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February 2013
8 February 2013
We're on the road again...well, almost. Tomorrow we hit the road and head up to Queensland for the Sorghum harvest. Today however we took a drive with Barbara and Peter to take them out for a thank you lunch. They have let us park on their front lawn while we have been killing apples and it has been very nice to spend some time with them.
We took a drive up to Noojee, a small town in the foothills to Mt Baw Baw and the Victorian Alpine region. On the way we drove past the small camp site Joanne and I enjoyed last weekend just North of Neerim South. The view from our front door is below.
The clouds are in over the mountains
Just before Noojee we stopped for a look at the old Noojee Trestle Bridge which carried a railway in times gone by. A short climb up the path and we were walking across the top looking down into the ferns and through the forest.
The Noojee Trestle Bridge (21m high and 102m long)
From the trestle it was onto the Toorongo Falls where we found a number of very nice campsites in the campground near the creek which is fed from the falls. Long drop toilets and some makeshift fireplaces being the only facilities there. This would be one place we might just come back to (in summer). Here's a few pictures of the falls.
Toorongo Falls, well worth the 1.2km walk up through the bush to see them.
The water flow from the falls.
Getting hungry it was time to take the short drive back to the Noojee Hotel where we enjoyed a nice meal and a few beers while sitting on the rear deck while the river flowed past. Yes, it's a tough life.
We will hit the road in the morning and post more of our trip as we go.
9 February 2013
Leaving our home for the past 5 weeks we took the road up through the hills passing through Neerim South again and passing through Nayook and Powelltown before arriving into a very pleasant and busy Warburton. From there it was up (with a capital U) the Archeon Way as we crossed the Yarra Ranges. The bitumen ran out after a while at the turnoff to Mt Donna Buang (1250m) and the sign said our road was unsuitable for caravans and busses, so after a brief discussion we continued on and we were very glad that we did.
We were traveling on a windy gravel road through the forest as it climbed towards Archeon Gap at the top of the Dividing Rage (796m), passing beautifully tall stringy bark trees and ferns as high as the motorhome as we went.
It was a good road even though it was narrow. Passing only two vehicles (good job they were small) we eventually found ourselves back down the bottom of the ranges and arriving in Marysville, scene of some horrific fire devastation in 2009 when the whole town virtually burnt down in flames, the scars and empty lots testament to homes and businesses being lost and never being re-built.
Just out of town we took the short trip up to Steavenson Falls (supposedly the highest in Victoria). Here's a few shots of them.
The falls are about 300m from the car park and toilets and are accessed by a very well made track.
The area has been revamped after the fires and the lighting is powered by a small hydro electric plant. The water flows on down to town and is the source of the towns water supply.
Leaving Marysville we made our way to Alexandra and to the small freedom camp at Brooks Cutting approximately 5 km's out of town and a short 100m from the Goulburn River. It's a small camp area and with a caravan and us in there is enough room for about six or seven more rigs.
The very fast flowing Goulburn River.
So after quite an eventful day we called it quits and settled in for a quiet night.
10 February 2013
And a quiet night it was except for some animal scratching around outside our bedroom window sometime during the night. We woke and after a leisurely breakfast and pack up drove off towards Mansfield and then onto Jamiseon where we caught up with a friend of Joanne's parents.
Back to Mansfield for lunch and then it was onto find a camp. Now sometimes things change mid way and that is exactly what happened to us. We had been looking on the wiki-camps phone app and saw a camp at Stringy Bark Creek in the Wombat Ranges, the name of which sort of rang a bell, and as we came to the turn off the sign saying Kelly Tree put it into perspective. We turned off and after 11 km's came to a large clearing in the forest where there were plenty of nice campsites, brand new toilets and interpretive signs.
Parking up we took the walking trail and came to a picnic area where we found the Kelly Tree nearby. This tree was the second tree to bear the name and was for some time supposed to represent where Ned Kelly and his gang ambushed and killed some Policemen who were out looking for the gang. It turns out the tree was in the wrong place but...the names of the Policemen killed were carved into the trunk as a memorial but later replaced by a metal replica of Kelly's helmet which the tree has grown up and over, leaving a small remnant visible.
Ned Kelly
Lat/Long
1878
A few hundred yards away through the forest we found another interpretive sign at what is recorded as being the actual site of the shootout.
The information panel.
The site now. Directly opposite the panel is the supposed location of the tent in the diagrams.
We almost stopped for the day back in the campground about 400m back but eventually decided to press on to our intended campsite. Up and down a number of ranges and at one stage could see the smoke from the large fire that is currently burning in the Alpine Park. Stopping on a track into the pine forest I climbed onto the roof of the motorhome and managed to take this shot, the fire clearly visible on the right with Mt Buffalo on the left.
Dropping down the range we passed through the small town of Whitfield and onto the Edi Cutting where there is a campsite on the King River. It took a bit to get in but we eventually found ourselves a nice spot and settled in.
Our spot near the river
There are a number of others camped here with us with some floating down the river on tubes or canoes and even the Police drove through and checked us out.
11 February 2013
We awoke this morning to the sound of the water running by after what was a noisy(ish) evening last night. As we went to bed the wind picked up and the trees around us began dropping their stringy bark and gumnut seed pods and that of course meant that our roof was a target, in fact everybody's roof was a target.
It took a while to get to sleep because just as we were dropping off the edge into slumber there would inevitably be a BANG from some bark or a nut as it landed on the roof, and then the bark would blow along the roof until it got caught on something and where it would then scratch the roof to add to the annoyance, somewhat akin to a squeaky gate blowing in the wind. Of course this necessitated getting up, poking one's head through the moon roof hatch and using the broom to dislodge the offender. This ritual went on for what seemed an eternity but after three such visits to the outside we drifted off to sleep.
Leaving our campsite we drove the short 20 km's into Wangaratta where we braved the morning rush hour and obtained some food to stock the larder and fuel for the tank before escaping again to the peacefulness of the countryside, albeit by the Alpine Highway until we turned off at Chiltern and where we seemed to have driven into a town of yester year. This is a very quaint and pleasant town where all of the shops and buildings in the main street seem to have remained in period costume from when the town was settled after gold was discovered. The modern vehicles the only give a way that we were in fact in 2013.
Moving on from Chiltern we headed out into crop country again, large flat, open expanses of stubble left over from the recent harvest standing out against the brilliant blue sky and the further North we went so did the temperature, both quite a contrast from our recent trek through the Alpine Region.
We stopped for morning tea next to the Murray River at Howlong where we enjoyed a cuppa, jam donut and a paddle in the river. Then it was on into more open expanse and a sun that was just getting hotter.
Morning Tea location
We stopped for lunch next to the Murrumbidgee River and considered it as a camp spot, but as we had picked out a spot further up the road we continued on. More and more crop areas before we eventually arrived at the small village of Ariah Park which like Chiltern is a place of yester year and in perfect costume. Known as the place of wowsers, bowsers and peppercorn trees because they gave up alcohol in protest against the unpopular publican when they were knocked back for a second pub, bowsers because they had a number of petrol bowsers in the main street and the pepper trees well...that speaks for itself. Ariah Park is also the birthplace of bulk grain cartage in Australia, and the pig that starred in the movie Babe was born and raised here before going off to star on the silver screen.
The main street boasts shops with verandah's down each side of the street which is separated by a green expanse with parking spots intermingles with pepper trees.
The Main Street
Stopping the Post Office to pay for a key to the power and showers we parted with a $10 note and headed off the the sports oval where, in the back corner is a small camping area. Free to use unless you want power or a shower. This place is fabulous and has a camp kitchen that has everything you could need to cook up your favourite meal.
A local told Joanne the story behind the camp kitchen which is worth telling here. Apparently a local lad entered a competition to win $20,000 for his town. He was asked what he would do if he won it and replied that he would use it to construct and fit out a camp kitchen at the free camp to entice more people to the town, and from all reports, it has done just that.
Lamb Chops on the BBQ for tea tonight
As you would know we rarely stay in a caravan park or paid accommodation, but $10 for the lot is too good to pass up, especially as it is 33 deg C outside with a hot wind and our air conditioner is begging for some use.
12 February 2013
RDO in Ariah Park. Nothing exciting today except we managed to sit and update our budget and expense record and to get a few little jobs done.
13 February 2013
Leaving Ariah Park we headed off into a very strong wind. We found our way to West Wylong where we inspected the GrainFlow site before moving on to Grenfell, birthplace of the bush poet Henry Lawson and haunt of bush ranger Ben Hall and numerous stories of gold. A nice town with an old style main street with much more (Ben Halls cave and shooting site to name just a few) to explore on another trip.
Heading off from Grenfell we again took advantage of back roads to stay off the main highways coming up behind a typical outback road scene, the dog just itching to get amongst the sheep.
Let me at em boss!
Heading on to the small town of Gooloogong (where we have passed through before) we expected to find the free camp (power by donation) full like last time and had plans to continue on but when we came to the corner there it was, totally empty of travelers. So, with all of the sites to choose from (4 powered, 2 with water) we chose a nice site, plugged in and set up for the rest of the day.
The camp has an old shed for a camp kitchen but has a play area for the kids, BBQ, toilet and shower block which is just fabulous. Town consists of a few streets, a small shop, pub and log cabin town hall.
14 February 2013 - Valentines Day
Gooloogong is a very quiet town and with a nice cool breeze blowing through our house it was no wonder we slept well. Leaving town we were passing through rolling hills, many of which were steeper than they looked. We passed through Canowindra with work crews jack hammering the main street to bits and moved on toward Cargo, Cudal and then Molong where we enjoyed morning tea next to the football oval.
Following the Mitchell Highway for a bit we turned off at Wellington and headed for Gulgong which proved to be an interesting and busy town. Arriving at the main street we found it just wide enough to get the motorhome through the cars parked on both sides and that required waiting for some vehicles coming the other way before we could take up the lane. The shops and main street are again in period costume and the street actually zig zags through town just as it did when horses and carts were the method of travel. Like many other towns in the area Gulgong was founded on the discovery of gold and has some interesting history to explore and learn about (next time through).
Lunch and a fuel stop in Gulgong over it was time to head on to Dunedoo for a spin around town to see if there was anything of note (there wasn't) before heading on towards Gunnedah via the Black Stump Way. Passing through very green farmland with nice green hills not unlike those found in Gippsland we came on today's nature roadblock. Cattle on the long paddock were right across the road and enjoying the grass on either side, the stockman with his horse and whip paying no attention to them or the traffic trying to get through.
The long paddock
Leaving the cattle to their munching we climbed and descended more rolling green hills and the very pleasant looking town of Coolah. Then as we were looking for a campsite for the night we came to the Black Stump Rest Area.
We are way out bush now - beyond the black stump!
We are sure that there are plenty of of other Black Stump's to lend their name to the idea of being out in the middle of whoop whoop (nowhere) but we are are this Black Stump. Apparently land West of here in the 1830's was known as beyond the back stump, and according to the sign, there was a black stump here back then as well as the Black Stump Wine Saloon which stood some 10 chains (660 feet or 200m) South of here. Both burnt to the ground in 1908.
This Black Stump RA has toilets, electric BBQ's, tables and a large water tank and a small grassed area out the back where we are camping tonight.
15 February 2013
The Black Stump Rest Area was very quiet and peaceful last night and for some reason we awoke around 5am. As the sky lightened it was the perfect chance to take some photo's as the sun came up, but none of which I was happy with afterwards so I had better go back and swot up on sunrise camera settings. So after a morning coffee we moved off along the highway towards a small town called Premer.
We climbed away from the Black Stump and immediately came to some stunning scenery which was made all the more stunning by the clear early morning light. We could see across the valley towards the Warrumbungle National Park. The road sign however told a differing view to the surrounding view with the message "Road Deformed for 1.5 km" - Deformed? As it turned out is was full of what appeared to be long ways cracks that meant for an interesting ride.
Arriving in Premer we found the small free camp on the end of town, complete with power and water for a donation and which four travelers had enjoyed. We took a ride around town and then headed off towards Tambar Springs where we stopped outside the church and had breakfast while enjoying the view across the countryside.
On from Tambar Springs we were on our way to Gunnedah through some more stunning countryside. The whole place is big sky country and being so green really has got that inland Queensland look and feel.
We were enjoying the view so much that we didn't notice a huge swarm of bee's until just before they hit. The sky turned black and the huge swarm like a large school of fish moving to avoid a whale moved but oh so late. BANG! they were hitting the front of the motorhome like a hail storm, the windscreen a yellow mess of mashed up bees made somewhat worse by the windscreen wipers feeble effort to clear them.
Arriving in Gunnedah Joanne managed to get some retail therapy in and then we went to a car wash to remove the remnants of the bees and to give AJ a good clean.
Leaving the highway via a short cut we were headed to Manilla where we decided would be our lunch spot, and the scenery was just as nice along here as well, though the closer we got to town the larger the rain storm ahead became.
Just because we washed the motorhome it decides to rain!
But as luck would have it, we made it to town and enjoyed lunch next to the river and the now disused rail bridge which must be about a kilometer long as it comes across the river and the showgrounds and up into town.
On from Manilla and through Barraba we arrived in Bingara where we got off the highway and onto the Copeton Dam road to some camping areas next to the river. The road was wind and like a roller coaster (literally) and after inspecting on site we moved onto another and it is here that we found ourselves a very nice camp with 5 others nearby.
Joanne writing her Dad a letter
When we first got here there was a large(ish) lizard sunning himself along the rivers edge, there are fish jumping in the river, numerous Fairy Wrens flitting around the place and even some colourful parrots in the trees. So this could be the site of a future camp for us but it would have to be at least 3 or 4 days worth. I think we need a boat and a fishing rod for our next visit though.
16 February 2013
Just before bed last night we could hear the pitter patter of rain on the roof and we wondered how much was coming. A check of the radar showed enough to concern us so we moved from down by the river and parked on grass and dirt up about 50m to a spot near another camper on some nice hard gravel, and as we dropped off to sleep the rain was falling quite steadily.
Waking early to a clear morning we took the opportunity to get moving. We had a fair bit of riverside farmland to go through and then plenty of climbing as we got to the top of the range and then descended to the Copeton Dam where we crossed the wall and found a nice car park at the spill gates viewing area, an ideal spot for breakfast and a shower before we continued on to Inverell and where we topped up food and fuel and then we headed off again.
We stopped in for a look at the Bonshaw Weir to check out the bush camp which was very nice especially as the campsite is right on the river which is the border between NSW and Qld. Another 20 km or so on and we came to the Dumaresq River RA on the edge of a town called Texas (complete with a Yellow Rose Motel). There is a free shower, toilet, dump point and drinking water in town so that is very handy.
We pulled in and found plenty of other campers there already, some obviously well set up and here for a while. We managed to snag a nice spot near the old river crossing and set ourselves up on the very nice grass, complete with purple flowers and leaves with a mint smell.
We are parked at the top just to the left of the bridge
The local wildlife came to visit us and the two birds are actually roosting in the tree behind us.
These two seemed to follow the cattle around all afternoon and would come into our campsite with no regard for us at all
Tomorrow we should be in Jondaryn and getting settled and ready to start work on Tuesday.
17 February 2013
Leaving our river camp with Macca playing on the radio we utilised the dump point at Texas and took a drive around town for a look before heading off for Jondaryn.
Passing through hilly, wooded countryside we suddenly arrived in the large flat land areas with corn, sorghum or cotton growing as far as the eye can see.
Sorghum growing
More farm roads and then we were at the Jondaryn Woolshed where we will be staying. We drove on and took a quick look through the small hamlet of Jondaryn and a quick check to see where our new worksite was before returning to the Woolshed where we booked in and spent the rest of the afternoon catching up with old friends.
18-20 February 2013
We arrived at the Jondaryn Woolshed Caravan Park to find our fellow workers and ourselves had bee put out into the overflow paddock despite the caravan park being almost empty. The company was good as was catching up with our respective trips since we had been working together on the wheat at Surat. Settling in we found that we had power (and nice clear TV with plenty of channels) but no water on tap which required it to be carted, and a trip to the toilet and shower block required climbing through the fence or taking the long way round - Not Happy Jan!
The weather has been rather ordinary with plenty of the wet stuff falling from the heavens and as a result there has been no work except for a 3 and a 1/2 hour site tour and induction. As a result we have all been cooling our heels in camp. So in the lull of work and weather we took the opportunity to request a move to an area inside the fence where it was easier to get to the water taps (we all join hoses and fill each tank as hoses are not allowed to be permanently connected to the few taps around) and so that the trip to the the toilet/shower block is easier. Our request was granted and so we packed up and moved, finding on arrival that the TV does not work here!
With no work on today we took a drive to visit friends in Crows Nest just North of Toowoomba before braving the traffic madness that is Toowoomba in 2013 and a far cry from that of 30 years ago when we were last there. Visits, fuel, shopping and a dump point operation completed it was back to the camp to wait and see if tomorrows weather will bring some ability to replace the expenditure, though if the weather forecast is anything to go by we'd better stock up on movies and reading material for the next week!
22 February 2013
Well it seems that the weather is going to be an issue here and it is holding the work up, so not to be deterred, we are going to head up to Mundubbera and spend some time helping out with Blazeaid. We'll leave Sunday morning and will help out until Jondaryn call to say the harvest is back on, or otherwise.
In the meantime the sunset today allowed me some time to play with the camera and natural light. Here's a few of the results.
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24 February 2013
With the weather fronts hitting most of Queensland we (Joanne and me and Vince and Janelle) have abandoned the sorghum harvest for the moment and have headed 250 kilometers up to Mundubbera (the citrus capital of Queensland) to join the Blazeaid effort in the area . The trip up was pretty normal and quite scenic but the closer we got to town the more and more water was lying around the place, and then there were the road washouts, and then...the river. The river is abut 200m wide but looked like a war zone, full of trees that have been carried down in the flow or were just knocked over as the water passed through.
Stopping in at the Blaizeaid base camp we found a huge red warehouse with donated clothing and goods, a kitchen, showers, a operations centre and a great wall of water (bottles) inside. We completed the necessary paperwork and then along with Vice and Janelle, headed off to the showgrounds under a wet and greying sky to set up camp.
Our temporary home at the showgrounds
Later that day we went back to the base and met with other Blaizeaiders over the evening meal before heading home for a good sleep.
25 February 2013
We were up at 6am this morning to get ready for the day. We chose to have breakfast at home rather than at base camp and arrived in time for the morning briefing and then we headed off to the orchard. We are working in a citrus orchard that is next to the river and was flooded to the tops of the trees. Our job is pretty simple, just pull the debris out of the trees and off of the branches. It's quite wet and very muddy and mucky but we have a good crew and settled into the job.
River debris - wet, mucky, fiddly and lots of it!
We are not sure how long we will be here but a call to Grainflow at Jondaryn confirmed what we already thought - no work until at least next week.
Most of the town is in good stead but there are a number of buildings that are not, including the lawn bowls club which had water halfway up the roof and now sits next to the river a total write off and with debris everywhere.
So in the meantime we are camped at the showground (donation) and have breakfast, lunch, dinner provided by Blaizeaid and the farmers.
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