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