Cape Woolamai

Southeast Australia has experienced an unseasonably cold start to winter this year - 40s and low 50s. Instead of staying home and sulking, Tom and I planned a date night last weekend. One of my favourite neighbourhood pubs recently closed, so we checked out nearby Carlton Brewhouse. After, we took a tram into town to see Wicked at the Regent Theatre. 

 

The next day, I went for an adventure to Phillip Island. The small island is a 90-minute drive from Melbourne, and a sanctuary for wildlife. It's most famous for the daily Penguin Parade at sunset.

Cape Woolamai Walk is an 8-km circuit on the southeast end of the island - very close to the George Bass Coastal Walk that we did last year. It was not a busy Sunday at the Woolamai Beach car park. Navigating the loop counterclockwise, the first section is a walk along the surf beach. The weather was mild, but I suspect that it can get quite windy here. Perfect lighting.

At the end of the beach, a set of stairs leads to a gentle track along dramatic cliffs and stunning coastline. Wildlife viewing ops include wallabies, snakes, birds, and whales (peak June and July).

The track continues to the beacon, Phillip Island’s highest point, for 360-degree views across Phillip Island, San Remo, Kilcunda, and beyond. 

The final section on Cleeland Bight Beach can only be crossed at low tide, so make sure to check the tide tables before you go! Plan for two hours.

Keppel Lookout and Steavenson Falls

The second weekend of June was a holiday weekend in Australia, in honour of King Charles's birthday. I planned a spontaneous adventure, which is easier to do now that Tom and I have a car! We bought a 2010 station wagon, previously owned by Tom's colleague Michael. Owning a car in Melbourne is unnecessary if you never plan to leave the city. Car hires are readily available, but they require more time and planning than having your own set of wheels. Even though winter has arrived, I am excited to explore more of Victoria - and beyond.

 

I set out on Monday morning, driving 1.5 hours northeast. Black Spur Drive is a 30-km stretch along the Maroondah Highway between Healesville and Narbethong. It cuts through the lush forest of the Yarra Ranges as it winds its way up the Great Dividing Range. The scenic drive is famous for its towering mountain ash trees, which scatter sunlight on the cool understorey of green ferns. 

 

Marysville is the first town past Black Spur Drive. I arrived at the Keppell Lookout Trail carpark just before 10 am. It was chilly, so I layered up for a 11-km circuit around Keppel Lookout and Steavenson Falls.

Navigating counterclockwise, the first section is fairly steep. The path is muddy this time of year, shaded by the stringybark and mountain ash forests. Keppel Lookout offers expansive views of the greater Yarra and Cathedral Ranges.

 

The trail flattens out to Oxley Lookout and Del La Rue Lookout.

Then it's a gradual downhill trek to Steavenson Falls, with multiple lookouts along the way. The trail becomes much busier at the falls (a short walk from the nearest carpark). 

  

Great day trip from Melbourne! Plan for three hours on foot.

Peninsula Hot Springs

While Amanda's friend Sam was in town from Detroit, I tagged along for a day trip to the Mornington Peninsula - just under 1.5 hours south of Melbourne.

 

Peninsula Hot Springs is a geothermal mineral springs and day spa. The facility features over 70 bathing and wellness experiences, all set within a serene natural landscape.

Options are limitless between the family-friendly 'Bath House' and the adults-only 'Spa Dreaming Centre.' Both areas include barrel baths, steam baths, saunas, and cold plunge pools. Additional experiences include spa treatments, moonlit bathing, retreats, and glamping.

The naturally-heated waters rise from 637 metres below ground and flow into the pools and private baths. Mineral springs detoxify the body and contribute to our overall health and wellbeing.

 

The property maintains several wellness and relaxation spaces, plus a three-acre 'Food Bowl' - a beautiful terraced kitchen garden that supplies the cafes with fresh seasonal produce.

It seemed fairly busy for a Friday; this is one of the few outdoor activities that is likely best enjoyed during the colder months.

 

I highly recommend a visit here, and am keen to return - especially for special occasions! Nature-based luxury at its finest.

Healsville Sanctuary

Ashley and I lived in the same dorm during freshman year of college. She later spent a semester in South Africa, where she met an Aussie named Rowan. After college, Ashley moved to Perth to be with Rowan. They eventually married and had a son named Charlie. 

 

After moving to Melbourne last year, I reconnected with Ashley. She and Rowan travel to Melbourne often for the city and footy. Ashley is expecting their second child in September, so they travelled to Melbourne for a long weekend at the end of May. We met for dinner on Thursday. I really enjoyed meeting her family and catching up on the last decade.

On Friday, I joined them for a trip to Healsville Sanctuary. It's an hour's drive northeast of town. However, public transit was the better option with two-year old Charlie. This took considerably longer, but it was a scenic ride on a beautiful fall day, and a welcomed escape from the city. 

 

The sanctuary is a beautiful refuge for native animals. Much of the natural environment was maintained in the design.

 

Highlights for me included a visit to the animal hospital and the Spirits of the Sky presentation. One after another, native birds fly overhead as the zookeepers share a bit about them. The birds are trained to consent to participating, and are never forced to come to work. 

• Eclectus Parrot
• Pink Cockatoo
• Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
• Sulfur-crested Cockatoo
• Long-billed Corella
• Barking Owl
• Black-breasted Buzzard
• Wedge-tailed Eagle

 

Healsville Sanctuary is a great place to see the iconic Aussie animals. I am keen to come back again, and spend more time in small town Healsville.