wilson's promontory

Road trip part two. After our time on Phillip Island, we drove to Foster, a small town just outside Wilson's Promontory. We had booked units through a hostel, and they turned out to be self-contained apartments, all fitted with kitchens and laundry! The only complaint- we didn't all have 70s themed outfits to fit the decor! But really, the accommodation and the town were just lovely. Really reinforced the idea that I want to settle in a small town someday. And as for Wilson's Promontory-continental Australia's southern most point-it was gorgeous. We visited just two sites there, Tidal River and Squeaky Beach, but definitely feel like I experienced something unique and beautiful and grand. Tidal River flows down to the ocean, and it was great fun watching kids catch the tide and head downstream to the waves. After a while there, we picked up and walked to Squeaky Beach. As evidenced in my posts about our last trip, you'll know I was in paradise walking on the tree-covered path with the soundtrack of crashing waves. And then the beach came into view. White sand, huge boulders, just breath-taking. Reminded me of a jumble of parts of beaches in Hawaii, California and New England. Spent many happy hours playing in the surf with the kids, and though the rip tides were fiercely strong and didn't allow for too much venturing out, we joyfully body-surfed and just let ourselves be tossed around like rag dolls. It was the perfect last day to our holiday, couldn't have asked for more.

Love seeing the variety of colorful birds in Australia

The beach at Tidal River from above

Happy day with my favorite girls

Squeaky Beach!

After our time at the beach, we headed to the campgrounds to try and spot a wombat. Apparently they're so used to living in close quarters with humans that they wander freely around and even sneak into tents to steal food! After some patient waiting by one's hole, half of our group came bounding back saying one just walked by. We all hurried over, and my goodness, it was adorable! One major Australia bucket list item checked off!

And then it ran away under a camper for some privacy

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road trip!

In the spirit of taking full advantage of the school holidays, we were only home for three days before taking off on another vacation. This time it was our family along with two others in a giant van, driving first to Phillip Island (a little beach paradise) and then to Wilson's Promontory, continental Australia's southern most point. On our way from Melbourne to Phillip Island, we stopped at the Royal Australian Gardens, had a stroll, then soldiered on to the house we rented. And it was amazing. Two stories, fourteen beds, a huge games room downstairs, big lounge room and balcony upstairs, and a nice lawn out back just right for tossing a ball around. At just about two kilometers out of town, it was also perfect for leisurely walk to shops, cafes, pubs, and the beach. A bunch of us girls moseyed down there one morning, and spent hours popping in and out of whatever shops caught our eye, which included one truly extraordinary vintage shop selling everything from a carefully curated collection of clothing and accessories, to books, records, housewares, you name it. Then it was straight to the beach for some sun and saltwater. Lovely. The next day was another lazy one spent on the beach, then in the evening we had a little picnic before going to see the penguin parade. Unfortunately pictures weren't allowed, but if you look this phenomena up, you'll be able to get a sense of how surreal it was. Sitting in grandstands on the beach, under a clear blue sky studded with stars, just listening to the waves and seagulls and anxiously waiting for the little penguins to appear. And then suddenly you see one, two, a whole bunch! Riding the surf in, taking a few tentative steps up the sand, waiting for a greater group to gather, then all of them waddling up the beach and onto the dunes to their nests. Incredibly cute and just beautiful. Love this example of eco-tourism. More on the rest of the trip later, otherwise this will turn into a novella!

LOVED this water feature at the gardens

The girls took in a view of the water

While Caroline and the boys looked for creatures

Giordi and Benson made their own fossil

Welcome to our billiards room/pingpong parlor/games room/theater/library!

To the water!

Sarah found this strange skeleton

With delicate, bead-like vertebrae

All us adults

Perfect picnic fare

Miranda and a very tame seagull

Good thing they warned us, because we did see a few penguins in the parking lot on our way out! Too cute!