WIlsons Promontory

This is the Southernmost point on the Australian Mainland. It covers approximately 50'000 hectares, nearly half of which burned during a fire in 2009. It also suffered from a fire in 2006 and much of the vegetation is only beginning to recover. It is a great place to do a few days hiking, surfing, or lazing. Just don't light any fires! Above is a tree that was burnt during the most recent fire in early 2009 and is regenerating.
View from Mount Oberon, over 700m tall and next to to the sea so spectacular!
Lizard enjoying the view.


Tidal River and wetlands.
Norman Beach, Mount Oberon is on the right of the frame.
Squeaky Beach - so named because of the squeaky sand which contains a high percentage of quartz grains.

More views and wildlife on Phillip Island

Heron, Wallaby and Shellducks
The Australian Grand Prix track for Superbikes is located on Phillip Island and it was practice time. Entrance was about 13 Dollars just to watch the practice runs but fortunately the road goes past the track!

Approaching Swan Lake

Above - Rhyll Inlet - a wetlands reserve
Surfers on Smiths Beach
Swamp Wallabies at Swan Lake
Wombat - looks cute but is well armed with claws. About 60cms long - size of a small dog.
Another swamp Wallaby
Straw necked Ibis
Large Sting Rays in San Remo Port
Bird nests ? Penguins
Bull Ant.
Excerpt from Wikipedia...
"the bulldog-ant of Australia affords us the most extraordinary example of this kind; for if it is cut in two, a battle begins between the head and the tail. The head seizes the tail in its teeth, and the tail defends itself bravely by stinging the head: the battle may last for half an hour, until they die or are dragged away by other ants. This contest takes place every time the experiment is tried" Arthur Schopenhauer

More Melbourne, briefly.

A tram - they say it is free for foreigners. That's because with no address they supposedly cannot send you the fine for not having a ticket!
Melbourne Museum
Old Melbourne Houes on Nicholson Street
The end of the night - warm enough to sleep on the verandah at the front of the house. I was lucky enough to stay here for almost 2 weeks alternating between couch, floor and bed depending on what was available!
I cooked a Lasagne to say thanks. However none of the people who lived here arrived for dinner! So it was enjoyed by the French - Bon Apetite! (I left another one in the fridge though!)

Phillip Island and Penguin watching.

Sunset at Cowes
A Saltwater Swan!
Pyramid rock - for obvious reasons, but strangely black in colour
Looking East along the South coast of Phillip Island - rugged and beautiful. This water is the Bass Strait

Dwarf Penguins under boardwalk. Th boardwalk protects the habitat of the birds and plants from the trampling of thousands of tourists feet.
THere was a great view looking North West from Nobbies visitors centre. Sadly some guy got in the way!
Jess, Laura, Nicole and Dan - happy to get away from Melbourne for the weekend!

Sculpture

Here are a few pictures of sculptures from the Montalto winery sculpture competition

Mornington Peninsula

Beach huts
This peninsula extends from Melbourne in the North to Sorrento in the South. It forms the Eastern boundary of Port Phillip Bay which is navigated by all sizes of ships to reach the Port of Melbourne. Due to the build up of sand it has recently been dredged around the main shipping channel.

The peninsula is probably best known for its vineyards and with the extended family (who I havn't seen for maybe 15 years) we did some exploring.

This is the view from Arthurs seat, the highest point on the Southern Peninsula. Above - looking North
This view is looking South / South East towards Sorrento
Montalto Vineyard with its annual sculpture competition.
Cooking home made pizzas in John's wood fired outdoor oven.
Old quarry in Mt Eliza, now a nature reserve.