Mount Kosciuszko National Park

Mount Kosciuszko National Park. Where to begin? 

Those of you who know me, know I won't hesitate to go hiking alone, for quite often days at a time. The peace and serenity and time alone works wonders for my soul!

With Gary and the kids not too keen, I was more than happy to leave them back at camp whilst I hiked the Main Range Track from Charlottes Pass to Mt Kosciuszko and back solo.

With many up and down hills and breathtaking views, I spent the entire time trying my best to put my camera away away and failing miserably! (To be honest I would have to say I probably took a good 200 photos along the way!) 

Mt Kosciuszko Mountain Ranges

Along the track 

A hikers emergency shelter 

A memorial to some unfortunate snowboarders who lost their lives in a snowcave not far from the hut. 

The Summit! 

On top of the world! 

From here we headed to the northern end of the park. 

We set up camp for the next two nights at Long Plain Hut. 

With the name coming from the 100 year old hut situated nearby we soon were sitting back enjoying the view as countless wild Brumbies and Kangaroos passed by. 

Long Plain Hut 

Wild Brumbies 

Camp 

Watching the morning mist in the distance 

We drove out to the natural thermal pools to soak in the waters one morning. What can I say... Yes, it technically was warm.. At 27 degrees most normal people would find this ok.. But after spending the majority of the past 2 years in the northern parts of Australia, and the outside temperature only hitting the low 20's we barely found the pool warming and after a 20min dip we were soon rushing to dry off and get our newly brought track pants, jumpers and warm woolen socks back on!! 

Thermal pools... Too cold for us! 

We drove out to the old Coolamine homesteads and enjoyed checking out all the old newspaper articles dating back to the early 1900's that were pasted over the interior walls.

Coolamine Homestead 

Newspaper advertisements from 1936. 

Anyone for a 'modern 1936 model vacuum or stove?'

Charmed by Hitler...? 

We followed a track that took us to crystal clear streams and self guided caves that lead a good 200m into the depths of the caves. 

Caves along the track 

We had large roaring fires at night while cheeky kangaroos and wild brumbies stood nearby hoping for some left over dinner. Bliss! 

From here we drove to Blowering Dam at the top end of Mt Kosciuszko National Park. 

A unbelievably gigantic dam full of beautiful fresh, crystal clear water. 

Setting up at a free camp just metres from the waters edge we had an unreal time for the next 6 days. 

The weather was just perfect and there wasn't a breath of wind. The water was like glass the entire time and we spent our days kneeboarding behind our boat! 

At night we would sit by the waters edge with a fire to keep us warm and discuss the day's events. 

Blowering Dam

Ella 

Tori 

Me! 

Ella 

Tori 

Gary towing Tori. Our camp in the background 

Ella took a ride out on an Eski strapped to the kneeboard! 

Nights spent by a warm fire :) 

As I write this we are spending our last day at this stunning location. 

From here we plan to head across the border into Victoria. 

Where exactly? Well we haven't quite worked that one out just yet! That might have to be tonight's job as we sit by the fire soaking up our last sunset over Blowering Dam... 

 

Blowering Dam... We will be back! 

Xx 

Canberra

Wow. Canberra. 

So much to see and do! 

After arriving in our countries Capital, we set up at Cotters camp for the next week.

Located on the edge of the Murrumbidgee River and with the bonus of only being 15-20mins drive to all the main attractions, we loved this spot! 

Over the next week we found ourselves busy from sunrise to sunset!

Our first stops being Parliament House and the old Parliament House. We managed to spend the majority of our first day exploring them both. 

Parliament House 

The view from the top of Parliament House

After asking a lady standing nearby... I worked out this is Bill Shorten. The leader of the opposition. I couldn't hear what he was saying... But by the way he kept talking with his hands... I'm sure he atleast believed in what he was saying!! 

Old Parliament House

Answering calls for the Prime Minister ;)

Before taking over the Round Table

This kid has plans to take over Australia! 

We spent an entire day at the science and technology centre, Questacon. With both girls quite interested in all things science, we were al highly impressed and had a great day out here. 

There were multiple rooms filled with hundreds of fun science experiments/games/puzzles and so much more to play with we found it all not only educational, but a whole lot of fun! 

Playing Air Hockey with a robot!

Tori checking out bugs under a Microscope

The spider display was interesting, and just a little creepy!!! 

A whistling spider and my hand... Eeekkk... 

Ella in particular had me rather impressed. She sat and watched a cane dissection from start to finish! Whilst most kids lost interest after 5mins, Ella stood right at the front asking question after question and also managing to answer the many questions asked by the demonstrators themselves!

One question she asked in particular though had me laughing.. It went something like this..

"Why do cane toads guts hang out their mouths after being hit really hard with a golf club? And how come sometimes they can still hop away...???"

After a few moments hesitation the staff managed to give her an answer.. Which was something along the lines of.. 

"Cane toads are quite resiliant and can withstand been ran over by a car. They are know to spit their insides out their mouths to flatten themselves out/protect themselves. They can then suck their insides back in after and continue in their way."

Ella reply went something like this...

"Hmmm... Well I guess I will need to hit them harder from now on!"

That's my girl!! 

Ella watching a Cane Toad dissection

We visited the Mint, and along with taking a tour to learn all about the process of making our Australian Coins and the history of Australian money, we also spent $3 on producing our own $1 coin. (Maybe not such a great investment, but a great souvenir for the girls to take home.) 

This is what $24,999 looks like in $1 coins! 

We visited the Arboretum and the girls enjoyed playing on the newly installed Gumnut shaped playground whilst we took in the view overlooking Canberra. 

The new Gumnut shaped playground

Views over Canberra 

A Eagle and its nest made out entirely of used Tools 

With Tori's number 1 passion being for all things rocks and gems, we were thrilled to see there was a huge Rock, Gem and Mineral buy/sell/swap on at the local Showgrounds. 

With hundreds of keen collectors/fossickers/sellers there we spent another full day there.

Tori was well and truly in her element and with her birthday just two days away she managed to buy many new pieces to add to her growing collection. 

Tori and Ella checking out a few of the thousands of rocks and gems for sale

Tori sorting through her precious collection of rocks and gems after her big day out! 

Whilst there we were informed that Circus Africa was in town and we managed to be lucky enough to get some extremely discounted tickets for that nights show. 

Wow... What can I say?!?! I've seen some impressive acrobatics before at numerous circus events ... But this group were unreal, and honestly some of the best I have ever seen! 

All I can say is if you hear of them visiting near where you live, make the effort to go as check them out! You won't be disappointed! 

Amazing!

We visited the National Australian Museum. Filled with an endless wealth of Australian history and culture it was well worth the visit. 

We visited the War Memorial and Museum (which was HUGE!!) 

Room after room filled with more war history than I ever felt possible! It just went on forever! 

From multiple full sized actual planes, submarines, helicopters, tanks and cars. Movies, theatre and even dress up areas for the kids, we were overwhelmed, as well as saddened to read about what thousands have fought for, and still are fighting for, for our Country. 

The War Memorial 

The girls checking out the various coins thrown into the water with the Eternal Flame in the background.

The thousands of Poppies and wall of names that list the thousands that have died for our Country 

The view from the War Memorial to Paliament House

For Tori's birthday we visited Carrington Green and also ate ourselves silly at an all you can eat buffet held by the Burns Club.

I have precious memories of visiting Carrington Green with my family when I travelled the East coast with my family as a 4yr old. So I was quite keen to take my girls here. 

Carrington Green 

Tori pretending to be a giant about to destroy a street! 

Star Wars? 

Tori's birthday lunch was unreal. For $54 for the four of us (I think that's about right??) We greedily feasted on as much Sushi, Caviar, Prawns, Fish, Roasts, Pasta, Pizza, Curries, Asian Dishes, Salads, a large variety of delicious Desserts (including a chocolate fountain!) shall I go on..? That we could possibly fit in! 

Tori's birthday lunch

The chocolate fountain made Tori's day! 

We visited the Space Observatory (which although interesting, was sadly burnt down in the 2003 bushfires and so which only part of the full observatory remains.) 

We drove out to the Deep Space Communication Centre and learnt all about astronauts life in space and the satellites needed to communicate with them. 

I just LOVE all the different colours of the trees up this way in Autumn! 

After an action packed week of fun it was time to once again move on..

Next stop.. 

Mount Kosciuzko National Park and a 20km hike to the top of Australia's highest Moutain! 

Xx