Sunday 27th February
Last night Jenny suggested that we get up early to see the local wildlife at dawn. It seemed like a very good idea last night. This morning I wasn't so sure.
We did get up early and were outside to hear the dawn chorus. We saw the kangaroos feeding. They do look silly creatures. When they are feeding they have these silly back legs that look wrong. When they are hopping around they have silly front legs that look far too short. There were some good pictures to be had - and that is when the camera batteries ran out.
Dawn at The Grampians from Halls Gap |
Kangaroos at Halls Gap |
It was surprisingly cold first thing in the morning. But as the sun came out it quickly heated up and burned off the mist. After a late breakfast we went off to the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre. It is a site celebrating the Koori communities of south eastern Australia. When Europeans arrived in the area there were 30 different groups each with their own language.
There did not seem to be many aboriginal people working there, which did seem a shame. We saw a film depicting the story of creation as well as the history of the area. The people were quite prosperous until the late 1700's and the introduction of smallpox. Their health was not helped by the introduction of woollen blankets. These replaced possum cloaks. The cloaks were light weight and waterproof. The blankets were neither.
From the Brambuk Centre we dropped onto the plain. It was very dry and hot there. We went off in search of some cave paintings depicting Bunjil the creator and his two helpers. When we found the spot it was a powerful place. We felt that we were the only people for miles. There were trees both living and dead that you could see the animal spirits in. There was also the taste of driving down an unmade dirt road. If we had been driving a 'Ute' [Utility Vehicle or pick up] we could have gone down the road quite fast, but as we were in the hire car they might have objected if there had been all these chips in the paint work from the stones!
The Bush |
Dead tree in the bush |
Bunjil and his two helpers |
The view out from the cave painting |
I found out about one thing I was not aware of on the way back to Halls Gap. There are random breath tests in Australia. Another new experience, but one I would rather not have had. OK, so it only lasted about 30 seconds and I had not drunk a drop but, it did nothing for the heart rate or the sticky palms!
We were heading up into the Grampians. We kept on climbing and eventually got to a car park. There were several walks marked out. As it was getting to be later on in the afternoon we chose a circular walk round the Grand Canyon. In the heat of late summer it was fine. If it had been wet and rainy it would have been a more challenging walk as there were rocks to scramble over and a river running down the middle of the gorge. We had strong walking boots but of course there were those who were walking along in flip flops - or thongs as they are known in Australia! The scenery was stunning and the rock formations so grand that they did not come out well on the camera.
In the Grand Canyon |
View from the top of the Grand Canyon |
Where we were staying had a swimming pool and spa bath which we sat in to ease down after the strenuous walk. We started having our supper at the picnic table but were quickly spotted by some magpies. They were trying to steal food from the plate. We were saved from any more pestering as they realised that:
1 we only had humous, pitta and carrot and
2 a chap came along and started up a bar B Q with meat, which was far more to their taste.
In the morning we pack up and head back towards Melbourne so we only have one more night's accommodation to organise.
