Grampians Part II

Second day in the Grampians National Park. 

We started off early with a hike that started behind our motel again, heading into the hills. A creek ran through sandstone, cutting out pools. (If any of my cousins still read this, it looked just like Calf Creek in Escalante. Except with kangaroos again.)

We climbed up and up, always keeping near the creek.

More wattle in bloom, pretty but still unexpectedly early. 

A small detour brought us to a small waterfall, where we rested before continuing our climb.

... Into a place called the Grand Canyon of the Grampians.

Not really much like the Grand Canyon of Arizona, but still a canyon. And interesting. 

The warning sign below was at the turnoff of the canyon. A friend on instagram suggested that the sign is there to remind you to dance at the beach in the rain. A good reminder, all. A good reminder.

The kangaroos were out on the field in town when we made our way back down the trail.

This one was very friendly, and hopped over to get its photo taken.

A little too close, actually. No handouts from me.

After a long rest, I decided I'd had enough photos of kangaroos. It was time to get photos of emus. I remembered seven years ago seeing emus by the visitor centre outside of town. We all hopped in the car and I drove us there. And sure enough, behind the centre on the nature loop were many pairs of emus.

The nature walk itself was quite nice. After a couple of days of hiking up steep, hard trails, it was a pleasure to mosey along through flat soft trails. 

Back at the motel, I grabbed an herbal tea and sat outside at dusk to listen to the birds. A couple of fearless kangaroos came out behind me.

And neighbours built a fire. A pleasant end to a lovely day.

Ok. Let's keep going through these photos. 

Saturday, 10 April, our last day in the Grampians. Because we tired out too soon on Thursday, we had saved all the overlooks for this morning. We got up, in the car, on the road before there was too much traffic on the crazy narrow mountain roads. 

It had rained a lot over night, but the sky was clear when we left the motel. 

That changed as we wound our way into the mountains. 

A few minutes after turning off for the first overlook, the clouds began to drift in -- at ground level. 

By the time we reached the first overlook, we were surrounded by fog. 

Oh well. Everyone smile for a photo. 

You can see from the slope of the cliff that the view must be quite dramatic. When there is no fog.

Oh well. Time to go to the next overlook. Everyone back in the car. 

The sky was still covered in fog, but the trail was there waiting for us. In spite of the rain. Off we went. 

Here was another fun sign. 

Do not touch the stacked cow dung.

Or rather, don't build little rock piles. See how there are no rock piles in the rain? Keep it that way.

I don't know, guys. The fog isn't lifting.

More warnings: Giants tap dancing on the ledge. Tickled by the wind. Dragging a tree along behind you.

Another spectacular view at the end.

This is pretty miserable. Let's go for a drive.

So we went for a drive. Down along the winding one-way road. When we reached the turnoff for the waterfall trailhead, the sun had broken through the clouds. 

Let's do this, guys. 

A trickle of waterfall at the end. And no rain. Well worth the walk.

Lunch overlooking the lake. 

 

Instagram friend told us that the sign on the table was warning us not to roll the dice against the kookaburra. (I guess it typically wins in dice.)

The sun was shining. "Let's try one more lookout," I said.

So off we went, driving up another narrow winding mountain road. The sun was shining all the way up the road right until... the moment we parked the car. 

Oh well. We're here. Let's go.

The walking was strenuous indeed, but every now and then the clouds lifted enough to hint at the views we might have seen on another day.

And the vegetation was cool. This is a banksia pod.

The wind and rain only intensified, though, as we walked.

Right up until the very very top. When suddenly, the clouds began to shift....

And there was a view!

Top of the Grampians.

A spectacular final photo for our final full day.

Sunday morning we checked out and began the drive home, stopping for one last instance of rock art. 

And that's it. That's all I've got. 

A fabulous April vacation.