It was an early start today as we had a couple of objectives. First of all we saw this sign, we expected koalas to be bobbing all over the road for the next thirty-five kilometres, what did we see – absolutely nothing!
After climbing away from the coast our journey to Daylesford our drive was largely through the very rural back roads of Victoria. Every so often we would cross one of the roads radiating from Melbourne, but other than that saw very little traffic. Just before midday we rolled into Daylesford in time to catch the 12:15 departure on the Daylesford Spa Railway. Yes by now you will have guessed why we were the first into breakfast this morning.
This railway is a recreation of Victorian country railways in the 1950’s, essentially a one-carriage diesel railcar running through isolated countryside. . Being Victoria it was of course running on a broad gauge. One of the problems that Australian railways had was that originally all of the states constructed on a different gauge. The railcar was very comfortable, but the mechanics must have been a nightmare for the driver. The large diesel engine was situated completely exposed just behind the driver for whom it was deafening and hot. In service they would have driven these for two hundred or so miles.
The trip was not long terminating at Bullarto, which at 2520 feet is the highest railway station in Victoria. After a light lunch we checked into out hotel in Daylesford, which is probably the most luxurious of our trip. We were able to have lovely swim and then I walked the 2.5 kilometre perimeter of the lake that the hotel is situated on before we had the most delicious dinner of our holiday so far. It was certainly a culinary highlight complimented by excellent wines. The Cols Block Shiraz from Paradigm Hill on the Mornington Peninsular was the most rounded wine of the holiday so far, while the Pressing Matters Riesling from Tasmania was a great accompaniment to our desert.
While we were eating dinner these kookaburras appeared. They were very tame allowing me to ruffle its feathers. So we have seen a kookaburra but not a koala.
After two weeks of travelling and sightseeing the Lakeside Hotel at Daylesford has made an excellent recuperation stop. Tomorrow we head for Ned Kelley country!
Nigel, so interesting! I'm enjoying this tremendously! You weave your personal experience, natural history and local feel together expertly. Along with the absolutely gorgeous photos, I feel I'm traveling along with you! The koala signs remind me of our deer crossing signs. Sorry you aren't getting the sighting Marion desires, but at least you aren't seeing them dead on the road, maybe! Thanks so much for taking the time to keep the blog.
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