Day 13 - Echuca Decisions

We awoke to a beautiful morning on the Murray River, under the River Red Gums, a couple of k's outside Cobham.  This was the day of Christmas Eve.  A slow breakfast saw us discussing our options.  We had separated from our travelling companions.  They messaged us to advise they were in Echuca.

The original plan was to spend three nights camping beside the Murray, being over the Christmas period. The plan was to bug out the day after Boxing Day. We were already a day ahead, since we chose not to drop down to Mansfield and camp beside the mountain hut used in the movie, 'The Man From Snowy River', Craigs Hut, hence it would have even availed us to a four day camp, a break from driving. However, decisions needed to be made.

Our desire was to share Christmas with our travelling companions. We had 'Secret Santa' to play, and food to eat :) There was also another riverside camping spot in the area of 'The Gulf' just north of Echuca, again on the banks of the Murray. Echuca was just over an hour away. So our decision was to pack camp, checkout Echuca, show the kids the Capital of River Paddle Steam Boats, then choose a camp after that, and hopefully to have caught up with our travelling companions.

So it was, decision made, we packed camp and headed west along the Murray River. We found some farms selling stone fruit, so stocked up.  We hit Echuca and phoned our travelling companions.  We'd catch up after some grocery shopping meeting at the Port of Echuca.

Meeting on the banks of the Murray where the Paddle Steamers dock had us deciding to check out some riverside camping spots our travelling companions had received excellent info from the Tourist Information Centre in Echuca.  So they took the lead.  It was very dissappointing to discover these camp sites were littered with rubbish and again, V8 speed boats thumping up and down the river.  This part of the river also has house boats. 

We checked out some of the prices, for a 'Luxury Afloat' which sleeps 8 and has a spar on the top deck of a three deck houseboat, was $5,100 for three nights over Xmas. The basic house boats were $1,600 for three nights. Camping on the banks was more in our price bracket.

So we returned to Echuca.  Again, decision time.  The camp site we had camped the night before was perfect, but it was not agreed for all of us to camp there, so after some in-decision, we decided to spend $$ on the local caravan park. 

The Echuca Holiday Park was expensive.  It is frustrating when these venues over-inflate their prices just because it is Christmas, they were not busy (yet) and they suffered no extra costs because of Christmas, in fact they didn't even open their office doors on Christmas day, they simply left the entry gate open.  Anyway, the pool was nice and refreshing and cooled us off, as we needed it, kids enjoyed the swim.  It was 37 degrees and there was little shade in the park.  But we were together and the kids were sharing christmas.

Our travelling companions put in an awesome effort to decorate their camp, and it turned out the park had Santa cruise around handing out lollies, and then a judging of the best decorated camp site, and they won!  Nice bottle of bubbly, good one.

Further decisions were made, that we'd only spend one night here and head off the next morning, though I felt that would mean we'd end up heading different directions.  This was the first time our travelling companions had been out of Queensland as a family and it was certainly a big adventure.  Perhaps it was better if they now had the opportunity to do their own exploring.

Here's some pics of Echuca.  A great place to visit (in winter :)

 Our camp, Xmas morning

 The winning camp - (the next morning, so not as polished at the big effort for the night before).  Very Christmassy!

Note:  The Xmas Tree, on the marker pole of the tent site boundary, fashioned out of garbage bags, Modern Art at it's finest.

 Port of Echuca - the many houseboats for rental.  A 'Luxuary Afloat' for 3 days over Xmas was $5,100 - ridiculous

 Paddlesteamer - The Canberra

 Paddleboat - floating restaurant

The Thong Tree :)

Camp:  Echuca Holiday Park  - $66/night/family - expensive.

Weather:  Days - Hot about 37 degrees, evenings pleasant 18 degrees

Elevation: 150m

GPS  36 06'55.90S
         144 44'36.70E

Day 12 - Bright to Cobham

Well day 12 saw us pack and head out of Bright, not before the girls did a little more shopping.

The day started with one of our travelling companions deciding to push bike ride the 75k's from Bright to Wangaratta.  The day was hotter than expected and she was exhausted at the end of this early morning start, while the "Rail Trail" here is all sealed, with 100k's of off road rail trail track, which includes the branch off up to Beechworth.  This is very popular with push bike riders.

Having picked up our rider, we continued onto Glenrowan.

The drive to Echuca saw us hit further bushranger territory, Glenrowan, the scene of the famous Ned Kelly shootout with the police and his eventual capture.  We stopped and had an enjoyable lunch at Cathy's Cafe in Glenrowan, wonderful food, including gluten free, very enjoyable.

Glenrowan has preserved the Kelly history very well, there is a theatre re-enactment (we didn't do) and the town has a free walk around history walk.  Here are some pics of Glenrowan, the Kelly's last stand where Ned tried to de-rail a 'police train' with the purpose of injuring or killing the Police.  While the gang looked imposing in their suits of armour they had especially prepared for this crime, thankfully for his lack of forethought, he didn't fulfill his plan and though the outcome was tragic for the gang, being either burnt to death in the Pub fire or shot, Ned hung for his crimes.  "Such is Life" became his immortal words.

 Glenrowan Railway Station

 The site where the gang was burnt to death is kept vacant.

The Glenrowan Police Station was erected adjacent to the site where Ned Kelly was shot and arrested.  The Police Station was in service for 110 years.  ( You can see a re-enactment of Ned against the log in the background.

That afternoon saw us into Cobham, a town on the Murray River about an hour shy of Echuca.  Some wrong GPS coord printed in one of the books on Murray River, saw us exploring some unplanned areas near Cobham.  Finally we hit the river camp spots we were looking for, to be totally disappointed with the number of 'bogan' campers, all geared up with speed boats and slabs of beer, a recipe of a bad camping experience.

So we continued exploring the banks of the Murray, looking for that perfect camp spot.  This saw us exploring many kilometers of the banks of the Murray.  Speaking to a local, I think he was a bee keeper, as he was near quite a large bee hive site in the bush, he pointed us to some spots, but this also saw us hit a point in our travels.

While most of the Murray River had silty banks and the camping area under the trees can be quite dusty, (the roads certainly were), we found ourselves at a small creek crossing, about 200mm deep, 2 meters wide on a track that takes you out to Stewarts Beachs 1 & 2.  Our travelling companions decided they were not impressed with the Murray River camping choices and left us to cross the stream, and they went in search of other camping spots.  Meanwhile, I found the perfect spot, just what I was looking for, for my Murray River Camping experience.  Here are some photo's of us enjoying our camp.

 In 37 Degree C afternoon, relaxing by the waters of the Murray was very cool.

 You can see our camp in among the trees, overlooking the Murray at Stewarts Beach 1, under the shade of the Murray River Red Gums.

 Sunset on the Murray, the river framed by the famous red gums.

 The Murray River Red Gum boasts an impressive size and structure.

 Star Trails on the Murray River

 Our Camp - Stewarts Beach No 1

 Canoing on the Murray

 Enjoying the cool waters.

 Paddling the Murray

Campsite: Stewarts Beach No1  - Free
GPS:  35 51'43.97"S
           145 37'28.56"E
Which in the 'Camping and Carvaning Guide to the Murray River by Lewis and Savage, they use a different GPS system they use GDA 94, which is not used by Tomtom.
They give 35 51.766S, 145 37.436E

Elevation 150m

Weather:  Hot, very hot, 37 degrees on the day, nights pleasant about 18 degrees.

Wildlife:  Cockatoo's, lots and lots, various water birds.

Day 10, 11 - Bushrangers to Bright

Well today saw us leave a wonderful camp site beside the headerwaters of the mighty Murray River and head toward Bright.  With the river unfortunately to high to cross at Tom Groggin, meaning we could not explore the Davies Plain Track across the Alpine National Park (Victoria) up to Omeo, it meant we had to hit the black stuff to Bright.

A quick explore of the Hydro Scheme at Murray 1 Station and also past a 150 year old railway, see the picture of the bridge below.  This was a quiet drive, to get into the next area to explore.

 Historic Railway Bridge outside Colac Colac, Victoria

Our second day in Bright saw us without the camper trailer on, up exploring Bright to Beechworth.  The following pics tell our story.

 Lady Bath Falls, enroute to Mount Buffalo, near Bright, a Garden of Eden".

We then headed up to Beechworth for a pie from the Beechworth Bakery, and lollies from the best lolly shop in the world, "The Beechworth Weet Company".  I wish I had taken a photo of their shop windows.

It was then back to the Ghosts of Bushrangers Past, with a walk around the area where Harry Power, believed to be a bushranger inspiration of a young Ned Kelly was incarcerated, a man with more tales than Ned's but not as well know as he did not strike the chord that Ned did, as well as looking at where Ned Kelly and his mother were held in custody for his final charges.

 Naughty Daughter

 You may be able to zoom in on this and read the tale of Harry Power.

 The Cells for Harry Power, where at those times prisoners spent their sentence.

 Ned Kelly's Cell, with one of the kids subdued :)

 Ned Kelly's cell, with an excape in motion.

 The Beechwoth Courthouse.

The Beechworth Goal, which is about 120 years old, and was still used until 2007.

 Another escapee

 We found Ned, what a big man :)

On returning to Bright, number one son and I took a 4x4 drive up to a very high point about 20k's out of town up to a fire tower, hoping to grab a specactular sunset over Mt Buffalo.  Alas, not quite to be.

The drive up to the Fire Tower is enjoyable, better in a 4x4.  The drive up to Apex Lookout is only for 4x4.  It was dark and rain was upon us, but not quite we yet, but we used low range 4x4 to crawl up the steep sections.  A great short drive, close to town.

Got back to camp to cook our dinner as everyone else had eaten.  A great afternoon adventure.

Camp:  Big 4 Bright   Cost $138 for two night/family - quite expensive.  Little disappointed, as we saw it was on the Oven River, but the river at this point is a Gorge, so you are high above it, the river is quite narrow.  Across the river, and rather close are high tention power lines, and under them is a road.  While quiet of the night, after Tom Groggin, this was a little noisy, which was made worst by a neighbour camper who for the two mornings, got up at 3am to open and shut his small camper door, he seemed to got a a run then go out again for a bike ride, weird.

Elevation 320m

Weather: Storms threatened, light rain, days were perfect 25 degree, evening pleasant about 18 degrees.

GPS:  36 43'27.82S
           146 57'59.98E

Days 7,8,9 - Tom Groggin Campsite

We broke camp at the Mountain Retreat, muscles still sore from yesterday.  Glad to be leaving this camp and heading up into the Park itself, since the day permit for the car allows for free camping so to speak, in reality that means $16 per night.

Checked out Thredbo Diggings, too busy, no good spots left, but there are two camps side by side (grey nomads had them) that are perfect, overlooking the Thredbo River and the river is good enough to canoe in here, bugger.

Checked out Leatherbarrel camp ground, and some others, none of these allowed for camper trailers, they were tent camp sites, if you had a caravan you could have parked up on the road, not good.

Headed for my preferred camp ground, Tom Groggin.  We were not disappointed.  One other camper in, we headed futher in than the main camping spot which had great fire pits, to a little offroad spot that just allowed for our two camper trailers, right on the edge of the headwaters to the Murray River.  The photo's below tell the story better, this was a great spot, sitting, relaxing overlooking to fast flowing pristine Murray River.

We spent three nights at Tom Groggin camping area, on the south western side of Mt Kosciouszko.  This was a relaxing time.  Here are some photo's with some captions.  Kids swam in the rather cool river, made a rock pool, we put the canoe's in, the river was flowing too fast for the kids.  I had wanted to cross the Murray here, and head into Alpine National Park (that is the adjoining Victorian National Park), but the river was a bit too high and too fast.

 Camping and cooking by the river, this was a fine night.

 Our campsite overlooking the Murray River

 Our travelling companions site beside us.

 A Photogenic River

 With about 30 Roos constantly arond us, they were very friendly, but wild, we could not get much closer, but they were curious of us and came up very often.

 Just down about 25m from camp was this rocky beach area, to enjoy a very crisp river.

 Tayla washing her hair in the River and enjoying the outdoors.

 After I canoed up the river against the current and enjoyed the ride down, our travelling companions went for a paddle.  Fun !

 Not so fun, about 45mins short of cooking time for a lovely roast lamb dinner in the camp oven and a storm came through, had to keep the coals hot, it was worth it, over a nice Red!

A Star shot, of a local Gum Tree beside the river.  Brilliant nights after the rain!  We did have a few showery storms roll through, the nature of the Australian High Country, the land of the Man from Snowy River.

Camp:  Tom Groggin  Cost - Free - part of the day permit for the car.

Weather:  Occassional Storms, temperatures were perfect, daytime about 25 degrees, evenings about 15 degrees.

Elevation:  600m
GPS 36 32'33.48"S
        148 07'42.19E

Day 6 Summit Mt Kosciuszko

Awoke early, the noise of a busy campground and the desire to see if the office was open to get a toilet key.

Our plan for the day, to summit Australia’s highest mountain.  I travelled here as a boy with my neighbour and his son, in their EH Holden wagon, camping along the way.  I recall we drive to within a very easy walk of the summit, but now, with the National Parks Service and the fear surrounding the protection of our environment to the degree to exclude us, so in the end, no-one will ever know what we are protecting, since no-one will be able to see it, it turns out it is now an 18k return trip to the summit of a mountain that I could drive up in my 4x4.

Anyway, off my pulpit, we headed off up through Charlotte Pass to the start.  It took us 7 hours with lots of photo opportunities and rest breaks.  My wife made it to Seamans Hut, about 3k short of the summit and rested there.  The rest of us took our time, played in the large ice patches periodically placed beside the track and successfully summitted.

We returned to camp, very exhausted, enjoyed wonderful long hot showers and a meal.  Sleep came very fast, after telling one of our youthful neighbours to pull their noisy heads in, which they did, thank goodness.  Busy camp grounds, not my style.

Camp:  Kosciouszko Mountain Retreat

Wildlife:  Wedgetail Eagle

 Crossing the headwaters of the Snowy River

 The Summit Team - Top of Australia (Top of our world :)

 Pondering the quiet solitude

Australian Glaciers - Ice met us on the way up.

 A lovely view

 The snow gums

We made it back - where's the Masseuse

Camp: Kosciuszko Mountain Resort, Cost: Expensive - $16/car/day, camping $55/night per family - We obtained a summer offer, 5 day park pass for cost of 4 = $64, then $110 for the two night camping. Will not stay in this camp ground again.

Weather:  Quite cool at the top of Australia, with a wind chill factor, about 5 degrees, the evening was cool again, about 7 degrees.

Elevation:  1215m

GPS:  36 20'50.95"S
          146 34'06.34"E