Bareboating in the Whitsundays – Take Three

There are few places that we visit more than once, so it should come as a shock to most that we spent Christmas in 2015 in the Whitsundays. Yes, that makes the THIRD visit in two years. We absolutely love it there, it is an easy trip from Melbourne, and the boat we chartered in […]

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Exploring Cape Otway

We timed this overnight adventure with the new moon, hoping for a last glimpse of the full Milky Way arch before it sinks below the horizon for summer. From Melbourne, we took the Great Ocean Road, stopping in Kennet River for a coffee at the Kafe Koala. If you want some easy wildlife spotting, this […]

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Photography Workshop in Fiji

Location: Mana Island, Fiji Sometimes it is good to get away and focus on photography for a few days. Especially when the lineup of instructors is stellar and the workshop is in Fiji. Fiji is relatively close to Australia (five hours non-stop), but the ferry schedule (and frequent flyer tickets) necessitated a layover night in […]

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Non Glamping Camping in Wilson’s Prom

The state had declared a new public holiday. The weather forecast looked good. The campground had availability. Wait. What? Yep. You read that right. We went camping. And not glamping either. Wilson’s Prom actually has fancy tents, but they book out a year in advance. Wilson’s Promontory is located three hours southeast of Melbourne. Unpowered […]

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Bareboating in The Whitsundays – Take Two

(Location: The Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia) In 2015, we returned to the Whitsundays for Andy’s birthday. This time, we chartered a 41′ Bavaria and hoped to see some whales. Trip Summary Temperature: high of 23 (perfect), lows at night around 18 (need jumper/sweater) Water temp: too cold for Jennifer. Around 22c Wind: 15-25 (gusting to more […]

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Swimming with Whale Sharks

(Location: Exmouth, Western Australia) In Victoria (the state where we live), the Queen (of England’s) Birthday is celebrated in early June. Other states celebrate it on a different day, and none are near the actual Queen’s birthday, but whatever, we get a day off work. Given June is peak whaleshark season, we decided to go […]

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Tasmania – Much More than Devils

(Location: Tasmania, Australia) Each night, the ferry to Tasmania leaves from the pier near our house. It isn’t the most efficient way to get to Tassie, and it is probably cheaper to fly, but it’s a ferry to Tasmania that is walking distance. It had to be done. We booked the nicest cabin available for […]

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The Great Ocean Road – this time with an ND filter

(Location: Victoria, Australia) I’d visited last year when my mom came to visit, but Andy was overseas at the time so he missed it. Since then, we’d been waiting for a nice and sunny Saturday, and it finally happened in November. Our plan was to take the Great Ocean Road out to The Apostles, stay […]

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Flinders Chase National Park

(Location: Kangaroo Island, Australia) For Thanksgiving weekend in 2014, we spent a long weekend in Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island. We took the ferry when we visited in 2013, so this time we flew from Adelaide on Rex Air. The cost is about the same, but the flight is much quicker. There is […]

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Experimenting with Night Photography in Cape Schanck

(Location: Mornington Peninsula, Australia) After our night sky photography weekend at Lake Eppalock, we were itching to try it on our own. The weather forecast looked good, and the moon was rising late, so we headed down to Cape Schanck. We stayed in one of the lighthouse keepers cottages, which gives you great access to […]

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