Sat, 19th Dec, 2015 Butlers Bend, Mildura, Vic to Plantation Campground, Grampians State Forest, Vic

Just after we went to bed last night we heard a tree come crashing down nearby. Glad it wasn’t on us. Still very windy till midnight. A carp was splashing around on the edge and then a roo came down for a drink which kept me awake for a while.

Bit cloudier this morning. Set the alarm for 6.30am and got up earlier to try and beat the heat – it is already 31 degrees. It is supposed to reach 42 degrees today so that would be a lot hotter in the van and our fridge is struggling as it is. Steve will look into putting in bigger vents at the back of the fridge.

Our Murray River Trip has been suspended for a couple of weeks while we travel south to meet Lou, Glen etc for the Formula 500 Speedway series around Warrnambool area. Our plan is to head south and maybe do some detecting before going to Grampians National Park to have Christmas.

Headed south on the Calder Highway to Ouyen – lovely long straight road past open fields. Got the air conditioner going. Through the National Park area, Hattah-Kulkyne to our left and Murray-Sunset to our right. Stopped at Ouyen to check out the largest Mallee stump in Australia.

Checked the van, 35 degrees. We are losing the cloud cover we had. The wind is howling but luckily it is behind us pushing us along. Along the highway were signs like the kangaroo ones but with the Malleefowl on them. Didn’t see any crossing the road.

A shot of the Mallee trees along the side of the road.

Next stop was near Lake Tyrrell which is a salt lake. Up onto a little rise to the Look Out. Had a cuppa even though it was so hot and the strong wind was whipping up all the dust in the paddocks. Van up to 38 degrees. There is a free camp and viewing platform near the lake but it is just too hot to check it out. The lake covers 20,860 hectares and each year hosts the off-road desert rally – The Mallee Rally in June.

Continuing along the Calder Highway to Wycheproof. Quaint Court House.

Saw a lookout sign so headed up the ‘big’ hill which is actually called a mountain. It is the town’s claim to fame – they have the World’s smallest registered mountain at 153 metres. It is a ‘metamorphic boss’ which is a granite outcrop that erupted many thousands of years ago. Parked and went for a wander though the wind was nearly blowing us over.

 I walked up to the towers and survey marker.

Looking back over the van and township below.

A bit further over for a spectacular view.

There was also a sphere made out of railway spikes with the shape of Australia made into it.

Drove back down to the town and stopped at the information board. The mountain is 253 metres above sea level and only 43 metres above the surrounding plain – didn’t say how it got registered as a mountain.

The railway was opened to Wycheproof in 1883 and extended northwards in 1893. The lines ran through the middle of town down Broadway (which was named after the famous 3 chain wide New York Broadway. The railway is one of only two in Australia running through the main street. We are 285 kms from Mildura and 285 kms from Melbourne.

A monument to a local 4-time world champion boomerang thrower.

A statue of a ‘Lumper’ to salute the workers of the wheat industry.

There was also a King of the Mountain race held here where men had to carry a sack of wheat and women a sack of foam for a kilometre up the mountain. It ran for 11 years.

Looking back up to the mountain!!

Got the air conditioning on flat out in the truck – the windows feel very hot. Christmas is coming as we head into Charlton.

Vale of Avoca Hotel 1878 to 1926.

Passed the turn off to the Avoca Weir. Crossed over the Avoca River – not looking to good.

Drove around to the Travellers Rest and parked up. I had thought we could cool off next to the Avoca River but not looking too nice. Made lunch and sat in the shade shelter – up to 43.5 degrees in the van. Walked out onto the lookout over the river.

Interesting info about the Swordfish but not sure why it is here!!

Flood levels – hard to imagine.

Travellers Rest used to be the saleyards.

In a shed was a ‘Premier Harvester’ and Winnower made here by Charlton Foundry.

Back in the air conditioning and we turned onto a minor road to head down to St Arnaud. All the dams are dry in the fields. St Arnaud looks like a lovely old-world town. It was settled during the gold rush of 1855 as ‘New Bendigo’.

Stopped at the Info Centre in the old Crown Lands Office. Chatted with the lady and picked up heaps of brochures. We were planning to stay in the National Park nearby and do some detecting but it is so hot we decided to just keep going to the Grampians. Will have to explore St Arnaud another time as there is a lot of history for me and maybe some gold for him!! We are now at 210m above sea level.

Followed another minor road down to Stawell – I was pronouncing it Star well but it sounds like Stall. It is famous for the Stawell Gift which I thought was a horse race till we passed a huge sign highlighting it and the Athletics Ground. In the brochure on the area it doesn’t say it is a running race – Stawell is famous for hosting the annual Stawell Gift, first run in 1878. The 120 metre handicap race is held annually over the Easter long weekend!!

Passed the old Fire Station and St Matthew’s Church with its huge spire (built in 1868).

Topped up the fuel – the hot hot wind is still with us. Continued on to Halls Gap. A few drops of rain fell from the dark clouds, just enough to put on the wipers – once!! Drove slowly trying to get the rain to cool us off!!

Stopped at the Info Centre and picked up some maps. As the fire alert was for Extreme today they were advising people to stay in the caravan parks rather than the National Park. It is supposed to cool off tomorrow so we decided to head out to the Plantation Campground out of town for a look. It is a State Forest therefore technically not in the National Park. Nice open area surrounded by pine trees under the Mt Difficult Range.

A ranger was there putting a note on a tent warning of the 100km/hr winds that are supposed to come through tonight. Steve chatted to him and he said we would be fine here – it isn’t actually in the National Park and is free to camp here while the other sites they are charging $28 per night (up to 6 people) – no cheaper if there is only 2 though.

Decided to park in the more open area for the night in case the winds get too bad. We are planning to park under the trees when the wind settles to get some shade.

There are toilets and showers here – Steve was impressed. You just have to carry your water in and lift up the bucket.

A couple more backpackers came in, otherwise it was all quiet. Not sure when the winds are going to start but it is so still and hot now. I had put lamb chops in the Ecopot so we sat outside to keep cooler as the sun has set behind the range. I put the TV on and we could see it through the kitchen window so we felt like we were at the drive-in theatre.

Nice cold shower to cool off before bed – all the windows and vents open and I was even considering leaving the fan on as it is so hot and still.