23 October: Continued on the Great Alpine Road through Omeo and scenic valleys until we reached the coast.

 

 

 

 

 

Set up camp at Lakes Entrance and had a bit of a look around. Looks like a fishing and boating meca, golden sand beaches and the ocean, lakes and waterways. Went to the local Fishermans Co-op and bought some duck fish for dinner.

Not unusual for us in beach areas, the weather deteriorated. Caught up on some chores and drove to Lake Tyers then Orbost and Marlo and a look at some of the Snowy River campsites.

Stopped off to look at an historic trestle rail bridge (Stony Creek Bridge). Came across another red belly black snake when walking along the track. This one didn’t slither away but arched up and stood its ground- we curtailed our walk at that point.

Weather cleared a little and we went for a walk in the Nyerimilang Heritage Park and looked around the old homestead.

21 October: Set off along the Great Alpine Road to Omeo. Initially along the valley but then started the climb to Mount Hotham. This turned out to be a “white knuckle” drive for Danger with a narrow winding road around the steep mountainside until we were above the snow level and driving under a chairlift at the ski field. Passed Mount St Bernard and Mount Blowhard (high wind warning signs on the road) on the way to Mount Hotham. Rube enjoyed the stunning views and took lots of photos so Danger could later appreciate where he had driven. Only saw one other caravan on the way and increased pulse rates for Danger when the Cruiser struggled in second before finally chopping into first on the steeper sections.

 

A more relaxing drive down the other side as not so steep and a nice wide road. Stopped and admired the views north to the Falls Creek area. Quite a bit of snow around so the walks we had considered were not really suitable. Continued on our way towards Omeo. Looked at a possible campsite at Cobungra (Victoria Falls in the Alpine National Park) and decided to stay.

A relaxing afternoon, walked around the site and read about the history – old gold mining area with a small hydro electric plant in the early 1900’s. Did some caravan polishing (still getting rid of red QLD dust) and then enjoyed a campfire🔥. Only one other couple there.

A chilly start to the next day but then improved. Walked to the Victoria Falls then relaxed, another campfire and had the whole area to ourselves.

16 October: Another meander along small country roads, rolling hill countryside and across the border into Victoria. Saw a plane crop dusting a paddock right beside the road.

 

 

 

Have set up in Yackandandah (historic gold mining village) and have a nice grassy site alongside a little stream.

First day of “sightseeing”, drove along the Kiewa Valley with views of Mt Bogong, Victoria’s highest mountain, to Mt Beauty, a purpose built hydro town at the edge of the Alpine National Park. Winding road over the hills to Bright, main thoroughfare lined with big trees (had finished blossoming but very green new leaves), a lot of azaleas, camellias and blossom trees in people gardens so town living up to its name and looking bright and colourful. Good views of Mount Buffalo National Park. Next stop Myrtleford for lunch and then back to the van to do a bit of cleaning and baking. Lots of old corrugated iron tobacco drying kilns around as the area had been a tobacco growing region.

Today went in another direction today (18 Oct and Richards birthday 🎉).

Visited the Woolshed Falls, an old gold mining site and then through Beechworth, lots of historic sandstone buildings including the old jail. On through the Milawa region with wineries and produce, to King Valley.

Did some wine tasting and then had very nice lunch at the Gracebrook Vineyard.

Weather not so good today (19 Oct), raining. Drove along the Murray Highway to Corryong. Stopped off for lunch next to the Jack Reilly statue (The Man From Snowy River), past the turnoff to Thredbo Ski Field – still a bit of snow around- past the racetrack featured at the start of the Phar Lap movie and through a scenic valley back to the Highway. Creek beside the caravan high and fast flowing when we got back to the camp – spent a bit of time watching the level but all ok.

Destination Mount Buffalo National Park, weather clearing. Danger not so keen on the road but good views. Had planned to do a few walks starting at the top and making our way down. Couldn’t drive to “The Horn” car park as the road was still closed for winter. Walked to top but the weather had closed in so no view and no walk to The Horn.

 

Little bits of snow around – took a selfie at our first Australian snow!

 

 

 

 

 

Had lunch and then tried our next walk around Lake Catani – road to main area again still closed – track quite wet and then a red belly black snake basking in the sun on a dry patch of the track, not conducive for wanting to continue the walk.

 

Next attempt at a walk was the Gorge Heritage Walk which had “spectacular” lookout points – think viewing platforms, Danger not so keen on these but we completed the walk and had good views over to the alps and saw lots of wildflowers in bloom. Danger keen to have control on the drive back down from the plateau, Rubes driving too scary.

13 October: Another scenic drive out of the NP and a lovely green valley to Coonabarabran. Saw lots of large telescopes around as the area has Australias largest optical astronomy research centre and many amateurs due to having a high percentage of clear nights.

On to Dubbo and set up our van in the grounds of a vineyard, with the vines being right beside us. We did manage to sample some of the product and bought a few bottles to drink on our journey.

15 October: Meandered our way along the highway and then byways to the small rural town of Coolamon. Very pretty countryside and a big contrast to “out West”, green with lots of livestock and lots of crops. Silos dotted everywhere. Visited a cafe/cheese factory which surprisingly had our favourite Campos coffee.

 

10 October: A scenic drive today on our way to the Warrumbungle National Park. Definitely out of the outback now, lots more traffic around and regular small towns. Found out that 90% of the park had been destroyed by a major fire in 2013 followed closely by damaging flash floods a few days later. New campsite with very good facilities and great views. Did a few of the walks and relaxed for a couple of days. Danger baked some lovely baguettes on the BBQ (with its newly installed thermometer).

 

7 October: Uneventful journey back to Cunnamulla, no rain (it was threatened) which was good as the road out to the QLD border closes quickly if it rains. Stayed at campsite on the Warrego River again. Great lightening show on Saturday night and a huge red moon. Finally had some rain which the locals were very pleased about. Set our yabbie pot in the river as it was meant to be a good place to catch them. Had some fun when we went to retrieve our pot before leaving on Monday morning. Tried pulling it in but it was firmly stuck! Luckily for us the camp had kayaks for hire and were happy to lend us one. Danger went up the creek without a paddle (Rube let him out on a rope) and freed the pot. Outcome, Danger, kayak and pot safe ashore and one yabbie in the pot!

9 October: Crossed the border again and back into NSW and to Bourke. Went through a patch of heavy rain and evidence of recent rain at Bourke. Some nice old buildings in Bourke including the Post Office where we collected a parcel (a thermometer for the Weber).

5 October: Had an overnight at Thargomindah to break the journey. Set off nice and early but had no sooner got out of the township when “Safety Dave” alarmed. It was indicating that we had low pressure in our front left tyre. Back to the township to put air in the tyre but then discovered that a sharp piece of bone had punctured the tyre! Bugger! Jacked up the truck and got the wheel off, had puncture repaired and then we were finally off along the “Adventure Way” to the Burke and Wills Dig Tree on Cooper Creek.  Lots of long straight roads, landscape mainly flat but a couple of ranges. Also saw a number of the oil and gas fields that are in this area.

 

 

 

 

 

Walked around the Dig Tree and the Face Tree and then set up camp on the banks of the river – lots of bird life including pelicans.

 

 

 

 

 

Bit of a downside was the local fly population. We must of made a odd picture sitting on stools by the river wearing our head fly nets and sipping our gin and tonics!

In the morning had another walk around the Dig tree and chatted with Ranger Col who filled us in with some less publicised aspects of the ill fated expedition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 October: Back on our Burke and Wills journey, destination Innamincka across the border in South Australia. Crossed through the top part of the Strzelecki Desert – red sand dunes – and then set up camp on the banks of the Cooper Creek again. Looked around the “town”, pub, trading post and an information centre!

Very hot, 35 degrees, but went driving and explored the area around Burkes grave – only a short walk, fly nets required.

 

 

 

 

 

On to Wills grave and then we drove along the start of the Strzelecki Track.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cold beer required at the pub and picked up a book about the Burkes and Wills expedition recommended by Ranger Col.

3 October: Crossed the border back into Queensland and onto the “Adventure Way”. Couple of hits today – a turtle (who would expect one in the middle of the outback) and a lizard! Lots of emus and kangaroos around. Enjoyed the camp on the banks of the Warrego River – lovely green grass (well fertilised by hungry kangaroos as the surrounding countryside is very dry), and gardens with roses in bloom and various other flowers and shrubs, and great facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

Saw the statue of the Cunnamulla Fella and listened to the song.

29 September: On the move again! This time have stopped at a “huge” town called Yetman on the banks of the MacIntyre River – population around 200! A bit of catch-up time. Baked a cake and a “mark1” baguette! Got a few chores done. The campground was alongside a playing field and a running track and after some encouragement Rube managed to run a few laps to keep Danger company.

1 October: A big drive today – shared by both of us – to Lightning Ridge. A quirky little town with lots of opal shops and galleries. Visited the John Murray Art Gallery – liked some of his artwork but no room for purchases. Town surrounded by small opal camps with a multitude of ancient caravans and huts and piles of diggings. Too cold to try out the Bore Baths – coldest, dampest day in months.

26 September: Next destination not too far away at Lake Moogerah. Quite a pretty place surrounded by the Moogerah Peaks. A very popular place with boaties – watercraft of all sizes and people skiing, being towed on various “toys”, kayaks and windsurfers.

 

 

 

 

 

28 September: A scenic drive today, along the Cunningham Highway through the Main Range National Park up a steep escarpment with views of rugged peaks and then out through orchards and market gardens to the Giraween National Park.

 

Quite windy when we arrived but we set out for a couple of walks, first to the Granite Arch – huge granite boulders perched on each other to form an archway – and then a scramble up Pyramid Rock in a howling gale.

Shame we weren’t able to book another day (fully booked for the long weekend) as it was a nice park with good facilities. Parked in the day use area and went for another walk, this time to Sphinx Rock and then Turtle Rock. Good to do the walks in the morning as it was getting quite hot by the time we finished.