Bendigo and Lake Colac - 26 to 27/01/2024

We set off from Echuca on Australia Day.  A short trip today - about 90km south to a low cost farmstay on the outskirts of Bendigo called Epsom Escape.

This couple, Matt and Karen lend out their back paddock to travellers looking for a short stopover.  $20 a night.

We enjoyed an Australia Day lunch - sausages on the Weber with a side of cole slaw followed up with some damper which we shared with our neighbours parked nearby.

Our overnighter proved to be a cool one.  After a few warmer days at Echuca, we had to pull out the big guns dooner for the night - minimum of 9.6 degrees.   I want you to remember that temperature...

Stopped by the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.  Wow! what an impressive sandstone structure.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo (founded 1897)

We set off around 7:00 with a stop in at Bunnings for some hardware for a little project I'm working on.  I'm improvising to make a pole mount for the Starlink dish to attach to the van.

As we were driving down the streets of Bendigo, we had a Cable Beach moment.  Our friends Barb and Les reading this will know what I mean by that - Judy had an experience she can't unsee - a tall bearded bloke strolling down the street bold as brass absolutely starkers!  No photos were taken.  Remember how cold it was?

Our target destination on this leg of our journey is Port Campbell, so we took a break in the drive and stayed for an overnighter on the banks of Lake Colac.

When we arrived, we began to understand how popular this spot is.  There would have been at least 100 campers lined along the shores of the lake.  The howling winds didn't phase them - I guess they are reasonably local and come to expect it.  

Anyway, we found a spot of the shoreline and pulled up stumps.

Heavily overcast and misty rains and howling winds - I ventured out of the comfort of the van to capture a sunset show.  The glow through the heavy skies was beautiful.

a 20 sec exposure to calm the waters...

 

The dawn was much more peaceful, so I grabbed the opportunity to venture out again with the camera.

 

Epsom Escape, Bendigo: 36°42'39.76" S 144°17'56.17" E
Lake Colac: 38°16'13.65" S 143°36'52.39" E

Murray River - 21 to 25/01/2024

We decided to spend some time on the Murray River.  After stocking with some supplies in Albury, trekked out to our first campsite, 'Shaws Flat Campground'.  Arriving around midday, it was quite hot but we found a good blend of shade, breeze and solar harvesting. Overnight, the temperature bottomed out at 13 deg. 

Hundreds of friendly cockatoos around camp here - very noisy at dusk and dawn but not complaining - it adds to the ambience of the bush.  

The NSW/Vic border was about 5m from our van.
Having spent one night at Shaws Flat, we headed on to Yarrawonga as we booked a lunch cruise on the Cumbaroona, a paddle steamer on Lake Mulwala.  Lake Mulwala is on the Murray and separates the Victorian town of Yarrawonga from the NSW town of Mulwala.
We checked into a caravan park for 2 nights in Yarrawonga.

The Murray River has its own flag!

This bridge, commissioned in 1924 has sunken in the middle as you can see

On Wednesday, we packed up and moved on to Echuca.  What a beautiful little historical town.  Established in the mid to late 19th century, Echuca is the site of the first inland port in Australia.

Our site at Echuca - well manicured lawn surface.

This rig wanders the streets of town all day

I ran into this gorgeous chick and after a little chat she agreed to come travel with me

Today, we took a trip down the Murray on the PS Pevensey, a 100+ year old paddle steamer - wonderful experience!  This particular vessel was the one used in "All the Rivers Run" mini series in the 80's.

Then we had a look through the Australian Holden Museum - some memories in there.  Unfortunately, the museum is closing down in April this year so if it's on your bucket list to check it out, you have a couple of months left.

It's been an enjoyable time over the past five days on the Murray while waiting with bated breath for Cyclone Kirrily to approach the coast back home.  We are watching every platform of media we can get our hands on until it all passes.  Fingers crossed everyone survives unscathed.

Tumut - 19 to 20/01/2024

Since previous post, we parted ways with Damien, Adri and the boys.  We said our goodbyes and they continued their homeward journey.  We changed course and veered a little north but west and parked up for a couple of nights at Tumut - Riverglades Caravan Park.

 

Today, we took a drive to further explore parts of Kosciuszko National Park.

First stop - Blue Waterholes and Clarke Gorge.  The vistas of the wide open sweeping plains, make for a pleasant drive.  There are so many great campgrounds throughout the park, if we ever get back this way, we'll sample a few of them I reckon.

Blue Waterholes

Clarke Gorge

Cave Creek flows through Clarke Gorge

We visited a few points of interest - 19th century Coolamine Homestead, a couple of sites of the mighty Snowy Hydro Scheme in Blowering Power Station and Tumut 3 Power Station.  Took a diversion though the loop circuit to Yerrangabilly Caves.  Caves aren't really our thing but we still enjoyed the drive down through the valley.  This area was devastated by the 2019 bushfires, while recovery is evident, it's still showing the scars of the devastation.

Coolamine Homestead

Blowering Power Station

Tumut 3 Power Station

Bushfire devastation 4 years on...

This was really our first exploration day of this trip with many more to come.

Riverglades Caravan Park - 35°17'38.27" S 148°13'8.16" E
Coolamine Homestead - 35°36'34.8515" S 148°39'50.8651" E
Clarke Gorge - 35°37'19.7755" S 148°41'8.8905" E

 

Snowy River - 15 to 17/01/2024

Island Bend Campground in Kosciuszko National Park was our rendezvous point.  We arrived around 10:00am from our overnight stopover and Damien, Adri and the boys arrived about 3:00pm straight off the ferry from Tasmania. 

GPS: 36°19'21.1166" S 148°27'56.6628" E

Our trip from Numeralla Rest Stop to Island Bend Campground

 

Foggy drive along Kosciuszko Rd

We spent 2 days and 2 nights there.  I think we snagged the best 'seat in the house' by the banks of the Snowy River.  

Sharing the couple of days with the kids in such beautiful surroundings, was just the best! 

The countryside is so peaceful and unique to the area - I love the colours in the trunks of the Snow Gums.  The local wildlife were friendly.

Early morning rises paid dividends exploring nearby with my camera and tripod ...

We were booked to stay a third night but a severe weather warning for the area compelled us to seek better conditions.  So we packed up and headed back to Cooma and then on to a small campsite out the back of the Bredbo Pub.  From here we'll part ways and wander further southwards.  We still have almost 3 weeks until we board the Spirit of Tasmania.

I'll keep ya posted...