Ducks on Tour: Bites, Brews & Aussie Views

Ducks on Tour: Bites, Brews & Aussie Views Ducks on Tour: Bruce & Kate, preretirement foodies. From Dash Ducks to Pearl the Triton, chasing bites, brews & Aussie views across Victoria and beyond.

05/09/2026

BENDIGO CALLING…

Saturday morning meant breakfast out and about, and this week we gave the new Whole Harvest Café in Bendigo a try.

Bruce went all in with the 12 hour slow cooked lamb, while I stayed loyal to a good old eggs, bacon and homemade baked beans. Both absolutely delish and a very respectable start to a Saturday.

Then, while we were fluffing about Bendigo, I spotted a must have a duck photo opportunity amongst the Bendigo Bloom installations near the Conservatory.

An old fashioned telephone box, painted the most gloriously cheerful rubber duck yellow. Well, it would have been rude not to.

Earlier this week a mate visiting London sent me a photo titled “London Calling.”

Well… back at you, babe.

BENDIGO CALLING!

Obviously a telephone box required a phone call, and obviously an ordinary handset simply wouldn't do. Enter Sunny, our soft fluffy travelling duck, who discovered yet another useful skill… doubling as a telephone receiver.

“Hello London? Bendigo here. Yep, still fabulous.”

With that important international duck business sorted, we wandered on to check out some of the early blooming tulips.

And Sunny?

Straight back to work.

One minute a telephone handset, the next posing amongst the tulips for our very own Blooming Ducks shots.

Just your average Saturday morning really.

Breakfast, lamb, bacon, tulips, international telecommunications and a duck answering the phone.

Ducks on Tour: Bites, Brews & Aussie Views

Bendigo calling… London, do you copy?

Meet Maple, the newest duck in the paddling!This little lady has travelled a fair way to join the Ducks on Tour flock. N...
02/09/2026

Meet Maple, the newest duck in the paddling!

This little lady has travelled a fair way to join the Ducks on Tour flock. No quick trip down the Calder for Maple, she’s come from far away to find her place amongst our growing collection of travelling quackers.

She’s been named Maple, a little nod to where her adventure began.

After a long haul, she’s officially landed, claimed her spot and joined the increasingly crowded duck department.

At this rate Pearl is going to need an extension just for duck accommodation.

Welcome to Australia, Maple. You’ve made it to the land of long roads, big skies, questionable potholes and two old ducks who are always looking for an excuse to head somewhere new.

There’s always room in our paddling for one more.

MEET THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE PADDLING!AKA Ducks on TourWe may need to introduce some crowd control because the dash is...
15/08/2026

MEET THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE PADDLING!
AKA Ducks on Tour

We may need to introduce some crowd control because the dash is getting a little crowded.

Let’s meet the latest ducks to join our travelling crew.

Sir Quacksalot of the Car Pool
His exact position in the ute is still to be determined. For now, he has been appointed Head of Flock Security and will be keeping a watchful eye on his fellow ducks wherever he ends up.

Miss Quackqueline
The teacher of the flock. We’re expecting her to keep everyone in line, although we’re not making any promises about homework!

The Quack Pack
Four little ducks who have officially taken up residence on the tyre valves.
Talk about travelling in style!

Sunny
Our soft, fluffy yellow travelling companion. Always happy, always fluffy and definitely the cuddliest member of the crew. Can't wait to take her on an adventure or 2.

The dash might be getting a little crowded, but there will always be room for one or two more to join the paddling.
After all, what’s a few more quacks between friends?

Where will our paddling quack off to next?

10/07/2026

Last day on the Island… so obviously one more chance to “try somewhere new” for breakfast. It would’ve been rude not to.

Landed at Waterboy, scored a table with a cracking view of the water, and the food absolutely delivered.
I went the chilli chive scramble with pork and leek sausage… asked for just a little chilli.
Now, my definition of “a little” and the chef’s definition? Very different conversations.
Managed about half before my mouth was on fire and my nose was running.
Good times!

Bruce played it safe with the benedict, Levi went all in on the smashed avo, and the coffee was spot on.
And because leaving the Island without one more would be borderline irresponsible, we made a final stop at Mug for a spiced chilli chocolate chai. Priorities!

Then… reality hit.
Traffic through Melbourne. Absolute chaos. Crawling along and questioning every life choice that led us to leaving Cheltenham at 4.30.
Safe to say… we will not be making that mistake again.

Poor Rosie lost her prop somewhere between here and there.
Lesson learnt superglue the prop as well as the helmet! Bu**er!!

09/07/2026

Over the bridge… and the fog hadn’t budged. Still thick as anything. I was starting to get that creeping feeling of doom, the one day we head out on the water and we can’t see 20 metres in front of us. Whale, dolphin, seal sightings.
Looking like a solid zero.

Of all the days.

But… credit where it’s due.
The crew were brilliant, kind, reassuring, and the commentary was A1. Captain? Absolute legend. Just quietly pushes on, taking us further and further out… into what felt like endless fog. Proper Gilligan’s Island vibes, heading off into the mist and wondering if we’d ever return.

Then finally… sunlight.

And just like that, things started to turn.

First up, a seal. Tick.
Then an albatross gliding past like it owned the joint.
And then… boom. A whale. We sat and watched him for about an hour, just cruising along, doing his thing. Pure magic!

On the way back.
As if the day hadn’t already redeemed itself… a playful pod of dolphins came out to es**rt us home, darting alongside like they’d been sent for the grand finale.

Back into the fog we go… cold, eerie, like the whole thing never happened.

Rewarded ourselves the only way you can after a day like that, the best fish and chips from the San Remo Co-op. Then home, fire on, warming the bones and reliving every second.

With thanks to Wildlife Coast Cruises what an incredible day!

09/07/2026

This morning kicked off with the Island wrapped in thick fog… the kind where you can barely see past the bonnet. So naturally, a hot breakfast at Mon Dieu was in order.

Bruce settled in to tackle the slow cooked beef benedict special. I stuck with the buttery scrambled eggs and bacon, never misses. Levi went all in on a club sandwich and chips, no regrets there.

Then it was a careful cruise over to San Remo, taking it nice and steady through the fog, to wait for our boat. Timed it just right to catch the tail end of the ever popular pelican feeding… still plenty of action and a few very satisfied birds.

Today was absolutely freezing on the Island… easily the coldest one we’ve had so far. The kind of cold that makes you qu...
07/07/2026

Today was absolutely freezing on the Island… easily the coldest one we’ve had so far.
The kind of cold that makes you question your life choices the second you step out of the ute.

But really, what kind of visit would it be without a stop at Island Pies? Had to be done.
A couple of treats (strictly for research purposes) and of course a proper pie to warm the soul.

Back into Pearl for a picnic, heater doing its best, parked up watching the pelicans down by the boat ramp. Patient as anything, lined up on the steps near the fishermen’s cleaning table like seasoned professionals.

Because let’s be honest… a free feed is never too far away when you’ve got timing like that.

06/07/2026

We are so lucky to have views like this and wildlife that just casually goes about its day like we’re the ones visiting.

A coastal drive between the Nobbies and Penguin Parade in the sunshine… windows down, salty air in, and the Island doing what it does best.

Cape Barren geese everywhere you look, not even slightly fussed about sharing the road. Then a special moment, a little family unit of mum, dad, and their fluffy chicks just waddling along like they’ve got nowhere in particular to be.

A wallaby also made an appearance, just taking its time like it owns the place.

And of course, those endless ocean views rolling out beside us the whole way.

No whales though… those little buggers are playing hard to get at the moment!

06/07/2026

Time to take on the main street of Cowes… despite the roadworks, detours, and general “you’ll get there when you get there” chaos.

A bit of retail therapy first, just to support the local economy (and justify walking past the same shop twice thanks to the street blockages).

Then it’s afternoon tea time, coffee and cake… not just us though, the birds had clearly booked themselves in too.

Bruce, unable to resist, starts feeding a sparrow like it’s an old mate at the pub. Meanwhile its mate is working the angles… casually pinches a sugar sachet from the container and parks it neatly on the table like it’s part of the order.

Cheeky little operators!
I’m just quietly relieved the gulls didn’t rock up to join the party… would’ve gone from café vibes to full coastal chaos in about 3 seconds!

06/07/2026

Monday evening Island style.
Parked up at Ventnor with a bag of hot chips and front row seats to the ocean absolutely showing off.

Pearl parked up like she owns the joint, we’re tucked in with chips in hand while the sky cycles through every shade it can muster… gold, pink, orange, with a bit of moody blue creeping in for good measure. Proper magic!

Every couple of minutes it’s “quick, get out!” Jump out of the ute, snap a photo, then retreat straight back into the warmth of the cab before the wind reminds you who’s boss.

Repeat. Several times. For “the perfect shot”… obviously!
Ventnor sunsets on the Island… pure magic.
No filters needed, just a bag of hot chips and good timing!

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Bendigo, VIC

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