The ocean air blew through our open windows, mixing with the fresh smell of eucalyptus trees as we drove through the rocky and lush foliage of Wilsons Promontory National Park in the early morning. Its summer in Australia, and we’d left Sydney as the temperatures were reaching near 27 Celsius, but now as we approached the southern tip of the continent it was chilly and windy. Yellow-red rocks, smooth sand, and lush green foliage met the water on the horizon.
Viewing Giant Gippsland Earthworms was a recommended stop, so we pulled into the Wildlife Wonderland in Bass only to find that the 5.4 meter beast is now endangered and it is illegal to keep them in captivity now. We did get to view some pickled ones on display, along with the giant dirt-filled wall that once housed them.
We entered the Yarra Valley wine region as the afternoon sun broke through the overcast sky and warmed us and the grape vines that grew endlessly in vineyards up the gently sloping hillsides. Seville Estate and Chandon wineries, and Yarra Valley Dairy (see the Heidi Raclette cheese!) were tasty for sampling and purchasing some special Christmas treats.
Our reserved destination for the next three nights, Lyrebird Cottage, in Marysville (northeast of Melbourne) was completely charming. Tall evergreen trees and lush brush in these mountain foothills remind me a bit of Washington State. With a fire in the fireplace, a cup of hot tea, and the televised Christmas Eve musical celebration in Melbourne, it was a cozy welcoming of the holiday.
Aussie Word of the Day: snags = sausages
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