Sunday 5 June 2011

Wonderful Winter

Winter is a wonderful time of the year to visit, although mornings can be cold and frosty (good excuse for a sleep in) the days can be mild and sunny and perfect for just about everything.
After a leisurely breakfast why not grab a warm jacket and head off for a walk there's plenty of country lanes to wander down and plenty to see. Old stone walls and hawthorn trees a legacy of times long ago,  don't forget to look up into the beautiful gum trees and you may be lucky to spot a Koala.
This area is also home to The Black tailed wallaby, kangaroos, echidna and abundant bird species, parrots,wrens,  finches, kookaburras, magpies and hawks, you may even  be followed by the cheeky Willy Wag Tail ! Some days a pair of eagles can be spotted  hovering over the wide grass paddocks on the lookout for rabbits.
Head back for lunch, maybe something simple soup and scones and a afternoon curled up in front of the fire with a book or two.  Mmmm Hot chocolate and marsh mellows too!
                                                                              
This region has a colorful history which started with the gold rush in the 1850's , a short drive will take you to Castlemaine, Maldon, Hepburn Springs and Daylesford, visit the information offices for things to see and do, there are too many places of interest to list but my favorites include:

Buda House    and      The Restorer's Barn                Castlemaine

Historic Main Street                                                  Maldon

Lavandula  Swiss Italian Farm                                  Shepard's Flat

Hepburn Springs Bath House and mineral springs  in  Hepburn Springs

Daylesford Lake Walk  followed by coffee at one of the many cafes , again my favorite Cliffys where you can also purchase locally grown and made produce, organic fruit and veggies, jams, sauces, and home-made pasta and soups.