Towers and Local Treasures

Posted on by Miriam

Do you ever play tourist in your own backyard?  And find local treasures right on your doorstep.  Lately I’ve had an irresistible urge to revisit some absolute gems.  Which is just as well, as this month we have no significant travel plans to travel too far.  Still, I’ve been having just as much fun rediscovering some great places close to home.

One place, just fifteen minutes away, is a sandstone Memorial Tower in Kangaroo Ground.  This twelve metre high tower was unveiled in 1926 and whilst it might pale in significance with anything Europe has to offer in terms of grandeur, it signifies an important piece of local history.  It stands on Garden Hill and honors fallen soldiers from the first world war.

20160530_142625.jpg

It stands on one of the highest points in the area and because of this in 1974 a fire watch box was erected at the very top of the tower.  It’s still used in the summer months for fire spotting.

20160530_142528.jpg

We stopped by recently.  It was a glorious sunny day, the last day of Autumn.
20160530_142654.jpg

There are 53 knee bending steps to reach the top.  It might not sound like much but the narrow spiral staircase gives the legs a good work out.

20160530_142745.jpg

 Intrepid Harry lead the way.

20160530_142855.jpg

At the top the views are impressive.  Sweeping vistas in all directions …

20160530_142838.jpg

The Dandenong and Kinglake Ranges, Port Philip Bay, the skyline of Melbourne in the distance and sprawling vistas for miles.

20160530_143056.jpg

Then it was time to go down. I practically sprinted the steps, keen to reach the bottom

Big mistake.  Next day my knees were so sore I nearly didn’t make it to Zumba.  Maybe I should have taken it slower.   Lesson learned, slow down and savor the view.

20160530_143401.jpg

At the bottom is a newer viewing platform with loads of history on the original inhabitants and pioneers of the area, including the military history and the history of the nearby tower.

20160530_143323.jpg

It’s a peaceful and restful place.  Proof that you don’t need to travel far to find beauty.  Playing tourist in our own backyard can be so fun and uncomplicated.

In fact sometimes the best things can be found right under our nose.

What can you find of beauty right around the corner?  To take you out of your normal routine and spark a renewed zest for seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary moments.

Hope you have a chance to venture out and enjoy some exploring yourself, where ever you live.

Happy June everyone.  May it be a month of exploration, enjoyment and appreciation of simple moments and places.

62 thoughts on “Towers and Local Treasures”

  7. Happy June, Miriam! I am delighting in your soothing message and photos this morning from my parents’ house in New England. I think it must be my first visit home during the late spring/early summer in many years, because I can’t remember the last time I saw the rhododendrons in full bloom. I hadn’t realized that we don’t have them in the Midwest until I stepped out of the airport and saw them everywhere! Whenever I come back to this place, I always imagine that I will make lots of exciting plans, go exploring and adventuring, but then I find myself relishing the simple beauty of the local park, a backyard evening, a walk through the old neighborhood, tea on a friend’s patio, the crickets in the woods behind the house… You are onto something about finding the charm in your own backyard. Hope the rest of your week is lovely and full of kindness and gentleness! ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Hi Lulu, I hope you have a wonderful visit at your parent’s place. It sounds lovely and you’ve painted such a tranquil picture. I hope you enjoy it all and make the most of your time there. It’s so true, the simple things are often the best! Hugs to you. xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. LOVE this. I was thinking of doing this. Traveling in our own area. Sharing the adventures. 🙂 I have to say, I love the World War I tower. It always strikes me when I hear of war memorials in other countries. It’s very cool!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  13. Beautiful! Alaska was a wonderful place to wander about. You could find something new each time you went looking. The area of Texas we are in currently is not so wander-able. 😉 I will live vicariously through you for the time being. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  21. I also love to “play tourist” in my own area from time to time! It’s always fun to rediscover how much is available so close to home. The views from that tower are amazing! And what a nice tribute to the fallen soldiers in WWI.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  22. It’s nice sometimes to feel like you’ve gone somewhere but didn’t have to travel far and it looks like you had a lovely last day of Autumn. There are so many lovely places on our doorsteps. I have a series of posts titled “Close to Home”. I haven’t written one for a while but have plans for a couple of new ones soon.

    Like

    Reply

        1. I love Queensland. It wouldn’t take much to get me to come back there. 🙂 And as for the spam, I had three people this morning who said the same thing about my comments. Very annoying! 😦

          Like

  23. I think that exploring our own backyards is a great idea (so great I’ve created my whole blog around that idea – although I have to admit that New York City is a big back yard!). What an interesting place. I liked the tribute to the WWI soldiers as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  26. Pingback: Posts of Note (Week 9)

Leave a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.