Tea on the Go: Five Coastal Day Walks We Love

Tea on the Go: Five Coastal Day Walks We Love

If you’re one of our beloved Instagram 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 you five of our favourite places to take a walk, have a cuppa and enjoy all that nature has to offer!

 

  • Surf Coast Walk, Torquay to Aireys Inlet


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 of Split 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.

  • Anglesea Heath
    Best known for its springtime flush of stunning and rare orchids, Anglesea Heath is a large area of protected bushland north and west of Anglesea township. While beautiful and serene to visit in any season, this time of year is especially popular with an influx of naturalists and wildlife lovers photographing the hundreds of tiny, often hard-to-spot flowers that cover the ground. Parts of the heathlands adjoin the Great Otway National Park.

     


    Thief Tip: As the area is large, we recommend visiting Parks Victoria’s website to find the best part to visit on your walk.


    • Erskine Falls
    A stunning and popular destination for Melbournians, Lorne offers myriad walks around the sights of the Great Otway National Park. Erskine Falls is one of many local waterfalls, often flowing strongly at this time of year after spring rain. There are many options to explore the falls - you can drive directly to the carpark and walk a short distance to the top lookout, take the steep staircase down to the second lookout, or tackle the 7.5 kilometre rainforest walk from Lorne up to the site if you’re feeling more adventurous. If you’re doing the longer hike, don’t forget your cuppa - there are plenty of stunning spots to stop and breathe in the crisp forest air!


    Thief Tip: Look out for koalas on your trip, which frequent the beautiful eucalypts of the National Park around Lorne.

    • Coogoorah Reserve, Anglesea

      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 favourite herbal tea, infuser and thermos, and snuggle down to watch the birds overhead and the grasses swaying in the salty breeze.


      • Point Addis

      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 have packed the tea - see you out there soon!



      Note: visit each walk’s website linked above for more information on accessibility.




      We’ve found the 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. Take one of these and a thermos of hot water with you wherever you go for tea anytime, anywhere.



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