Wed, 22nd Oct, 2014 Notleys Campground, Greater Bendigo NP

17 degree morning again so taking the extra blanket off as it is ending up on the floor each morning. Steve headed out looking for gold so I followed the marked track to Old Tom’s Mine. Found a few pretty flowers.

Crossed a main road that I think leads to Shadbolt Picnic area and private property further up – I could see the cars passing by last night. There is a train line nearby too. Weird to feel so remote and realise there are small properties etc nearby and Bendigo is just down the road 4km.

The mine was fenced but you could walk in the middle to see the opening and look back over the dug out section.

A chap was there detecting with earphones on and didn’t notice me at all. He was having a great time swearing at the trees, fence etc so I decided to head back.

It was supposed to be a 45min walk to the mine which I did in about 20min. You can walk to Shadbolt from here – sign says 5.4km (2.5hours return) – that really should only take me an hour so might do that later.

Found a big mullock heap and remains of a mine but of course people have been dumping their rubbish in it!!

Found Steve, no gold yet so I took him to some mullock heaps on the way to Old Toms, fingerscrossed.

Back to camp and listened to this bird sing. Will have to google what he is as we are very confused with our birds - but his song was lovely.

I followed another marked track, Frogmouth Walk, 2.5km loop (1hr return). Crossed the road we came in and took a shot back at the campground. They have a big shed with picnic tables too and it used to have water but someone kept stealing the water tank!!

The track meandered through the scrub highlighting the Eucalyptus trees – 4 types. Last three had a lovely scent when I broke the leaves.

Ecualyptus Sideroxylon - Red Ironbark – thin leaves, distinctive bark

Ecualyptus Polyanthemos – Red Box – little round leaves

Ecualyptus Leucoxylon – Yellow Gum – the one our koalas liked – used them in the fire which gave off a lovely scent

Ecualyptus Viridis – Green Mallee – thin leaves

Stirred up a big ants nest as I passed.

Another bird singing a lovely song but stopped as the hawk flew overhead.

Another shot of the campground and shelter from the toilet end, where the walk finished.

Galahs and magpies feeding in the grass near the van.

No gold for Steve and Mick came over and he didn’t find any today either but he had a lovely one 5.75g that he found over the back of the toilets near the little dam. So there is hope for Steve yet. A duller colour to Palmer gold.

I went for my hour walk along Rifle Range Road past a few signposts for other roads that crisscross this road.

This is Whipstick that the park is named after. Looks like a bottlebrush by the flower. Apparently the branches were stripped and used to whip the horses etc.

No cars or animals, just a couple of birds and a kangaroo.

Nobody has found any gold yet. Had a lovely tea by the fire chatting.

There was a big black cloud to the west which was heading our way. It looked like a fire in the distance through the trees but it was the sunset.

We tied down the awning as the wind started to pick up. Back to the fire to watch the lightning put on a show in the distance. Eventually got chased inside by a bit of rain but it didn’t amount to much. Much warmer night which was nice.