The Birds of the Dandenong

The Birds of the Dandenong

          In the stillness of the forest of Mount Dandenong, amidst tall gum trees, yellow crested cockatoos are perched on tree branches. That silence is broken with their raucous noise together with the rustlings of the wood and the leaves. They scream, they screech from time to time. Cockatoos, in search of food, move in large group as a way of warding off would be predators. And these cockatoos, together with the colorful crimson rosellas and galahs, frequent the much-visited place called Grants Picnic Ground. It is part of Sherbrooke Forest.

         Grants Picnic Ground is a favorite destination of families desiring to spend their free day bonding at a quiet place away from the noise of the city. The air is clean and cool, the surroundings in their natural order. There are nature trails or bush trails where one can commune with nature with the tweeting, squeaking of birds as background.

         Cockatoos, king parrots, galahs and rosellas of the Dandenong Ranges are mostly sedentary birds. They are friendly to visitors of the park. Attracted to a stainless tray full of bird seeds, these birds come to the visitors as they feast on the seeds. Some even perch on top of one's head or shoulder or stretched arms. The birds do it most of the day. But like the sun that sets in the afternoon, the birds of Dandenong fly home in groups to the deep forest of Sherbrooke before 5p.m. of each day. And be back again the next day.

- Konted

Monbulk Road, Kallista, Mount Dandenong

Entrance to Grants Picnic Ground

Grants Picnic Ground is within the thick Sherbrooke Forest

Tall Eucalypt trees at Grants Picnic Ground

Enough tables and benches at Grants Picnic Ground

White cockatoos at Grants Picnic Ground

Cockatoos at Grants Picnic Ground are mostly sedentary. They don't fly away when they see picnic goers.

Crimson Rosellas and young cockatoos

Cockatoos are often seen in groups.

Entrance to bird feeding area

While feeding birds anywhere at the picnic grounds was allowed before, it is now restricted to a designated area.

Cockatoos jockeying for position

Cockatoos of the Dandenong are mostly friendly.

Bird seeds are to be bought at the park. Bringing your own bird seeds is not allowed.

With gusto

The King Parrot

Arkin with a Crimson Rosella

A Crimson Rosella lands on Maximus' left shoulder.

Waiting for their turn

The feeding area is enclosed by stainless steel.

Posing for souvenir shot

A big one

Most cockatoos of the Dandenong have yellow crest.

A group of seniors feeding birds

Suddenly all the cockatoos and rosellas are gone. They fly home before 5pm.

Forest walk

You see ferns and eucalyptus almost everywhere at Mt Dandenong.

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Trout Fishing at Mount Dandenong

Trout Fishing at Mount Dandenong

        Tucked deep at Mount Dandenong, among tall Eucalypt trees and lovely ferns, is a farm where one can spend his free time fishing trout and salmon. It is a big farm that is reached through a narrow road that veers from the winding principal road. One drives past ranches where champion horses are bred and lush green meadows where cows and sheep graze. Mount Dandenong is about an hour drive from Melbourne's Central Business District.

The main road at Macclesfield, Mt. Dandenong

The narrow road leading to the farm

The farm is a 7-minute drive from the main road.

You won't get lost as you will see this signage near the road.

         At Australian Rainbow Trout Farm, there is a lake where catching fish is more challenging. A little harder to catch. The lake is relatively large. But there are several ponds that are filled with Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Atlantic Salmon and Golden Rainbow Trout. Catching trout or salmon is easier. Fishing rods with baits are available at the farm at no extra cost. And a bucket is given where fish caught are kept.

The serene lake at the farm

All family members are engaged in fishing at the lake. Family bonding time.

A little harder to catch fish at the lake

One of the many ponds at the Australian Rainbow Trout  Farm in Mt. Dandenong

It is easier to catch fish  at the ponds as they are filled with trout.

The Golden Rainbow Trout is a variant of the Rainbow Trout. It is much bigger than the regular Rainbow Trout.

You don't wait long to catch a fish

You pay more for Golden Rainbow Trout as it is most likely to be heavier than the regular Rainbow Trout.

The Atlantic Salmon is called  "the king of fish".

No one is allowed to fish here as it is the farm's stock pond.

 Filled with trout

Free use of fishing rods

Cardinal rule

Boy catches rainbow trout in 5 minutes.

Rainbow Trout

Easy does it.

Show it, show it !!

The one that almost got away

More fishing rods with baits

          After spending some time fishing and catching the desired fish, the fish are weighed, cleaned, filleted or prepared for shashimi. Trout need not be scaled. There is no charge for cleaning. A minimal amount is asked when fish are filleted or prepared in a special way. Waiting time is about 10 minutes except when there is an unusual number of farm guests.

Guidelines

Waiting for their fish to be weighed and cleaned and sliced.

Waiting time for trout to be cleaned and sliced is about 10 minutes.

Highly skilled

The picnic ground

Free use of tables, benches and grills

Getting it ready for cooking after being cleaned at the fishout section.

Some butter needed

Flattop grill

Getting ready

My catch

Phoenix's catch

Maximus' catch

Shrimps to go with the trout

Buttered Mushrooms, tomatoes and onions

Condiments

         There is a picnic ground at the Australian Rainbow Trout Farm. Picnic tables and benches are spread out with cooking grills in strategic areas. They are free of charge. Wrapped in aluminum foil, cleaned fish are then cooked. Guests do their own cooking. In any way they want. They partake of freshly caught, freshly cooked and generously served trout and salmon. A truly rewarding experience.

- Konted

Two kangaroos making a sudden appearance at the park.

Friendly one

Giant chicken

The gray with white dots on their way to their cages.

Mini golf

Enough parking slots at the farm

Time to go home

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