14th October 2019–Lake Boga

Distance: 358 km

It was another long drive today. With the weather further south near Phillip Island looking less than promising for the rest of the week it was decided to go west and try Lake Boga in the Swan Hill area near the NSW border.

The weather at first was grey and cloudy with light rain falling occasionally. We were travelling along C roads apart from a brief stint on the Hume near Glenrowan so there were limited opportunities to stop. It was not until a small town of Gunbower that we stopped for lunch, it is probably a town of 500 people but they provided a nice enough park to stop and eat next to the creek.

We have stayed at Lake Boga a few years ago when we first visited the Art Silo Trail. The sky was clear blue when we arrived and it was warm if a little windy, the park owner said that yesterday the lake had white caps because of the wind.

Was quite happy once the camper was set up to sit in the shade and read a book. The view across the lake is always relaxing.

13th October 2019–Bright

Distance: 119 Km
Fuel: 13 L

Got a load of washing done before breakfast because today has only limited chance of rain according to BOM apart from the top of Mt Buffalo it was slightly warmer today though still jumper weather.

Mt Buffalo

According to the Bright area guide the Mount Buffalo lookout was worth a visit to that was our first stop. It was 20km of winding mountain road until we reached the lookout.

The road markings were yellow so I presume we were above the snow line. It has to be said that it was worth the drive, there were several lookouts and the views were spectacular.

Bright

Bright is a nice little town without the history of Beechworth. We had our lunch at the Gum Tree Pies, their pies were excellent.

12th October 2019–Beechworth

Distance: 58 km
Fuel: 46 L

Beechworth is an old Gold Rush era town from the 1860s. It has a number of colonial era buildings including its Gaol and its Court House.

In the centre of town the old Post Office is for sale.

The Gaol was built between 1858 and 1864 and in use until it was closed in 2004. It was heritage listed (complete with heritage razor wire) and unable to be developed so it was eventually bought by a consortium of local people. During its life as a prison it has held some notable prisoners including Ned Kelly and Carl Williams. Eight convicts were hanged here.

11th October 2019 – Heading South

Distance: 443 km

A Spring trip to south of the border. No precise plans other than a visit to Phillip Island and Ballarat.

After a couple of day spent in Canberra visiting family headed off on a fairly long drive to Myrtleford in Victoria mostly along the Hume Highway.

Stopped at Holbrook for lunch and the obligatory look at their submarine.

Crossed the Murray into Victoria about four hours after leaving Canberra.

Arrived in Myrtleford at about 3.30pm and discovered the caravan park was only a few hundred metres from the town centre. Also for the first (and probably last) time had an ensuite site with its own toilet and shower. It was actually a very nice quiet park.

Went for a walk to look at the town followed signs to a memorial but only found a horse trough.

It is definitely not warm, I think the maximum temperature today was about 19C. If this keeps up it will be a very short trip.