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It hadn’t occurred to me before but it wasn’t until I was about to leave for Australia that I realised I was about to embark on my first solo road trip EVER! I’ve done many road trips before but never alone. I looked forward to lots of ‘me-time’ in the car but who was going to help me navigate? I figured I would sort that out when the time came… and it came fast!

On my solo road trip - me and my car. :-)
On my solo road trip – me and my car. 🙂

Starting my solo road trip from Melbourne

As I negotiated the busy streets of Melbourne to get to the highway that would take me into the country, I felt slight pangs of fear. I was stuck on a busy road, snarling traffic around me and the sound of a stern female voice on the GPS navigation monitor telling me to “keep in the right lane and turn right after 50 meters”. “Errrr, thanks ma’am! I would if I could! You can’t see this massive truck on my right can you?!?!”, I yelled in frustration. I chuckled when I realised what I was yelling at. Oh, wouldn’t it be so much more fun if I was yelling at a real person! Haha!

I finally made it onto the highway and in no time, I was whizzing past the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia’s second largest city. Melbourne’s imposing skyline faded below the horizon as I headed further afield. My pangs of fear had quickly changed to excitement. Here I was, in the car on my own, with a lady’s voice as my guide, and my iPhone was belting out my favourite songs! How awesome is that? I sang along to Pharell’s “Happy” and for the first time, I felt very much at ease. Indeed, happy!

Charming Daylesford

My first destination was Daylesford (map), together with its twin town Hepburn Springs (map), the ‘Spa Capital of Australia’. Located in a verdant, hilly region, the towns are blessed with an abundance of natural springs. It took me just over 1.5 hours to get to Daylesford and the difference with bustling Melbourne could not have been greater! I passed beautiful lakes, framed by lush forests, and sleepy communities.

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On the road to Daylesford.
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Gorgeous lakes and greenery in Daylesford.

The Lake House

A crimson rosella flew past as I arrived at my first stop: the gorgeous Lake House and Talus Spa. Perched on the slopes of a hillock, the Lake House is a hotel that’s renowned for its fantastic restaurant and its luxurious spa. I checked in and the lovely staff showed me my accommodation, the jaw-droppingly beautiful villa! It was a chilly day and I was thankful for the fireplace that was already crackling wildly when I entered.

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Inside the lovely villa at the Lakehouse – my room for the night!

Dining at the Lake House

I went for a long walk around the lakes and later that evening, I was treated to the culinary genius of the chefs at the Lake House. I was truly impressed by the impeccable service and knowledge of the waiters and the sommelier – seeing that I was dining alone, the waiter brought me a book (about the history of the restaurant) to read – a very thoughtful touch. The ingredients used by the chefs are sourced from the surrounding region as well as from the restaurant’s own organic vegetable gardens – the freshness was unmistakable, especially the salads (the leaves were some of the tastiest I’ve ever had). The tantalising combinations of flavours, aromas and textures made for a superb meal.

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Dining at the Lake House restaurant.
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Fab service with a smile.
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Superb cuisine at the Lake House – notice the book? 😉

Fun at the Passing Clouds

The next morning, I hopped into my car and drove the short distance to Hepburn Springs where a fabulous mineral bath awaited me at the Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa, Australia’s original wellness retreat. Situated amidst gorgeous forests, the Bathhouse is a favourite among locals and Melburnians who come here to enjoy the mineral springs.

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The Hepburn Springs Bathhouse

Later that day, feeling warm and chirpy and accompanied by the equally uplifting tunes of Fun (remember “We Are Young”?), I drove to Musk along the Daylesford-Trentham road. I was tipped off by the sommelier at the Lake House that there would be an open day at the Passing Clouds winery, with food and music – that was more than enough to catch my attention. I arrived at the small winery to find a fun party atmosphere despite the chilly weather. It was a local affair, with people laughing, dancing and enjoying fine wines and barbecues. I joined in the fun with a glass of Chardonnay and several delicious skewers, and swayed to the folksy tunes of the Ugly Uncles. What a treat!

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A glass of Chardonnay at the Passing Clouds winery.

The joys of a solo road trip!

From here, I continued to Trentham (map), passing green rolling hills reminiscent of the English countryside, sprawling farmlands and patches of gum forests.

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Gorgeous scenery on the road from Daylesford to Trentham.

Just before Trentham, I made a diversion to the stunning Trentham Falls. It was raining when I stepped out of the car but I told myself that the shower would quickly pass – funny how much I talked to myself on this solo road trip! True enough, when I reached the viewing point after a short walk, the sun appeared accompanied by bright blue skies. The falls looked absolutely splendid!

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The beautiful Trentham Falls.

Trentham

I made my way back to the car just as the sun disappeared behind thick dark-grey clouds and continued my drive to Trentham, the gateway to the Wombat State Forest. I strolled past quirky shops and found the historic Red Beard Bakery. This bakery is famous for its sourdough bread which is baked in a massive 19th century oven. It was a treat to witness how the Red Beard loaves are made and baked in that impressive oven.

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Making the famous Red Beard sourdough bread.
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The historic oven at the Red Beard Bakery.
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The Red Beard Bakery in Trentham.

Loaf in hand, I stepped out of the bakery into another passing shower. I found shelter in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. It looked pretty run-down on the outside but once inside, I found a newly refurbished bar/lounge with friendly bar staff.

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The Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham.

One of the advantages of travelling alone is how easy it is to strike up a conversation with locals or fellow travellers. People take an immediate interest in you and before you know it, you’re engrossed in a fascinating conversation (or desperately looking for an exit). I found company (or rather, company found me) with a local farmer and his wife. I think I failed miserably in trying to explain what it is that I do. Haha! Oh, the joys of a solo road trip!

Ballarat Wildlife Park

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Welcome to the Ballarat Wildlife Park!

I left Daylesford Springs for the 45-minute drive to Ballarat (map), a town famous as the ‘Gateway to Victoria’s Goldfields’. It was a lovely drive past verdant, undulating landscapes. My first stop was at the Ballarat Wildlife Park. Set in 116 hectares of beautiful peppermint gum woodland, the park turned out to be one of my highlights on my road trip. I was greeted by Stu Parker, the son of the proprietor, Greg Parker. Together with his famous three-year-old brother, Charlie (who’s been featured in media around the world as the world’s youngest wildlife ranger and gator wrestler!), Stu took me on an unforgettable tour of the park.

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Cute quokkas
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And equally adorable koalas!

The Parker family

What made my visit so special was the passion shared by the Parker family for the conservation of Australian wildlife. As we stopped to view the kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, alligators, crocodiles, quokkas and koalas, Stu filled his commentary with hilarious anecdotes and poignant stories about the animals. I loved the story of Patrick, the park’s famous 28-year-old wombat, who was caught ‘driving’ the family’s car (!), and shared the sadness felt by the family of the loss of Gator, the park’s star performer who recently passed away after a sudden illness. The challenges the family faces and the joy they derive from the animals were deeply inspiring. In addition, I had a fabulous time posing with the cute koalas and playing with the friendly kangaroos. If you’re visiting Victoria, you must drop by at the Ballarat Wildlife Park, a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne.

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Meet Patrick, the wombat!
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Feeding the roos!

My stay in Ballarat

I continued my drive into Ballarat, where I checked into the stunning Craig’s Royal Hotel, Ballarat’s oldest hotel. The hotel, with its plush Victorian-era interior, was a sight to behold. I was given the Tower Suite, a gorgeous room with opulent Victorian furnishings and a jacuzzi! There was a staircase that led to the tower where I found a cosy tea-room and fabulous views of Ballarat. As I looked around in awe, I half-expected people in Victorian clothing to appear! Hmmm, that thought spooked me!

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Craig’s Royal Hotel – my room was in that tower in the corner.
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My room at the Craig’s Royal Hotel.

Exploring Ballarat

That afternoon, I went on a stroll around Ballarat’s historic centre. The impact of the 19th century gold rush that brought much wealth to the city is unmistakable; the city centre boasts broad boulevards lined by stately buildings, interspersed by bursts of greenery and imposing monuments.

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Beautiful historic buildings in Ballarat.

Later that afternoon, I visited Sovereign Hill, an open-air museum that recreates life during Victoria’s gold-rush era. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but everyone I spoke to said the same thing: you have to go there!

A surreal gold-rush experience

Sovereign Hill turned out to be a remarkable, somewhat surreal, experience. The minute attention to detail was the first thing that struck me as I walked down the town’s Main Street. It truly felt like I’d stepped back in time. The buildings looked incredibly authentic and the costumed actors who walked the streets or manned the stores played their parts to perfection. I was especially impressed by the massive machinery in the Boiler & Engine House and the atmospheric Victoria Theatre.

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Main Street in Sovereign Hill.
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I also attended a demonstration showing how gold bars are made.

I found (a speck of) gold!

After having my picture taken (in costume of course!), I went on a gold mine tour that started with a train-ride into the depths of an old mine. The guide expertly mixed bits of facts and figures with fascinating rags-to-riches, but often gut-wrenching stories from this bygone era. I also got to do a spot of gold-panning and lo-and-behold, I found a speck of gold! My guide seemed impressed by my panning skills – “You must’ve done this before. You’ve got a great technique!”. Errr, thanks! I’d never touched a gold pan before. Later that afternoon, as I was presented the costumed photo of me, I couldn’t help but notice how comfortable I looked in those clothes. Perhaps… in a past life? A rags-to-riches story? Hmmm, perhaps not.

What do you think? ;-)
What do you think? 😉



Booking.com

Continuing my solo road trip to the Grampians

The sun shone brightly the next day – perfect for my drive to the Grampians, a chain of ancient mountains in Victoria’s western edges. I said goodbye to Ballarat and drove in a westerly direction towards Dunkeld (map), a small community at the foot of the southern Grampians. The scenery was absolutely stunning: from green rolling hills and picturesque gum-tree forests to expansive plains and sleepy villages. I drove carefully, taking care not to take my eyes off of the road (there were many kangaroo crossing warnings) but it was hard. The scenery was simply bewitching.

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Out in the country, looking out for crossing kangaroos!

I chatted with myself, sang along to whatever my iPhone was playing and waved ‘hello’ to the many birds and sheep I passed – I know… I’m weird! Haha! The GPS lady barked the occasional instructions but aside from those helpful but annoying moments, my mind was free to enjoy the scenery and to reflect, or to think of nothing at all. I was having a terrific time on this solo road trip!

The attack of the giant Aussie mozzies!

My first stop was at beautiful Lake Bolac, not far from Dunkeld. I drove around the lake and found a spot with amazing views of the lake and the Grampians looming in the distance. Something stopped me in my tracks as I was about to open the door. I first noticed a few of them but their numbers swelled within a minute. I froze. Swarming outside the window, like a giant cloud, were the biggest, most vicious mosquitoes I’ve ever seen. There’s one thing you should know about me: people I travel with, especially in the tropics, love sitting next to me because mosquitoes love me! I switched on the engine in horror, activated the wipers and made a hasty getaway!

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Attack of the Aussie mozzies!

The Royal Mail

I arrived in Dunkeld, still reeling from that mosquito experience, and headed straight for my accommodation: the Royal Mail. The contrast with the Victorian grandeur of my previous accommodation could not have been greater. The Royal Mail exuded a casual, contemporary ambiance. My room was bright, spacious and had a gorgeous view of the mountains. I was greeted by Marc, my travel companion and guide for the day.

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My room at the Royal Mail Hotel.
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The view from my room at the Royal Mail.

Not long after, I was in the car with him and off we went for a private tour of ‘his’ Grampians. We visited the hotel’s lovely kitchen gardens and the private villas at the foot of Mt. Sturgeon before heading further west towards Tarrington. It was clear that sheep-farming is a big business in this region.

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Sheep and beautiful grasslands around Dunkeld.

The Henty wine region

My attention turned to the wineries – we were in the heart of the Henty Wine Region – and Marc offered to take me to one. We soon pulled up at the Mount Pierrepoint Estate for a wine-tasting and were welcomed by Jennifer. We hit it off in an instant and I had a brilliant time listening to her stories about life in the region. It was one of the most entertaining wine-tastings I’ve ever had! The 2011 Alexandra Chardonnay and the 2011 Pierrepoint Pinot Gris were my absolute favourites.

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Wine-tasting with Jennifer at Mount Pierrepoint estate.
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The charming Mount Pierrepoint estate.

Dining at the Royal Mail

That evening, I had an amazing meal at the renowned Royal Mail Bistro – the chefs and the restaurant personnel truly excel in creating an unforgettable gastronomic experience, combining organic ingredients sourced from their kitchen garden and from artisan producers, with modern culinary techniques.

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Gorgeous cuisine at the Royal Mail in Dunkeld.

Up into the Grampians

The Grampians are known for their iffy weather so I was very grateful when I woke up the next morning to the sound of chirping birds and clear blue skies. I left Dunkeld behind me as I headed in a northerly direction towards Halls Gap (map), the gateway to the Grampians National Park. The road took me past thick forests, imposing mountains and views of the vast Western Plains – the Grampians are an incredible sight, pretty much like a series of giant ship hulls jutting out of a flat seabed.

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On the road to Halls Gap.

The Grampians National Park

Once in Halls Gap, I met my guide, the bubbly Eda from Grampians Eco Tours. We hopped into her car and drove up the winding roads into the mountains. The mountain scenery and panoramic vistas were truly spectacular. Our first stop was Mackenzie Falls. We hiked down to the falls, a steep descent that led us into a stunning gorge.

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The Mackenzie Falls.

We then continued to the Balconies, a series of rocky outcrops with amazing views, before stopping at the Boroka Lookout where we had a picnic. The views of the plains below and the mountains around us were truly astounding. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see much of the wildlife that the Grampians are famous for, like kangaroos, wallabies, emus and wombats, but that’s a perfect reason to return one day.

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The Balconies.
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The panoramic view from our picnic spot at the Boroka Lookout.

Back to Melbourne

From Halls Gap, it was a four-hour drive back to the centre of Melbourne and on to my hotel. As the Melbourne skyline glistened in the bright sunshine before me, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness that this solo road trip had come to an end. It felt like an appetiser, with more courses to come. I’m sure they will, in Victoria or in other parts of the world. One thing is certain: this solo road trip in Victoria has opened my eyes to yet another terrific way to travel. And now I’m hooked!

 

Note: this trip is part of the iambassador #MelbourneTouring project in partnership with Tourism Victoria and Royal Brunei Airlines. Velvet Escape maintains full editorial control of the content published on this site.

15 Responses

  • I also find solo travelling really liberating, it’s great to be able to have the freedom to do exactly what you want when you want though I did laugh at the mention of being given a book to read at the dinner table! The dining room is the one place I always dread…….

  • […] times that day that a local recommended a visit to Sovereign Hill once they found out about my solo road-trip around Victoria. I was intrigued but the idea of visiting a theme park (not one of my favourite things to do when I […]

  • […] and embarked on five different routes, experiencing the best that the state has to offer. It was my first solo road trip in Victoria and it took me from bustling Melbourne to the verdant hills around Daylesford, the […]

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  • Solo road trips are the best – but your right that at first they are a little nerve racking. I am from Los Angeles which is a car culture so I was born practically behind the wheel, but a strange car and country can be challenging. My most adventurous solo road trip was Oaxaca Mexico to Cancun – Talk about some bad winding white knuckle roads! Now I have to put Australia on the list…. great post.

  • I’m from country Victoria and I remember when we travelled to Melbourne as a child that my father was always yelling at the traffic. Good to see you out and about visiting parts of Victoria that few international travelers get to see.

  • Looks like you had a good time, I find it uneasy to do solo trips until I actually on them. Great pictures.

  • I can almost here you yell at the ‘leading lady’ telling you to leave the highway…haha.. lovely article keith.

  • Hi Helen,

    Thanks for your comment. It sure is a lovely part of Victoria. Thanks for the spell-check – I’ve corrected it. 🙂

    Cheers,
    Keith

  • Lovely to read about an area I visit often…living in Melb and relatives in Daylesford. The bird you mentioned is the crimson roSella I believe 😉

  • Haha, good point Zenaida – about the self-talk bit. I was in VERY good company. 😉
    Thanks for your lovely comment and for sharing your post. Hope you’re well.

    Hugs,
    Keith

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