Friday, 19 June 2015

Wed, 17th June, 2015 Janet’s house, Smiths Gully to ‘Waanyarra’, Dunolly State Forest


14 degrees at 8am with low clouds hanging on the hill tops. Warm enough that we didn’t need the heater on!! Chatted with Janet as she fed the horses then packed up the van while she did some conference calls for work. Had a cuppa with her before heading off again.

Back through the narrow country roads to Kangaroo Ground (200m elevation) then turned off towards Yarra Glen. Will do the wineries over with Janet and Geoff when we come back in September. Up a big hill (280m) then down into Yarra Glen (89m) – lots of vineyards looking barren at the moment during the winter months.

Mum rang so say Dassey passed away last night. Thinking of her daughters, Leslie and Kerry and their families.

Passed a sign for the ‘Historic Gulf Station’ that was closed – will have to check that out next time. Climbing up again then we passed the turn off into Kinglake National Park – it is $34 per night to camp there now – far too much for bush camping!! There are a few nice waterfalls in there so will do a day drive sometime. More climbing till 410m then down to 360m over the Yea River into State Forest. The clouds are still hanging on the tops of the hills. Very picturesque drive though, pass the forests then green pastures and rolling hills.

Crossed the Yea River again (260m). Steve happier with the wider roads!! Through Yea (190m) then we stopped at King Parrot Creek (170m) for lunch.

Information about the threatened Macquarie Perch.

The sun trying to peek through as we cross the Goulburn River (180m) – didn’t have my camera ready. Through Seymour then over the Goulburn River again (missed it again!!) Making notes about things to see when we come back this way.

Into flatter scrub country with sheep and cattle.

Pass the Puckapunyal Military Area with its Kangaroo Control Fence – saw one big roo dead beside it and then a whole herd of roos inside the grounds!!

Stopped at the Information Centre at Heathcote (210m) where I loaded up on Victorian brochures. That will keep me busy working out what we want to see etc.

Tried to find a free camp spot at Knowsley but only found a small roadside stop. Kept going through Bendigo – Steve saying to watch out for trams as he didn’t want to get in their road! On to Marong where we pulled over for a cuppa in a park beside Bullock Creek (200m).

On to Tarnagulla which the sign says is the centre of the Golden Triangle. It looks abandoned. Had a note from Pete & Penny that they stopped at the W. Cemetery Road so turned back to the cemetery but it didn’t look right. Texted them for further instructions as they are still in Lightning Ridge but no answer. Decided to go to the Dunolly State Forest as per my Camps 7 book and it said down the Waanyarra Cemetery Road – oops got my instructions mixed up.

Found the camp area and there were 4 other vans there plus the caretaker. Chatted with some of the people then chose a spot and set up camp. Still very overcast and cool so Steve got the fire going and we had a drink around the fire. Very nice for a change. Eddie the caretaker came back and popped in for a chat. Pete & Penny texted back and I said we found it ok. While I got tea ready Steve tuned the TV – amazed we can get reception – which is great as the V8s are on in Darwin this weekend. Only minimal phone reception though so the new aerial on the TV aerial is working well. Only put the heater on about 9pm to warm the van as we had our showers.



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