'Picnic at Hanging Rock' Valentines Day Film Screening at Hanging Rock

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Fri 14 Feb 2014

'Picnic at Hanging Rock' Valentine’s Day Film Screening at Hanging Rock



It is an old story that has almost become folklore. Three schoolgirls and their teacher went missing at Hanging Rock on Valentine's Day 1900.

It stemmed from a novel Picnic at Hanging Rock, written by Joan Lindsay (and yes, she had married into that famous Lindsay family .)



It was the unresolved story (those girls were never found) which made people gasp. It was a mystery, a gothic Australian bush tale.

Funnily few people ever saw it as fiction, which it was. Some even went scouring turn of the century newspapers looking for news reports about the lost girls.

The feeling that it actually happened is because anyone visiting Hanging Rock feels its power and treachery. There are so many hidden crevices and secret places. It seems ancient -- pagan.



The gigantic rocks seem to harbour secrets. There are unexplored regions and wizened faces which can be made out in the grey boulders that make up The Rock. Craggy precipices pierce the rolling clouds. A shroud of mist can suddenly descend on you like an ominous curtain.

The Rock is also volcanic and weren't maidens once sacrificed to volcanoes to appease the gods?

The book inspired director Peter Weir to shoot his film adaptation of Lindsay's novel there in 1975.

For over 16 years there have been outdoor screening at Hangiing Rock of his hauntingly beautiful film.

This year Valentine's Day falls on Friday 14th February. So you will be seeing the movie on the exact day Lindsay wrote about all those years ago.

Bring along a rug and a picnic as you can watch the movie underneath the stars with the ominous presence of Hanging Rock as your backdrop.

While this is not a romantic film (far from it, in fact it is quite languorous and creepy) it will soon have you drawing close to your loved one.



Hanging Rock is 80km north of Melbourne via the Calder Hiighway to Woodend and then follow the signs.

Other things to do in Woodend include experiencing the delight of one of Victoria's best ever vanilla slices and sitting in your car while it rolls up hill. This happens at Straw's Lane and is known locally as the magical pull of Hanging Rock. No joke! Click here .

You might also want to climb the rock. Tip: Do not wear white.



#valentines_day
#unusual_things_to_do
#picnic_spots
#parks
#cinema
#victoria
#february
!date 14/02/2014 -- 14/02/2014
%wnmelbourne