Hanging Rock is located within the Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve. Besides bbq and picnic areas, there are also a number of walking paths and a discovery center for visitors. The Hanging Rock is a rare volcanic formation called Mamelon. The unusual type of rock there is known as solvsbergite and is only found outside the region only in Norway and Sweden. Erosion and weathering over time has caused it to look like what it is now. Read here to know more about this distinctive geographical formation. There's even a book by Joan Lindsay and a 1975 film based on it called "Picnic at Hanging Rock".
We nearly didn't make it as XX had a fever on Saturday night. Luckily, he recovered the next morning, bright and cheery. The weather was very fine but cold. This is what I really like about the lifestyle here. As long as the sun is out, there are so many possibilities for a weekend outing besides just shopping centers.
It was a simple picnic. We brought along our outdoor cooking stove and cup noodles! Throw in some shaved ham and it was perfect. There's something heavenly about eating piping hot and spicy noodles out in the cold. After noodles, we made hot chocolate and expresso coffee on the stove. Magical!After the picnic, we decided to check out the surroundings and walk the 1800m trail up to the summit. It was supposed to take about 50 mins return but we took much longer due to the many stops for pictures. I must say it was a good walk. We had fun as a family talking, taking in the beautiful scenary and looking upclose at the giant rocks. Towards the top, the path ended and we had to continue up climbing over boulders and improvised steps. We feel a bit like Indiana Jones on an adventure! For Hubby it was a good workout as well for he has to carry XX who always says he's "tired". KK was very enthusiastic and asked a lot of questions about the rocks, trees and plants we saw. Natural learning at its best.
KK at the summit
The summit was simply the peak of the rocks and the view was awesome. KK was very daring and wanted to climb up all the rocks but Hubby didn't let him as it was too high and dangerous. Some guys managed to get to the highest rock and sit there admiring the view but for me I'm content to just stand nearby with XX as my knees already go weak when I look down at the steep rocky structure I'm standing on.
There were many wildlife there, even koalas. We didn't see any but we did spotted kangeroos and this group of red and blue birds, probably cockatoos.The day ended with a nice Italian dinner of pizza, pasta and risotto at Lygon Street.
Looks like a heart wedged between the rocks
2 comments:
hey hey, time flies isn't it? don't envy your friends about making money while you are not. that's how i felt when i first went over to shanghai and felt totally useless. slowly but surely i stopped feeling that way as people in turn envy how much more time we can see our kids grow. congrats on your first year in mel. you know wat, the more we visit australia, the more we feel like living there... orh....
I certainly do enjoy my lifestyle now....Australia's a big and beautiful country and I'll surely welcome you to be my neighbour!!
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