The Legendary Snowy River

Who hasn't heard of the Snowy River in Australia? It runs from NSW to Victoria and in our last remaining time in Victoria, we drove to Marlo to bear witness to the end of the line of the river. We saw the estuary where the river meets the sea. Unfortunately the weather was not great for us to walk closer or take better pictures.

The river meets the sea

We could say that we have now been to the start(in NSW) and the end(Victoria) of the infamous Snowy River.

At Cape Conran Coastal Park

The legendary Snowy River

Goodbye Summer

Summer will be officially over in another 3 days. We spent almost the entire summer in Victoria, the smallest state in our country(excluding the territories & Tassie). While majority of the times spent here were in Melbourne, Lake Eildon and the Alpine, it is very much a large state to cover in just one season. We have yet to venture further inland to Mildura, Shepparton, Ballarat, Bendigo and so forth. 

After our 17th anniversary on 24/2, to be celebrated in Orbost at the Snowy Mountain Lodge Motel, we will head to Croajingalong National Park to see out the end of summer. From then on, it will be onwards to NSW south coast, back in Sydney a week before Easter. It would be just a few weeks into 6 months since we left the Big Smoke.

Victoria has been great, giving me the chance to catch up with friends and family and a big plus, made new friends. 

Highlights from our summer in Victoria.

Falls Creek

Falls Creek

Leongatha Rail Trail with new friends

Kilcunda Sunset

Lake Eildon

Cathedral Ranges

Wilsons Prom - Refuge Cove

Wilsons Prom

Bluff Lookout - Barwon Heads/Ocean Grove

Melbourne City

Queuing for Michelin Star Hawker Chan

Favourite Playground

The high country alpine area is without a doubt one of our favourites. In November 2017, we spent couple of weeks at Hotham and Falls Creek, helping out with Runningwild.net alpine runs and camping at Raspberry Hill campground.

After Wilsons Prom, we decided to head up to the alpine area again. The weather is much colder than by the coast. Average temperature is in mid-teens with overnight temp in single digits. We like Raspberry Hill campground as it has a relatively pleasant drop toilet, fire pit and 4G service. While its about 20 minutes drive to Falls Creek, it is less popular than Pretty Valley. We have been here 3 days and have had no other campers. On the first night, we even had shower in the open as we decided to set up the bathroom walls the next day.

There are so many trails to do, ranging from short walks to hard core running. On the first day, we did a short walk to Ropers Lookout. Someone told me that its a short walk. When we got to the start, the signage had 4km one-way. We went ahead anyway and found that the walk was in fact 4km return! Unless we missed a turn, we were at the lookout 2km out! Time for Parks Victoria to correct their sign. We think the incorrect signage might have put a lot of people off as many will not attempt to do 8km.

Looking out to Falls Creek village from Ropers Lookout

Having loosen our legs with the 4km walk, we ventured to do a run from Pretty Valley. Since TJ is much faster and fitter, we would often plan a route where we start from opposite end and when we meet up, I turn around. TJ went anti clock-wise from Pretty Valley - Pole 333 - SEC Hut - Pretty Valley. For me, it was clock-wise Pretty Valley - SEC Hut - Pretty Valley. Met TJ at the 6km mark. Felt ok doing about 11km as I ran most of the time, albeit very very slow.

6km point where we crossed path

Overnight Hiking

Now first..oriented the map

After the first visit to Wilsons Promontory couple of weeks back, we decided to head back there to do the overnight hike. We went on the popular hike from the southern side, a loop that is approximately 36km, which we decided to do in 3 days.

The first day was from the car park to Little Waterloo Bay, followed by Refuge Cove and the final day was spent at Sealers Cove. We did not get much sleep the last 2 nights due to the mice and possums that are quite aggressive trying to get your food. We had all our food in the tent but that did not prevent them from trying to get it. In the morning at Sealers Cove, we found a few holes on our tent, probably a possum trying to get in.

TJ snorkelling at Refuge Cove

It has been 9 months since we last did overnight remote camping. It was a real relieve having a long hot shower after 3 days with fresh clothes. Don't think we smelled too pleasant after wearing the same clothes for the entire time.

The Big Short

Today was the day I did what I have been saying to people...cut my hair short. I mean, shave it.

This is a no.12, the longest from TJ's shaver. The decision came just before we went on our 3 day hike at Wilsons Promontory. The thought of 3 days without washing my hair sealed the decision.

Let's see how quickly it grows back come Easter when we are back in Sydney.

Wilsons Promontory

A fair few people have told us about Wilsons Promontory over the course of our travel. So we decided to head there after Lake Eildon. We had 5 days between Lake Eildon and Kilcunda where we agreed to help out again with a run there. 

Our initial plan was to do 3 days overnight hike/camping. Due to the unfavorable weather, we decided to do the overnight hikes after Kilcunda. We did daily walks instead at the Prom.

Millers Landing

Tidal River

Getting feet wet at Whiskey Bay

On the first day we did the Promontory Wildlife Walk, Vereker Outlook, Millers Landing and Big Drift. The 2nd day we did the Three Bays Walk, encompassing  Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay and Whisky Bay.

Squeaky Beach

Big Drift

Vereker Outlook

Countdown to Australia Day

After 2 weeks of relatively quiet period at the campground, we were told to be prepared for one of the busiest times of the year, Australia Day. Advanced bookings suggested a full house with over sixty sites occupied from Thursday to Sunday. 

In the run-up to the long weekend, we were also hit with a week long of high 30s temperature coupled with extreme humidity. Unfortunately for us, our Podd gets the afternoon sun, which is also the hottest time. Temperatures were still in high 20s around 8pm, which meant hot nights for us. TJ kept cool with a wet towel as blanket with the fan on.

While it was too hot for anything strenuous, we did managed to take our kayaks out for a couple of hours on the lake and do a hike at Cathedral Ranges. We left early and walked up to Cathedral Peak via Neds Saddle. This was to be our last  activity in the area as we remained at the campground to assist the hundreds of campers descending for Australia Day 2018!

Cathedral Peak

We left Lake Eildon with another new experience as campground host and getting to know some of the dedicated and passionate rangers.

Doing the Hard Yard

Since it is quiet at the campgrounds before Australia Day long weekend, we were asked to do some pruning along the road in the national park. We were to remove the shrubs and branches overhanging the road side from the former Fraser store to Devil's Cove campground. It is approximately 2km stretch. On the first day, we did about 50m on both sides. Not a lot but we only spent a little more than an hour since it was a hot day. Our plan was to do an hour or so in the mornings in the next couple of weeks.

Rail Trail

The Great Victorian Rail Trail is Australia’s longest continuous rail trail, with Victoria’s longest rail trail tunnel at Cheviot. The trail spans 134 kilometres from Tallarook, through Trawool, Yea to Molesworth and Yarck to Cathkin and Alexandra.

We decided to do the section from Alexandra to Yea, passing the longest rail tunnel at Cheviot. The ride is 36km one way. It did not seemed too much initially but we were so wrong. After lunch at Yea, our ride back was tough going. The gusty winds did not help either. The uphills were gradual but long.

The 70km distance was the longest bike ride we have ever done in Australia. We retired early tonight with sore bums and legs and having just peanut butter and jam sandwich for dinner.

Alexandra Rodeo

The nearest town to our campground is Alexandra. Not a big town but enough to have about 3 coffee places, a couple of hotels/pubs, a National Australia Bank and the largest Foodworks supermarket I have ever been in.

One Saturday morning, we met two rangers who told us about the Pro Rodeo event in Alexandra. This is the first rodeo held in town since 1984. Of course we had to go. It is the most happening event for Alexandra and the whole town will be there!

Despite the on and off rain, there were lots of people. Likely the whole town turned up. Most people including us brought chairs and rain gear. We did not, however have our cowboy hat and boots and tight jeans. While we would love to stay till the end, the cold wet night got to us.