WELCOME TO OUR WONDERLAND . . .

Traveling this country many a panoramic landscape unfolds
heightening your expectations, senses, curiosity what it holds
soon you'll reach destination, striking camp for a few nights
this is The Grampians, after long journey you've finally arrived

Getting up early to climb lookout at campsite before sunrise
to experience beginning of new day, a never to forget surprise
you can see the glowing ball of rising sun, casting it's orange hue
over early morning mists, against a sky full of promise and blue

The muted light of daybreak slowly erasing any darkness of night
some ranges like islands, promotories, changing in early light
a wonderland awaits one of flora, fauna and Aboriginal art
so much to see and do, difficult to decide where, how, to start

Red-headed Gang-Gang Cockatoos, Wallabies, Emus, maybe a snake
Grey Kangaroos, Corellas, squabbling, having a drink at mountain lake
you may see Brush-tailed Possums, Sugar gliders and Wombats
a large feral population of Deer, Goats, Pigs, Rabbits and Cats

Silver Banksia, Blackwood, deep mine shafts, no ruins to be seen
nature has claimed back once prosperous gold diggings, Mafeking
Snow Gums, Mountain Grey Gums, Stringy Bark, may, many more
wild flower varieties to numerous to mention on forest floor

The old quarry, rusted machinery, stone masons long since gone
many houses, important buildings, built with this beatiful stone
you see massive stumps of Messmate, Mountain and River Gum
mesmerising magnificient waterfalls of the escarpment they run

Go hiking, climb a mountain, hot air ballooning, canoe on the lake
Hawks, Eagles soaring, cartwheeling in the sky, pictures to take
when you've seen it all, unlikely, quietly contemplate the overall
you too will say: "The Grampians for a holiday, mate, it's got it all!"

Portrait of a Lady, She has beatifully coloured eyes,
alluring and good looks, quick, as usual, on her feet
aware of admiring sly glances, she herself wasn't exactly
shy. Spitting image of her parents, no doubt plenty of
admirers wherever she went. Personality plus, sensing
when talked about, any occasion willing to attend. Riding
on a motorbike, style supurb, great, without helmet, wants
to feel wind on her face. Drawing attention like Queen of an
estate, always prim and proper, everything in it's place.
Living on a farm, helping with cattle, sheep, when nothing
to do pokes around in machinery shed. Never too lazy, no
shirking in earning her keep, keeping in good shape, golden
rule, early to bed. Very seldom took offence, hardly ever a
grizzle, her life certainly wasn't easy, sometimes a bit of a
hard slog. Didn't like being shouted at, but, turned at a whistle,
contrary to your thinking, she was a very well educated and
wel bred Sheepdog.

Exploring Australia's magnificient coastline . . .

Traveling Australia, no-one forgets spectacular South Coast
of rock formations,all shapes, colours, sizes, does it boast
by huge waves, winds without abating, it's constantly lashed
many a sailing ship, in early days, against the rocks was dashed
not even rocks withstand this relentless pounding of these waves
over thousands, millions of years, creating wierd shapes and caves

Their energy expended, traveling endless kilometres of open sea
blowholes, far inland, foam, spray above cliff tops, a lone tree
there are reverbating thumps, booms, like thunder at a distance
in rough weather, don't go near edge, you're taking a big chance
residual towers of harder rock, spectacularly rise from rough sea
near Port Campbell, in fine weather, "Twelve Apostles" you'll see

Inland are large areas that are forested by twisted Mallee Tree
big knobbly underground roots, wildflowers bloom in Spring
Papery Sunray, Poached Egg Daisies, many more, large, small
if you listen, stand still, you may see Mallee fowls, hear their call
most lakes connected to Murray River, overflowing after heavy rain
these, for many wetland birds, becomes their breeding domain

White-bellied Sea Eagle,Pelican, Black Swan, variety of ducks too
Mulga Parrot, Egret, Euro, Western, Eastern Grey and Red Kangaroo
traveling along The Great Ocean Road, many an unfamiliar sound
different horizons, ever changing coastline, scenery will astound
there are spectacular vistas on cloudy days with the varying light
elements of Nature, relentlessly eroding The Great Australian Bight