a bunch of wildflowers

On my recent 'photo drive' around NE Daylesford, I drove  along the Porcupine Ridge Road and where you can see as far as Malmsbury Reservoir and probably Lauriston Reservoir as well! The scenery in the area is spectacular especially at this time of year with the new spring grass and wildflowers in abundance.

The following images were taken along Saw Pit Gully Road, just off Leslies Lane in the Mt Franklin area as marked in blue on this map.....

The above images have been reduced in size to upload faster. If you wish to see a few of better quality, then check my FLICKR account.

Wildflowers bloom in national parks and reserves in the Grampians, Great Ocean Road and Victoria's High Country. Look for native orchids at Cathedral Range State Park, Holey Plains State Park, where 25 species have been counted, and Morwell National Park, home to rare native orchids.  The following website will give you a full list of parks in which to see a good display of Wildflowers in Victoria:

VISIT VICTORIA - Wildflowers

the "pick of the bunch" are definitely The Wildflowers in The Grampians:

THE GRAMPIANS - wildflowers


blog post on the Glenlyon Cemetery is HERE

blog post on the drive from Daylesford to Glenlyon is HERE




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Tesselaar Tulip Festival

last Friday a few of us drove to Silvan - in the Dandenongs, just east of Melbourne - to see the Tesselaars Tulip Festival.  For about four weeks every spring the tulips are in full bloom and the visitors flock from all over Australia to see the colourful displays.

just one hour by car from the city of Melbourne

But its not "just tulips", there are other varieties of flowers and plants with many being for sale, there is food, a souvenir shop, bulbs for sale and a Fairy Garden hidden away which is delights the children of course and Tesselaars have 'theme weekends' too. Next weekend will be the Jazz weekend and the one after will be the Irish Weekend .... but you could go at anytime during the festival and enjoy whatever is on offer.

It rained most of the time we were there, but there was enough 'cover' to hide under till it eased off a bit.  Still plenty of time to take photos, have a coffee, visit the fairy garden and the souvenir store!

I took many photos, but the few that are following will give you just a glimpse of how colourful it was .....

You need more than a 'couple of hours' to appreciate a trip to the Tulip Festival, so do allow some extra time. If you are making a family trip with children, its not easy to wander around with a stroller, but if they are older enough to walk around, remember to take rain boots and a change of clothing if the weather is wet, as it can be quite muddy if you decide to wander amongst the tulips!

There is still much to see and do regardless of the weather, and of course remember to take the children to see the 'fairy garden'!

Tesselaar Tulip Festival, 

Tesselaar Tulip Farm, 

357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan

13 September 13 to 9 October 2012,

open daily 10am to 5pm

Adults $18, Concession $15, Children under 16 free, 

groups of 10 or more $15 each person 

when prepaid online.




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Ballan Autumn Festival - 2012

Last weekend - March 25 - was the Ballan Autumn Festival ….. it is held each year, but this was the first time we had attended the event.  According to the website there was much on offer, the Quilt Show, a book bazaar, an Art Show, a pet parade, a photo exhibition, a talent quest, wood chopping and of course the main event was the Street Parade.

On the website it has:

As a community, Ballan is proud to showcase our town one hour west of Melbourne, off the Western Freeway, between Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat.

The Ballan Autumn festival has been held annually for over 30 years and this year will be held in the main street of Ballan.

It is a fun day for all the family where Ballan comes alive.

There will be bands performing on the main stage; a parade of community groups and floats; vintage cars and motor cycle riders; the local pet owners will proudly parade their animals around the ring for judging in the pet show. Ballan Art and Craft Society and Ballan Quilt and Craft both put on hugely popular exhibitions.

Photography Competition encourages anyone with a camera to illustrate the Festival theme.  Many stalls of all varieties including food.

Visit Ballan and join in the fun.

Take a walk around the town and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather; stop in at the many events held during the festival.

By 9.30am all the street holders had set up their stalls along the main street (Inglis St) selling their wares. Which was anything from Baked Potatoes to Jewelry, from knitted caps to scented soaps ….. it was there ready for you to purchase.

We went down fairly early hoping to avoid any possible crowds. We arrived just after 10.00am and many people starting to arrive already.

The following images - taken along the Main Street at the start of the day - will give you a glimpse of the Ballan Autumn Festival :

Check back in a few days for further blog posts on the Street Parade, The Vintage Vehicles and of course the Wood Chopping!



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Leone and John Fabre