A Quick Break

hello all
I had a couple of things to sort out in Melbourne, so what better excuse to load up the camper and head off for a few days again. I didn't find out about the Diesel shortage caused by the fault at the refinery beforehand though and had to hunt around to get fuel.
After a night at a caravan park in Melbourne overrun by backpackers who decided it was a good idea to yahoo until 3.30am it was over Black Spur towards Eildon.

Lake Eildon Caravan Park

From my camp at Eildon

 After a very relaxing evening at Lake Eildon I took the Eildon-Jamieson road through the Eildon National Park. This road has now been sealed since I last came this way about 5 or 6 years ago.

Lake Eildon - Jamieson arm

 Along the road from Jamieson to Woods Point the Mansfield Shire has done a fantastic job along here actively promoting camping free of charge. Every few kilometres there are lovely freshly mown areas most with near new picnic tables and thunder boxes all in picturesque settings. Well done Mansfield Shire...............A nice but stormy night was spent at Snakes Reserve with several good light shows through the night.
The following morning I headed through Gaffneys Creek, and A1 Settlement to Woods Point. This is an area I had not been to for many years and I will have to go back and spend a week or so in this area. the area is an old (and current) gold mining area with lots of relics and old buildings around.

The old Woods Point servo

Woods Point

Woods Point

Woods Point Post Office

 Climbing over the range to Matlock I headed to Aberfeldy along the Walhalla Road, this is a road I used to know well from 30 years ago, a good gravel road............not any more. I don't think anything has been done to this road since I last used it. It is now overgrown and rough, I hardly got above first gear the whole way to Aberfeldy.

looking south from Matlock towards Baw Baw Plateau

 Not long after i got my license in 1975, I used to get around this area in a little LJ80 Suzuki. I remember the Donnelly's Creek Track as being narrow, heaps of side angle and following the creek most of the way. I had heard that Merringtons Track was fairly easy access to Donnellys Creek so I stopped at the top of Merringtons track to have a look. The track had in the last few days had a dozer down it so I off I headed.
About 500 metres along Merringtons I had my suspicions confirmed when I had to give way to a Falcon station Wagon coming out................

Junction pool Donnellys Creek

I have done a little off road stuff since having the camper, but still a bit cautious about getting somewhere and getting stuck, unable to turn around or get back up the hill with 480kg of camper on the back, so with this in mind I made the decision to retreat and return later for a daytrip without the camper, look around and see where I can and cant get the camper, then return for an extended visit. this area is only a couple of hours from home. Heading back out I was overtaken by a Falcon Longreach Ute complete with two motorbikes in the rear and P plates. Maybe I AM getting old...............

Junction Pool

 That night I spent at North Gardens Free Camp at Walhalla, this is an area I will cover later as it is only about 35 minutes from home.
The evening was spent around the camp fire in the company of other travelers discussing life and waking up to Liar Birds flitting around the camp.
For the moment the camper has been parked up, with school and christmas holidays approaching fast it might be time to stay home for a little while. 
The next planned excursion is the Mountain Cattlemens Get Together    http://www.mcav.com.au/.
11-13 January at Basin flat near Licola, but then again if i got away early tomorrow.............................

bye for now

Omeo to Home

Hello all
I left Omeo under overcast skies, but the skies soon cleared to warm the place up again. I headed up the Nunniong Road to the Mt Nugong fire tower.

From Mt Nugong fire tower

The road up on Nunniong was terrible, I don't know if it was yesterday's rain but all the road surface has been washed away from heavy rain, leaving just the rocks making the road pretty rough. I continued on to Nunniong Plain Scenic Reserve but the ground was so sodden I wasn't game to get off the main road in case I sank. There was plenty of fresh Brumby tracks around here also. It was back to Bentley Plain and Moscow Villa.

Nunniong Plain

Moscow Villa

Moscow villa was built in the early 1940's by Bill Ah Chow who was employed in the nearby Mt Nugong fire tower as a spotter. My Own Summer Cottage Officials Welcome Visitors Inside Light Lunch Available, he named it when visited by some 'shiny bums' from town.
The run down to Bairnsdale was uneventful and I headed to Eagle Point for the evening. The Silt Jetties, while impressive stretching almost 8km out into Lake king weren't very photogenic.

 While this trip has finished it isn't the end of this blog, I will be updating with a lot more trips as I trek about this great country. I have a few things to sort out here at home but plan to do at least one sneaky trip away to the mountains before school holidays gets unleashed on the country in a few weeks time. I also plan to spend a few days at Basin Flats near Licola mid January for the Mountain Cattlemens Annual Get Together. 
I have enjoyed the Camper and the versatility it gives, I tried a bit of off road stuff with it and found while it does limit where you can go, it certainly makes things a lot more comfortable when you get there. I much prefer driving down steep hills than up with the Camper on.It also only adds 1-1.5 litres per 100k to the diesel usage.
As I will be randomly going away over the next little while, why not 'subscribe by email' feature on the side so you wont miss out....
Bye for Now

Jindabyne to Omeo

Hello all
I am back in civilisation once again, I left Jindabyne and headed south along The Barry Way, this is a spectacular drive following the Snowy River.

seen better days

This old Bus caught my eye sitting forlornly in a paddock at Ingebyra. A bit further along  is Wallace Craigie Lookout.

Wallace Craigie Lookout (see the road on the hills in the backgoround)

The narrow windy road drops of the Plateau and descends about 1000 metres over about five kilometres to thre Pinch River below. The Pinch then flows into the snowy a short distance along.

this is my sat nav, the orange is my route and the darker line is the same route behind a hill (i told you it was windy)

Pinch River

The weather was stifling down in the Snowy Valley, I don't think I have ever been through here when it hasn't been hot. My guess would have been mid 30's. The Snowy was looking the best I have seen it in many years with good healthy flows of water.

The Snowy River

The Snowy

I arrived at Wulgulmerang to hang a right turn along the Limestone Road. This is a magic part of the country I first started visiting in about 1979-80. I was just poking along slowly as the road had a good surface but was fairly steep and windy when I spotted some wild Brumbies off in a clearing not far from the road. I stopped, crept out, got the camera out and managed one quick shot before a troopy came screaming around the corner at a great rate of knots and scared them away.

my only brumby photo

Camp that night was at Native Dog flat, a magnificent place on the headwaters of the Buchan River. the large Brumby population keep the grass mown like a lawn and with a nice Alpine stream flowing through doesn't get much better.

Native Dog Flat

That night was spent around the campfire chatting to a lovely couple from Paynesville and listening to the Brumbies snorting and fighting.

my camp

During the night I could hear the Brumbies walking on the rocks to drink from the creek, they seem quite used to people and the smells etc. People camped there the previous night were woken in the night to look out and see brumbies fighting right next to their camper.

my camp just left of centre and the couple from Paynesville at the right

Parrots

The bird life there was amazing with numerous Parrots of all sorts and Robins with a bright orange/red breast. The morning broke to rainy skies, although still very mild. but that was only the start. I packed up in the wet to head off to Omeo. About 5 kilometres down the road the sun came out which had me looking for shorts again, but wait another 10 kilometres and I have thunderstorms, lightning, and torrential rain. Yep I am back in Victoria, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute........

Lake Omeo

Even Lake Omeo (which is actually at Benambra) had water in it and the countryside was looking good. Lake Omeo is usually dry with the locals using it as a paddock. The storms have cleared for tonight at Omeo. I am heading to Bairnsdale tomorrow to have a look at the Silt Jetties on the Gippsland Lakes.
This trip is nearly over far too soon but I am looking forward to getting home and putting all my camping gear into the camper. I could only take what I could fit in the passenger seat of the ute with me, so the next trip will be good being equipped with camp ovens, outside tables and so on. Silk Jetties here i come.....
Bye for now
 

Canberra to Jindabyne

Hello all
I am safely at Jindabyne, right beside the Lake and the weather is superb........

The Carillion in Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

I spent last night at Cooma, and did an easy 60k run today to Jindy. I like area around Cooma and over to here, it varies from about 800 to 1100 metres above sea level so it reminds me of some of the High Country in Victoria - but better roads.
Unfortunately Cooma and a lot of the old towns and settlements I enjoyed has gone to the latte set. Omeo and Mansfield have gone this way also, instead of beat up old cars and four wheel drives the streets are full of BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

set up at Lake Jindabyne

the view from my window

 I have hung back a bit, as I want to watch 'All4adventure' tonight as this will be the last time I have electricity or TV reception for a little while. Tomorrow morning I head off down The Barry Way and with a week of 25-33c forecast should be brilliant. This is one of the most spectacular drives in Victoria (and a bit of NSW)
With the good weather I have stocked up pretty well with food and might stay a few more nights if the weather holds out. 
I won't have phone or internet reception until I pop out of the scrub again in Omeo, my thinking is if I find a nice spot away from people I might have a rest day and stay put an extra night.
I should have some good pictures next time.
bye for now

Sydney and Canberra

hello all

After getting the vehicle was fixed it was off to Toyota Warehouse at Taren Point for Lunch. The boys at Toyota showed me all around the complex and bought me lunch to boot .......
I had been speaking to the boys up here for over 6 years at least a couple of times a week, so it was good to finally catch up.

Bondi Beach

After a long lunch with Toyota I started the trek southward, staying in Goulburn last night. under overcast skies I headed off to Canberra, the skies clearing and getting to 24c today (a Canberra heatwave.)

Lake George with water in it...it doesn't happen often

 Canberra has changed a lot in the since 1979 when I was last here.........and those people in Melbourne that think the Federation Square is ugly have never seen Parliment House............it's a shocker.

Telstra Tower at Black Mountain in Canberra

Cbd and Lake Burley Griffin

Telstra tower from the lake

ruins at Mount Stromlo

The mount Stromlo Observatory was virtually wiped out by a bushfire in 2003.

a lot of the historic buildings were lost

more ruins

 After Stomlo I went to see if I could find Donald and Daffy Duck.....

No not there.....old Parliment house

found them but they wouldn't come out.......

Well folks I must go as i need to put on every piece of clothing I have with me.....the forecast is 5c tonight. I have not worn long pants since October 27th and only worn runners twice since then.........it is going to be 26c tomorrow.
I am heading to Adaminaby, Lake Eucumbeen. for tomorrow night, then into Cooma for Saturday night. After Cooma I am heading to Jindbyne and going down the Barry Way to see that magnificent scenery once again. I never get sick of this place. Weather permitting I hope to head across the Limestone road to Omeo and home, maybe another week, maybe two.........
bye all I am off to turn on the gas as at 5c I am going to need the heater tonight.
 

I am Still around

Hello all
I have been a bit quiet on here for a few days for a couple of reasons.....
There are no photos to post this leg mainly because the weather has been crap.
The Rain has been following me down the coast, which doesnt really make you want to get out and take photos
After three nights of 20-30mm of rain  I am finally drying out.......
I have also had a small vehicle issue which stalled me in Newcastle for two nights. I first raised the issue with the dealer in Hervey Bay, and there response was woeful to say the least. I have actually complained to the Distributor. Occasionally I would lose power, I told them what the problem was, as I had dropped into the Dealer in Dubbo as the engine fault light was coming on occasionally. They did sweet f---- all...............By the time I left Forster I had gone from easily cruising in 6th gear with 5th gear on some steep sections to struggling up hills in 3rd sometimes 2nd gear. By the time I arrived in Newcastle it was virtually undriveable. the EGR valve had come adrift and was choking the engine. I was struggling to take off at traffic lights...............
The Dealer in Newcastle was excellent and stipped a new EGR valve off a new vehicle to get me going. So today was back on the road arriving in Sydney. Scooting down the Newcastle Freeway with ease, overtaking trucks on the hills in 6th gear. Tomorrow I am having Lunch with a couple of the guys from the Toyota Help Desk in Taren Point, I have been chatting to these guys for years so it will be good to finally meet.........
Depending on what time i get away I hope to get to Canberra or somewhere along the way tomorrow night. I am trying to get to Canberra while double figures are forecast, but it is 5c tonight in Canberra......I think the camper heater might be getting a workout there....I have only work shoes twice since the 27th of October and not worn long pants since being away.... I am not looking forward to getting back to the cold weather at all.
Bye for now....

The Trip South

Hello all
I thought I had better do a post, all going well but not much to report. Just a leisurely run down the east coast. After leaving Beerwah I  took the freeway through Brisbane and the gold Coast staying overnight at Byron Bay, next night was Coffs Harbour, today was on to Port Macquarie.

Nambucca Heads

After having a look around Port Macquarie tomorrow morning I am heading off to Forster and Wallis Lakes. I am basically killing time as I don't want to arrive in Sydney until Monday and to a certain extent stalling as it was only 25c today.............not looking forward to the colder weather again.
bye for now

Glasshouse Mountains

hello all
the trek south has begun, I left Hervey Bay on Monday afternoon and headed to Gympie. 
I only wanted a short day to get the feel of how the ute handled with the camper on the back.
Next stop was Beerwah at the Glasshouse Mountains, another short day which gave me a chance to do some laundry.

Glasshouse Mountains

Glasshouse Mountains

at the lookout

I stayed in a Camping Park last night out the back of Beerwah and had no Mobile reception or internet, so I am updating this from Byron Bay.

camp at Beerwah

nice place but march flies the size of small aircraft

Glasshouse Mountains are only 50k north of Brisbane, and once I got on the Motorway I didn't want to get off until I was Below the Gold Coast. I did a couple of detours but the traffic was horrible.
I am in Byron Bay now and will be continuing south at a slow pace. I want to have a look at Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and a few other places, besides the weather I crap in Sydney at the moment so I hope it gets better by the time I get there.
bye for now.....

Fraser Island

Hello all,
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my 2 cousins I hadn't seen for 30 years, both avid nomads, so there was lots to talk about.
Today I spent the day over on Fraser Island after a very wet night and morning, we had about 30mm of rain from about 4pm Saturday until this Morning. there was still some showers hanging around mid morning over on Fraser but cleared this afternoon.

offloading vehicles off the barge at Fraser Island

the  tour bus at Central Station

 Central Station was an old forestry camp but is now used as a campground amongst Kauri and Hoop pines and massive Satinay trees all growing in sand.

Central station

Wanggoolba Creek flows nearby with crystal clear water surrounded by giant king ferns and forest.

Strangler Fig

Wanggoolba Creek the water is about half a metre deep but crystal clear

Heading over to the Eastern Beach the weather was still a bit wild.

Arriving at the surf beach

It was up the 75 mile beach to the Maheno shipwreck.

Maheno

The Maheno was a luxury cruise liner, built in Scotland in 1905. She was one the fastest turbine ship of her time setting a record of the quickest crossing of the Tasman sea in 1907.
In 1935 while being towed to Japan for scrap she broke free during a cyclone and washed ashore.

 

While we were there a G8 Airvan made in Latrobe Valley in Victoria landed on the beach. Vehicle have to give way to Aircraft at certain locations along the beach.

The Pinnacles coloured sands

The Great Sandy highway speed limit 80 kph

Eli Creek

Eli Creek

Eli Creek flows at a rate of 4.2 million litres per hour, remembering that this is a sand island......
After heading back to Eurong beach Resort for a buffet lunch is was off to Lake McKenzie.
Lake McKenzie is a perched lake, meaning it is about 80 metres above sea level, and the island being sand absorbs water. Over hundreds of years leaf litter has accumulated in a large depression an formed what can loosely be called a pool liner allowing the water to gather and not just soak into the sand.

Lake McKenzie

After Lake McKenzie it was back to the barge landing for the trip back to Hervey Bay.

The Fraser Venture coming to collect us

Tomorrow morning I will try to work out how the camper goes back on the ute, if successful I will be leaving the bay and starting a leisurely journey south towards the Glasshouse Mountains for a bit of a look.
Bye for now...