TOWER HILL STATE GAME RESERVE
Tel: (03) 13 19 63
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Tower Hill State Game Reserve sits snugly inside an extinct volcano, a beautiful haven for wildlife with koalas, emus, kangaroos and many species of waterbirds roaming freely. In 1961, Tower Hill was declared a State Game reserve and is now managed by Parks Victoria. Since then, more than 300,000 trees have been planted with the help of many volunteer and community groups.
WORN GUNDIDJ
Tel: (03) 5561 5315
www.worngundidj.com.au
The outstanding Worn Gundidj Natural History Centre is hidden inside a volcanic crater and is managed by Worn Gundidj Aboriginal Cooperative. Founded in 1992, the cooperative is a not for profit organisation which harmonises contemporary artistic creation and nature based tourism with traditional knowledge. Take a guided walk with a local Indigenous person to discover bush food and learn about the Indigenous history of the area. You can also participate in the many other activities for a truly Indigenous cultural experience, such as spear throwing, painting, boomerang throwing, didgeridoo demonstrations, message stone painting, dancing and traditional ceremonies. Visit and enjoy the cultural displays and Authentic Aboriginal Products.
FEATURED HERBS
Bower Spinach: The species is widely used amongst indigenous peoples all throughout the world as a green leafy vegetable not dissimilar in taste to spinach. Captain Cook was one of the first foreigners to mention it in his journals. With sailors using cooking and pickling it to help fight scurvy.
Drooping Sheoak: A fast growing tree that is salt resistant and drought tolerant. The female is distinguished by its seeds (poramuuk), whilst the male of the species changes its foliage to a copper tinge. The density of the wood made it very useful for implement manufacture & the leaf was eaten to re-hydrate your body.
Australia Native Mint: Aboriginal people used the leaf's to clear blocked nose, sinus, headaches by soaking the in warm water to create seam, drinking was also an option.
AUSTRALIA ONE WEEK WALKABOUT www.Australia.com/oneweekwalkabout
Time starved and looking for an escape from the daily grind? Going walkabout in Australia is a time to refresh and rebalance. All you need is one week in Australia.
Australia's cities - Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are bite-sized tastes of the whole country, where the people make it easy to enjoy the limitless adventure found in this naturally beautiful land.
Even better, Australia is now an affordable getaway, with record low fares from Qantas
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Get ready to switch on, not off. Come walkabout in Australia for a week with Goway travel deals starting from $1299
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- It's closer than you think... a meal, a couple of movies and a sleep. With direct flights on Qantas from LAX into Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, flying to Australia from the west coast of America is only 14 hours, largely the same as flying to Europe.
- The people of Australia make it easy to enjoy adventures you may not have considered. Australia is their playground. Their generosity, freedom and inventiveness will have you exploring in no time.
VISITING MELBOURNE
Australia's second-largest city, Melbourne is a vibrant centre with a bucketful of style. The city is noted for its labyrinth of laneways boasting hidden bars, eateries and designer shops, world-heritage gardens, performing arts, museums and galleries. It's also sports-mad, being home to world-famous sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup, Australian Open Tennis and the 2011 Presidents Cup golf tournament.
Things to do:
- Hot air balloon flight over the city.
- Laneways tour (sommelier, shopping, or bar tour).
- Animal spotting day trip. See koalas and kangaroos in the nearby bush.
- Take a tram ride tour through the city.
- Wander Federation Square... a modern marvel of architecture, museums and restaurants all in one central city centre meeting spot.
- Watch a sporting match... AFL, tennis, Rugby League, Melbourne Cup... like a local.
The following are good day trip or city add-on options:
Yarra Valley
- Wine tasting, and learn about the workings of a winery at a cellar door
- Walk amongst Australian wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary
Philip Island/Mornington Peninsula
- Penguin Parade at Philip Island
- Visit a working Australian farm
- Wine taste in boutique wineries or ride through the vines
Great Ocean Road Drive
- Surf lesson at Bells Beach.
- Helicopter tour of the 12 Apostles ocean rock formations.
- Great Ocean Walk.
