17th May 2011 Mount Hotham

It was a lovely sunny day today so we decided to go check out Mount Hotham which is about a 70 kl drive from home....


We had a lovely drive every where you go around these parts is just country roads and the scene are just beautiful...

We traveled through Harrietville...which is a former gold-mining town, located 25 kilometres south of Bright on the Great Alpine Road and at the base of Mount Feathertop in the scenic Victorian Alps.


The town is particularly attractive in autumn when the blazing colours of its large variety of deciduous trees creates a spectacular display. 

The Ovens River meanders through Harrietville, lined with attractive parks including Pioneer Park which features a museum and displays of the region's history. 

10 kilometres north of Harrietville on the Great Alpine Road is the small community of Smoko. This town is appropriately named after the several large tobacco farms which used to line the road and Ovens River on its journey through a picturesque valley surrounded by berry farms, nut plantations, forests and mountains.


We stopped and had morning tea here at a tiny little cafe on the side of the river...and I must say I had the best blueberry muffin I have every tasted...all home made...we will definitely return to this spot again... before we leave..


Heading off up to Mt Hotham the views were amazing ...

After having nice sunny weather for the passed few days...we didn't expect to see anymore snow around... but we got a big surprise...


As you go around the mountain you can see the road way ahead winding...

Once at Mt Hotham we were so surprised at how much snow was still there just driving through the car park you can get into trouble..the snow wasn't deep but we got caught out as it was  ice underneath  and we got stuck and John had to dig us out of the ice !!!

Looking forward to coming back here again when Mychele & Steve get here so we can show them around.

15th May 2011

John...doing his garden chores...leaves every where from the trees !!!!

14th May 2011

I just never get tired of looking at this view from the front verandah....

Today the clouds have finally cleared from Bogong Mountain and we can see the snow on top...


Here are some pictures taken first thing in a morning....

13th May 2011 Beechworth

Today is a very cold day so we decided to go for a drive to Beechworth...


Beechworth is one of Victoria's best preserved former gold mining towns.


Beechworth's commercial centre presents an almost unbroken series of elegant buildings and historic shop-fronts, many of which date back to the 19th century. The post office was built in 1869, the former Bank of Victoria (now a gold jewellery store) dates back to 1857, and there are several historic hotels and churches located in the town centre.


The Historic and Cultural Precinct, located in Ford Street, is a major attraction, comprising of the town's old court house, telegraph station, town hall, a museum, and a dark cell which at one time housed the infamous bushranger Ned Kelly. Adjacent to this precinct is the Beechworth Gaol, still in operation after having been built between 1859 and 1864.


Beechworth is known for its attractive streets and parks lined with deciduous trees which create an intense colourful display in the autumn.

We parked the car and walked the streets taking in all the history...its like going back in time..seeing the old buildings...we had a great time checking out the shops and we bought some goodies along the way...


We had lunch at "Beechworth Bakery" which is becoming a very famous place most towns in the Alpine area have one...The food is yummy  especially the pies and chocolate eclairs.


It was very cold in Beechworth today but we were rugged up and enjoyed all of it...

Falls Creek

After seeing the snow on the Alps we decided that we would take a drive up to Falls Creek which is not far from us at all..Hoping we would see a little more snow and MAYBE we will see it snowing if we are lucky !!!


Well did we get a shock, to think we were only up here a few days ago and we were amazed at the lovely autumn views and beautiful trees... NOW its all covered in snow...they have had over 120cm of snow and it looks like a winter wonderland... John and I was beside our selves with excitement...it was minus 4 degrees but we didn't feel the cold...we were too excited...

Boy did it snow !!! we took over 83 photos and 2 videos but obviously I cannot put them all on here but here are a few of them...

Snow is expected for the next 3 days so I guess if we go up again we will need warmed gear and snow chains for the car...

Hard to believe its only 2nd week of May !!

11th May 2001 Winter has arrived

Last night it rained...but in the mountains in front of us it SNOWED !!! which is very early this year...and here are some pictures to show the results... This is the mountain just in front of us with snow all over the top....

Photos taken from from verandah..

This is Mount Bogong directly in front of us...

I took this before the clouds lifted...

and was surprised when the clouds lifted..

So excited its snowing !!!!

10th May 2011 Bright

We had a day out at Bright and its looking beautiful there with the trees, just thought I would post the beautiful pictures of the colour changing...

 Having fun with the leaves...

 School children having fun in the leaves too !!

Every where you look is a different picture... I love it....


These pictures below are of the surrounding areas around the house

 The sun on Mount Bogong which is the highest peak in the state of Victoria the highest point being 1986 metres above sea level...

The sunset behind the house