Melbourne to Sydney

“He hails from Snowy River, up by Kosciusko’s side,
Where the hills are twice as steep and twice as rough;
Where a horse’s hoofs strike firelight from the flint stones every stride,
The man that holds his own is good enough.
And the Snowy River riders on the mountains make their home,
Where the river runs those giant hills between;
I have seen full many horsemen since I first commenced to roam,
But nowhere yet such horsemen have I seen.”

-Excerpt from the poem "The Man from Snowy River" by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson

Anyone who knows me well probably knows that I love the movie The Man from Snowy River. Until now, I didn’t even know that my beloved movie was based on a poem written by Banjo Paterson. (He is also the author of the song "Waltzing Matilda," which is so well known that it is commonly viewed as the unofficial national anthem of Australia.)

Snowy River Country. To quote Jim from The Man From Snowy River movie, “I think you'd sooner hold back the tide than tame the mountains." Snowy River country is beautiful! When my bus stopped for a “loo and ciggie break,” I snuck down to the river itself to see it up close and personal. Thankfully one person followed, so I was able to get some photographic proof that I have touched the Snowy River!

I was unable to keep my love for the movie to myself, and the driver pointed out to me some areas along the way to Mt. Kosciuszko that were used in the filming of the movie. I’m getting antsy with anticipation to see Jim, Jessica, Clancy, Spur and the brumbies again when I get home.

Mount Kosciuszko. (pronounced “kah-zee-OS-ko”) I have officially hiked to the highest peak of the highest mountain in Australia! Next stop, Everest! Although…come to think of it, it was pretty cold on Mt. Kosciuszko, and it wasn’t even winter. I might need more than a sweater and a scarf for Everest. Hmm…maybe I’ll just hold onto this great victory.

Lakes Entrance & Ninety Mile Beach. Watching the sunset and then having a bonfire on Ninety Mile Beach was definitely one of the highlights of this trip for me! The only thing missing was S’mores. These Aussies need to learn that great American custom!

Canberra. When it came time for Australia to choose a capitol, Sydney and Melbourne predictably tussled over the right. Sydney thought it ought to be the capitol, as the oldest and largest city in the country. Melbourne, however, had already been used as a sort of official playground for a while, so its residents argued they had more of a right. In the end, the country built Canberra from scratch, right in the middle of the two cities. Oh, and interesting fact – an American architect won the right to design the city, so you can see a definite American influence when driving through. Also, most of the designs and procedures inside the Parliament House have been borrowed directly from both England and America.

And that brings me back to Sydney with only a week to explore my beloved city before returning home! I have to admit that, while I haven’t been homesick while I’ve been here, I am looking forward to seeing my beautiful niece and my handsome nephews!