Canberra

Mid-February brought the first glimpse of early autumn—crisp mornings balanced by lingering summer heat, and, in true Melbourne fashion, days that couldn’t decide between sunshine and storms. 

  

The month wrapped up with a personal milestone: my first work trip! I headed to Canberra for the Universities Australia Solutions Summit, an annual conference where higher education leaders come together to tackle the sector’s biggest challenges. Representing Animal-Free Research Advocacy, this was a valuable chance to understand university priorities—viewed through our lens of transitioning research and education away from animal use.

Dana, Robyn, Carol, Rachel

Day 1: A Rocky Start
The trip began with a rocky start on Monday afternoon. My one-hour flight turned into a four-hour detour through Sydney. By the time I arrived, I’d missed the welcome reception. But a golden hour walk to the Australian War Memorial (closed by then) and a sunset climb up Mount Ainslie offered my first taste of Canberra.

Canberra, Australia’s capital, is a planned city nestled within the Australian Capital Territory. Surrounded by forest, farmland, and nature reserves, the city’s centerpiece is Lake Burley Griffin. On its shores sit the strikingly modern Parliament House and cultural landmarks like the National Gallery, known for its rich collection of Indigenous art.

Day 2: Summit in Full Swing
Tuesday started with an early breakfast session at the National Convention Centre, followed by a full day of discussions and panels.

Afterwards, I took a walk to Lake Burley Griffin and Commonwealth Park. Navigation was tricky thanks to ongoing light rail expansion, and once again Parliament House was closed when I got there. Work trips do not leave much time for exploring!

Day 3: Wrapping Up
Wednesday was another packed program before heading straight to the airport for my flight home—touching down just as the sun dipped below the horizon. What a whirlwind!

 

 

A key theme across the summit was ethics—covering topics like public trust and social cohesion on campuses. Yet animal use in research and education was conspicuously absent from the conversation. To me, this is a critical oversight. As universities strive for innovation, credibility, and excellence, transitioning to human-relevant, animal-free methods should be part of that future-focused vision.

U24 Safety to Sorrento

It’s been a hot summer in Melbourne! In early February, we saw the hottest three-day period in a decade, peaking at 40°C (104°F). Just after the cool down, Tom and I geared up for another weekend away.

We headed down to the Mornington Peninsula after work on Friday. It's a 1 hour and 40-minute drive to Point Nepean National Park, located at the very tip of the peninsula. After spending a day there last year, I was excited to camp at the park's pre-pitched Discovery Tents. Settling in for the night, Tom and I rested up for what would be an exciting and physically demanding Saturday.

U24 Safety to Sorrento is a 24km ultra marathon swim course stretching from Safety Beach to Sorrento. Originally organized by the SwimWell coaches in 2022, the event was created for Victorian swimmers who couldn’t travel to Western Australia during COVID-19 for the iconic Rottnest Channel Swim. Many events take place around Melbourne, but this one stood out to me for its scenic coastline swim.

Solo swimmers can choose to swim either the second half (12km / 7.5mi) or the full course (24km / 14.9mi). Alternatively, you can participate as part of a 4-person relay team, with each swimmer covering 6km (3.7mi). Each swimmer is paired with a paddler for safety and support. Most swimmers maintain an average pace of 3km per hour (20 minutes per km), meaning the full 24km course takes around 8 hours to complete.

I was matched with a non-assisted relay team (no wetsuits) alongside Lisa, Sally, and Tim. Our team had two dedicated kayakers: Gilles paddled the first half, and Terry took over for the second. Tom and Lisa’s partner, Michael, served as our ground crew.

Gilles, Sally, Tim, Lisa

After a stunning sunrise over the bay, the first swimmers hit the water around 7am under very windy conditions. 

As the most experienced swimmer on our team, Sally powered through the choppy water to McCrae.

Then it was my turn to carry the torch to Capel Sound. The wind and waves made for a tough swim, but my nerves faded to joy as I settled into a rhythm. The water temperature was mild, and I spotted plenty of wildlife—including banjo sharks (which are actually rays, not sharks) and stingrays. 

My open water training with the bay squad paid off. Gilles told me I was really strong for the first 5km, but I started fading in the last stretch. Nutrition is key!

Tim, the youngest of our group, took on the third leg to Tyrone Beach.

Lisa, a returning relay participant, swam the final 6km to the finish line in Sorrento, bringing us home strong. I really enjoyed getting to know Lisa, who happens to live in our neighborhood.

I was so impressed by everyone, especially the long-distance swimmers. Swimming is one of my favorite physical activities, and I am curious to see how far I can go—though I’ll need to consider my fueling strategy. Staying hydrated and fueled while swimming is definitely trickier than on bike or foot, but I'm willing to figure it out!

Tom and I spent another night camping before heading home on Sunday. I had hoped to squeeze in some exploring, but the weekend turned out to be all about the swim.

Mt. Buller

After a whirlwind start to the new year, Tom and I were looking forward to the Australia Day weekend at the end of January. We planned a camping trip to Victoria's High Country to escape the city and recharge.

Jan 24 - 27

Day 1: Mansfield

Tom and I wrapped up work on Friday afternoon, ready to kick off the long weekend. Our car was still at the mechanic, so I picked up a rental, said goodbye to the cats, and we hit the road. A couple of hours later, we rolled into Mansfield, a friendly little town at the foothills of Mt. Buller. 

At Mansfield Lakeside Holiday Park, we set up our tent right next to Lake Eildon. The place was buzzing with families making the most of the final days of the school holidays. Wildlife was also in good company—kangaroos, koalas, wombats, birds, and even the odd snake. With the fire ban in place, campfires were a no-go.

Once we got the campsite sorted, it was a short drive into town to stock up on supplies and enjoy a delicious dinner at Honcho. We sat outside, soaking in the small-town vibe. 

Day 2: Ballooning + Mt. Buller

Saturday was a big day, and it kicked off early. The alarm went off at 4:30 am after a rough night’s sleep. Tom and I fumbled around in the dark, cool morning.

We drove into town to start our morning adventure: a hot air balloon ride! We met Tanguy and Maaikee from Goldrush Ballooning, along with the six others joining our flight.

After a short drive to the launch field, Tanguy picked the launch spot based on wind conditions. We spent the next 30 minutes helping inflate the massive 7,000 m3 balloon, starting with cold air before firing up the burners. As the sky began to lighten, the heated air lifted the balloon upright, ready for takeoff.

Climbing into the basket, we got a quick safety briefing before slowly floating off the ground. That first moment was a little unsettling.

  

We drifted along at a smooth 24 km/h (15 mph), reaching an altitude of around 4,000 ft. Dawn painted the landscape in warm tones, illuminating Mt. Buller and the Victorian Alps.

 

Tanguy explained the science behind ballooning—how wind speed, temperature, and the Coriolis effect all play a role. Calm morning winds make sunrise the best time to fly, and this area is known for some of the best flying conditions in southeast Australia.

The rising sun cast a golden glow over the alpine landscape. We often see balloons from our house in the mornings (when we're up early enough), but only 11 pilots are qualified to fly over Melbourne since landings are limited to parks. 

After an hour in the air, we began our descent. We missed our first landing attempt at a small airstrip due to shifting winds, but Tanguy brought us down gently in a nearby field.

Once on the ground, we deflated and packed up the balloon before learning about a fun tradition—a post-flight prosecco toast! 

 

We headed to Merchant Coffee Roasters for breakfast (and a much-needed caffeine fix). I enjoyed listening to Tanguy and Maaike share their ballooning adventures; their passion really shone through.

With the whole day still ahead of us, we decided to rally for a hike up Mt. Buller. Located in Alpine National Park, Mt. Buller is best known for its ski resort—though it’s becoming increasingly popular with summer sports enthusiasts. Most hikers summit Buller from the ski village, but we took the more rugged West Ridge route—an 11-km out-and-back with about 900 m (3,000 ft) of elevation gain.

We hit the trail at 10:30 am, starting from the end of Doughty Road. The first half was a steady climb through forest.

The second half gave way to exposed ridgelines with a bit of bouldering and loose rock. It wasn’t dangerous, but I would only recommend it for sure-footed hikers—and not on a windy day. 

A fire tower sits atop the 1,805 m (5,922 ft) summit. It was surprisingly quiet up there; in fact, we only passed three groups while we were hiking.

This was my first proper alpine hike in ages, and wow, did it feel good for my soul!

On the way back, we spotted an echidna waddling through the brush. The downside? Heaps of flies. By the time we reached the car at 3:30 pm, we were ready for a sit down and cold beverage. 

Back at camp, we cleaned up and rested before heading into town for dinner at Anvil Brewing Co. 

Day 3: Mt. Stirling + Craig's Hut

After a much-needed sleep, Tom and I woke up on Sunday excited to return to the mountains. The weather had been gradually heating up all weekend, so we were keen for an early start.

We set off towards Mt. Buller, but turned off on Circuit Road, which circles its neighboring peak, Mt. Stirling. The dirt road winds through towering eucalyptus trees and dappled sunlight.

Around 9:30 am, we parked at the Telephone Box Junction for our first hike. It was a steady climb up Mt. Stirling, but on much easier terrain than the day before.

 

Reaching the 1,747 m (5,732 ft) summit, we were rewarded with incredible 360-degree views—better than Buller’s, if you ask me. And once again, there was no one else around. Where was everyone?!

Instead of looping back to the car, we opted for an out-and-back, clocking 11 km with 500 m (1,600 ft) of elevation gain by 12:30 pm. 

Back on Circuit Road, we made another stop for a short 3-km hike to Craig's Hut. 

The iconic hut was built as a film set in the 1980s. The views were spectacular, but the flies were relentless.

We’d planned to swing by Mt. Buller’s ski village on the way back, but decided a winery stop sounded more appealing. Delatite Winery overlooks rolling hills and vineyards with a selection of tasty vegan wines.

Back at camp, we cleaned up before returning to town for dinner at The Fields.

 

Day 4: Lake Eildon

On Monday morning, Tom went for a run along the Great Victorian Rail Trail while I went for a paddle on Lake Eildon. Surrounded by national parks and state forests, Lake Eildon holds six times more water than Sydney Harbour and is a haven for water sports.

After our solo outings, we packed up and joined the line of cars heading back to the city as temperatures gradually soared past 38°C (100°F). Despite the action-packed weekend, I felt calm and relaxed. I love the High Country. The best part? It's close enough for more weekend getaways.