16th October 2019–Sea Lake

Distance: 200 km
Fuel: 22 L

Nearly the worst travelling weather I have experienced since I bought the camper (the worst was definitely on my way to Port Lincoln in 2017).

It was a bit overcast when I got up about 6.40am but it went downhill once travelling. After breakfast set off for Sea Lake with the intention of exploring the area but it started raining half way there and this continued on and off until after returning to the caravan park in the late afternoon.

It stopped raining in Sea Lake briefly which gave an opportunity to walk about for a little while.

Once the rain started again it was decided to head north to Lake Tyrrell to see if it was pink (unlikely in this weather), in the event it was just wet.

After this washout the day was really over so it was a trip back to Swan Hill to buy milk and have a late lunch, before returning to Lake Boga. Even lunch was a a bit of a failure – ended up with a Macca’s Fish burger, chips and a seniors’ coffee – Swan Hill is another of these towns that charges to park in the main street.

In the caravan park the rain eventually stopped and a fairly brisk wind dried things out, at about 7pm took the opportunity to dismantle the, now dry, gazebo ready for leaving tomorrow.

Not the best day of this trip.

15th October 2019–Swan Hill

Distance: 71 km
Fuel: 36 L

Up early for my shower and after breakfast put up the gazebo because today was supposed to be sunny.

Set off late for a trip to Swan Hill which is only about 25km away. First order of business was to fill up with fuel and buy groceries. While in town bought tickets for the afternoon cruise on the paddle wheeler Pyap.

Then it was back to Lake Boga to drop off the groceries and visit the Catalina Museum.

Lake Boga was the repair base for flying boats during World War II. It was selected after the Japanese air raids on Darwin and Broome when the Australian Military realised they needed somewhere far from the action to keep and maintain the remaining aircraft. Lake Boga was considered ideal because the lake is circular so wind direction was never a problem, it was far south and it was well inland, it was top secret until very late in the war.

Returned to Swan Hill for lunch at Spoons Restaurant right on the river where we caught a glimpse of our transport as we ate a very nice lunch over looking Little Murray River (the Murray River splits forming a very large island called Pental Island).

Ater lunch it was a short walk to the Pioneer Village to catch the boat for a trip on the Murray River (and consequently a visit to NSW because the border is on the Victorian river bank not the middle of the river).

Like every boat journey I have been on it was too long – I don’t know what it is but being on a boat soon bores the pants off me, I enjoy the novelty at first but eventually can’t wait to get off.

Then it was back to camp at about 4pm just in time for the weather to change from sunny to completely overcast, putting up the gazebo turned out to be a waste of time but with rain possible tomorrow it might still prove its worth.

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.