The End of an Aussie Road Trip

One of the small waterfalls up in the Grampions
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Since everyone was tired the night before, we took a drive through the Grampians, we decided that the first place we would stop was a water fall recommended to us by the ranger we talked to near Mt. Abrupt the previous day. So we retraced our route about 10 minutes, to drive up a road only to have it turn into a one way road going the opposite direction about halfway up it. A little disappointed we turned and headed back towards the other end of the road. This time we made it all the way to the parking lot for the falls, only to discover that the “short” walk recommended by the ranger was a one way 2 km walk over one hill and down into the valley on the other side. Needless to say we turned around and headed to some of the view points that provided easier access.

Bill and Michelle posing in front of MacKenzie Falls
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The first viewpoint we went to was called the Balconies, because it was a short walk to a rock that jutted out from the cliff and when looked at from the side, formed a balcony for the view out over the valley below. Since the Grampians are a small range of mountains that stick up in the middle of an otherwise completely flat plain the view from the top goes on forever. You can see the farms stretching out each a slightly different color based on the crop. Everyone enjoyed the views.

Next we stopped at McKenzie Falls, which had a number of smaller waterfalls and the large one that gives the area its name. As a group we took the short walk to one of the overlooks, then Paul and Doreen decided to go back to the coffee shop, while Michelle and I went to the bottom of the big falls. While maybe not as spectacular as some of the falls that we saw in New Zealand, this was a perfect rainforest waterfall. Tumbling straight off a cliff into a little pool at the bottom. Unfortunately it was not much of a secret as there were a large group of people escaping the heat and enjoying the water.

Michelle tries to look not impressed
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With our morning constitution complete, we jumped back into the car for the drive across the rest of the Grampians, and then across the hinterland to the old gold mining community of Ballarat. There was not much to see on the drive except an endless parade of farms. The town of Ballarat was much bigger than I expected, and we quickly settled into our hotel room. Again everyone was looking a little road weary so Michelle and I went out to get some cheese and crackers so we could eat in. It was on this trip that the upcoming wedding and stuff that needed to get done before the wedding (hair, nails, fake tan, etc) finally got to Michelle and overwhelmed her a bit. It also may have been the fact that she thought she had an extra day. Anyways you can read more about how we addressed these items in Michelle Blog on the wedding preparation.

The Balconies overlooking the surrounding hinterland
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The next day after Michelle and Doreen had their hair done, we headed back to Melbourne to catch a plane to Brisbane. Only 1 week until the wedding.

Bill