Malmsbury & the Yarra Valley

I was woken by a very noisy crow. The cawing of crows has definitely been the soundtrack to Australia! It was also very cold outside - don't be fooled by the blue sky in the pictures, temperatures were between 7 and 9 degrees all day with a wind that I reckon came straight from the Antarctic. At least it was mostly dry.

As I went to school in Malmesbury, Wiltshire I had to stop in Malmsbury, Victoria even though they lost the 'e' at some point. This was once a supply town for the goldfields and now retains a small high street and gardens. It was actually a bit more charming than it came out in the photos and I did my bit for the economy by visiting the bakery and antique/gift shop. 

I then realised I was driving straight past Hanging Rock so that made a nice place for a walk and explore. It was too cold for a Picnic at Hanging Rock which is just as well as apparently that's quite a dangerous activity. The rock itself is an extinct volcano and rock type is trachyte. It looks like a jumble of rocks rather than one big one. The eucalyptus trees mask the view of it somewhat until you clamber up onto it. Again there are koalas around here but I couldn't spot any. 

Its called "Hanging Rock" because of a rock which overhangs a pathway. Now there is a man-made pathway and stairs up to it. 

My last stop of the day was at Mason's Falls in Kinglake National Park which was a nice walk through a forest from the car park to the lookout point.

From Kinglake onward I am in the Yarra Valley which is full of green hills, vineyards and cows. It made for nice driving and the sun appeared late afternoon when I reached the lodge I am staying at. There are some fruit trees at the lodge and its all quite picturesque. 

Malmsbury Botanic Gardens and Railway Viaduct

I think the high street was nicer than this view makes out! No sign of life at the hotel. 






Supposedly this is "the" Hanging Rock 
Mason's Falls
Crab Apple and Lemon Trees at the lodge. You wouldn't believe its forecast 3 degrees tonight. 



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