Australia Travelogue 2015 - Sydney (Part 1) - Jenolan Caves

When my colleague knew I was going to Sydney, she recommended that I visit Jenolan Caves. I wasn't too keen on the idea of being in a confined space, not cos I'm claustrophobic, but because I have a wild imagination and have an irrational fear of things that go bump in the night. But I ran it by Joel and he seemed cool about trying it out. So okay, to the caves we go.

Early in the morning we drove about 1 hour to the caves and this place is so cute and resort-like! If we were richer we could have stayed here. Lol.

Off to get tickets.

The tickets were about AUD 30+ each and entitled us to a guided tour of one of the main caves and two more smaller "free" caves (with audio guide). There's a list of caves to choose from for the main guided cave. And there is different timing from each tour so we had to plan ahead.

The guided tour meeting point was somewhere under this large cave entrance called the Grand Archway. It is a natural limestone bridge, part of a shallow ocean 430 million years ago. So majestic! We actually drove down this road through the cave tunnel to the other side. Which was pretty coooool. 

We chose the Lucas cave tour. Overall it was supposed to be a moderate to difficult tour compared to the others due to a part where we had to climb up 252 steps. We also encountered quite a few narrow walkways with rocks that jutted out. And some steep winding stairs. So our guide said no photos while climbing! So instead I took videos hehe.

They also offer intermediate adventure cave tours where you really had to wear overalls and helmets with lamps, and get on your knees to crawl and squeeze through tight spaces, or even abseil down rock walls! I'm not so adventurous haha. I think I would really have a panic attack in those tight spaces.

Took plenty of pictures but the lighting wasn't so good down there so they turned out blur. It was my first time spending 1.5 hours in a cave - a really new experience. Especially when we were in a large chamber and the guide actually switched off all the lights for a full minute. We were in pitch darkness. Needless to say I clung on tight to Joel. >.<

Skeleton of a wombat! The guide asked us how we thought this wombat ended up here, because it couldn't have possibly waltzed in. The answer was that it actually fell through a hole into the cave. Poor wolly ):

So pretty :)

Onto the two smaller self-guided tours - Devil's Coach House Cave and Nettle Cave.

Joel looks like he is on the phone but that is the handheld audio guide, describing the features of the cave, how people used it in the past, how it was formed, etc.

There's quite a fair bit if climbing.

And of course, everything that goes up must come down. We were so high up! I hate heights. 

Decided to do a bushwalk around the Blue Lake. Apparently platypus live in this lake! We didn't spot any ):

Gorgeous color!!

Shall end the post with this cutie who is always my model in photos. But he is also a very demanding model. Perfectionist! >:

xx

Australia Travelogue 2015 - Tasmania (Part 6) - Mount Wellington

Good morning Tassie! It's our last day here, and we're really sad to live this beautiful city, so much so we were whining about how we should have planned for a longer duration here. :(

Breakfast at Pilgrim Coffee! I had the french toast with whipped butter cream and bacon. Sounds simple but it was soooo good. Joel had the Hipster breakfast - super hearty and super delicious! Joel dislikes cafe food so the fact that he enjoyed this means it was really pretty good. Plus points for awesome strong coffee as well!

Blessed with good weather! 

Really excited to be able to see Mount Wellington in a distance as we drove towards it. Because the peak was not shrouded by clouds! Thankfully, the roads were opened today after our failed attempt up previously.

On the way up, a thick layer of snow hugged the sides of the road. Probably snowed the previous night, which was why it was closed!

When we reached the top, I had only one word to describe it - AMAZING!

We had the best view of Hobart below, for miles.

Somehow the snow makes it even more beautiful. And for the snow to be present, it definitely reflected how cold this place was!

There is also an Observatory where you can seek shelter and read some informational boards.

Hiding from the cold winds!

We spent about 2 hours just walking around. Decided to leave when the mist started enveloping the peak.

On the way down, there are a few stopover points where you could get some good views in as well.

Headed down to Battery Point in search of some light bites. This street is closed for Salamanca Market on Saturdays, so it really looks different now. Also, when we came last Saturday, we couldn't even see Mount Wellington! 

In the end we ended back at Jackson & McRoss to take away some pastries. Then it was time to head to the airport for our flight to Sydney. 

Bye Tassie (T.T)

Hello Sydney! 

Australia Travelogue 2015 - Tasmania (Part 5) - Bruny Island

Continued from the previous post, after sending K&M to the airport, we headed to the Kettering ferry terminal.

It's good to decide beforehand on the timing of the ferry which you want to catch. The timings aren't that frequent, so if you miss one you could end up waiting more than one hour!

We planned to take the 9.30 AM ferry, but made sure we were there at 9am the latest. That's our Ford on the right, queuing up! We were at the back of Lane 2 and were afraid we won't make it on the ferry. But all was well! The ferry can take more cars than expected.

First time driving a car up on the ferry!

First stop was the Neck Lookout - which is a MUST visit. It's probably one of my favorite parts of Tasmania as well. Along a very thin stretch of land that separates North and South Bruny Island, is a lookout point.

To the right is the Great Bay, and on the left is Adventure Bay. Too bad the weather is a little wonky.

Drove down further to Adventure Bay.

How nice it will be to live by the beach! But I guess trying to get to mainland Tassie is a pain.

Perhaps the residents here have their own boats!

There's not much to do at Adventure Bay during the cold months, but in summer I guess people can swim and snorkel and kayak. There's not much to do or eat either so we settled for a cosy place called Penguin Cafe.

Very homely and family-run. The owner cooks while his wife knits. Her work can be seen all around the cafe!

We ordered a burger, scallop pie and deep-fried battered scallops! Scallop overload but not complaining at all. (:

Munching on the honeycomb chocolate I bought at Salamanca Market yesterday.

Bruny Island Lighthouse.

Before venturing up to the lighthouse, we noticed the beach nearby, which was just beckoning us. :D

Headed back up to this tiny little hut which is supposedly a museum haha.

A rainbow appeared! One of  the rare times in my life I have seen a full rainbow. 

And it followed us as we headed back.

On the way back to the ferry terminal, the weather cleared up nicely, so we decided to climb up the lookout again to get better pictures. So worth it!

Last minute decision to get oysters since we were early.

I don't take oysters so I hope Joel found damn nice!

Back in Hobart! We decided to take a shot at driving up Mt. Wellington but unfortunately the roads were closed due to snow.

Checked in to our airbnb for the night.

And headed out nearby for some Thai food.

Someone looks happy to eat. Heh. :D

xxx