Boxing day in Australia means two things on the sporting calendar – The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Cricket is the most popular summer sport in Australia. It is remarkable that the game has remained popular considering that Test Match cricket goes for 5 days and still doesn’t guarantee a result.
I like how it involves playing teams from places like Pakistan and the West Indies. I also like how the captains wear blazers before the start of play, even on a blazing hot day.
Pakistan Captain Mohammad Yousuf
China Express Mural by drewfunk.com, corner Little Lonsdale and Swanston St Melbourne.
China Express Mural
It’s not just in the bush that you can see Australian birdlife. I see the occasional exotic parrot species in the inner city, such as these corella’s in Albert Park, Melbourne.
Corella's in Melbourne
In an age when cities around the world are preserving Art Deco buildings, The City of Melbourne has given the go ahead to demolish one of the cities best examples.
Lonsdale House is set to be demolished and replaced with a glass box shop. Visit Save Lonsdale House to find out more.
Lonsdale House
Getting the train in Australia is not the quickest way to get around, but it is an enjoyable way to travel. The Overland runs between Adelaide and Melbourne and takes about 10 hours to cover the 828 kms.
I got the train mostly because I wanted to try it out. The ticket price was as cheap as any airfare on offer, and I could spend the day doing laptop work in the cafe carriage.
The Overland service was re-launched in 2007, which included a logo update. I would have to say that The Overland probably has the best train logo in the world.
The Overland Emu Logo
Adelaide is not only famous for being the only place where iced coffee outsells Coca-Cola, it is also known for the pie floater.
A pie floater is a meat pie in a plate of pea soup or mushy peas. It’s very English in its origin and apparently used to be popular across Australia, but has now found its spiritual home in Adelaide.
Adelaide's 'Pie Floater'
A native Adelaidean told me about the iconic status of this dish so I had to try it for myself. It was already 11 at night, but Adelaide is blessed with a few 24 hour bakeries that serve this dish.
My pie was submerged rather than floating, and the flourish of tomato sauce adds to the comical presentation of this meal. Despite the visual it’s actually not bad. If you like meat pies and peas you will like the pie floater.
24 hour bakery
Adelaide is the only other Australian city with a public transport system that uses trams (the other being Melbourne).
The tram runs from the city to the seaside suburb of Glenelg. If you want to use the tram in the city the tram is free.
Free tram travel
I got the chance to drive to Adelaide for a tourism promotion and I was happy to take up the opportunity. I had never been to South Australia, and it seems that it’s not on the radar of most domestic and international visitors either.
The Mighty South Aussies
The coastal drive from the Victorian border to Adelaide along the Limestone coast is worth the road trip alone. Adelaide is a city with a well conserved Victorian heritage and completely surrounded by parkland.
One thing that has already endeared me to South Australia is Farmers Union Iced Coffee.
Farmers Union Iced Coffee Truck
It’s not that it’s the best iced coffee in the world, though many people in South Oz will tell you that. No I like Farmers Union because around here this drink outsells Coca-Cola. I’m all for a land where a coffee beverage is the most popular drink. Only Irn-Bru in Scotland and Inca Kola in Peru can claim a similar honour.
No Australian road trip is complete without seeing a big thing.
The Big Lobster in Kingston, South Australia, is one of the most iconic Australian big thing. It stands over 18 metres tall, and has even been featured on a postage stamp.
The Big Lobster
Following on from being reacquainted with Australian birdlife, I’ve had a good run with seeing Australian Marsupials.
You can drive all over Australia and see “Kangaroos Next 10km” signs and never actually see a kangaroo.
Wildlife and farm animals
Koalas are even harder to spot than kangaroos. I got lucky here as this one was by the side of the road and was stopping traffic.
Koala up a tree
At my campsite in Capte Otway Victoria I had this curious swamp wallaby graze nearby my campervan.
Swamp Wallaby
In Cape Otway I also saw a reminder of what Australia is well known for – dangerous animals. Fortunately snakes are hibernating in the dead of winter.
Beware of snakes
