Mon, 15th June, 2015 Joc and John’s driveway, Mt Eliza to Janet’s house, Smiths Gully (gold mine walk)

12 degrees and overcast this morning. Rang Dawn to see what she was up to today but unfortunately she was puppy sitting at her daughter’s house so we will have to catch up with her next time or in Cairns.

Headed into Mornington to get another remote controller for the truck’s doors as ours has packed it in. Got our groceries at a Woolies and used my Everyday Rewards card again, since we couldn’t use it in Tassie. And we get bags for free here too!!

Packed up and headed off after thanking Joc & John for their hospitality and wishing them a nice week in Cairns next week with Mum & Dad.

Headed back through Frankston and onto the M3 Eastlink Freeway. Traffic was light so all good. Off the freeway at Ringwood then up through Warrandyte and across the Yarra River.

Interesting artwork as we cross the river.

Narrower roads as we head to Kangaroo Ground. Smaller rural properties as we pass Panton Hill then turn off at Smiths Gully to find Janet and Geoff’s house. Janet gave us great directions so it was easy, even though the last bit was very narrow roads, but not many cars on the road. Up the driveway to the house.

Parked the van then chatted with her horses – older ‘saved’ ones.

Cute little cows too.

Looking down the property towards the road.

Janet has a green thumb and the plants are doing well.

Our site for a couple of nights. We will leave the van here in August when we fly home.

Had lunch with Janet then headed off for a walk down to where some of the gold mining was done in the creek. The trees are looking lovely with their blooms.

Lots of kangaroos here too.

Down to the road and two cheeky ponies come over to say hello.

Followed Black Cameron Road up the hill – someone was busy.

Lots of evidence of mullock heaps and diggings along the way.

Down to Smiths Gully Creek to follow the Nature History Trail back to Queenstown Cemetery.

Interpretive signs along the way.

Fresh wombat hole.

More signs.

Crossed the creek.

Further up was a weir used by the miners for the boiler to run the stamper of the Queenstown State Battery.

Gold was first discovered here in 1854.

Cyanide Leaching.

Walked back to the house then jumped in Janet’s car for a drive up the road to One Tree Hill.  Great view across to Melbourne city from someone’s driveway on the way up but it was too hazy for a photo. Right beside the road were lots of mine shafts that National Parks have just put fences around. Steve will come back tomorrow with his detector to see what he can find.

There is a chap working a gold mine down the road in the State Reserve but you have to walk down to it. Back home. I put on the chicken wings while Janet did her chores. She did some vegies and lasagne so we had a lovely dinner then yummy strudel for dessert.

Not too cold tonight as the clouds have moved in. All quiet up here.