Winter in the Otways
But it’s not even mid Autumn
We were warned that living in the Otways is cold and very wet. We arrived here, on this land, only 9 months ago, so we are just getting through a cycle of the seasons.
We started looking at this property in early March 2025, and actually visited it for the first time at this exact time last year! We subsequently visited several times during Autumn and it seemed quite dry (we were in a drought) and the rain didn’t really come until Spring. So we thought that was typical, but after being plunged into winter, mid Autumn, I ‘m not so sure. Maybe this place lulled us.
We picked up the keys to this property on July 28, 2025. (We are still moving between Williamstown and Gellibrand at the moment but the long term plan is to move here full time). We’ve experienced our first late winter, spring and summer here and are now midway through Autumn.
During Spring and early summer, we had in excess of 1000mm of rain which I thought was a lot and then it dried up mid summer and we had fires in January. A lot has happened in the short time we’ve been here!
So Spring is wet and Autumn is dry, my simple analysis based on lived experience of 9 months. However, speaking to another local a couple of months ago, a tree arborist, he said that’s nothing (the rain we had during Spring) compared to typical rainfall, we’ve been in a drought! 2 metres of rain is the average and you’ve just purchased land in the wettest area of Victoria! I am being a little facetious here.
Last week I asked my new local friend, Elise, how do you deal with the endless cold? She said we usually go to Byron Bay for 3 months hahaha. That’s an option I guess but given the external chaos, I think we are all going to have to stay closer to home. Buckle up princess.
embracing what is
So what do we do, we embrace it, move with it, adapt to it and see all the beauty in it.
I guess that’s what this blog is about, embracing change, and it seems that a lot of change is coming our way if we listen to the news. But somehow we have to embrace that too, if only to observe it, rather than react to it.
it’s the perfect segue
So this is the perfect segue into what this blog is all about, in essence a creative journal of sorts covering community, gardens, sustainability, art, creativity, pottery, plants, people, places and play in The Otways. The simple intention is to create connection and community, a microcosm (local) in the macrocosm (external), to somehow see if we can co exist in the chaos or can we actually separate from it, expect some woo woo. Let’s see where this creative journey takes us.
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It’s been 4 years for us, observing the seasons and the land around us and I’m only feeling a little more confident in knowing what’s possibly coming next and when to plant and what to plant etc.
Local knowledge is invaluable, some of the farmers here are fourth and fifth generation and they can just look at the clouds or feel the direction of the wind and tell you if it’s going to rain a week from now (well, they used to before they started playing with the weather).
Thanks Mish. I do feel there is so much to learn, and sometimes feels a bit late to be starting over after having vegetable gardens in Melbourne for years. It is a very short warm season here and I guess trying to extend the seasons in other ways will help. I look forward to learning from the locals and my online buddies too xx Looks like I have to update my avatar too.
So glad I am on holidays so have the time to read your first blog, catch up on your newsletter and see your talent for photography.
I have now been in the Otways permanently for two years and this is not yet Winter. I have been told I haven’t yet seen a true long Winter.
Thank you for creating this space and look forward to more reading and your beautiful images.
Thanks Kerri for taking the time to read this post and reply, so greatly appreciated x
We have also been told this about winter and rainfall, ready to embrace it, I think!
It is so exciting to follow along with you on your generously shared adventure.
My 21 years growing up in Carlisle River left a firm imprint of long, cold and wet winters and yet the freedom, peace and fresh air are equally prevalent in my memories.
Community however is the most precious and profound of gifts from living in what felt like an isolated and small community. The sense of belonging is amazing.
You are already weaving beautiful connections and your reach will be far and wide. The local community and neighbouring ones are blessed to have your energy, heart and passions in the mix.
Your photography is sublime and I look forward to your next blog. Congratulations. 🤗
Everyone in the comments writes so generously and eloquently. They are beautiful words and I can feel everything you say. It really is going to be wonderful building a community here and also being more a part of it. Thanks Shirl xx