbourne which was imported from Glasgow and inaugurated in 1876, and the customs house which is a great example of “conservative Classical revival style architecture” erected from 1873. Another worthwhile visit is the “Blunts Boatyard and Slipway (Nelson Place) which is a rare operating example of the many small scale boat-building and repairing businesses which have operated on the Williamstown foreshore from the 1850s on”. Also, with regards to the grand scale of the former Royal Hotel (85 Nelson Place), it “is a consequence of change to Victoria's licensing laws in 1877, which required hotels to have a minimum of 30 rooms of minimum dimensions to be licenced.”

Within this historical precinct is HMAS Castlemaine the restored Bathurst Class Corvette which is open to the public from 11am to 4pm on weekends and public holidays, apart from days of extreme heat (over 36°C).

Seaworks Maritime Precinct is a maritime museum that one can also visit. “The Seaworks site has been pivotal to Australia’s Maritime History as the place where the Enterprise set anchor during the foundation of Melbourne in 1835, the facility for ship repairs during World War II, and serviced and built vessels for the Port of Melbourne, Australia’s first independent port authority and busiest port operations.”

There is certainly a lot to see and do in this historical Williamstown Newport Foreshore area. We will no doubt have to return another day to Williamstown to experience the rest that we missed.

After our fish and chips lunch seated under the watchful gaze of seagulls, followed by some delicious hazelnut ice-cream from The Ice Cream Shopp, we take the more direct and shorter walking route back to where we parked our car earlier that morning which is actually only 1 km away. This puts us in good time for a visit to the Werribee Park Mansion. 

Werribee Park Mansion 

Werribee Mansion is only 40 minutes’ drive even via the scenic route along the coast. It was unclear where we were to park for the mansion, but we worked out that the unpaved carpark near the Rose Garden was the place.  It is a short walk to the mansion through the ornate wrought iron gates.

We pass a lovely sundial on the way to the mansion and checked the time on it. Yes, it was accurate. There is a small charge (of $10.90 per adult at time of writing) for entry to the mansion with an additional cost for audio guides.

The mansion was constructed of basalt and sandstone and was completed in 1877 for the Chirnside family who made their fortune through wool. They were originally from Scotland. There are 60 rooms spread across several wings. It is built in the Renaissance Revival style.  

According to the Parks Victoria website “The fine interior includes some original furniture set within a richly decorated entry hall containing a Minton encaustic tiled floor, niches, Corinthian pilasters, and free-standing columns leading to a grand staircase. The main reception rooms, library and dining room are all classically ornamented.

“Despite the grandeur, expense, and status of the mansion, it remains a mystery as to who the designing architect was.

“The mansion was converted into a seminary in the 1920s, and the entire estate was then purchased by the State Government in 1977.

“You might recognise the striking exterior and opulent interiors of the Mansion as it has featured as a backdrop in some of Australia’s favourite film productions and television shows including Miss Fisher, Winchester, and Neighbours.”

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit there and highly recommend a visit to the park and mansion. There is an operating hotel onsite in the park, next to the mansion, the hotel is not open to the public.

We finished our day out with a visit to the famed Victoria State Rose Garden. This garden boasts a collection of over 5,000 roses. And it is free to visit! We had timed our visit well as it was just after Melbourne Cup Day when the roses are at their best. There is an annual show that runs over two days on the weekend following this famous horse race which is held on the first Tuesday in November. More information on the show can be found here.

Werribee Park Mansion and Victoria State Rose Garden

Speaking of things to do in Melbourne during November, if you were to visit the wetlands near Glen Iris Park, you might spot damsel-flies zooming above the ducks paddling below the viewing platform. Gardiners Creek Trail between this park and Markham Reserve, takes you through some picturesque sections which include aged oak trees and quaint bridges that crisscross the creek which give you open views of the waterway. Nasturtiums, small purple and yellow orchids, plants with prickly seeds, oyster plants (also called bear’s breeches, acanthus mollis or sea dock) and also fluffy seeds of the native Australian clematis microphylla can be spotted among the greenery. November is also the time when tiny Japanese maple trees start germinating – you can sometimes see them in great numbers sprouting in gardens under a mature one. It is a good time to start propagating them as they will require some tender care to keep them from the hot weather just round the corner.

In November, Christmas décor start appearing in the shops and add to the joyous festive expectation. Sunsets along the beach in the Port Philip Bay area are spectacular. There will be many more opportunities to enjoy the warmer weather now. What better way to enjoy both with a picnic by the beach to watch the sun set! This is the last month of spring with average temperature ranging between min 11°C (52°F) and max 21°C (70°F).

Christmas decorations, along Gardiners Creek Trail, more food 

This year for us, November was the time for weddings – and one could not have asked for a more perfect day at Poet’s Lane Receptions  for an outdoor garden ceremony.

It was also time to celebrate the end of high school VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) as the school year in Australia starts essentially in February and ends in mid December, but those sitting for VCE (Year 12) finish earlier (i.e. in November). Our VCE student in the family had his valedictory celebration at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong Restaurant with the rest of his year level. This restaurant is famed for its panoramic views of the city. The drive to the restaurant takes us through beautiful lush fernery and towering mountain ash and other native eucalypts. 

Our more private family affair was at our favourite Thai restaurant – Ped’s Thai. Don’t let the worn signage give you consternation about the quality of the food here – we always leave the place thoroughly satisfied.

I had the opportunity to try out a new Vietnamese restaurant using Uber Eats vouchers also this November – Pho505. My Special Combination Beef Pho and Pork and Prawn Rice Paper rolls were delicious. 

Whether it is being outdoors immersed in nature that floats your boat, or indulging in fine dining or enjoying homely cuisine on the mountain top or by the water, or even doing some Christmas shopping, November is a beautiful time to explore Melbourne.

 

Does the season change in your country like mine? What are some popular activities that you would recommend for this time of year where you live?

 

____________________________

 

Places mentioned in the blog:

·       Williamstown Botanic Gardens

·       Catani Gardens, St Kilda

·       Bay Trail

·       Williamstown Timeball Tower

·       Atomic Bar Restaurant

·       The Ice Cream Shopp

·       Williamstown

·       HMAS Castlemaine

·       Seaworks Maritime Precinct

·       Werribee Park Mansion

·       Victoria State Rose Garden

·       Gardiners Creek Trail

·       Poet’s Lane Receptions

·       SkyHigh Mount Dandenong Restaurant

·       Ped’s Thai Cuisine (restaurant)

·       Pho505 (restaurant)

August, September, October in Melbourne

 

Photos by Maria Ngo

August to October in 2021 in Melbourne was pretty quiet. This was because Victoria had its 5^th and 6^th lockdown with barely a week in between the two lockdowns. The 5^th lockdown started on Friday 15 July and lasted until 27 July. The 6^th lockdown started 5 August and ended midnight 21 October. Melbourne had experienced a total of 262 days of lockdowns since the first one was announced in March 2020.

We were allowed out for limited essential exercises of 2 hours in duration and 9pm curfews were in force. We could also only travel within a 5 km radius from home – this was later extended to 25km towards the end of the period before being lifted completely.

People who could work from home did so. Business like supermarkets, food retail, restaurants (only takeaways) and pharmacies were allowed to continue to operate. Others involved in distribution as well as some manufacturing were allowed – these operated under limited capacity and with strict rules about square metre space per employee. Elective surgeries were also cut back. Other retail businesses were shut. You could order items online from places like hardware stores and department stores for pickup or delivery.

This period also happens to coincide with the Victorian school 3^rd term (from mid July to mid September). For those people without kids in school, this would normally be part of our ski season which starts on the last long weekend in June until 4 October. July and August are the coldest months and the best time to go skiing. This year, our ski resorts were not open.

While people were kept indoors and away from one another during this period, nature was not hindered. So, I only have photos of nature during this period.

AUGUST

Towards the end of August, cherry blossoms and stone fruit start developing flowers. I love seeing the cherry blossom trees especially come alive to announce the coming of spring. Several species of orchids continue to bloom while irisis also join in to add to the floral cheer. Dandelions develop their puffy balls that invite you to blow on them. Crisp clear blue skies add to the lift in our spirits while onion weeds and snow drops start putting on quite a show with their bell shaped flowers.

 

Cherry blossom tree, onion weed, irises, dandelions

SEPTEMBER

In September, I have enough irises and arum lilies that have blossomed to pick them for my dining table. The tiny Australian native orchids, the dendrobiums, are at their best at this time. Scented white jasmine, purple ajugas, lilac dropping wisteria, fragrant freesias that pop through cracks in brick walls and driveways as well as garden beds and lawns. These and the various types of white and yellow daisies sing their glorious praise.

Jasmine, ajugas, arum lilies, daisies

Kookaburras also add their distinct voices to my creek trail walk. It appears that they mate for life and are very territorial. They have been observed to respect territorial boundaries and not cross into a neighbour’s patch to retrieve food that had been tossed to it. This day, I saw one of them dive into a hollow in a nearby tree - I surmised that they must have a hatchling. 

You can read more about them on the Nature Conservancy Australia as well as the Australian Museum websites.

The warmer weather invite me out to do more cycling. I take the opportunity to do so with a friend. I love the long distinct shadows cast by leafless trees at this time of year when you get a clear blue sky day with just a faint nip of the last fingers of winter in the air. 

Jasmine, wisteria, dendrobium orchid, sunset, kookaburras, iris 

OCTOBER

By the end of October, rose buds turn to fully formed flowers. As this is the first round of rose blossoms, everything is just perfect – there are no dead or dying flowers or leaves to prune or pick off. It is simply glorious. The perfume of roses in their masses is simply one of my favourite scents. They elevate the spirit and fill one’s senses with such heady delights.

The protea in my backyard are at their grandest at this time. This year I have the most magnificent show on my bush – it could have been the extra rain we had been getting this year. Even the creeks are nosier than usual as they tumble over the rocks. Cherry blossoms continue to develop in October and stone fruit add more colour to the landscape.

Ramping fumitory, quince, picnic at the park, everlasting, pardalote, very full creek

Seasonal ‘weeds’ like the White Ramping Fumitory with their deep maroon tipped narrow white petals and our native yellow Everlastings start popping up along my regular walking trails. The white oxeye daisy with their yellow centres and later blooming wattle can be seen in the neighbourhood parks and nature strips. Quinces can also be seen ripening in gardens.

In one wetland precinct I saw a grey headed heron wading in the shallows. Another tiny bird I spotted was the pardalote – I had only seen pictures of them until now. It was at Westerfolds Park where I saw it. On previous visits I even saw kangaroos bounding and also lazing in the cool grasses and under the trees. There are many kilometres of walking tracks you can choose from in this huge parkland which has retained much of its natural vegetaion. As restrictions eased further towards the end of October I was able to organise picnics there as well as at Wattle Park.

October is a lovely time to get married as well – with limited number of guests being allowed still this year (5 I think), most of us watched it online. This would be the third wedding I had attended online since one virus turned the world upside down in 2019. I made it into the city as well and with clean clear air free of pollution, the sky was the most incredible blue. What a magnificent backdrop it made for my cityscapes.

Grey headed heron, protea, wattle, Melbourne city in spring

 

While these three months appeared rather quiet this year in Melbourne, nature is never completely still. There’s always something to discover and enjoy if you know where to look.

 

  

July in Melbourne – coast and cafes – Torquay, Lorne, Barwon Heads and Queenscliff

On looking back at my photos of July, there was a certain theme running through them – coast and cafes. It was certainly the weather for warming comfort foods so I was definitely on the right track.

 In July, our average temperatures reach highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C (57°F and 45°F). Warm parkas and beanies are my usual order for the day during this period and gloves are often part of my essential attire. Along the Victorian coast if you happen to be standing by the beach, you would definitely notice the chill winds and be very very glad for those warm extras.

 

Surfer at Bells Beach, black sand, Point Lonsdale lighthouse, Torquay cuisine - photos by Maria Ngo

Chill winds or not, you still can’t keep the dedicated surfers from their sport. Here at Bells Beach,  where the sands are black in parts, I met one such stalwart surfer whose white beard contrasted with his black wetsuit and strong posture as he descended the steps to challenge the waves carrying his trusty board with one arm.

Bells Beach is home to Rip Curl Pro and is the longest running competition of its kind. This event is also known as the “Wimbledon of surfing”. In 2022, Bells Beach will celebrate 61 years of professional surfing competition. This beach is just 5km from Torquay which we had made our base for a few nights to explore the surrounding towns along the coast including Lorne, Barwon Heads and Queenscliff.

Bells Beach was named after its first pastoral family from the 1840s (https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/bells-beach-vic). This hidden gem for surfing was discovered by locals in 1939. Access was difficult as there was no clear path to the beach. It was not until 1959 when “Torquay surfer and Olympic wrestler Joe Sweeney, determined to solve the problem, [and] hired a bulldozer and cleared a road along the Bells cliff from the old Cobb & Co Road. This meant that access was achieved from Jan Juc. Sweeney charged £1 per surfer to recover his expenses”. (You can read other more interesting facts about this beach and its relation to surfing in the above link.)

New Holland Honeyeater, moody landscape, more food from Torquay, lighthouse at Split Point (Aireys Inlet) - photos by Maria Ngo

I did not know all this about the beach when we first stumbled upon it on our walk along the coast. We had started our walk from Bird Rock lookout near Jan Juc. This lookout has raised platform seats and clear views of the sea and is a good spot for viewing a sunset. It was a very refreshing walk with ocean views and local birds keeping us company. We even spotted a New Holland Honeyeater during our walk. The section we did is part of a much longer trail.  

That evening we decided to try Pholklore which served Vietnamese cuisine. We sat on low stools at tables made of recycled spools that used to hold large cables. The restaurant was a large shed with simple low key ambience and items which harkened to simple Vietnamese village life. Our pho was full of flavour and absolutely delicious. It was particularly satisfying on a cool evening and hit all the right spots for me. We thought we’d have it again before we left but did not realise just how popular it was because there were no seats available the next time we came back.

Torquay offers a range of other dining experiences as well – fish and chips, steak, brunches, Japanese, Thai, burgers, Mexican, Chinese etc. – of which we have tried a number on this and on previous visits. Torquay is a very popular holiday spot and the range of eating places here is an indication of it.  

Over the next few days we visited several promontories with light houses – at Split Point near Aireys Inlet and Point Lonsdale. This part of Australia is known as the Ship Wreck Coast. it is believed that over 700 ships have been wrecked here while only around 240 have been found. There is a lighthouse tour at Split Point and nice costal walking tracks, a tea room and three lookouts (Eagle Rock, Split Point, Loutit) in this area. You can also walk down to the beach. This is a much more interesting one to visit in my opinion. There isn't much to do at Point Lonsdale lighthouse - unless you're a geocacher or if you're a fishermen. There is a well provisioned pier here for fishing.  

The channel that leads into Port Philip Bay has a very narrow opening with a dangerous reef. Sea pilot boats are needed to guide ships in and out of the bay. You can see their small orange coloured craft at work if you stand at Point Lonsdale or Point Nepean (Fort Nepean) . I have seen them at both these points.

Ship in a bottle, old diving suit, lighthouse prism, breeches buoy, square waves, Split Point lighthouse, sunset at Barwon Heads, beach at Aireys Inlet - photos by Maria Ngo 

 As if to highlight the dangers of the water, while we were in Barwon Heads, we saw square waves (or cross seas) forming at sunset near the Barwon Heads Bluff and the bridge.  These waves are formed by waves moving in opposite directions and are extremely dangerous. You should get out of the water if you see them. Here is a link to the video I took. https://youtu.be/25bHqxCvOzg

In Queenscliff, there is a Maritime Museum where you can see old fashioned diving suits, retrieved artefacts from wrecks, ships in bottles, lighthouse prisms and also the Pantaloon or Breeches buoy which is life-saving equipment used to rescue people from the sea in the 1800s. The waiting shed that used to be on the old fishermen’s pier in the 1870s has been relocated here as well as the full sized crane. This museum was built around the last life boat used in Queenscliff. 

There is another museum in Queenscliff – the Fort Queenscliff Museum – but it was not open when we were there. This town also has a lighthouse that you can visit.

The coastal route between Torquay and Queenscliff we took that day was quite picturesque with its moody grey clouds above and scrubby grasses on either side of the road stretched out on the flat landscape on either side. This was in contrast to the steep high cliffs we had seen at Eagle Rock Lookout at Aireys Inlet. The descent to Lorne gives us sweeping views of the coastline. On this day we saw a rainbow. 

 

Lorne Pier, corellas at Lorne, fishing off the pier, Surf Coast walk, Memorial Arch and sculpture - photos by Maria Ngo

All along the coast, in each main town are piers which attract people who are keen on fishing and which also provide good views of the surrounding area. The pier also attracts dog walkers. There is a famous Pier to Pub race in Lorne which starts from the Lorne pier to the Lorne Life Saving Club which is a 1.2km distance. This race usually takes place in January. The average swimming time is 22 minutes and is now in its 32nd year of operation. 

There is a lovely walking trail from the beach to the pier. There was a flock of white corellas pecking at the ground when we arrived at the carpark of Lorne beach. There were gulls bobbing up and down at the water’s edge and a flock of sparrows sheltering from the gusty winds along the edges of the pier.

Between Torquay and Lorne is the historical Memorial Arch  – it was erected in memory of the returned servicemen who built the road, that is now the Great Ocean Road, that connects the towns along the coast. This is a 243 km stretch of road. Construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1932.  

The drive back to Melbourne on the main highway from Torquay can be covered in under 1.5 hours. It is just over 100km.

 

Fragrant clematis, cymbidium orchids, sunny street, dog exhibition at Queen Vic Market, yellow wattle, magnolia, arum lily, pink camelia, foggy day at the train station, hearty winter fare, birthday cake - photos by Maria Ngo

While it is officially winter in Melbourne at this time of year, and mist and fog can shroud railway stations in the morning and brilliant blue skies characterise the afternoon, we are not without our floral pick-me-ups when we walk around the neighbourhoods. At this time of, white, pink and red camelias, arum (or calla) lilies, cymbidium orchids, magnolias, wild clematis with tiny flowers and beautiful fragrance and the silver wattle are in bloom. 

Queen Victoria Market also played host to a Truffle Festival in early July which brought out food and dog exhibitions.  

Another highlight for me in July is that it is the time when we celebrate three birthdays in my family – so cakes usually make their appearance then. It’s not like we don’t have cakes other times of the year, but the ones in July are just a bit more special.

What is July like where you live? Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world during this time of year? 

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PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS POST

• Torquay
• Pholklore 
• Coastal walk
• Bells Beach 
• Rip Curl Pro
• Bird Rock lookout 
• Barwon Heads
• square waves 
• Queenscliff
• Maritime Museum
• Fort Queenscliff Museum
• Aireys Inlet 
• Split Point lighthouse 
• lighthouse tour
• Lighthouse Tearoom 
• Eagle Rock lookout 
• Split Point lookout 
• Lorne 
• Pier to Pub race 

 

June in Melbourne and the Victorian Alps

June launches Victoria’s ski season. This season usually lasts until the first week of October. Melbourne is the gateway to six places to enjoy the snow. 

 

Melbourne in June

 

(You can view more photos here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqEcO3CrLK0) 

 

Lake Mountain is very popular for families for tobogganing and cross-country skiing. You can easily do this as a day trip. Mt Stirling is another spot for cross-country skiing and it is the larger of the two.

The other four ski resorts are Mt Buller, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Mt Baw Baw. Mt Baw Baw is good for those who are just starting out on the snow while the other three have well developed ski networks for green run beginners to advanced black runs. Snow boarding continue to grow in popularity on Falls Creek and Mt Hotham.

 

As it so happens, Victorian school holidays which falls during the last weekend of June and early July is perfect for a winter getaway.

 

This year, we based ourselves in Bright  to catch what we could of the snowfields and explore its surrounds. Bright is a lovely well supplied country town, just 3.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne. Bright has a number of dining options as well as a very large well-provisioned Woolworths supermarket. There is an ample supply of chalets and accommodation in town.

 

From Bright, Falls Creek is just over an hour’s drive away. This year, because of contactless pre-booking for entry as well as parking, it made for a quick seamless process. I had found in previous years that the bottleneck at the check through point as well as fitting of chains (if required) could add up to half an hour extra to our drive time.

 

It does rain in June in Bright and the snowfields and it can make for some sleety weather. If you stay on the ski resorts itself, this might not be such an issue, but if you have to drive to and fro, up and down the mountain each day, it can pose a problem. As it turned out, I only skied once that week, but my son and hubby braved it three times. I do find that glasses and ski helmets in sleety weather don’t go that well together. Yes, helmets are compulsory on these Alpine ski slopes. I am glad for that provision because I was tripped up by a snowboard while getting off the chair-lift one year and fell backwards, hitting the back of my head with a great big thwack on the chair on my way down. 

 

Bright has some beautiful walks along the Ovens River as well as the Murray to Mountains Rail-Trail to explore and enjoy. The deciduous trees were in various shades of yellow and wrinkly brown and even green at this time of year.

 

Damp mosses, lichen, hopping spiders and various fungi can keep nature photographers quite occupied in Bright while the cloud covered hill tops that surround the snug little town make for picturesque views. The Ovens River Canyon Walk  still bear vestiges of a gold-mining era with tail-races embedded into the cliff sides.

 

Mt Buffalo has a number of scenic stops as well as walking tracks that are more accessible during the warmer months. This is a very scenic drive even in wintry weather. It was snowing near the top on the day we drove up there. We didn’t go all the way up to the Horn carpark – we stopped at the Cathedral-Hump Track carpark  and did a short fifteen minute walk. I was not prepared for the snowy conditions that day and was not dressed for slushy snow.

 

We hired our ski gear and snow chains from Porepunkah Ski Hire  which gives exceptional family service. They personally fit and demonstrate to you how to fit snow chains to your car.

 

Bright is surrounded by nature and you can’t get more natural that kangaroos bounding into your resort!

It is possible to find some sufficiently dark corner even in the resort so that you can indulge in a bit of astro photography. My first! Not perfect, but I was pleased with my first efforts.

 

In the meanwhile, down closer to shore in Melbourne, at historical Princes Pier, fishermen, roller-bladers and photographers congregate. An information sign on location informs us that Princes Pier was “[b]uilt between 1912 and 1915” and that it “was the third major pier constructed at Port Melbourne. Together with the adjacent Station Pier, it served as a major passenger and cargo terminal in the twentieth century until its closure in 1989. Restored and modified to allow safe public access, Princess Pier reopened in 2011.” This pier is on the Victorian Heritage Register.

 

On a crisp evening, when the sun sets at 5:07 pm in the middle of June and the lowest temperature is 7C and the maximum 16C, it pays to dress warmly to catch those last rays of the sun on a clear blue day to watch the sky change to violet, mauve, pink and yellow as the last rays of the sun dip along the water’s edge. It is eerie, mesmerising and hypnotic gazing along those rows of aged pylons stretching into the distance of what was once a bustling pier. Satellite imagery comparing Princes Pier and Station Pier gives you an indication of just how much of Princes Pier has not been restored. Standing on this pier, you can often see the Spirit of Tasmania in the evening before its departure for Devonport, Tasmania at 7.30 pm.

 

Now at this time of year when bare tree branches cast long shadows upon the street even at 2 in the afternoon and camelias, cyclamens and orchids add their cheery countenance to our yards, and gum nuts are well formed and comfort foods beckon, there’s nowhere sweeter than home. 

Thank you for dropping by, hope to see you at the next instalment of what Melbourne is like in July.

May in Melbourne, Daylesford and Clunes

All photos are by Maria Ngo

So what is it like in Melbourne in May? The mercury in the thermometer continue to drop even lower in May where it dips to as low as even 2° Celsius at times. The average minimum and maximum however tend to hover around the 10–17° C mark which is perfect for some but too cold for others. Melbourne averages around 8 days of rain in the month during this time. What this means though is that you can still get some glorious hours of sunshine mixed in with some cloudy overcast days. But, it’s not quite winter yet, and there is still a lot of outdoors to enjoy.

Let me take you for a visit to the Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens, rooftop gardens, Melbourne city at night, a local suburb as well as Daylesford which is a town just under two hours drive from the city of Melbourne. (You can view the short YouTube video here.) 

At the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden at the Botanic Gardens in the city (not to be confused with the one in Cranbourne) the veggie patch reveal barrow loads of ginger and continue to look green with climbers clambering over their stakes. And if you were to visit the Burwood Brickworks Roof Top Garden, you’ll see ripening corn and a lush array of herbs as well as their resident quails in their special coop.

May in Melbourne, Daylesford and Clunes

In the general garden section a thick oak leaf fall can be sighted beneath shedding oak trees. This is a favourite time for children to experience crunching autumn leaves beneath their feet or delight in watching swirling leaves thrown up into the air fall back down on them.  

The boab tree with its characteristic bulbous pot belly trunk still cling on to their leaves. These have been known to live for thousands of years in the Kimberleys. But you don’t have to travel that far to hug one of these because you can see them upon entry to the Children’s Garden.  

A walk along the northern bank of the Yarra to the east of the city along Flinders Walk and Birrarung Marr  is a must do at this time of year. The beautiful deciduous trees, now clothed in their golden and slight green hues and semi-bare twiggy branches, provide the perfect escape from the bustling city and grace us with their calming serenity.

And if you enjoy street photography, the glistening pavement, damp from a light shower, especially after sunset, will provide you with endless opportunities for images that will touch your senses in a way that daytime photography does not.

City Hall and Flinders Street Railway Station put on quite a good display in the evenings when they are lit up.

As it so happened, Melbourne had a perfect view of the lunar eclipse in 2021. This just goes to show the variableness of Melbourne’s weather in May.

Out in the suburbs, a variety of mushrooms and fungi make their appearance in parks, playgrounds, beside pavements and nature strips. Some are larger than dinner plates and an adult shoe. Friendly neighbours also share their produce of kaffir limes and lemons in the suburbs because this is the season for harvest these. Camelias, geraniums and other colourful annuals continue to put on a good show.

Daylesford, made famous by its mineral springs, continue to attract tourists. There are still many hand pump operated mineral springs that you can taste, or take your fill of the famed waters. I had a little taste, and, shall I say, I am not likely to even fill a thimbleful of it to drink later. If you have experienced the Italian spring waters, it is highly probable that you’ll wish you had some of that to wash out your tongue after. Nevertheless, there are a number of very beautiful walks that you can do along the mineral spring route that has been well signed with historical information. Did you know that Daylesford was once called Wombat Flats?

The Convent Gallery as well as Lake Daylesford are all within the town vicinity. These are definitely worth a visit – beautiful views of Daylesford can be gotten from several vantage points at The Convent. The beautiful colours associated with deciduous growth trees is one of the attractions of Daylesford at this time of year – this is better seen though in April but still visible in early May.

The Convent and Lake Daylesford - photos by Maria Ngo

There are many cafes, restaurants, hotels/pubs and galleries in this busy town which continue to do quite well in these cooler months with their hearty winter fare. Is it cooler in Daylesford than in Melbourne? Yes it most certainly is. The weekend we were there was a particularly chilly one, we were rugged up in pretty much snow gear type attire – you would not get by without a beanie and gloves. I had forgotten to pack a pair of gloves, and found later that I had paid twice as much for my gloves in Daylesford as I would have in Melbourne.

A walk around the lake will most likely put you face to face with some local purple swamp hens strutting around on their gangly legs seeking a handout from your picnic basket. Please resist feeding them however as it is not in their best interests to consume sandwiches. Their natural diet consist of “soft shoots of reeds and rushes and small animals, such as frogs and snails.” They use their “long toes to grasp food while eating”. 

Wombat Hill BotanicGardens which is right next to the Convent with their gigantic pine trees and pleasant walk is another popular stop.

Daylesford - by Maria Ngo

Clunes is around 30 minutes drive away from Daylesford. “Clunes was the site of Victoria's first gold strike in 1851 which led to a gold rush which swept through central Victoria ... These days, Clunes is an agricultural, pastoral and tourist township, nestled in a scenic valley.

"Many of the original buildings in Clunes have been preserved from those gold rush days, perfectly illustrated with a visit to the wide and elegant Fraser Street. It is lined with 19th century buildings and shop fronts including the National Hotel (1862), Club Hotel (1870) and Union Bank (1865). That streetscape has caught the eye of film and TV producers with several high profile Australian movies and advertisements having scenes filmed there.” One of these movies was Mad Max. It is best to visit Clunes during the weekend because many of its attractions are only open then. The Clunes Museum housed at the Information Centre in a very comfortable building is open however through the week. Creswick Woollen Mills is about 15 minutes from Clunes and is the only Woollen Mill still operating in Australia.  

May in Melbourne city and its surrounds continue to hold many charms. Just make sure you are suitably attired to make the most of your time here. As Alfred Wainwright has said, “There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melbourne in April

All photos are by Maria Ngo

I was chatting with a friend from overseas when it dawned on me how the everyday familiar things we take for granted in our local area can be of great fascination to those overseas. So, I’ve decided to do a series of posts from each month of the year that will feature some of these everyday sights in my city and state. 

Melbourne in April

Right now in Melbourne, it is autumn. At this time of year, I love those streets that have deciduous trees. Well, as long as I’m not the one having to sweep up all the leaves (LOL). I think the yellow-orange leaves are just sooo beautiful at this time of year. Some streets seem to come ablaze with colour. And when you park your car in those streets, you can guess what you will find when you return to them. 

Melbourne has all kinds of trees - not just deciduous trees - so there is still a lot of green in our parks and streets. Eucalypts are perennial and they don’t shed their leaves in autumn. Did you know that there are approximately 800 species of eucalypts in Australia? (I even saw some of them when I was in California.) 

The most common deciduous trees you might find on Melbourne's nature strips are oak trees and plane trees. Sometimes you can also see the decorative pear tree which is planted mostly for its foliage.

I was in the city one weekend with a photography group and saw a bride and groom having their photos being taken. In the evening we had the most perfect still and clear night for photography. On such nights, Melbourne is a magical place along the river in the city.

At this time of year, the sun sets around 5.30pm. This evening the sun set at 5.34pm and tomorrow night it will be 5.32pm. 

The weather is getting to the coolish side now. The other day when I was down at the beach in Brighton/Elwood, it was about 16C. It got down to about 14C by the time we headed home. The morning started off very very sunny but by noon it was heavy with thick clouds. But, on another day, the day started off cloudy and cleared up by early afternoon as we welcomed the beautiful warming sun. On such days, it can be very glary looking out over the waters with the sun in front of you. 

If you don’t see many people in my photos at the beach it’s because I went in the middle of the week when most people are at work. On the weekend it will be quite different. 

Yes, it does rain at this time of year as well. But, it doesn’t rain everyday and you get more dry days than wet ones. I am told that we had 7 wet days in April on average and that the maximum average temperature is 21C and the minimum average is 12C. 

Be sure to check back here next month for more about what you might see around Melbourne in May. 

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