Fri, 12th Jan, 2024 Pioneer Bridges Rest Area, Everton to Brookes River Reserve, Alexandra, Vic

Had a quiet morning relaxing and writing up some more of my blog. We were going to stay but after chatting with Janet we decided to head closer to her place so we could get there earlier tomorrow so we could spend some time with them as they were busy on Sunday.

Packed up and headed off along the road back towards the main highway near Wangaratta. Passed the turn off to Glenrowan - we did a drive up in the hills around this area learning about Ned Kelly and his gang on our last visit.

Into Benalla to top up the diesel - always on the look out for the cheapest fuel station. Some murals as we drove through town.

Another town with lots of trees along the road side.

Along the side of Nillahcootie Dam which is on the Broken River. Nearly full after the recent rain which has made it very brown. The dam was completed in 1967, capacity of 40,400ML and provides water for irrigation, domestic & stock and towns.

Turned off before Mansfield - the lure of going up to Craig’s Hut was strong but I refrained.

Down the road a bit then we went around the northern edge of Lake Eildon - Embankment Dam across the Goulburn River - 3,390,000 ML, catchment 3885 km2, surface area 13,832 ha and has a hydroelectric power station. Very popular water sports area. Snapped a photo as we crossed the bridge,

Through the small township of Bonnie Doon. The township was established subsequent to the gold discoveries in the area. It was originally called Doon after a town in Ireland. The Post Office opened in 1866. The named changed to Bonnie Doon in 1891 coinciding with the arrival of the railway. Much of the original town was flooded by construction of Lake Eildon in the 1950s. The township was relocated, some buildings were picked up and moved whilst others were able to stay where they were, such as the church.

More clouds coming over. Checked the weather for Janet’s place in Smiths Gully and it will drop from 34 today down to 24 tomorrow!!

Lots of big gum trees have lost big limbs recently by the road. Another “Wahroonga” - this time a name for a farm. Through another small rural town - Yarck then we turned off towards Alexandra.

Nice view as we came through a cutting.

Up and through another ‘cutting’ - there has been a few. Down the hill then we turned off to find a free camp area called Brookes Cutting Reserve by the Goulburn River. No problem about being flooded here as we up on the very high bank. One other camper here and they have the only spot with the view of the river, which is flowing very fast from the recent rain. The Goulburn flows down towards Shepparton hence all the flooding around there, then into the Murray. We had crossed the Murray upstream so didn’t see the flooding evidence.

We chose a spot in the shade of the tree as it is hot today. Made a cuppa and sat in the shade listening to the kookaburras laughing - probably about the cold change tomorrow!! There is a nice breeze blowing too.

Lots of little Blue Wrens are flittering about - one male with lots of females.

More big puffy clouds are coming over. We chatted with the young couple in the other camp - they had been up in the high country getting bogged on the wet tracks. They have a nice view from here.

On the long-drop toilet wall there was a notice about a new camping reserve but obviously they haven’t changed over to it yet as the sign still said to turn in here to camp. The toilet is where the little triangle is, we are camping on the other big cleared circle.

We walked down towards the river. Spotted a couple of wombat holes.

The Goulburn River is flowing very swiftly.

Lots of thistles about.

Back up to sit in the shade and read our books.

A couple from Birmingham, England pulled in near us and set up their tent. Their son is in Sydney so they decided to hire a car and go for a trip. Big adventure for them, living in the tent on stretcher beds and they are loving it though she wasn’t impressed when a spider got into the tent.

A lady parked across from us and then came over to say hi. Christine had met us in Alice Springs with her partner, Luke, in his Landrover and she remembered our truck - hard not to miss it. It was lovely for her to remember and we chatted away for a while. She took a photo to show him when she got back. He was home with his son who had Covid so she decided to escape.

The English lady (didn’t get their names) came back from a walk and showed us a photo of the wombat she just saw. I had said to Steve before we should go down at twilight and look and it was only early and he was out of his burrow.

We stayed sitting outside to eat dinner as it was still quite hot and the breeze had disappeared. No mozzies or bugs so it was very pleasant. Had our cuppa then headed in at 10pm for a shower and bed.