Tuesday 17th February - Friday 20th Febuary
Leader: Bill and Gill
Participants: Geoff, Peggy and Uwe
The group of 3 cars and 4 people, gathered at Breeze Caravan park at Turrumbarry Weir on 17 February in time for happy hour, under the close scrutiny of a beady eyed Kookaburra. At the camp kitchen we enjoyed talking to a group of tradesmen who were working on a newly built paddle steamer, which was moored on the bank. Although we had driven through heat , the cool change came through and we were blessed with perfect weather the whole trip.
We crisscrossed the NSW/ Victorian border, travelling through 4 forests with picturesque river views from the different tracks and noticing the varied vegetation in each area.
Wednesday 18th
We started with a visit to an informative interpretive centre, which featured the weir’s history, water management, ecology and life stories of the people who lived by the weir. This was followed by a knowledgeable, passionate walk around the weir by one of our leaders. We were amused by the variety of water birds sitting hopefully by the fish lock waiting for those fish going up through the lock.
After that we proceeded into the Gunbower National park. We had a very leisurely drive through the forest on the River track, this traversed close to the river, so frequent views of the river were viewed. We stopped at the Masters house, which is a heritage building but in dilapidated state. It had been a family home beside a landing for the paddle steamers to unload their goods. We had morning tea on a beautiful shady bend on the river nearby the old township site cemetery.
Continuing on the river track we needed to stay alert with plenty of wildlife of emus and kangaroos crossing. We crossed over into NSW and enjoyed the Barham foreshore for our lunch stop.
After lunch we cut away from the river to cross country to Mathoura and to set up camp on the Edwards River Bridge campsite. This is the most beautiful, tranquilspacious area for free camping. We had time to enjoy the environment. There were a variety of birds around but we were most entertained by a family of Superb Fairy Wrens, who were very brave landing on our chairs, shoes and right under our feet. We decided to head back into Mathoura in the evening to support the local business and eat at the Servicemen’s club for a steak night. On the way we visited the bird hide ,which sadly had no water and therefore no birds.
Thurday 19th
We set off early to do a loop around the Gulpa Creek Forest drive. This is a delightful drive, which takes you through the towering gums in the Murray Valley National Park. The sculpture formed by the fallen trees in the creek is unique and also several old wooden bridges to cross the creek run offs added great interest to this drive.
After completing the circuit we passed our campground and went on to Picnic Point for our morning tea spot. We met a couple travelling on the river in a very interesting vehicle. A small party boat converted into into a caravan style home, when not on the river the boat was moved from place to place on a trailer. The couple were enjoyed several months along the river.
We then travelled along the Murray River for about 6 km before a rather circuitous route to get back to the Victorian side of The Murray. We cut across to the Cobb Highway, travelled down the highway and along the Shepparton rd to Barmah. Then into the Barmah forest. The drive in was quite tricky, firstly rather a corrugated road, then negotiating rutted bog holes. Fortunately it was dry for us but in the wet this would have been treacherous. At last we got back to the river and were able to enjoy the sweeping river for our lunch stop .
We proceeded along the river track with views of the river at each of the bends until we came to the end of our track. We reached the end of the track and has a last look at the river. We then travelled to Nathalia for the suggested overnight stop. The trip of 365 km finished here.
Text and Photos: Gill