On Saturday we set out from the Grampians through Bendigo on our way to Echuca. We spent 4 hours in Bendigo and used the Talking Tram to see the major highlights of this attractive city. We hopped off the tram to visit the Chinese Joss House, one of the few original joss houses still in its original location and still being used. We hopped onto the tram to head back to Pall Mall and Charing Cross in the city for lunch before heading back to the van. (We know - it sounds a bit like a monopoly board, but we assure you the names are real.) Before leaving Bendigo we stopped at the Catholic Cathedral to take a look inside one of the largest Catholic Cathedrals in Australia. It is worth a visit. For anyone interested the Tram tracks run from the Deborah Mine through the city to the Chinese Joss House every hour. It is a hop on hop off service and the ticket lasts 2 days.
On Sunday we spent the day wandering around historic Echuca and naturally this included a ride on the Murray River in an authentic steam driven paddle steamer, P.S. Alexander Arbuthnot. Beware the diesel driven imitations. The historic port area is quaint and includes old buildings, working blacksmiths, horse and coach rides and even an underground bar.
When we set out on Monday to go to Bright we knew we would be seeing the statue of Ned Kelly at Glenrowan, but little did we realise that Ned had a history in most of the old gold rush towns in and around Beechworth, Whitfield and Mansfield. There is a brochure available at the Beechworth Information Centre detailing tours which allow you to follow in Ned's footsteps.
Beechworth itself is a lovely town with many historic buildings including the courthouse where Ned Kelly was commited to trial following his capture in Glenrowan. Beechworth honey has a large store in town where you can taste test many different honeys. Chris bought Snow and Red Gum honeys and Barbara bought Creamed honey.
From Beechworth we headed towards Bright via Yackandandah. Another pretty drive on sealed back roads. Autum colour was everywhere.
We spent Tuesday and Wednesday touring the mountain areas around Bright and all of the roads we took were sealed and easily negotiable in a motor home, though they would be difficult towing a large van due to the frequent tight bends and large roadside dropoffs. You can drive all the way to the top of Mt Buffalo for great views of the valley from the Gorge Lookout. We easily fitted this drive in a couple of hours on Tuesday morning. On Tuesday afternoon we decided to drive on the Great Alpine Road up to Mt Hotham. At about 1,500m we hit the cloud barrier and drove up to more than 1,700m before we had the visability and turning space to head back down. At times we were driving along a high ridge line where all you could see was the road in front for less than 15m and nothing but white on either side of you. Quite eerie.
On Wednesday we walked part of the Canyon Walk along the Ovens River in Bright before heading into town for a coffee and delicious home made cakes. By this time the day had fined up and we decided to chance our luck with another mountain. We took the road to Mt Beauty from Bright, stopping at Tawonga Gap and Sullivan's Lookout for great views of the valley and Mt Bogong. We then headed all the way up to Falls Creek and beyond to the Bogong High Plains (all because Chris wanted to see a real snow gum tree). It was cold, windy and clear and quite deserted on the high plains.
Our luck with the weather changed today and clouds started rolling in for our trip from Bright to Mansfield. Fortunately the rain held off long enough for us to have clear views of the Victorian Alps from Powers Lookout near Whitfield. Ironically the lookout is named after a bushranger said to have mentored Ned Kelly and Ned may well have hidden out in caves nearby. From Powers Lookout we saw the Black Range, Mt Emu, Mt Buffalo Plateau, the Horn, Mt Bogong, Mt Fainter, Mt Feathertop, Mt Hotham, Mt Warwick, Mt View, Mt Cobbler and several others. Before heading to Powers Lookout we stopped at Milawa Cheese Factory for a coffee and to stock up on cheese and bread. (Both of which are delicious)
We arrived in Mansfield in time for a late lunch, follwing which we decided to drive the Howqua Track to Sheepyard Flat. This narrowish, winding dirt road takes you 14 klms over Timbertop Saddle through tall gum forrests down to Sheepyard Flat on the banks of the picturesque Howqua River. We had intended to drive onto Frys Hut but one look (and perhaps a second) was enough to convince us that a very steep, narrow dirt road in the rain in a motor home was not wise. It took us about an hour and a half to drive the track and back, mainly due to the corrugations and bends in the road. If you take it easy the road is not too bad but I wouldn't do it in a caravan.
Tomorrow we head to Healesville and hopefully the weather will improve. As for the title of todays post it is all to do with the numerous hair pin bends we have negotiated in the last few days!
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