BushArts.com - Our Country
BushArts are based in the eastern middle of Victorias south west, and this page is our brief answer to all those who constantly ask "what's it like down there?". We also have affiliates in Major Cities and other States, but they can write their own stories.
The South Western quarter of Victoria is one of Australia's great playgrounds. From the majestic Great Ocean Road with its beautiful scenery and pristine beaches, through the rainforests and waterfalls of the Otways, beyond the mountainous and educational Grampians, rivers, lakes and craters abounding with natural history, to the fantastic rural cities and smaller towns. Whilst this is only one of Australia's many feature areas, it's a popular part of the country.
Typical Aussies are prepared to travel to a destination, and this is driving country. Within a few hours drive, we have access to everything from major big city events, to isolated beaches, and pristine walking, camping and fishing areas.
Our Winters are usually cool and wet, our Summers hot and dry. Extremes in either are generally the exception rather than the norm. Winters mean delicious hot food around a warm fire, Summer is compulsory beach time, with crisp salads, barbecues and balmy late nights regarded as standard. December to March is the warmer period. Weather has little influence on when we drink.
Timber, Grains, Dairy, Beef, Lamb, Wool, and Tourism are the major employing industries. All of these industries have worked with the land, in many cases for well over a century, and are sustainable far into the future.
Most normal New Technology features are available, but can be limited outside the towns and cities. Award winning Wines, Cheeses, Breads, Ice Cream and Seafoods are amongst some of the local produce. Restaurants abound, with a strong Asian and Mediterranean influence added to the local cultures.
Sport is a topic that comes naturally to most Aussies, and with Melbourne regarded as one of the "Sportiest Cities of the World", and being only a short drive up the freeway, together with facilities available in every regional city, we are well catered to. Australian Rules is our Football code, and Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Netball and Surfing amongst the most popular sports. Fishing is also a very popular pastime, with all types catered to.
Native wildlive may be seen in natural surroundings in many of our locales, but it is rare to see a Kangaroo, for example, close to a rural township, (not including RoadKill!). Outlying areas are as good as many zoos for viewing our native fauna. This is typical of many parts of this country, it's the Bush areas where people normally do not attend in large numbers, that our true natural features may be seen.
Want to do some research on this area? Many places have Internet sites that you may like to refer to. (We have not provided links, we'll let you find the better sites yourself, without our or any other influence). In no particular order, try searching on these topics...
Apollo Bay (Vic), Sovereign Hill, Geelong (Vic), Bells Beach, The Otway ranges, The Otway Fly, The Great Ocean Rd, Ballarat (Vic), Warrnambool (Vic), Port Fairy (Vic), Colac (Vic), Port Campbell (Vic), Bellarine Peninsular, Lavers Hill (Vic), Glenelg River, Hamilton (Vic), Grampians, Lorne (Vic), Lake Purrumbeet, Floating Islands, Princes Highway west, Stawell (Vic), Ararat (Vic), Barwon River, Timboon Cheese, Irrewarra Sourdough, Beech Forrest.