Maslin Nude Beach – Adelaide

Mike and I spent 5 days just before Christmas in Adelaide with his brother (along with his parter) and sister.  One of my favourite places was indeed the nude beach (about 25 minute drive from the city centre).  The beautiful sediment, with it’s rugged layers exposed to the wind, sun and waves…drew me from the clothed side of the beach to the nude.  Mike tagged along and slowly we made our way closer to the cliffs.  On the way Mike and I discussed nude beach etiquette…

We didn’t really know any rules.

Have you been to a nude beach before?  Do you know what the guidelines are?  

I made sure to never take a photo when I was near any one, and distinctly kept the camera pointed to the sand to assure people that they were safe and I was not there to photograph them.

I was in the middle of taking a photograph of the succulent above when Mike asked me if I could hold onto something for him, as I was in the midst of taking a photo I held out my hand blind only to discover his shorts in my hand.  This made me laugh, and I smiled at the spontaneity and confidence he has… He does have the perfect bum.

There are plenty of wineries in the region, which is highly regarded (South Australia produces some of the countries best wines) and of course we tried some wood fired pizza at an italian vineyard before we hit the beach.

Adelaide is a smaller city, and while we only saw portions of it during our short stay, we really enjoyed the laid-back vibes and the opportunity to spend some quality time with our family.

The images above feature:

• Three joyous dogs playing at Maslin beach.
• The cutest tush in all the land.
• A small bird befriending me for some carrot cake in Adelaide’s botanical gardens.
• A dainty jumping spider in Rayden and Fredericks (immaculate) garden.
• Mangrove trees, leeching and filtering ocean water to survive and also breeding a gazillion mozzies in it’s rotten boggy bottom.
• Handorf – a little German town just outside of Adelaide which is about as kitsch as it gets.
• A German lunch of sausage, potatoes, sauerkraut and steak (I ate pickles, smoked cheese and coleslaw with dense bread and a tomato chutney.
• The mushroom pizza, top winner in the 4 types we choose to eat over lunch before travelling to the beach, bloated and not at all hungry.
• A salt lake, located beside the mangroves.  It was trespassing to take that photo, and I lost a sandal in the process.

Australia’s best pizza found in Margaret River.

We’ve just spent three days in Margaret River.  It’s a three hour drive South to get to the heavily forested region.  The area is world renown for it’s winery and delicious food offerings.  The last time we were here was last July during winter, when it was wet and cool.  The whales aren’t around this time of year, but there is still plenty to see and do…

Eat, wine, explore, sleep.  Repeat!

Swings and Roundabout Winery.  For lunch we ate a Margarita wood fired pizza.  Honestly?  Hands down the best pizza we’ve had in Australia.  And I love pizza.  It’s a close second to Pizza Libretto – based in Toronto, Ont.  That’s saying something!  We also had pizza for dinner that night as well, at another place in town but it was not nearly as nice…even with the truffle oil.  

A cute frog, which was poorly hiding from a very hungry kookaburra.  We had seen the bird swoop down moments before and pluck another from a leaf.  Poor choice in a hiding place…

The Busselton Jetty, where we walked to the end of the 2km path and back.  We were too cheap to pay for the under water tour…and regretted not doing it when we moved on.  Curse frugal ideas!

Slipper Orchid.  Approximately 1.5 feet tall.

The base of Lake Cave, the trees growing down here are 600 years old…and are the largest trees I’ve seen in Australia.

We toured two caves: Mammoth and Lake Cave.  We only paid for one…by accident.  We Saved $44.00.

Sugar Loaf Rock lookout…The first day we saw it.  The lighting was a bit off…so we planned to return at 4am for sunrise the next morning.

Mike found some crabs and small fish in this rock pool.

Millers Ice Cream – Margaret River (silky smoooth).  I tried fig and mascarpone it was insanely good.  Mike had ice-cream 4x in 24 hours.

Sugar Loaf Rock – Dunsburough, second attempt this morning.  It was beautiful in the morning light.  We did not leave at 4am!  We left at the respectable hour of 8am.

On our way home today we stopped in a small town near Dunsborough.  Mike pointed out an antique event, and so we agreed to have a little competition.  The rules: $20 budget and 15 minutes to shop for a bargain.  Whoever sells at a profit (or the highest margin) will be declared the winner.  I purchased this vase.  Mike, keeping an eye out for the crazy cat collectors found this decorative pin.  A quick search on Google, shows that this vase was designed by Blue Mountain Pottery, made in Canada in the 1970’s.  I paid $20.00.  They sell for $200!  I may loose this competition however as I actually really enjoy it, and don’t want to sell.  

Blue Mountain Pottery – Apollo Vase Circa 1978

Cat pendant… No known origin or details as of yet.  Interested in purchasing this pin?  Get your bid in on Ebay.  Click this link!

 

 

Have you been to Margaret River?  What do you enjoy most there?

 

 

Where can I find amazing pizza in Australia?  Where would you recommend I go?