Isn't it funny how you visit a town all your life and not do a particular walk? We often go to the beach at the END of this walk but never the walk itself. On the weekend, that changed - we got up early to beat the weekend crowds and drove down to Allendale, just behind Lorne.
Starting at the campground, it gently moves down for nearly 3 KMS, along a river. It took us 2.5 hours, mainly as we added a lookout walk at the end.
The track was incredibly muddy as it had been raining, and I had to give up keeping my trainers clean. Nevermind - it was beautiful. I was pretty happy to immediately spot some native orchids.
It was pretty cold for the first part until the sun warmed things up. The beauty of everything distracted us somewhat!
There were many different types of ferns, from the very large to the almost microscopic. I love these small pockets of damp forest that allow ferns and moss to grow. I particularly love the curls of new ferns. This one I spotted with my camera zoom from the other side of the river!
There are three bridge crossings, and it's a great place to take photos and look for platypus, or admire lichen clinging to the wires and handrails. Poor Jamie, patiently waiting whilst I take photos!
Eventually, the track gifts a view of green hills and the ocean beyond. Some lucky people have houses nestled against the hill and looking over the sea. What dreamy place to live. It's hard not to be jealous. You need a lot of money to buy a property like that. It kinda annoys me too that it's about privilege and wealth. I guess it's just the way of the world.
We made the decision to go up to the first of three lookouts, a 400 metre climb which was a bit of a struggle. With my asthma I find hills hard but if I do it slowly and steadily I get there in the end.
It was certainly worth it for the views up top. That's our summer swimming beach down there, and you can see the Great Ocean Raid, if you are familiar.
If course I wouldn't want to disappoint with a walk without a good old sign warning us of what to expect.
The walk back was just as beautiful. We took some little side tracks down to the river where fisherman go. I spent a lot of time taking photos and Jamie spent a lot of time telling me to hurry up because he was hungry and wanted Moroccan eggs for lunch as promised. But we got there in the end.
Spectacular walk, highly recommended.
What am amazing walk in nature. It's been a while I saw a river, a ocean let me just say it's been a while I saw water flowing except for rain flood. Haha!
The place is beautiful, I'm already imagining the sweet bird chorus while walking through those woods and bushes and the whooshing sound of the flowing water. Lovely images, thanks for taking me on a nature walk with you. I feel a little relieved over here, looking at the nice images helped clear some things out of my head.
Oh you lovely person you - I'm sorry your head needs to be cleared, but I'm also very grateful that you felt that way looking into my forest via photos! It was very noisy with birds and water and you would have loved it indeed. Sending some of those soothing forest vibes your way!
Those sounds would actually go a long way🥺.
Thank you so much 🥰. One more thing your hive username is soothing too and fits perfectly with this writing of yours.
Looking at pictures with nature can really help in tough times, it visually helps and heals
Yeah! It does help a lot🥺.
I recommend you long walks in nature if you struggle with anything, it helps you clear the mind. I hope you are ok
The thing is I can't even get out of my house. I'm that weak RN but I'm trying to be fine and stay positive too. At least seeing different things here is helping me look away from my problems.
Thank you so much for caring 🥰
I guess that healing is a process. And we need to be gentle with ourselves and have patience. Some of us heal faster, some slower. Over time I realized I was the harshest, the most cruel and vicious critic of all of my weaknesses . And that made healing even harder.
I would say to just be kind towards this version of you who deals now with issues. And pat yourself on the back and realize that every day when you wake up breathing is a small victory. In society we have learned to applaud just the big successes. It is wrong. Every small progress is a victory. I am confident that no matter how long it will take you to grow from this hardship, you will come out stronger. And years from now you will smile being proud of yourself. Stay strong, you have a higher mission on this Earth for sure🤗
🥺🥺🥺
This is so sweet, thanks for making me start my day with a broad smile. Your words are really encouraging and has made me feel worth something again. A big thank you for being this kind 💙.
I'm sorry to hear that. 💚💚💚
It's totally fine. I appreciate your kindness.
A super lovely hike actually. But that is always the funny thing right. We do thing because of habit, and then tend to not look around even if it is in our own backyard. Maybe we should house trade for a couple of months :D
Hey, that's not such a bad idea - how about 2024?
Looks beautiful
Truly!
Such places, for me, are heaven on earth 😍❤️
Truly!
Was there any snake?
No, it's a bit cold at this time of year.
I really enjoyed the virtual tour, with all your pictures! In particular, the tree on picture number #5 is amazing! I like the rendering of the picture, with the main branches being (more or less) radiating from the centre.
Have you met any wildlife during the walk? Snakes maybe?
No, not this time of year, but more likely in summer. But I tend to stay beach wise in summer, as it's too hot in bush. Still, all one needs to do is stomp and keep an eye out for suspicious sticks...
I had fun taking a photo of that tree fern! They are so growing so that one was quite old. It's fun playing with perspective in the forest!
I see. Thanks for the clarification. Also, you probably don't want to get too close to those wild beasts ;)
I totally agree. Do you have more to share, by any chance?
@riverflows You've outdone yourself once again! What an amazing #WednesdayWalk! I love ready about your adventure! I posted a #WednesdayWalk today, too, of a rather different nature. By the way, I will do a plant and garden post again (hopefully) soon! Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey! 🙏 💚
I'll get on reading yours tomorrow... Big day here in garden! 💚
No worries @riverflows! That sounds exciting! I wish you an exquisitely sublime, fun, and fulfilling day playing in your garden! 🙏 💚
A lovely walk with nature, I love the over looking view on the shoreline, the beach something calling to dive in. thank you for sharing.
So that's where the photo was taken. I was wondering about that beach and mountain view. It is absolutely gorgeous! Hard not to be jealous about being in places like that one.
I lichen this walk! ✨🤣
The warning signs add to the fun of the hike. What would life be without s little danger? Snake sign makes me nervous though. Australia is famous for its dangerous animals and snakes are there on the top of the list.
What a beautiful walk, I would probably still be up there taking pix until my battery died.
Beautiful walk even if you didn't find any of the promised snakes 🙂 Or even a platypus. Views are gorgeous and I really like that picture looking up at backlit palm or fern. Native orchids too. What a wonderful area.
It is truly stunning! We will definitely do it again.
Beautiful, just beautiful. Ok, gonna apply for a tourist visa soon. Felt a decision yesterday, it is time to come back to Australia. 😉
I love ferns, there are such amazing plants and yes how they coil. I have 3 fern plants here, two that I rescued and are now looking better and one I bought myself. I miss ferns and moss so much, they bring such a sense of lushness to a forest. This was a beautiful walk, thank you for sharing it with us. Maybe one day you get to show me in person xxxx
That's some crazy nature. The tree with large branches is spectacular. And the fiddleheads are wholesome. 🌿
What an awesome adventure! You took some cool shots, the fern tree is awesome, or whatever it was haha.
I am curious about that Moroccan egg, what is it?
Hmm it's called various names, shakshouka I think is another one?
I saute onion and garlic, add some cummin and smoked paprika, simmer for a bit then crack some eggs into it and some crumbled fetta or goats cheese on top, then sprinkle with coriander or parsley and serve with bread. So good.
I thought I'd posted it before on Hive but can't find it... Might have to do it again..
It is lovely, keep updating us
You remind me about the places around here I haven't been to.
You live in a beautiful place.
Looks very beautiful 😍 there
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The nature of this place is so exotic and incredible! I love the ferns and the big plants you photographed. The Rivers are so beautiful, a paradise, the walk to that high point, whose view was unparalleled, was very wonderful!
I love this kind of nature walk, what a blessing that you have traveled through this beautiful jungle. 🤩👊💯🙏🙌
Beautiful! Very similar feels to NZ when looking at these photos :)
Oh yes, except NZ is all squished up so you get a lot of awesome in one place, whereas for us everything's a long freaking drive.
Woahh!! What a great walk sis @riverflows. It seemed like you really had fun with the strolling. The weather in your place was so perfect too. 😍😍
Loved all the shots of the ferns best. I am so glad you can get out and do these things!