Day 10 - Mallacoota

A quiet day today….found a koala not far from the van.

And then had to track down a mobile mechanic as when in the National Park yesterday we had a very loud scraping from one of the front wheels. By the time we got back it was still there but not as loud. It depended on where the wheels were turned. Yesterday we were told that there was no mechanic in town but checked with an auto elec & he gave us a card & said the mobile guy was in town. Rang him & went to his place & he found a small stone stuck near the brakes area. Charged $30 cash so gave him $40. He spends 50% of his time here where his parents live.

Then had a drive around the lakes…

Went to the bakery for lunch - nearly sold out at 12.45!  Lots of visitors around. Then to the supermarket to restock. And back to the van for a quiet afternoon.

Tomorrow back into NSW & 3 nights at a small village called Wonboyn. No shops at all - just near a lake.

Day 9 - Mallacoota

A nice quiet night & after breakfast first stop was coffee….

Then had a look around the area - today  went to the south…

The bunker was built for WW11 as an advanced RAAF communications centre. Only open for inspection on Tuesdays. It is located next to the airport.

Then further south…

The last photos are at Shipwreck Creek.

Then back to the van for a late lunch and a rest. Then late this afternoon went for a walk around the waterfront.

Tomorrow will check out to the north.

When doing the track to Shipwreck we started getting a noise in the front LH wheel.  Couldn’t see anything & whilst at a servo they said no mechanic in town & Eden is the closest!

It seems a little better this afternoon - so no option but to continue….

Day 8 - Mallacoota

Left alongside the Snowy River scenic road at 10am & went a few kms to Marlo where the river meets the ocean…

From what we could see it appears there was a sand bar at present.

Went back to the Princes Highway via Cape Conran & came across 2 painted water tanks….

Back on the highway did a walk through the McKenzie River rainforest…

There were 2 swing bridges to cross…

Arrived at Mallacoota at 2.30pm & after setting up the clothes washing was on the agenda. This is the first caravan park stop on this trip.

This park is about 1km from town so went & bought tea (& of course ice cream!).

Staying here for 3 nights so photos of here will be tomorrow.

Day 7 - Snowy River towards Marlo

Left Omeo at 10am & first stop was at Swifts Creek - a nice coffee shop was open.

This road is the Great Alpine Road which would be the main access road for much of Victoria to the snowfields in winter.

Then onto Orbost - much of the lower section of the alpine road was again very bendy and downhill towards the coast.

Then along the Snowy River scenic road for a few kms to find a camp for the night.

It’s been very hot today so a restful afternoon. Tomorrow we go to Mallacoota where we are booked for 3 nights. The main C/P next to the water was booked out so going to “Shady Gully”. Yesterday thought perhaps we should book…..and the following 3 nights at Wonboyn we got the last site. Didn’t realise it would be so busy at this time of year!

Day 6 - Omeo

A nice quiet night next to the Mitta Mitta river & as we set off this morning only 1km to the village.

The town started with an open cut gold mine which closed down in 1903. We had morning tea at the General Store.

A quick stop at Granite Flat which was also a gold village. Only the Church & cemetery remain. Then onto towards Omeo on an extremely bendy road. It was 108km from Mitta & there were no straight sections!

The road went over a mountain in the Alpine National Park. The highest point was 1,400 metres.

Faye took a photo of the vehicle screen showing the road which was typical of the whole trip. Took over 3 hours. Had lunch alongside a creek.

Tonight staying in a free camp alongside the creek.

This area caters for bike riders with a special park & tracks going everywhere. Took some photos…

Tomorrow onto the Great Alpine road heading south to the coast. Not sure where we will stop - most likely around Marlo where the Snowy River meets the sea.

Day 5 - The Mill Camp - Mitta Mitta

Left Ludlows Reserve around 10.30 & a short 25km hop to Tallangatta where we visited “The Bakery” after giving the Luna a drink at the old railway station.

A nice town on the upper reaches of Lake Hume. Then onto our next camp just outside the village of Mitta Mitta.

The camp is right alongside the Mitta Mitta river. It is flowing fast today - it is downstream from the Dartmouth Dam.

We have spent this afternoon sitting watching the river - it is reasonably hot today. Lots of birds around…

Tomorrow to Omeo….it is only 110km but it is over the mountains & extremely bendy. Said to be safe for caravans but to take it slow.

Day 4 - Ludlows Reserve Lake Hume

Left Bethungra Dam at 9.30am & headed for Junee…

Morning tea was at Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory - a great stop…

Had to buy some of course!!

Then towards Albury…

Along the way found painted water towers at 2 small towns…

Bypassed Albury & across the Murray into Victoria. We are camped alongside Lake Hume at Ludlows Reserve.

Tomorrow the plan is Mitta Mitta - a road & town we have never travelled previously.

Day 3 - Bethungra Dam

A nice night at Lyndhurst and left there at 9.30am with first stop at Maccas Cowra after lots of hold ups at roadworks.

Then through to Cootamundra via Young where we had lunch next to The Captains Walk.

Lots of “Bradman” things around here - the house above was where he was born. The Captains Walk has busts of all the Australian cricket captains. 

Then through to Bethungra Spiral where north bound trains go in circles to gain height. Missed the XPT doing it by 15 minutes.

Nearby is the Bethungra Dam where we are camped for the night.

Tomorrow we will stay somewhere around Lake Hume via Albury.

Day 2 - Lyndhurst

A slow start this morning (we both didn’t sleep very well last night) - left Bylong around 10.30 and through to Rylstone for morning tea.

The Church is the one at Bylong….

Then through to Sofala for lunch.

Gave Izzy a drink at Bathurst - Faye said “No” to another lap around Mt Panorama! (Izzy has done it previously).

Then through to Lyndhurst where we are camped at the Rec ground. Not long after arrival the front glass door on our cooker exploded (the handle had come loose & Ken was trying to open it) and glass went all over the van - took a while to clear & we might still stand on some glass!

Had a look at Carcoar on the way through (photos above). If you watched the TV series Ten Pound Poms - some of it was filmed there.

Tomorrow towards Junee - not sure where we will stay - Bethungra is a possibility.

Day 1 of holiday to Eastern Victoria & South Coast NSW - Bylong

Left home this morning at 9.30am for a 4/5 week holiday. We are travelling down inland NSW to Albury & then across the mountains to Eastern Victoria & then back up the NSW South Coast.

A relatively short day (206km) to Bylong and then tomorrow through Bathurst. Had morning tea at Jerrys Plains & then some back roads to Bylong Valley road to Bylong. Staying at the local sports ground.

Coming this way we had no towns & avoids going via Sydney.

Still an interesting trip with lots of rocks for Faye to photograph….

Tomorrow the plan is somewhere around Lyndhurst.

Day 11 - Willow Tree

The 4 days at Barraba were enjoyable and we had a great site in the Van Park…

Left there around 10am & went through to Manilla for morning tea…

Then through to Werris Creek - via Tamworth - with lunch in the local cafe.

Werris Creek is a “rail” town with a majestic railway station and the Australian Railway Monument.

Next stop was Quirindi to view its painted silos…

Next stop was Willow Tree Freedom Camp where we are spending the night & will be home tomorrow. This is our final blog for this short holiday.

We trust you have enjoyed coming along with us. Our next sojourn will be from mid February for a month down the South Coast.

Also need to record that Faye has taken the vast majority of the photos you see…