She's Gone Walkabout

Lunch at a cafe with calming views and great company.

It was a gentle day weather wise as we walked around Urangan Harbour. The yachts in the marina with their spindly masts idly pointing seaward gave a luxury feel to the day.

Walking out along the Harbour Rock Wall, a cool breeze now nudged us along. Lying about 6 kilometers to our right Big Woody Island sat between us and Fraser Island. It could be seen easily in the hazy distance.

At the end of the Harbour Rock Wall we were surprised to see a beautiful marble statue of a man, looking out to sea. Saint Peter, the patron saint of netmakers, shipbuilders and fisherman looks out over the waters towards the horizon. On the front side of Saint Peter’s podium is a plaque in memory of fishermen who were lost at sea and on the reverse side a plaque in memory of fishermen who perished at sea.

A two kilometre walk down Miller St from the Hervey Bay Boat Club is the Botanical Gardens. A large peaceful area that includes a Bush Tucker Garden. There is also a small lake filled with many turtles. It was easy to see that the sign stating not to feed the turtles was being ignored. The turtles swam towards us with mouths open. As we were leaving a family of five arrived with bread in hand that they shared with the boys to feed the turtles.

At the end of the day a nice meal at a nice restaurant and an evening stroll.

Since returning from Queensland a lot has happened. Two biggies really. Of course THE PANDEMIC and my retirement.

In middle March on arriving back to work I had a sore throat. Not unusual for me but because I had taken two flights from Queensland stopping over just briefly in Sydney, my workplace wanted me to take two weeks leave – just to make sure. At that time it was very difficult to get tested so I self isolated at home. It wasn’t too bad as I had a yard and plenty of room to move. With WiFi, TV, Netflix and plenty of travel books it was a nice down time. By the time I went back to work, the country was in lock down. The library was operating but closed to the public. We washed and sanitized our hands till they sparkled and socially distanced at all times and work continued. We began a click and collect service. As restrictions tightened the library ceased the click and collect and introduced postal delivery. Packing the book orders was a huge amount of work for us but we were still working. It was during this time that voluntary redundancies were offered and so I took one. On July 3 I joined the ranks of the unemployed. It had always been my goal to travel overseas once I retired so that being out I realized that travel within Australia was my only option. I was eager to visit family and my brand new grandson Leo in Queensland. Then Queensland closed its border as did S.A. and W.A. and my world and options became smaller still. Within a matter of what seemed like moments my travel world shrunk again as Melbourne was placed into stage 4 lock down. Not only could I not leave Melbourne I was confined to within a 5 kilometre radius of home and allowed out for one hour daily to exercise. No complaints though, I am well and eventually the country and the rest of the world will slowly open up again.

I was reminded through a FB memory that it was 1 year ago that David and I began our Camino Frances walk. How the world has changed since then.

It is not as though I have been completely shackled to home. I could still indulge in my favourite pastime of walking though at times it has been limited. So here are a selection of short walks around Melbourne before and during the various stages of restrictions.

Thornbury to City

One of my favourite walks from Thornbury is walking into the city and it would be remiss of me to treat High St just as a way of getting from Point A to B. I never tire of walking this street. So starting at the corner of Darebin Rd and High St Thornbury the first landmark we come to is the Welcome to Thornbury. On the car park wall facing towards the city is a beautiful mural.

Along High St the mix of the old and the new is everywhere. Ground floors have been renovated with the upper floors sometimes neglected but retaining old world charm. Busy footpath cafes restrict easy walking and on weekends patrons sit enjoying a leisurely brunch with dogs at their feet.

At Ruckers Hill Lookout in Westgarth I love the view of the city with the brick chimneys of the houses standing tall and proud in image of the buildings behind. And another reminder of the way things were.

On entering Clifton Hill at the Bridge over the Merri Creek High St becomes Queens Parade. With the recent rains the creek water has become muddy and fast flowing.

This is the first part of my walk to Clifton Hill. From here there are a variety of ways into the city and a huge variety of destinations.

Clifton Hill Railway Station

Clifton Hill Railway Station never fails to bring a smile to my face. I realised that I had lost my Myki Card. It was a registered card and after checking online I realised that someone from Hoppers Crossing had found my card and was using it. I changed it to lost and because it was registered I could get it replaced at a Myki Hub. I was walking into the city the next day and decided I would take a very small detour to the Clifton Hill Railway Station and replace it there.

It was a very warm day and after 3 K’s of very fast walking I arrived at the station in huff and puff mode and to put it nicely perspiring profusely. I stood at the little ticket window and to explain the reason for my condition I told the little portly man that I had just walked from Thornbury and that puff puff I would like to replace my lost myki card. We don’t do that here he stated brusquely and walked off. Oh I stated to his retreating back, I read online that I could do it at a Myki hub. He didn’t turn back.

A tall dark slim younger man replaced the older man at the window. He smiled warmly at me and told me that they weren’t a hub and that there was a hub at Southern Cross Station. Oh Ok I thanked him and told him I would go to Southern Cross now and get it. You will need a Myki Card to get into the city he told me helpfully. That’s Ok I explained I’ll walk, I already have four cards at home I don’t need another one. His smile remained. I’ll give you a card with enough money on it to get you to the city and he continued to smile. I hesitated, I had planned to walk anyway but he was so nice and trying to be so helpful. I remembered what David had said once. If someone offers you their seat on the train or tram don’t refuse because they might not offer it to the next person who really needs it. With that logic in mind I graciously accepted his offer. He also turned a thumbs down for the Clifton Hill Station into a big thumbs up.

Early winter and the early part of restrictions and it made for a peaceful walk. I left home on a chilly afternoon for a walk into the city. I am not a winter person but for walking the cooler weather definitely has its own rewards. From my starting point at the corner of Darebin Rd and High St it is approx 3 k and 30 minutes to the start of Hoddle St at Clifton Hill. From that intersection, there are a variety of ways I can walk. Today I continued down Queens Parade and followed the tram tracks around to the left into Smith St and across Victoria Parade to the Fitzroy Gardens, another 3.5 k and 35 minutes.

A stroll through the Gardens starting at the River God Fountain at the roundabout walk on Albert St is relaxing and interesting. The River God Fountain is a beautiful and impressive sculpture by Charles Summers who was Victoria’s most important sculptor of the time. Originally erected in 1862 it was the first fountain in the Fitzroy Gardens.

Where the garden’s winter landscape was barren, large garden beds of daffodils and jonquils added a beautiful splash of winter colour.

Cooks cottage, one of the most famous attractions in the Gardens. In 1933 the house was bought by Russell Grimwade and donated to Melbourne. At Great Ayton in North Yorkshire it was deconstructed and packed into 253 cases and 40 barrels for shipping. Cuttings of the ivy which grew on the house in Great Ayton were also taken and replanted once the house was re-erected in Melbourne.

There are over 20 attractions in the Gardens. The miniature model Tudor village built by Edgar Wilson and donated in 1948, the Fairies Tree carved by Ola Cohn and finished in 1934, the Dolphin Fountain, Diana and the hounds and many more. There is a conservatory and many little tracts of gardens within the Gardens. A beautiful place to spend some time.

Near the Gardens is the Cathedral Church and minor Basilica known as St Patrick’s Cathedral. In 1974 Pope Paul VI conferred the title. It was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1986 during his first visit to Australia.

Continue walking down Macarthur St towards Parliament Station and at the corner of St Andrews Place are a series of rocks with replicas of prehistoric skeltons.

Continuing on to Spring St to the left then right onto Flinders St and into the city and Federation Square with its grand outlook to Flinders St station and beyond. Federation Square which was opened in 2002 is one of my favourite places in Melbourne.

Large screen T.V.’s and a stage make Federation Square a meeting place. A life sized statue of Fearless Girl by the original sculptor Kristen Visbal was unveiled at Federation Square ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8 2019. The original statue by Kristen Visbal was erected facing down the charging bull in New York’s financial district in 2017.

Walking towards the steps that lead down to the Yarra there are a variety of unique decorative tiles. Turning to the right along the Yarra the path passes the Princes Bridge.

Princes Bridge was opened in 1888 and material for the bridge consisted of bluestone quarried from Footscray, granite from Harcourt and malmsbury stones from Kyenton.

Continuing onto Swanston St and to the iconic Flinders St Station. The original part of the station was opened in 1854. Because of its distinctive dome structure there is an urban myth that says the original plans for the station were accidentally swapped with a design meant for Bombay in India. I’ll meet you under the clocks is a common expression for people meeting in the city because of the row of timetable clocks above the entrance.

to the left down Flinders St again and work on the new metro underground has exposed remnants of the older city.

through Flinders St underground to cross the Yarra on Sandridge Bridge. It has its’ own unique history being a link between the city and Port Melbourne where thousands of immigrants arrived. It was built in 1888 and was the first steel bridge over the Yarra. There are now 10 unique sculptures along the city side of the bridge representing the different periods of migration to Australia. There are also 128 glass screens each which document information of the countries of origin of our immigrants. A fascinating way to look at history.

Continuing along the Yarra and Southbank the path passes the Crown Casino. The South Wharf Walk continues past the Convention Center and the Polly Woodside and to the DFO building. For my ride home I continue under the myriad of on and off ramps of the West Gate Bridge to Boundary Rd in Port Melbourne. For my walk today approx 15 K.

After an early lunch I left home on a very dull, misty late morning. It wasn’t long until I was at the start of Hoddle St and I turned left and followed Hoddle St around walking under the Heidelberg Rd overpass, past the Clifton Hill railway station and down Hoddle St as this was the most direct way to MSAC – Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Center- in Albert Park. Not having a great sense of direction, the easier is the better for me and even then I often get lost. Walking on from the station and across at the first cross road is Darling Gardens.

Even in its’ winterscape it is a lovely garden with paths leading to a pretty central rotunda. Several tree lined paths criss cross the Gardens, the remaining areas are beautifully manicured lawns. The Gardens have an unusual history. It was first reserved for public use in 1863. At various times in the 1860’s and 70’s it was leased for grazing and used for the dumping of night soil. The Gardens were often used for fetes, music and sporting events up until 1907 when a community tree planting effectively changed the use of the gardens.

From the Darling Gardens the Shot Tower still stands tall.

Walking diagonally across the Gardens, then left onto Gold St over Noone St and left onto Alexandra Parade brings you to the Shot Tower. The 263 ft – 80 metre – tall shot tower was built in 1882 to manufacture lead shot on what was then known as Reilly St. The tower was operated by the Coops family who also operated the Shot Tower now located within Melbourne Central Shopping Center. They are both listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. After visiting the Shot Tower it is an easy walk back to Hoddle St by continuing down Alexandra Parade.

A surprise was St Philips Vicarage a beautiful building built in 1867. To the right of the Vicarage, St Philips Church was built of bluestone in 1865. In 1969 the church deemed to be unsustainable by the mainly local working class congregation of Collingwood, was demolished. The site became the small Collingwood Town Hall Reserve. The Vicarage built in the Gothic Revival structure is now considered to be of local historical importance.

At the rear of the reserve between the Vicarage and Collingwood Town Hall are two beautiful wall murals.

Along he path on the right hand side of the reserve are a series of tiles made by local primary school children after they visited an aged care facility. It is a shame that the tiles are falling into disrepair.

The Collingwood Town Hall is beautiful inside and out. Inside it has been modernised but it still retains a lot of the original charm and character.

Collingwood Town Hall

A random mural on a wall in Hoddle St.

At Wellington Parade, Hoddle St ends and Punt Rd begins. Continuing down Punt Rd and over the maze of railway lines at Richmond Station I walked through Goschs Paddock with a view across to AAMI stadium. The first match held at the stadium was a Rugby League International in 2010. The stadium has won acclaim and awards for its architecture, engineering, construction and viewing experience.

In the 1870’s Goschs Paddock was known simply as the Cow Paddock. Around the turn of the century the land was leased to William Gosch as a holding area for his transport company’s horses.

While crossing Morell Bridge the view across the Yarra of the city half hidden in the clouds was one of the true natural highlights of the day

My thoughts were that it would be nice to stroll through the Royal Botanic Gardens on my way to MSAC. All I can say is that I should have known better. After wandering in many directions and becoming more confused I saw a sign for gate C and hoping it would pop me out onto a road, somewhere not to far from where I wanted to go, I headed that way. At least luck was with me there and somehow I made it to Albert Rd Drive and the Peter Norman statue which was my intended destination. And the statue didn’t disappoint.

A life sized statue of Peter Norman stands proudly near the entrance of the Melbourne Sports Centers Lakeside Stadium. At his feet a fresh bunch of native blue gum leaves and delicate pink flowers. On his back fittingly his number was 111. A plaque tells his story and a photo shows his story. On his left chest he wore a badge in solidarity that read Olympic Project For Human Rights.

In 1968 at the Mexico Olympics Peter Norman won a silver medal in the Mens 200 metre track in a time of 20.06. An Australian record that still stands. He was the third man on the podium during the infamous black power salute of Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

In 2005 San Jose State University, USA erected a statue of Smith and Carlos depicting their famous gesture. It was Peter Norman who suggested that his place on the podium be left empty so that others could stand in his place in solidarity. Truly an inspirational man.

Leaving this incredible history behind I walked the 300 metres to Clarendon St and then the 3 k’s to Boundary Rd in Port Melbourne for my ride home. Approx. 15 k for the day.

The Olinda Creek trail is only a short walk but combined with the Hull Rd Wetlands and Lillydale Lake it is an interesting and popular walk. The trail for a large part runs between the Olinda Creek and Swansea Rd. My starting point is the Swansea Rd service road opposite Birmingham Rd intersection with Swansea Rd.

From here the trail winds its way towards Hull Rd then taking the trail to the left at the little bridge across Olinda Creek it turns towards the mountains and the York On Lilydale.

The first half of the walk is very much rural with beautiful stands of gums lining the creek. The area is surrounded by farmland.

The last part of the walk is more open and grassy with a nice view of the mountains. The trail ends at a bus stop on Swansea Rd opposite Marne Rd. It is approximately a 2 k walk one way. After walking the 2 k back again I crossed the little bridge across Olinda Creek which led onto Hull Rd and onto the Wetlands. I cross at this unofficial crossing point just left of the Olinda Creek Wetlands sign and cross the grass onto the trail around the wet lands.

Looking across the Hull Rd Wetlands back towards the mountains.

The walk is a dog friendly area and once at Lillydale Lake there are two dog off lead areas.

From the Hull Rd Wetlands the trail follows Olinda Creek past the closed off Platypus Conservation Area and onto one of the dog off lead areas. Here there is a boardwalk across the Lillydale Lake Wetland which at the moment is undergoing reconstruction.

Man made Lillydale Lake was opened in 1990. It was designed and constructed to prevent future flooding after the floods of 1984. It is a much loved recreational area for barbecues and picnics. Small yachts can be seen on the water along with kyakers and model boats. Swimmers paddle in the sandy beach and fisherman fish from designated areas. There is a water park play area and playground with the 3 k path around the lake, popular with dog walkers and runners..

The remains of two old brick walls stand like pillars on the shoreline at the far right corner of the lake closest to the dog off lead area. They are the remains of Cashins Flour Mill which was built in the 1850’s to mill grain that was normally shipped to Melbourne. After a few bad years of drought, insect attack, floods and rust the mill ceased production in 1876.

At the far end of the Lake the area that runs along Olinda Creek is a very popular dog off lead area. It now has night lighting and a Flintstones play area at the further end. Just past the play area is the cut through to Box Hill TAFE and Lilydale Community Library.

Returning home via the Wetlands after completing a circuit of the lake I came across the new community of Spoonville.