We leave behind Melbourne and Jeff’s signature dishes of excellent, elaborate, icecream-based puddings (of which, sadly, I don’t have a photo –
Oh yes I do! Thanks Jeff!).
We head for the Warby Ranges behind Wangaratta. But who wants to use the fast, convenient Hume Highway, when there are slow, winding byways through the country? Getting out of the city was easy enough. A combination of the 47, 44, C726, 731 and the B300 should get us close…
First stop was Yea for lunch. Lucky we booked!
Unlucky we chose the roast pork special!
Anyway, onwards and upwards. There’s a lot of evidence of gold mining in the area (like the towns of Mansfield and Beechworth) and lots of evidence of the Bushrangers who were renowned for relieving prospectors of their new found wealth. Although glamorised somewhat, they were a fairly murderous bunch. We visited Power’s Lookout, a panoramic viewpoint where Mr Harry Power hid out in the 1870s. He would certainly see any gendarmes approaching his hideout from the North, coming up the King Valley.
However, I’m guessing Harry didn’t have ladders and handrails to assist access to his caves.
Our little place in the country – Warby Cottage – was a little gem.
About 15 minutes drive out of Wangaratta it was a REALLY great place to relax and do nothing. So we did. For hours! With a view of the hosts’ three horses, a cup of tea, followed by a glass (or two) of wine and a boiled egg was all we needed. And here’s an amazing thing…
We were watching the horses when all three of them pricked up their ears and determinedly started looking at something in the distance. We were watching them watching whatever it was that had their attention, when suddenly a massive section of a tree about 200 metres distant came crashing down. The horses had obviously heard early warning sounds that were inaudible to us. We now know that some eucalypts shed branches with no warning (to humans) when under water stress. For this reason they are called “Widow makers”. Best not to rest in the shade of these trees in dry weather… You can learn something new every day if you want. And some of those things might be useful – one day!
Sadly, we only had one night here and in the morning we had to leave this peaceful oasis. What we didn’t know until we stopped for fuel was that we had picked up a hitch hiker. In the garage, a hunstsman spider appeared from under the car and ran all over the side and roof before disappearing. I guess it had joined us in the leafy shaded garage where we parked last night! Anyway he scooted off when I tried to photograph him (or her?).
Driving quickly under all overhanging branches, we headed for Beechworth (another town with a gold mining history).
Glenda is standing outside Beechworth Gold, the old gold exchange and strong room (above); and a reconstructed goldminers cottage (below).
We read that our new mate Harry Power spent a large part of his life in Beechworth. In Beechworth Jail to be precise! Often with the then young Ned Kelly and his brothers.
Next stop Yackandandah. Yet another gold mining place. There’s a lot of it about – or at least there WAS! The town was another interesting collection of historic buildings. But as it’s Tuesday, most places in town are shut for the day – and as it’s February, the few that are open are closing early. We just snuck into the tea shop five minutes after it closed!
That night we stayed at Albury, a town on the NSW side of the Murray River. The view from our veranda at the Golf Club Motel was pretty good in a green and golf coursey sort of way.
… and the ISS passed high overhead again that evening.
Wednesday was programmed to be a busy day. We had to get to Curryong by 10 am so we could “do” the Man From Snowy River Museum and still have time to get across the Snowy Mountains themselves before nightfall. I do like early starts. Up before “sparrow-fart” as Rob might say. Back into Victoria over the Murray and after a two hour pleasant drive we hauled into Curryong half an hour early! So, a visit to the tourist office to see the famous statue…
… and hear the even more famous poem by Banjo Paterson (better known as the author of Waltzing Mathilda!) … and, sadly, not see the plaque with John Brydon’s name on it acknowledging his contribution in aid of the statue. Sorry Robyn – we didn’t know to look.
Opening the tailgate of the car – guess who we found. Where the opening door meets the roof. Our hitch-hiker. Persistent little devil!
The museum turned out to be more of a general museum of the area around Curryong – and, sadly, had almost nothing to do with the Man From Snowy River himself!
So after an excellent lunch in the cafe opposite the tourist office we were off on phase two of the day’s journey. Across the Snowy Mountains to Jindabyne. We chose not to use the highway. Of course! Not when there’s a winding mountain road attractively named The Alpine Way to go at. It skirts the mountains on the West side before turning best part of 180 degrees and passing South of Mt. Kosciusko at Thredbo.
We were expecting panoramic views of the mountains. What we got for 90 minutes or so were endlessviews of tree trunks! I need to go back a bit. This road passes right through the Mt. K. National Park. Park entry fees apply. Except the notice at the park entrance said free to drive through (no stopping) and free for seniors. So we swung straight through, as you would!
Ten minutes later we would have had to stop at the local hydro-electric station for a quick tour. Starting in five minutes. I’m sure it would have been good – even though only one of the generators might have been running. I don’t think we would have understood the technical explanation of the works. Although the film might have been very educational. I’m told their ice creams were good too! Shame I can’t show you my photos – cos, of course, we didn’t stop!
Don’t know where that plan of the scheme came from!
We did stop for the loo a couple of times and hesitated in Thredbo to check out the cable cars. Then straight on to Jindabyne and our next home from home, The Mowamba River Lodge.
But more of that later…
GOAT JOKE
A couple were walking in the woods and came across a well.
Wondering how deep it was, the man picked up a pebble and dropped it in. There was no sound of a splash – so it had to be deep.
Then he picked up a large rock and dropped that in – still no sound – so it must be REALLY deep.
Looking around the man found a railway sleeper. With a lot of effort and a great deal of grunting the pair managed to lever the huge baulk of timber up on to the edge of the well. A little shove and down it went – but before there was any sound of a splash a goat jumped into the well.
Shortly after a farmer arrived on the scene and asked the couple if they had seen a goat around. Not knowing what to say, they said nothing.
“Ah well”, said the farmer, “he won’t have gone far – he’s tied to a railway sleeper!”
You’re passing through lots of places I’ve heard of (and many I haven’t) and never been to, and thanks for the history and geography lessons along the way. As Kevin would say, it’s quicker to see the movie than read the book, so saves us going to see all these places as you’ve done it for us.
I want to know what happened to the huntsman.