ellesheart

I visited Grafton in 2006 and found it a splendid place to visit. The Jacaranda Festival celebrating the thousands of exquisite flowering jacaranda trees are an integral part of the image of Grafton, and their flowering is celebrated every year in one of Australias longest running flower festivals.In fact grafton is always looking green and lush with over 6500 trees planted in and around the town.
Grafton is rich in colonial history being first discovered by Richard Craig an enscaped convict.There are still many wonderous Colonial and Victorian public buildings and private residences and Historic homesteads in grafton standing today as a gentle reminder of the past and a large number of these are classified by the National Trust including the especially Notorious Grafton Jail. There are many galleries in the Grafton region and it also has a large number of art and craft groups, including fine arts, doll making quilting, woodwork, embroidery as well as speciality shops and studios. The first white settlers to the area came via the mighty clarence river and today you can hire house boats, enjoy all watersports, fishing, or laze about with a yummy picnic and there are dozens of small towns and islands along its banks to explore by boat. ( I want to do this on a houseboat soon.) Susan Island,is interesting to visit in the daytime with rainforests to explore and beautiful places to relax, but nighttime proves just as much if not more interesting because Susan Island houses the largest fruit bat colony in the southern hemisphere and if your game, dusk is the best time to see these curious animals as they leave the colony in search of food.There are many national parks including The Gilbraltar Range and Washpool which are both heritage listed.

I passed through the town of Bendigo in 2006 for a short period of time on a trip through central Victoria. The town of Bendigo is described as the centrepiece of Victoria and is a vibrant place where you can absorb many different forms of local and historical art. There is so much variety in the culture, food, and wine available to experience and heritage experiences are rich. Large impressive timeless Victorian buildings stand proud along many of Bendigos wide sweeping streets. They are remanants well preserved of part of the rich history engrained in Bendigo. This town emerged from one of the world’s most exciting gold rushes and it is recorded that more gold was found here between 1850 and 1900 than anywhere else in the world. The city of Bendigo was built on the back of this gold and the impressive buildings and grand monuments and parks stand along wide streets as a constant,lasting, and defining reminder of this rich heritage. There are still many treasures to discover in Bendigo and if you are interested in Australian History this is a fantastic interesting place to go and well worth the visit. EnJoY LoVe eLLe xxx

I loved this little place and it was for me the end of my Great Ocean Road trip prior to working my way home inland through Victoria and back to NSW. Port Campbell is a beautiful seaside village very small but very friendly. This place is attractive and scenic and located on one of the most majestic coastlines in Australia at the western end of the gorgeous Great Ocean Road. Port Campbell is a sleepy and quiet fishing village a great place to relax and unwind.Despite this it is in close proximity to some of the finest coastal scenery and world heritage areas such as the Twelve Apostles. This makes it a fantastic place to base yourself for further exploration and day trips into the surrounding areas. Its cliffed coastline is windswept and rugged and the village itself is set on a natural gorge at the mouth of Campbells creek. Massive temperatures and weather changes are common here and it is not unusual to end up in a jacket after a morning of summer heat. Port Campbell has a small number of motels and restaurants where you can get a fabulous fresh highly recommended seafood platter, a pleasant beach and jetty and beautiful natural surroundings. Located approximately 281 km from Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road I can safely say that this place is well worth the trip and a treasure to visit. EnJoY LoVe eLLe xxx

Echuca would have to be one of my most favorite Australian towns. I have felt this way ever since I was little and watched the Movie, All the Rivers Run Starring John Waters and Sigrid Thorton. It has stayed in my meoery since then and my visit to the yown was like a childhood dream come true. The historic Port of Echuca is known as Australia’s Paddle Steamer capital. Its character, its humble beginnings, its ambience, are steeped in heritage and wonderful stories. Echuca is just 2.5 hours from Melbourne and lies on the Victorian – N.S.W Border right on the edge of the Murray River. Echuca has beautiful riverside locations,wonderful sightseeing and photographic oppurtunities sightseeing, an array of shops, accommodation, eating places, festivals and events. If you get the chance to take a paddle steamer cruise up the river it is well worth it.I went on the EmmyLou which was featured in the movie.We stayed on the river at the Steam Packet Inn which was also featured. Beautiful historic and scenic, an encounter with the paddle Steamers was like stepping back in time. One of the unique qualities that Echuca has to offer is the faithful restoration of the town buildings and public areas.The surrounding areas also offer so much to explore and it is a bird watchers paradise. Go you wont be dissapointed. Enjoy Love Elle xxx

BULA…Fiji is a fanatastic place where you can be as active or as lazy as you want to be. I stayed here in 1991 for one week and loved it. I can recommend the Warwick Resort if you are looking for a place to stay on Fiji’s Coral Coast. This part of the countries coastline is quite beautiful with lots of small islands, beaches, and rainforest, to explore. If you can get yourself out and up into one of the local villagesit is well worth the effort. The local fijians are so welcoming and friendly and some of them can get quite comical with visitors.I had so much fun and made lasting memories.The children are especially delightul. A magical horeseride along the beach at sunset is also a definate must for all…Relax. zzz Enjoy love Elle xxx

The Isle Of Pines was one of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen. The sand on these beaches literally sparkled and shimmered with light and it was the purest whit you could imagine.You could almost liken it to the purest of talcum powders and underfoot it was just as soft.The water was so clear it was like looking through glass even when in deep water. This place is so full of colour. The greens of the ferns and trees, whitest sand, turquoise waters and the native people in their colourful dress. I went here on a fairstar cruise when i was a young teenager and it was one of those places that have never left my memory. Whenever I am in a situation of stress overload I try and picture this place and take myself back there. The Isle Of Pines is in my heart forever. Go see for yourself if you get the chance. Enjoy Love Elle xxx

Camden is the birth place of Australias Wool Industry and was home to JOHN MACARTHUR.It is full of history as are most of the surrounding areas. Belgenny Farm is John Macarthurs original farm which is still working and open to the public on certain days.It is well worth visiting.If your up for adventure or a little romance there are some great hot air ballooning to be experienced over camden and its neighboring shires.I like Camden.It is a friendly place with great atmosphere and only twenty minutes from where I live so i frequent it often.A great Australian country town with history character and something for every one. Enjoy Love Elle xxx

The Coffs harbour area and coastline is a fantastic area for Families, Couples, and Backpackers can all find fun and exciting things to do and see on the Coffs Coast.
Whether you’re looking for white water rafting adventures,4WD Driving Tours, Places to keep the kids amused, Great shopping, Beautiful beaches harbour and marina to explore.Not to mention The Big Bannanna and beautiful scenery.This is a great destination especially for families with children.

I spent most of my childhood growing up in and around sydney. One of my favourite things i can recall was going for a swim at the Andrew Boy Charleton Swimming Pool, a long walk through the Botanical Gardens and after we would end up on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.Here we would watch the ferries come in view the harbour from all its advantage points and finish off with an icecream on the steps.Pretty exciting for a kid but until my adulthood i had never been inside. Then one day that wish came true. My brother inlaw got married here and it is just as inspiring inside.

Sydney is Australia’s oldest established city and is the birth place of our country. It is the capital in every way but name. There are so many natural attractions coves beaches cliffs bushwalks historical sites all sitting alongside skyscrapers architectural wonders like the opera house and the harbour bridge.It is a vibrant city that offers hundreds of fantastic restaurants with food from all corners of the world, beautiful views from every direction…a photographers paradise.A bustling happening lifestyle with friendly people and good weather most of the time although summer can be quite humid.Sydney has come along way from its early convict days and is now a city full of energy vibrancy where old and new blend so well. It is one of the most beautiful cities i have encountered. If you get the chance to go please do. You will not be dissapointed.Enjoy Love Elle xxx