Today I was lucky enough to head further into the west from my home on a day trip with my husband in his truck. We drove to the city of Hamilton, passing a few small country towns on the way; Hexham, Caramut, and Penshurst.
Dominating the skyline for part of the journey is a range of mountains named the Grampians (Gariwerd, as named by our First Nations people) pictured above. This mountain range was formed with a series of geological events over millions of years (more detailed information can be found at savegrampiansclimbinghome.files.wordpress.com) .
I haven’t been to visit the Grampians National Park yet, but it will definitely be the subject of a future ‘Glog’.
All along the Hamilton Highway there is evidence of creeks, rivers and wetlands, the number of wetlands birds I saw on the trip was incredible: Black Swans, White faced Herons, White Necked Herons, and many ducks of unknown varieties. I haven’t got any photos of those unfortunately, taking pics out the window of a moving truck can make it difficult to focus and you’ve usually passed them by then anyway. I was also lucky enough to see a Wedge tailed Eagle at fairly close quarters, a single Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo, and a solitary Kookaburra sitting on a phone line, along with myriads of the usual Magpies and Ravens.
The township of Penshurst has a lovely wetlands park which I will stop and look more closely at another time too.
On the outskirts of the town of Hamilton, Tarrington holds a festival with German (Lutheran) origins called Laternenfest which celebrates Christmas.
As part of the festival they produce some very fine examples of Hay Bale Art which are displayed outside their homes along the highway. I don’t think you could get a more Aussie display of artistic creativity.
That’s my day trip in a nutshell, It’s always such a great day being driven around the countryside in a Western Star, which seems appropriate somehow in the Western Districts.
’til next time!
The Flowerpot Pen 