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Three Days in Anglesea

A break

By Thomas Feng

February 4^th, 2019

Breaks are for going away.

To places near and far, for rest and for play.

Towards the end of last year, Michelle and I were in some of the busiest periods of our lives and we needed a proper few days of rest from life.

We headed down to Anglesea, a small-ish seaside town at the beginning of the Great Ocean Road in Australia where people usually spare 30 minutes for a bathroom and leg stretching break.

It was a two hour journey on the V-Line, half spent on a quiet train ride from Melbourne to Geelong and the other on a bumpy coach along the coast.

We arrived on an indecisive Spring afternoon; where the sky capriciously rained and shined over the iridescent river as the cars raced by.

Three Days in Anglesea

We spent an afternoon playing Scrabble and napping, our weary minds unable to function.

There were assignments and responsibilities and deadlines and change on the horizon. It is hard to remember the small moments that are worth being grateful for when your mind is in the clouds thinking about all of the different possibilities.

We snuck in luckily for a lovely (and cheap) three course plant-based dinner at Diggers Vegie Kitchen in town. After a creamy corn chowder, buffalo cauliflower wings and a pumpkin mac'n'cheez, our hearts were full, as we sat in the quiet corner by the lovely golden glow.

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

A walk with Kangaroos

The best part of spending a long time in a small town is seeing the lesser known local attractions.

We trespassed through the local golf course to say hello to the Anglesea kangaroo population (who happily live there) before daring them to a staring contest.

They are such adorable social creatures, who seemingly know how to signal to each other with subtle movements and their unbelievably flexible ears. We were also fortunate to spot a few joeys in the pouches of protective mothers.

A gentle drizzle nudged us back home for the rest of the day, where we watched David Attenborough documentaries and drank too much red wine.

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

To the forest of grass trees

On our final morning, we walked part of the Anglesea Perimeter Track from the top of the Great Otway National Park back into town.

I had never seen such a unique forest before, filled with native grass trees sprouting spikes like hedgehogs and wind-swept eucalyptus trees fading to copper. Together they almost looked like volcanoes, the burnt trunks as the cone and the bright leaves flowing like lava.

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

And then the sea appeared

Three Days in Anglesea

The waves crashed in and out. In and out. In and out.

Like long deep breaths.

Nearby a section of the cliffs had just fallen down.

We strolled along together inhaling the sea breeze and watched locals surf and walk their dogs and play beach cricket with their kids. A sense of relief washed over us as we walked back to Anglesea to eat gravy and chips before heading home.

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

Three Days in Anglesea

I'd love to hear from you.

Is there a place where you escape to? Have you seen a grass tree forest before?

Please write to me!

I hope you're well, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Thomas

© 2026 Thomas Feng

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