Hello hello! I know, it has been a while; eight months since my last post to be exact. Times flies, as they say when you're having fun, but to be honest, I haven't been up to anything much during my hiatus, anyway enough about that. 

The visit to The Australian Botanic Garden – Mt Annan was a bit of an impromptu one, as I wondered where to spend the October long weekend. I didn't want to go somewhere too far, and since the WA paper daisies were in bloom at the garden, which was only about an hour's drive away, well why not? To err on the side of caution though, I got there about 10am to avoid the long weekend crowd, find parking and also time to find some good photo spots!

The spring daisy display is located near the visitor centre, by the time I arrived there were already a few small groups scattered amongst the display, taking their best IG shots. Entry is free, so if you want to get an IG worthy photo, make sure to be there as early as possible. Unfortunately, there were also areas where the daisies have been trampled, it's not hard to guess why. I know these days we all like to get that IG shot, but it is also important to respect the work of others; a lot of work has gone into the paper daisy display, so respect it by not standing in the garden bed, so it can be left for all to enjoy. 

There is still a few weeks left to catch sight of the blooms, the display is till the end of October. 

The Great Ocean Road is probably on many people's bucket list and it certainly has been on mine for a long time. Since my aim is to travel more domestically, it was the opportunity to cross this one off my list – finally!

My first visit to the 12 Apostles was when I was a teen and that was about it. But in actual fact, there are so many more sights to explore in Port Campbell and along the Great Ocean Road, so if you're thinking of taking the #GOR road trip, take the opportunity to explore as many places as time permits, you won't be disappointed.  Below are just some of the places I thoroughly enjoyed along the drive.  

We started the trip from Avalon Airport, passing through Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet before making our first stop at Lorne, a popular surfing spot and where the Memorial Arch marks the official beginning of the GOR and a must stop for a memorial snapshot. The weather wasn't the best, by the time we reached Teddy's Lookout it had started sprinkling, then as we reached Lorne Pier I had to make a dash in the pouring rain with my camera to take some quick shots of the pier, I guess it all goes to make a moody shot. 

This part of the GOR to Apollo Bay is perhaps one of the most scenic drives, as you wind your way along the coast with the vast ocean on one side and the Great Otway National Park on the other, definitely a drive to remember! Our next stop was Apollo Bay, and a short drive to our next lookout – Marriner's Lookout.  From the carpark, it is a rather steep 15mins walk to the top, but we were rewarded with panoramic views of Apollo Bay below, though there was still a light drizzle, but it meant we had the place to ourselves, plenty of time to take in the stunning view. That's what is also fantastic about the GOR, there are many places along the route that are beautiful yet quiet and free from tourist groups. 

From Apollo Bay, we made a detour to the Californian Redwood Forest, about an hour's drive inland on windy, narrow, unsealed roads. We weren't too sure what to expect as the weather weren't exactly in our favour, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. I'm don't know about you, but I love discovering places that aren't necessarily postcard destinations/sights, often they are a little more secluded, quiet yet just as beautiful, and this place was exactly that!

There was a light, misty rain as we entered the forest, which made the whole surrounding even more atmospheric and magical – like a scene out of a Grimm's fairy tale. We were alone, amongst the Redwoods, which all as tall as one could possibly tilt their head back.