Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
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Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
I was going to add this to the other thread, but rather than make it confusing I decided to separate it out. This will be about our travels around the state from the 5/7/21 to the 10/7/21. During this time we went to three zoos/animal sanctuaries, spent an hour on the oldest working paddle steamer in the world, went through a maritime museum, travelled the Great Ocean Road, which was a project designed to not only open up the West coast of Victoria, but to provide employment for World War 1 returned soldiers. In pre-covid times, one had to be careful due to the number of tourists, especially from Asia, who would fly in, hire a car and drive it, mostly on the wrong side of the road.
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
First stop was Echuca, and old port on the River Murray, now only active as a tourist port. Echuca is roughly 3 hours drive north of Melbourne and used to serve the wool industry in our early days, with the paddlesteamers collecting the wool bales from the various stations and inland ports and shipping them to Echuca for shipment to Melbourne and export from there by bullock dray. Our paddlesteamers were sidewheelers with a fixed shaft between the two wheels. Turning around was achieved by swinging the nose of the steamer towards the bank, cutting power to the wheels and allowing the current of the river to draw the stern around. Depth of the Murray at Echuca at normal water levels is roughly 12 to 15 feet.
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From around Echuca, note: the old port is now a tourist precinct separated out, but still a part of the town.
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Some of the Paddlesteamers. We went on the PS Adelaide, the PS EmmyLou and PS Pevensky stared in the TV Mini Series "All the Rivers Run" if anyone has seen it.
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
Love the photos.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
- Whwoz
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
Lots more to come, as time and internet here permit. Includes working steam powered saw mill
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Some more from around the Port of Echuca
One of two clydesdale teams doing the rounds, you got a run through the old port and the main street for your money. Shops in background with paddlesteamer names are ticket offices.
A few of the old steam powered saw mill, not positioned very well from a photography view point. All appeared to be fully functional, just not used for cutting timber
One of two clydesdale teams doing the rounds, you got a run through the old port and the main street for your money. Shops in background with paddlesteamer names are ticket offices.
A few of the old steam powered saw mill, not positioned very well from a photography view point. All appeared to be fully functional, just not used for cutting timber
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
Flood gauge on the wharf, top mark is the 1870 flood which was 38.5 feet above normal river level. These big floods covered vast areas and often the paddlesteamers would straighten the river course out, occasionally leaving the high and dry if the skipper misjudged the water depth. Tales of steamers stuck tens of miles from any water are based on fact, as are tales of steamers down the main streets of some towns along the river.
You walked under the wharf to board the steamers
One of the Old traction engines on the wharf
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
An old tyre shrinker, from the days of metal rims
And this info relates to the pump next to the tyre shrinker And for those curious, we were actually in NSW even before we boarded the steamers
Due to Covid, the whole area was relatively quite, even though all Victorians who could escape during the school holidays did so, paddlesteamers and house boats tied up to all docks and then some. Loading derrick Map of the Murray-Darling basin, covers about1/6th of Australia
And this info relates to the pump next to the tyre shrinker And for those curious, we were actually in NSW even before we boarded the steamers
Due to Covid, the whole area was relatively quite, even though all Victorians who could escape during the school holidays did so, paddlesteamers and house boats tied up to all docks and then some. Loading derrick Map of the Murray-Darling basin, covers about1/6th of Australia
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
Some more from on the PS Adelaide
The steering on these Paddle steamers is operated by deck level chains. One had to be a bit careful where one stood so as not to impede steering Loading the boiler was one of the favored jobs one the cold day we were there, however not so popular on a typical 40C summers day.
Due to a lack of hand rails, we were not allowed up to the pilothouse, however one of the fellows had no problems taking a few shots for me up there
I think we were doing a bit more than regulation speed too
The steering on these Paddle steamers is operated by deck level chains. One had to be a bit careful where one stood so as not to impede steering Loading the boiler was one of the favored jobs one the cold day we were there, however not so popular on a typical 40C summers day.
Due to a lack of hand rails, we were not allowed up to the pilothouse, however one of the fellows had no problems taking a few shots for me up there
I think we were doing a bit more than regulation speed too
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
There is a slipway for servicing the steamers on the NSW side of the boarder, set up to take two steamers at a time
A bit of riverbank erosion does occur, the trees eventually fall into the river creating snags for the local fish population to enjoy
Houseboating is a popular pastime on the Murray, one does not realize how popular until you see all the boats tied up. They come in a range of sizes
A bit of riverbank erosion does occur, the trees eventually fall into the river creating snags for the local fish population to enjoy
Houseboating is a popular pastime on the Murray, one does not realize how popular until you see all the boats tied up. They come in a range of sizes
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And a few more from around town before we head on
the little Corellas were flying about making a bit of noise, one almost reached for the earplugs...
the little Corellas were flying about making a bit of noise, one almost reached for the earplugs...
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Next stop on the travels was Kyabram Fauna Park, a privately run park on 55ha (135 Ac) of run down land that incorporates waste water treatment for the township of Kyabram, helps to conserve some of the native plants and is involved in native animal species recovery programs. Before getting to the park, we observed the local water tank, which is on the Water tank Art trail. In some places it was not easy to get a good shot, due to safety mesh around the tank.
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
Lets start with Reptiles
Black Headed Monitor Lizard Blotched Blue Tongue,or the Alpine blue tongue, the largest of the blue tongues and this one is a fair beast. Common Death Adder
Eastern Water Dragon
Hosmer's Skink Inland Taipan, the worlds most toxic snake. fortunately very few people live out where these do
Ridge Tailed Monitor
Stimon's Python One they brought out at show time, cannot remember which of the Dragons it is
plus they had a couple of others that I never got good photos of.
Black Headed Monitor Lizard Blotched Blue Tongue,or the Alpine blue tongue, the largest of the blue tongues and this one is a fair beast. Common Death Adder
Eastern Water Dragon
Hosmer's Skink Inland Taipan, the worlds most toxic snake. fortunately very few people live out where these do
Ridge Tailed Monitor
Stimon's Python One they brought out at show time, cannot remember which of the Dragons it is
plus they had a couple of others that I never got good photos of.
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
A few other animals
Common Wombat Eastern Grey Kangaroos
Goliath Stick Insects, at over 8 inches long
Plus they had the Spiney Stick Insect, which is the one we have at home
They had a couple of other stick insects which blended in too well with the foliage to get a good photo, sighting one or two of some was difficult enough
The other essential Australian animal for any park here, the Koala
Green Tree Frogs Mertens Water Monitors Mitchells Hopping Mice, which are down right cute when snuggled up together. Swamp walllabies, which are a naturally shy animal and another hopping furball, the Tasmanian Pademelon
Common Wombat Eastern Grey Kangaroos
Goliath Stick Insects, at over 8 inches long
Plus they had the Spiney Stick Insect, which is the one we have at home
They had a couple of other stick insects which blended in too well with the foliage to get a good photo, sighting one or two of some was difficult enough
The other essential Australian animal for any park here, the Koala
Green Tree Frogs Mertens Water Monitors Mitchells Hopping Mice, which are down right cute when snuggled up together. Swamp walllabies, which are a naturally shy animal and another hopping furball, the Tasmanian Pademelon
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
Birds seemed to be the main focus of the displays, with a number of walk thru aviary setups. Unfortunately the finch house did not allow for good photos of some of the finches plus a few extra locals got in on the display act as well.
Black Swans, these are widespread and common locals Black backed magpie. This is the dominant colour form of this bird, spread around most of the country. We have the White backed form in the south east around home, which differs in that the two white patches on these birds backs are joined to one big white patch.
Chestnut teals, another free ranging local Pacific Black duck are widespread around the country Emus are widespread but of restricted range in farming country. The birds they have are all confined but free to roam large areas of the park. Galahs and Sulphur Crested Cockatoos would be naturally occurring in this area, but the display birds are caged.
Black Swans, these are widespread and common locals Black backed magpie. This is the dominant colour form of this bird, spread around most of the country. We have the White backed form in the south east around home, which differs in that the two white patches on these birds backs are joined to one big white patch.
Chestnut teals, another free ranging local Pacific Black duck are widespread around the country Emus are widespread but of restricted range in farming country. The birds they have are all confined but free to roam large areas of the park. Galahs and Sulphur Crested Cockatoos would be naturally occurring in this area, but the display birds are caged.
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The parrots and other small birds were generally non-local species and all in cages of one size or another
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more birds
Yes that little feathered fiend did draw blood, don't know why my hands were considered so tasty.......lucky for that Paradise parrot there is not much of it otherwise parrot pie might have been on the menu. Was not a good day for bringing out the best of his feathers, this blue loving thief has beautiful blue-black feathers that really shine when the sun is on them.
The Southern Cassowary is considered by some to be the most dangerous bird on the planet. Big feet, bad attitude, helmet to go with it and lives in rainforest so that when you first see it it is in your face normally.. Areas in Queensland have Cassowary alerts.
Not forgetting the beautiful Major Mitchell Cockatoo
Yes that little feathered fiend did draw blood, don't know why my hands were considered so tasty.......lucky for that Paradise parrot there is not much of it otherwise parrot pie might have been on the menu. Was not a good day for bringing out the best of his feathers, this blue loving thief has beautiful blue-black feathers that really shine when the sun is on them.
The Southern Cassowary is considered by some to be the most dangerous bird on the planet. Big feet, bad attitude, helmet to go with it and lives in rainforest so that when you first see it it is in your face normally.. Areas in Queensland have Cassowary alerts.
Not forgetting the beautiful Major Mitchell Cockatoo
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
From there it was onto Bendigo for the night, with a short stop at Rochester to look at a couple of old grain silos now part of the silo art trail. Apologies if these are a bit dark , the light was nearly gone when we got there
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Re: Travels around Victoria, Australia 2
Have not been able to get back to finish this lot off, hopefully tonight or tomorrow this will be done.
Leaving Bendigo, next stop was Halls Gap Zoo, out be the Grampian Mountain range. This Zoo has a mix of both native and exotic, some of which you folks will be familiar with. There is also a reasonable selection of native plants planted around the zoo, some of which were in flower, we shall start with those.
One of our many ground ferns, no books with me to identify it.
Our most common ground fern, a very strong grower, will take our full summer sun.
One of our may Rutaceae family plants, makes it a relative of the various citrus.
Our state floral emblem, come in may shades from white through pink to red.
One of our Emu bushes, a DDG (in native plant terminology Drop Dead Gorgeous) can be taken two ways, very beautiful or libel to drop dead if you look at it wrong. Beautiful lavender flowers on hairy grey foliage, great at trapping moisture in its native dry environments, will kill it in humid conditions.
Often sold as Silver Princess, one of our more spectacular flowering eucalyptus in the Mallee group getting to around 20 feet tall. requires perfect drainage and very subject to being blown over by the wind.
Another small Mallee group Euc, this one widely grown for its foiage rather then the green flowers which are tucked away. Did manage to find some seed capsules, must see if they have opened yet.
Leaving Bendigo, next stop was Halls Gap Zoo, out be the Grampian Mountain range. This Zoo has a mix of both native and exotic, some of which you folks will be familiar with. There is also a reasonable selection of native plants planted around the zoo, some of which were in flower, we shall start with those.
One of our many ground ferns, no books with me to identify it.
Our most common ground fern, a very strong grower, will take our full summer sun.
One of our may Rutaceae family plants, makes it a relative of the various citrus.
Our state floral emblem, come in may shades from white through pink to red.
One of our Emu bushes, a DDG (in native plant terminology Drop Dead Gorgeous) can be taken two ways, very beautiful or libel to drop dead if you look at it wrong. Beautiful lavender flowers on hairy grey foliage, great at trapping moisture in its native dry environments, will kill it in humid conditions.
Often sold as Silver Princess, one of our more spectacular flowering eucalyptus in the Mallee group getting to around 20 feet tall. requires perfect drainage and very subject to being blown over by the wind.
Another small Mallee group Euc, this one widely grown for its foiage rather then the green flowers which are tucked away. Did manage to find some seed capsules, must see if they have opened yet.
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