Birdwood, South Australia
Yesterday on our way back from a business trip to Adelaide we stopped for afternoon tea at a bakery in the small Adelaide Hills town of Birdwood. Although it was a cool afternoon it was very pleasant sitting in the warm bakery enjoying our hot chocolate and some tasty items of food from the bakery. I had a delicious Vanilla Slice. As I travel around Australia I have to try out the local versions of this delicious cake. I have yet to find a bakery that can match our local bakery here in Murray Bridge.
National Motor Museum
The most popluar attraction in Birdwood would have to be the National Motor Museum.
The National Motor Museum is the recognised centre in Australia for the research, recording and preservation of all aspects of Australia’s road motor transport history. With a collection comprising 400 cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles, the National Motor Museum is home to an internationally acclaimed collection of vintage, veteran and classic vehicles.
The museum is less than an hour’s dirve from Adelaide and is a wonderful destination for anyone interested in cars. More than that, anyone interested in the cultural heritage of our state will find things of interest.
… the collection is about more than the vehicles; it is also about the people behind the vehicles. The owners, drivers and designers of vehicles as well as those who helped build and sell them.
It has been many years since my last visit to the museum. Although we did not have time to visit yesterday, I made a mental note to return someday soon. It is also less than a hour’s drive from home, so there is no excuse.
Gumeracha, South Australia
Today we had to travel to Adelaide on business. One of the places we needed to go was out in the northern parts of the city. Instead of returning via our usual route along the South Eastern Freeway to home in Murray Bridge, we took an alternative route through the Adelaide Hills.
Our journey took us through a beautiful part of the Adelaide Hills to the small town of Gumeracha. It has a population of some 700 people with the district concentrating on farming, orchards, vineyards and especially olive growing. The town is in the Torrens Valley and the road meanders through the hills with frequent views of the upper reaches of the River Torrens. The River Torrens eventually flows close to the CBD of Adelaide, our state’s capital city. In fact, the river is but a pleasant ten minute stroll from the main shopping precinct.
The pleasant town of Gumeracha is well known by many South Australian families. This is due to the fact that its main attraction is The Big Rocking Horse. It has long claimed the title of being the biggest rocking horse in the world. This is situated right next to The Toy Factory, a mecca for children and tourists alike.
… the Toy Factory is now fully operational, manufacturing a huge range of hand made wooden toys at factory direct prices.
The Rocking Horse is truly enormous and one can climb the steps to the top with a great view available up and down the valley. A coffee shop and toy shop are a part of the complex and really worth a visit.
The whole compex including
… a seven-acre Bush Park, with free entry, now boasts an array of bird life, ponds, kangaroos, emus and bettongs.
To see a photo of the horse click here.