Konted's Make My Day 2: March 2022

Inland Towns of Victoria

*Before pandemic days

To know more of Australia, specifically Victoria, you have to know its history and rich, diverse culture by exploring old, quiet towns like Trentham, Blackwood, Riddells Creek, Lancefield and Malmsbury, among others.

In Trentham, you walk a trail and from a vantage point, you will see the town's famed ancient waterfalls. At the town center, the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel remains open since the Gold Rush in the 1800s.

In Blackwood, also a mining town in the old days, the Blackwood Hotel, established in 1868, is still operational but is said to be haunted. At the town square, a stamper battery used during the Gold Rush is prominently displayed.

In Riddells Creek, a serene town near Mt. Macedon, a stock feed store, a saddlery and a family-owned petrol station are doing good business.

In Lancefield, farmers continue producing good grapes as the iconic Grain and Hay Store and some antique shops are registering brisque sales.

In Malmsbury, the Viaduct Railway and the Royal Botanic Gardens, which is Victoria's first, continue to draw visitors from faraway places.

If you think you have seen enough of Victoria, I tell you, ya ain't seen nothing yet.

KONTED

You see bales of hay when cruising highways, byways and coutry roads in the State of Victoria.

The State of Victoria has the 3rd largest population of beef cattle, next to Queensland and New South Wales.

Watch out for kangaroos.

Watch out for wombats. Wombats, like other animals, are at risk from road vehicles.

Welcome landmark of the town of Blackwood.

Principal road leading to the towns of Blackwood and Trentham. Almost all roads in Australia are in very good condition.

A conservative estimate of the kangaroo population in Victoria is 1,425,000.

This is a stuffed kangaroo that is used as prop in warning drivers of crossing kangaroos.

Trentham's ancient waterfalls

The historic Cosmopolitan Hotel at the town proper of Trentham. Built in the 1800s, it is still operational.

Souvenir shot

Historic train station

The regional train V-Lines is always on time.

The Wombat State Forest is very near Trentham. It is located at the Great Dividing Range.

The Wombat State Forest covers approximately 70,000 hectares of virgin bush land.

A quiet afternoon at Trentham

An old pergola at the town reserve

Give way, give way

A considerable number of road signs concern animals.

To the nearby town of Blackwood

Old ;house of Chinese miners being kept by authorities for posterity's sake. Countless Chinese miners joined the Gold Rush in the 1800s

Blackwood's Town Center

Near the town reserve

Blackwood Hotel started operating in the 1800s. It is said to be haunted.

It has changed ownership several times

Under new management, the main event for the night is when the hotel owner and bartender take center stage as they are joined by hotel drinkers in playing Spirit of the Glass. They call on the spirits of persons who died in the hotel such as Chinese miners and businessmen.

Stamper battery used in crushing big rocks where gold is said to be embedded.

At the town reserve where residents converge during critical or emergency situations like bush fires.

A vintage Austin Mini

In the old days, the Austin Mini was popular in Australia.

My souvenir shot

A shop selling horse gears and equipment and a store offering food for livestock at the town center of Riddells Creek. The town was named after its first settler.

Ric's Petrol Station and Convenience Store at Riddells Creek.

A family-owned petrol station, Ric'a can hold its own against big companies like British Petroleum(BP)..

As I was taking photos, the lady owner approached and before she could say anything, I said:" Ma'am, I am a blogger. I write stories." She quickly replied: "Ok, u may take pictures."