Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Heading North

We recently spent a few days in Victoria, a small southern State with some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable.
These photos were taken between Healesville and Mansfield - from just north east of Melbourne into the centre of Victoria.
As you can see it was a typical wintery sky, and we did pass through a few showers, but since I think clouds are every bit as attractive as any other scenery, I was happy with my lot that day.
Along the Maroondah Highway

Fungi in a park at Healesville


A Billabong - a section of creek cut off from the main flow.

The main street of Healesville. This little town is famous for its wonderful wildlife sanctuary but we didn't visit there on this occasion,......

...... we just had morning tea in the park, and then rummaged through the offerings in a secondhand bookshop.

White straw-necked ibis,

Crimson Rosellas and ....

King Parrots feeding in the park at ...

Maroondah Dam.

Continuing north and over the Black Spur.

I can never tire of these magnificent Eucalypts growing so straight and tall..

and the lush tree ferns.

Marysville.

Typical Victorian scenery. Poplars along the roadside...

farmhouses nestled into the hillside...

meandering rivers....

distant, rolling hills....

river flats....

paradise!

Can you tell that my heart still belongs in Victoria even though it's more than 34 years since we moved from there to Canberra?
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11 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:40 pm AEST

    Hmmm - I think my heart may belong there too...

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  2. Noella1:44 am AEST

    The photos bring back fond stirrings in my heart too, of my growing-up years in Victoria.

    The little towns like Marysville are charming, and the photo you've named as "paradise" is just that!

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  3. Calidore9:39 am AEST

    It's been years since I have driven over the Black Spur but it looks just as beautiful as I remembered it. Love the photos of Healesville - we are hoping to go through there on our holidays and stop at the Wildlife park on the way.

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  4. Jellyhead7:03 pm AEST

    You sure can take a photgraph Alice. These are all so pretty.... even the orange fungi. In fact, especially the ornage fungi!

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  5. Michelle8:45 pm AEST

    We will visit you if you move there!! Really!

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  6. Kerri10:19 pm AEST

    Yes, I can tell that your heart still belongs in this beautiful place, Alice, and no wonder! It's glorious.
    That's a great photo of Richard. I wonder where Alice is?? (probably down the rabbit hole).
    How lovely it must've been having morning tea in the park with those beautiful birds.
    The towns are quaint and the scenery is magnificent. Love those tree ferns!
    Thanks for sharing your beautiful birth state with us dear Alice.

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  7. Barbara3:38 pm AEST

    I do understand that your heart still lives a little in this beautiful state. Fern trees would be one of the many reasons to visit Australia in one of the next years! Thank you for these excellent and interesting pictures!

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  8. Fliss and Mike Adventures10:37 pm AEST

    Oh my... being an Aussie expat and living in the US... how I miss the scenery of home (I am from Newcastle,NSW) I miss the birds, sunsets, animals - you name it... From the look of your travels... I would be having a field day with my cameras... I can see I am coming back to visit you... take care

    http://snappyadventures.blogspot.com (my photo site)

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  9. Merle9:20 pm AEST

    Dear Alice ~~ Great photos and you sure stirred some memories of many
    of your readers. Naturally, being a Victorian all my life, I love all the
    wonderful scenery and tourist places
    that we have. Enjoy your next trip South Alice. Take care,Love, Merle.

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  10. Reflection Through The Seasons4:33 pm AEST

    Hello Dear Frances....
    What a wonderful tour you’ve just treated us to. I love the pictures of the tree lined roads, particularly those magnificent Eucalyptus. The tree ferns too are a favourite of mine, I have one growing in my garden, but I give it protection during the winter.

    Yes, I can see that your heart still belongs in Victoria, it makes these visits back ‘home’ all the more special. What do they say.... ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’. Love - Marion

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  11. meggie7:47 am AEST

    I can see why you still love it so!
    It is very much like a lot of New Zealand's North Island. The rolling hills, & the small sleepy tree lined towns....

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