Apollo Bay, Victoria

We arrived into Apollo Bay with smoke and sparks. The trailer brakes were faulty and the main street knew about it. What a fabulous spot to be stranded. The coastline is famous for the wonderful limestone and sandstone cliffs. We took a day to experience the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge and The Grotto.


Twelve Apostles

The Grotto

The main arch connecting London Bridge to the mainland fell down on the evening of 15 Jan 1990. No one was hurt however, two people stranded on the new island needed to be rescued by a helicopter.

London Bridge



We spent a day searching for dinosaur footprints. The boys settled for surfing the kelp in the fracture zone of the Cretaceous sandstones.



Surfing Sea Kelp

Gold, gold, gold in Victoria

We found some gold by panning at the Central Deborah gold mine located in Bendigo, Victoria. It was just a mere speck - not worth any significant money. We also went on an underground tour and enjoyed the cornish pasties eaten by the miners back in the 1940s.

The family preparing to underground in the mine

Isaac gold panning at Central Deborah gold mine

Did you know back in the 1800's children were whipped with a leather yard strap if they misbehaved in class?

 

Liam participating in the yard stick demonstration. He was not meant to be wearing a hat in class.

We spent two days at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, Victoria experiencing life during the early goldfield era. We watched the 'Blood on the Southern Cross' a dramatic story about the Eureka Rebellion in 1854.  The miners rose up against the government in a fight for freedom and democracy. 

Sovereign Hill In Ballarat

 

Leaving

We were so excited driving away from Keiraville wiping the tears away as we said goodbye to our gorgeous dog Alex. Luckily the house is being minded by a lovely family who are also missing their dog back at home. We said farewell to our local Sydney Basin rocks a such as the Triassic period (approx 240 million years ago)  Hawkesbury sandstone at Mount Keira.

Leaving Mount Keira

First night we found a campsite at the Albury Equestrian centre by using an app program called WikiCamps. Victoria is very dry and a large bushfire was occurring at the Grampians.

First night camping at Albury Equestrain Club

Gearing up

In just over a week we head off to explore Australia's geology with a 4WD and a camper trailer. We trialed the system over summer discovering the joys of solar panels being wired in reverse, batteries not charging and the tow wheel handle falling off. The next challenge is fitting all the kids school work in the trailer. I've learnt over the past 13 years its easier to leave Sol to pack the car the way he likes. This may need to change on our 6 month trip or we'll never get away. Needless to say the whole family is looking forward to the adventure. Our dog will be very much missed- there are too many National Parks to explore where Alex would not be welcomed. Luckily a lovely family is minding our house and dog whilst we are away.

Sydney Distance Education is an amazing school with incredible resouces that they post to us during our travels. The kids need to return their work every two weeks. I'm not sure who gets more work- them or me!

 

 

Sydney Distance Education School

 

The school work- enough for four weeks for three kids (there is one more bag of art supplies and maths equipment)

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

One of our interesting stops during the summer school holidays was the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. A great spot to take the kids (adult and child like). The museum houses the Somerville Collection, containing a 10m TRex skeleton. This dino skeleton is not an adult hence it could be housed in the restored 1876 Public School building. There is a wonderful shop that of course manages to capture the eyes of little people even more than the collection. Luckily our kids are that bit older -the tantrums following the word "no" have subsided and we can walk through the shop with our heads held high. We managed to not buy anything this time. Check it out. The minerals, gems, amber, fossils and staff are wonderful.

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

Home of the Internationally renowned Somerville Collection

http://www.somervillecollection.com.au/museum

224 Howick Street
Bathurst 2795

NSW, Australia

Geodiversity in NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

I've returned from a wonderful weekend away in Tumut attending the National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Advisory Committees' Conference on

Rehabilitation, Restoration and Geodiversity

It was lovely to meet so many people that share an interest in both geomorphology and conserving geodiversity.  I came away feeling like there is progression on acknowledging and promoting the importance of geodiversity. I also realised a lot of people have been working very hard behind the scenes for many years to have this important part of the environment recognised. This blog is about promoting knowledge about geodiversity to the modern family.

Over the weekend we visited Black Perry Lookout and Yarrangobilly Caves. The recently renovated caves house would make a great family holiday destination. I plan on getting our name on the waiting list. YES it is that popular you need to plan to stay there and book in advance. Go explore Kosciuszko National Park. It's a fabulous spot.

Black Perry Lookout

Self Guided Tour Cave (South Glory) at Yarrangobilly

 

Dharawal

Today was spent in the vicinity of Dharawal State Conservation Reserve and Nature Reserve. Gorgeous example of  Sydney Sandstone. The area lies in the Woronora Plateau with the geology comprising mostly of quartzose sandstone, with outcrops of shale and ironstone. So many gorgeous swimming holes, waterfalls, great bike riding, beautiful vegetation and rich cultural importance. 'Dharawal' refers to the language group of the local Aboriginal people. The local rock art is amazing, worthy of protection and respect. I can't wait to take my family to this wonderful swimming hole. I was there on a turbid day. I believe it becomes clearer during drier periods.

We drove past a Wianamatta shale area today. You could see the rich vegetation change, especially the growth of  Gymea Lillies, Doryanthes excelsa.  It is hard to find good examples of shale outcrops. Shale tends to form flatter topography with rich soil compared to Sydney Sandstone. The rich soil and simple topography of shale often results in the area being cleared for farming and buildings. Sydney sandstone has partly been saved due to the nature of the rugged stepped terrain with infertile soils making development and farming difficult. Today really was an eyesight full of waterfalls, rock outcrops and  great vegetation. I'm glad this place is protected in the NSW reserve system.