Lead Me to Verdant Pastures

The population of Australia is 20.7 million, most of whom live near an oceanic shore. It is the most arable land with nice breezes cooling the residents. But not too far into the interior and the scenery changes dramatically. Red dirt desert spans the miles and miles (and more miles) between the coasts. Aussies embrace this rugged landscape, celebrate it in song, print calendars, write books and make movies about it.


Green is good, however, and I have found three spots where a proper chlorophyll fix can be had. The island state of Tasmania is half national park of unexplored forest and home to a few Tasmanian Tigers hiding from extinction. The whole island is a pleasure and reminds me of my home state of Michigan.








The Dandenong Forest in the state of Victoria is a rare temperate rain forest.
Jaw-dropping, larger-than-life flora waving in an ethereal mist have inspired movie makers, Disney cartoonists and this diarist to wax poetic on the soul soothing scenery. And not do it justice.


Closer to home is the South-West region of Western Australia. Edged by the Indian and Southern Oceans is the spectacular Margaret River wine region. These wines are developing quite an international reputation and winery hopping is great sport. The hills are alive with Karri trees in the Warren National Forest and some excellent communities like Pemberton. The locals and hordes of tourists mix in easy companionship at the country pub which double as community center, hotel, restaurant (with big plate/low price specials), liquor store and landmark for all else you could be searching for.
We picked up some work as movie extras in an indie film (about indie film makers) being shot there. The producer wanted a small town that wasn't a dust bowl. I wanted to be any part of the action. Kevin wanted to be paid in beer. We were all successful.

Factoids: WA people population 2.1 million. Sheep population 25.6 million.