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If you’re one of our belovedInstagram followers, you’ll know that we - Laura & Georgia, the Tea Thieves - love nothing more than a long walk in nature.
Especially in our own backyard - the stunning Surf Coast and Otway Ranges in Victoria.
The scents of coastal tea tree and eucalyptus, sounds of bird calls from honeyeaters and King Parrots, and warm textured tones of the sandstone cliffs soothe our minds and bodies in that delicious way only Mother Nature can.
And of course, we always bring one thing:a good cuppa.
Our beautiful region, traditionally owned and preserved by the Wadawurrung and Gadubanud people, has endless outdoor experiences to offer and, hiding just outside Melbourne, many of these are perfect day trips for locals and visitors alike!
Spring is well and truly here - can you smell it in the air? So we thought what better time to share with youfive of our favourite places to take a walk, have a cuppa and enjoy all that nature has to offer!
Easily the best known walk to locals,this spectacular track along the coastline begins in Torquay and travels 44 kilometres south-west along the cliff tops to the little township of Aireys Inlet (home ofSplit Point Lighthouse). While the full stretch is breathtaking and can be done over a weekend, we love to pick a short stretch of this trail and enjoy anything from a 20-minute stroll at Jan Juc, to an hour return journey from Bird Rock to Bells Beach, or a longer walk to the breathtaking sights of Point Addis.
Listen out for honeyeaters near Bells Beach, watch for falcons and kestrels nesting at Jan Juc, and keep an eye on the ocean for whales and dolphins, especially between May and November.
Thief Tip: As the area is large, we recommend visitingParks Victoria’s website to find the best part to visit on your walk.
Thief Tip: Look out for koalas on your trip, which frequent the beautiful eucalypts of the National Park around Lorne.
A less visited but no less beautiful space,Coogoorah reserve is a park and series of winding trails, boardwalks and bridges through the Anglesea River and wetlands. Highly accessible and in town, the river offers a unique habitat where you can often find birdwatchers with their binoculars at the ready. When the river really shines, however, is at dusk. At this time of day, the wind often drops out and, on a clear night, the moon and pink skies create the most stunning reflections and colours on the water. Stay for a few minutes or a few hours.
Thief Tip: A perfect picnic spot, be sure to pick up some snacks from one of the many local eateries, pack your favouriteherbal tea,infuser and thermos, and snuggle down to watch the birds overhead and the grasses swaying in the salty breeze.
We perhaps saved the best until last! While it’s hard to pick a favourite beach along the Surf Coast (we think they’re all stunning),Point Addis is certainly hard to beat. Known for its gold glowing cliff faces at sunrise and long, rolling waves, it’s favoured by surfers, bushwalkers and beach goers alike.Take a walk through the messmate forest on the cliff top (part of the Surf Coast Walk) or head down the steps to the beach itself, linking up with Bells Beach Southside. It’s easy to spend an entire day here - many locals do in the summer. Bring the picnic rug, a group of friends and a feed - you’re in for a treat!
Thief Tip: While always perfect, the best times to visit Point Addis are sunrise (for those gold-strewn cliffs) and summer evenings, where the place feels magical under a bright moon and clear starry sky.
Now, we’ll leave the hardest part up to you - which walk will you choose first?!
Whether you’re local to our region or here for a visit, we hope you find rest and rejuvenation from all that nature has to offer on the Surf Coast and in the Otways.
We’ve popped the kettle on and havepacked the tea -see you out there soon!
Note: visit each walk’s website linked above for more information on accessibility.
We’ve foundthe perfect loose leaf tea infuser for brewing on the go! Made from stainless steel, these quality infusers also have a lid for mess-free tea and fit perfectly in your favourite mug. Takeone of these and a thermos of hot water with you wherever you go for tea anytime, anywhere.
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Working on maintaining a healthy mind and body every day is much easier - and more impactful - than waiting until a crisis to seek support. Easier said than done, we know! That’s why we’ve shared some of our favourite and simple tips below, from our resident Naturopath Georgia Prisco and other reputable Australian resources, to incorporate natural mental health support into daily life. Some of them you’ll know and might even use already, but we can’t underplay the importance of doing something every day!
