LYD1A KERR

When we got back from our day trip to Point Cook, we went to a bakery for a sweet treat. When asked by an Australian what we’d been up to today, we explained we were just back from Point Cook. She immediately looked confused and just said “…why?”

Why? Is a perfectly reasonable question, I reckon.

Because when we first arrived to Point Cook, it was an extremely suburban sight.

We had to get a train to William’s Landing, then wait for a long time before a bus drove us for half an hour, only to drop us off at the side of the road. No bus stop sign in sight…

Despite being concerned, thinking where on earth are we, James assured me that we would be at the Marine Sanctuary soon, and I trusted him. And so we walked for a mile down the world’s emptiest stretch of road towards the abyss.

We eventually arrived at some public toilets and a homestead, which was a very welcome sight.

Beyond the homestead, any concern or doubt I had immediately vanished, as we stepped out onto the coast.

The views were beautiful and the landscape was rugged. There were hundreds of seabirds, black swans, pied cormorants, even pelicans!

We wandered along the coast taking in the beautiful sights and the refreshing sea air.

After around an hour, I suggested to James that we should head back to civilisation for some lunch. However, he saw on the maps that we were right near Cheetham Wetlands.

On maps, it appeared as though there was a path which could lead us out to these wetlands, so we headed towards the general direction.

Turns out this path was a moat… But there was a desire path alongside this, so we headed towards the Cheetham Wetlands observation deck, which we could see in the far distance.

While walking precariously through this long grass and stomping our feet as hard as we could to deter the presence of any snakes, we quick stepped it towards the observation deck.

We eventually got back onto solid ground and I felt an immense sense of relief.

After we admired the views from the Observation Deck, we walked through the suburbs to get to a local cafe for lunch – Oh Happy Day. That’s the name of the cafe, but also expresses aptly how we were feeling. We ordered some burgers and lemon and lime bitters and sat outside in the sunshine.

After waiting for a while for a bus to get us back to William’s Landing for our train to Flinders Street in Melbourne, we were suitably craving a little sweet treat from the bakery.

Which takes us back to the question on the baker’s lips – why? Why Point Cook?

Well, if you love coastal walks, abundant wildlife, complete privacy and seclusion – this hidden gem is the perfect place to spend a peaceful day, you won’t believe how close it is to Melbourne.

Thank you for reading!

Love, Lydia x