Life Begins At.....
Issue link: http://ebook.aprs.com.au/i/40177
TRAVEL VICTORIABANNER BANNER takes you on a journey from shipwrecks to vineyards, Aboriginal art to ancient forests, and football fi elds to the world's largest war memorial. Before European settlement, indigenous Australians measured the distance between two landmarks as a stretch of song. Victoria, in this sense, bears the musical trails of thousands of generations of Aboriginal people. From the blue-grey eucalypts of the East, to the semi-arid plains of the West, Aborigines 'sang up' creation stories, celebrated rites of passage, and traded goods across the lands. In Victoria, we are lucky to have many natural wonders: a rugged coastline with limestone cliffs, dense rainforests leading to Stringybark trees on exposed hilltops, pink granite mountains and snowy alpine regions – listing them all is exhausting, and does little to honour the musicality and rhythms of the Victorian landscape. But whilst Victoria is topographically diverse, it also offers many experiences for travellers and wanderers alike. Melbourne was founded in 1835, 47 years after European settlement. Previously, the land had been occupied by the Wurundjeri, Boonwurrung and Wathaurong hunter-gatherer tribes. During the 1850's gold rush, Melbourne quickly became a wealthy and expansive city. These days, Melbourne thrives on its globally-recognised cultural and creative identity. With arts festivals, exhibitions, sporting spectacles, stage shows and a whole host of worldly gastronomic pleasures, it is little wonder that Melbourne is considered a melting pot of cultures. Just 40 kilometres east of Melbourne are the Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley – regions dotted by over 70 wineries. In the forested hills and rolling plains, one can fi nd many whimsical eateries at which to taste a range of organic produce, cheeses, and wines. South of Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula provides a tranquil escape from the bustle of city dwelling. World class golf courses attract punters all year round, as do the serene Hot Springs, where steam rises ethereally from natural water pools. The Great Ocean Road stretches west for 240 kilometres. It is a place to experience nature at its wildest – volatile seas, weathered cliffs, the Great Otway National Park, and the 12 Apostles. Matthew Flinders, a British explorer, said of the area, "I have seldom seen a more fearful section of coastline." To the south-east of Melbourne, Westernport Bay hosts Phillip Island, which is famously known for its Fairy Penguins, rich wildlife and powerful surf beaches. These Victorian experiences are open to all budgets and tastes. But with everything that it has on offer, we thought it would be interesting to ask three famous and well-respected Victorians: 'Where in Victoria would you take visitors?' > THE RETIREE SPRING 17 Kristen Scott