Grampians NP

This weekend we finally got out of the city and went to Grampians NP, about 3.5 hrs drive from Melbourne. We packed everything we could - including some indulgent camping gear- as far as we're concerned- such as folding chairs, a double gas stove and a Hesky (Aussie for cooler). We placed it all inside the Getz, our 4WD in disguise.

The first impression of the park was quite shocking as most of the camping grounds were filled with families BBQing and playing bush crikcet, supersized caravans and luxury tents, but it actualy meant that the rest of this park felt quite isolated and full of life.

















The missing McLeod's daughter...

Those of you who don't live down under, don't believe the hype – marsupials are essentially huge rats. This guy had neither shame nor fear as he searched vigourously for food in our belongings, all while posing for the camera.

This is no bushfire - these are the actual colours of the sunset in the bush.
















and the gloomy sunrise of the following day.
















Every now and then I feel the landscape architect creeping out and I just have to take these pictures.

























































This is the Banksia - the queen of the Australian bush.








































The summers of 2006 and 2007 have been disastrous in terms of bushfires, and yet the regrowth that follows is quite remarkable. The contrast of the locsious green and the bleak, burnt trunks is quite difficult to capture on film.







































These Parrots are so common around here, that even they were surprised that someone had actually bothered to take their picture. I just had to test zoom of this lens...





















If the Banksia is the queen then this guy is the joker - the shameless Kukaboora.





















Despite the drought, the famous McKenzie falls were still a nice photo-op. We were lucky enough to be there all alone, have a nice breaky (Aussie for breakfast) and get some uninterrupted long exposures.







































Liat says that most of you don't care about Banksias and natural wonders and what you're really after are pictures of us, so I feel compelled to place these in here as well, though they are not my favourites...