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Tonight's stop was at a free (well, donation requested) site at Gundagai. Once again, we awoke at about 5am freezing cold (although we did have a douvet by this stage). The reason? Out of gas again. We had been running our gas heater pretty heavily as it was just about silent compared with the on/off cycles of the air con. It would seem that it used a bit more gas than we were expecting, and I was putting off refilling the gas bottle until we got to Corowa (next leg) because there was a cheap gas refiller there.
(For caravanning and camping friends, try Gas Bottle Refills (no affiliation)
<Above> Our kind of campsite - Lots of room, next to a tributary of the Murrumbidgee River and on a nicely mown field. Thanks, Gundagai!
On to Corowa and the essential gas refill. We won't be caught out again! This time it was a caravan park whose land goes all the way down to the mighty Murray River and a wetland that we could explore. It still had reminders of the flood that came through here about 6 months ago, but I guess that just helps the glorious River Red Gums. Lots of birds around, which was nice.
<Above> A Great Egret searching for lunch
<Above Left> A pair of Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos
<Left> Unknown species captured sitting on a bench overlooking the Murray
<Below Left> A rare Cockatoo Tree in full bloom
<Below> A Little Pied Cormorant on a snag in the river, probably also looking for lunch
After Corowa, we were getting close to meeting up with Andy at the base of the Victorian High Country. While it was still cool, fortunately we were a bit too early for the snow season as all the small towns around here get booked out very quickly.
<Above> The next stop was Woolshed Falls, where the miners diverted a whole creek to get at the gold in the gullies below the falls.
<Left> Australia seems to have gained a reputation for erecting 'Big' things. Big Pineapple, Big Banana, Big Galah, Big Trout, etc. However, never in our dreams would we have imagined a Big Shovel!
This was outside a small town called Chiltern in NW Victoria. (Real link here, sorry about Bunnings) It's a tribute to the old gold miners who scoured this region in the 19th Centure. According to the blurb, the birds are Regent Honeyeaters, but the top one seems to have caught something unwanted in its beak.
Next stop was Beechworth for lunch. It's a lovely old town (another old gold town) with wide streets, picturesque buildings and trees that were starting to give their best Autumn colours.
<Above 2 Rows> It also has a wonderful old sweet shop. Who could resist? Top row left/centre - boiled lollies. Top Row Right - ??? Bottom Row - Fudges!
<Above> Finally we arrived in Porpunkah for a few days with Andy. The caravan park was by the side of yet another river (Buckland, a tributary of the Ovens River) and very pleasant.
<Above> We managed to get two adjoining sites. Us on the left in total comfort, and the more austere 'outdoorsy' look for Andy on the right.
<Above> Andy guided us up to Mt Hotham (one of the ski centres) to show us one of his favourite camping spots with a fantastic view. Mother Nature is not always kind.
<Above> As has already been mentioned, fire is a constant problem here, and the Victorian High Country is no exception. Quite a bit is growing back, though.
The next day, we went up Mt Buffalo. You'll never guess what the weather was like there?
<Left and Right> The entrance and main building of the rather Olde Worlde Mt Buffalo Chalet, built in 1910. It's currently under renovation.
<Above> Andy pointing out another of his favourite viewing spots...
<Above> This is the base of a huge boulder called The Laviathan. Just use your imagination to complete the sphere!
<Above> Maybe all those clouds are the reason we can't see anything from the mountain tops? <Below> Just delightful countryside.
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