The Cube

Back to the west coast state of Australia and went to some new places (for me).

Boola Bardip means many stories in Whadjuk Nyoongar, the country on which the museum sits. WA Museum Boola Bardip opened in the Perth Cultural Centre in November 2020. Entry is free. I did, however, booked an entrance ticket online but nobody checked for it during my visit.

It wasn't a plan to visit a museum, just so happened that the kids had an activity next door. Some of the exhibits are pretty interesting. One can also go outside to the balcony to have a look outside. 

Initially we were going to check out miniature train but got the opening hours wrong and were there 30 minutes before their closing time. There was a queue to get it so plan B was to find a place to have a picnic lunch and take a ferry to Elizabeth Quay. 

Picnic food selections of egg mayo and salmon onion sandwiches at South Perth and then we walked over to Mends Street Jetty. Mends Street Jetty is served by Transperth to cross over to Elizabeth Quay. 

Elizabeth Quay is a new waterfront precint on the banks of Swan River. It houses a playground, BHP Billiton Water Park, some artwork, restaurants and bars. The playground and water park kept the kids occupied for some time, and we got some ice-creams to share. 

Just about an hour north of Perth, this was one of our day trip on a Saturday. One side is estuary and the other ocean. Sis got some camping gear and canoes in the car so our activities were picnic and canoeing. The water was cold so it was ruthless cold when water splashed on oneself. 

Our initial plan was to camp but winter isn't really a time for camping. 

The Zig Zag Scenic Drive is a one-way road down the western side of the Darling Ranges in Gooseberry Hill and part of the Beelu National Park. So named due to many hairpin turns along the drive which goes for about 3km. 

We got there just before sunset and caught the setting sun. 

In need of a holiday but I wasn't organised enough to plan for the Good Friday long weekend break. By the time I got to looking up anything, there were all getting too expensive. So I decided on a day trip on a Sunday (nonetheless) on a normal weekend. Not public holiday, not long weekend. I did try to coincide it with a local market which happens first Sunday of every month but i was short on time and didn't even end up visiting the market. Ha! So much for all the planning. 

As I started to search for possible day trip options, I stumbled upon Castlemaine. Castlemaine is a former gold mining town in the Goldfields region about 120 kilometres northwest from Melbourne. It is only an hour and a half train ride away from Melbourne. As I wanted to maximise on things to do, I decided to make the trip on the first Sunday of the month. 

I only have 4 items for the day trip but only managed 2.5 of them? Anyway, here are all 4 if anyone is interested. 

It is like a hub for those looking for art, vintage stuff and food. Historically it was a woollen mill back in 1875. I didn't have a lot of time to poke my noise in all the places but worth a visit. I was seated next to the chimney when I had my meal in Das Kaffeehaus. 

On reading that it is Viennese coffee house serving traditional Austrian food, I am sold - will have food there and that was my first stop on arrival. 

I don't usually have cream with my coffee but can't go past Vienna coffee (double shot with cream). All these were my brunch - cheese kransky served with roll, warm sauerkraut and mustard AND a toppenstrudel. They don't look big but I was stuffed! Food was delicious and my bursting tummy was happy. 

Beechworth has a well-preserved historical town, also in the north-east direction of Victoria. It was just an hour away from Bright by car/bus. As of 2016, Beechworth had a population of about 3,800. 

Likely many other towns, Beechworth was a gold producing region in the past, circa 1852-1857. Walking around Beechworth, one would see many references to Ned Kelly - an Australian bushranger, outlaw, gang leader and convicted police-murderer. He was known for wearing a suit of bulletproof armour in his final shootout with the police. Kelly was trialed at the Beechworth Historic Courthouse and held in the Beechworth Gaol. 

I rocked up to the Tourist Information Center and they prompted offered me a map. The 2 staffs in the center were very friendly and offered options of things to do. It was a hot day so their recommendations on the particular day of my visit was - ice-cream, cooling down at the Lake Sambell Reserve, visit the Bilson's for free cordials, indoor options of museum or courthouse. 

Whilst I didn't enter any of the historical sites, I saw this Telegraph Station just next to the courthouse. One could send a message by telegram from this Historic Telegraphy Station by morse code to anywhere in Australia at the cost of $2. I think that's pretty cool. 

Saw another echidna at the beginning of my walk and got pretty excited. Me, not the echidna. 

I was the only crazy who walk the Gorge Walk, I did not meet anyone on foot. There were cars, less than 10 but all stopped at The Cascades. When I was at this 'lookout' place, a car slowed down but didn't stop. 

Can you see the 'The Three Sisters' sign? I had a good laugh, you might if you heard of the other Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.  

This was where the others headed to, The Cascades. When I walked passed, there were 3 cars parked at this area.  

I continued my walk back to the historic center. By this time I was motivated by promise of ice-cream at the end of the walk. 

Most of the shops were closed by evening. I decided to go for a walk after dinner, it was definitely more quiet, less people and not hot at this time. 

 

I made it to Lake Sambell but the sun has set. When I got back to Camp Street, just managed to catch the last light before it got dark. 

Beechworth Honey Discovery is located in the historic Bank of NSW and provides information on honey and bees. I just happened to walk pass as it was just next to my accommodation in Beechworth. There is a separate honey shop at the end of Ford Street.