Caravanning Diary

We took our time packing up this morning and still managed to leave the CP by 9.15am. We drove along the
Murray Valley Highway taking our time as we only had to travel about 150kms. At morning coffee time we stopped at a wildlife area that was touted to be the largest Ibis rookery in Australia. We didn't see one Ibis so they must have been somewhere else. The wetlands area was nicely set up ad there was a bird hide built there that had a powerful telescope fitted for the public to use. There were several species of water fowl on the water but no Ibis. We had our coffee and then continued on to Gunbower where it was said was some good free camping sites along the river bank near a weir. We travelled down what I thought was the side road that would lead to these sites but after driving for some time I realised I was on the wrong road. We turned around and drove back to the main road. A few kilometres on I spotted the right road to the weir but decided to continue on. We arrived in Echuca about 11.45am and booked into the Echuca Caravan Park for two nights. After lunch we walked into town and the 'Port of Echuca' tourist precinct. There were many paddle steamers operating and tied up alongside the wharf. We may decide on another boat cruise tomorrow! Later we went to Coles to top up on some vittles. As the TV reception was bloody terrible I set up the sat dish so that we could watch the 'Budget speech' tonight.

Paddle Steamer near Echuca.

Echuca wharf

PS Emmy Lou

Port of Echuca from the river bank

Looking towards Echuca wharf.

Drove into town to look at shops and ended up buying new joggers for the both of us from Rivers because they had an 'up to 70% off', sale. The wind was cooler and we are only expecting a maximum of 18c today. We had coffee and cake at the Beechworth Bakery, the 'Best Bakery in Australia' according to the management, compliments of the CP management who gave us a couple of coupons. In the afternoon we joined a lunch cruise on the 'Emmylou' and had a club sandwich. The cruise went for 1.5 hours and took us down river to the Campaspe River junction. We then headed back to the CP and had a rest. Tomorrow we head off further east towards Yarrawonga.

River bend near Echuca.

Murray River near Echuca

Paddle steamers at Echuca

Echuca wharf

The drive from Echuca to Yarrawonga took about 2 hours across flat farmland and orchards. The closer you get to Yarrawonga the more vineyards are visible. We stopped at the Yarrawonga Holiday Park about 5 minutes walk from the town centre. We booked in for 2 days to give us a chance to have a good look around. After lunch we went into town to find the Tourist Info Office which was near the bridge that crosses over to Mulwala in NSW on the other side of the Murray River. After doing some top up shopping at the local IGA store we went for a drive along the shores of Lake Mulwala to the Chinamen's Island Wetlands park to look at the local bird life. The walk took about an hour and took us past the Yacht Club and a new housing estate. We saw parakeets, sulphur crested cockatoos, pelicans and various ducks and water fowl. We then headed back for a break with a cuppa at the CP . I finished off the rest of the afternoon reading 'The Hawke Memoirs' which has been sitting in the book shelf for many years unread. In the evening we stayed in and watched TV and made a batch of Spaghetti for dinner.

Lake Mulwala

This morning we walked to the weir that holds back the Murray in Lake Mulwala. Normally it is a bridge for vehicles crossing over to NSW but at the moment it is under repair so foot traffic only. After taking some photos we walked into the Town Centre and had a coffee at the local bakery. In the afternoon we drove across the bridge to Mulwala and had a look around the town. They have a big Combined Services Club called Club Mulwala that has a full size Dakota (DC3) aircraft at the front entrance. In the evening we went back to Club Mulwala and had dinner in their carvery which was good value. We have decided to stay another 2 days to cover the weekend before heading south towards Geelong.

The weir at Yarawonga

Murray river below the weir.

Another cold night but we managed to get through it OK. Walked into town for our morning coffee and some top up shopping at the IGA. Bought a map of Victoria so now we should know where we are going! Had a lazy afternoon in the CP and did some laundry. Doing lots of reading and work on the website to pass the time.

Not so cold last night. Clouds moved in overnight and we are expecting rain. Sunday morning so we are having a quiet start to the day. Had coffee in town at the local bakery and then did some shopping at the Safeway shop. Bought a flannelette sheet set for the bed because it gets a bit cold at night sometimes.. By the time we came back to the CP it was raining lightly. Looks like it is set in for the afternoon so we are watching TV and staying dry. Tomorrow we head for Kelly Country around Benalla. I expect the weather to deteriorate as we move further south towards the Great Ocean Road.

The van at Yarrawonga Holiday Park.

At Yarrawonga Caravan Park.

We left Yarrawonga and continued on our trek along the Murray Valley highway through Rutherglen, Chiltern and eventually crossed the Hume Freeway and headed on to Beechworth where we stopped for morning coffee and explored the township which has a lot of history in its buildings and was the place where Ned Kelly was tried for the last time before he was hung in Melbourne. We looked inside the old court building where the trial took place and saw lots of interesting items . On the spur of the moment we decided to continue on to Bright and stay there for a couple of nights before heading towards Geelong. About 2kms outside Bright there was a loud bang! and scraping noises coming from the hitch and van. We immediately pulled over and lo and behold, the two front bolts holding the van hitch to the towbar had snapped and parted their way. The only thing holding the car and van together was the Haynes hitch tension bars and chains. A close call or we could have lost the lot. I managed to contact the RACV and arrange for a truck to pick up the van and take it into town. That took a while waiting for the truck to return from Wangaratta . When he finally arrived there was drama whilst we tried to get the van on to the truck flat top. The van battery was still connected and when they pulled the 'A' frame on to the truck it shorted out the wires that charge the battery when the car is connected. Smoke, then smouldering wiring as the loom started to melt outside and inside the van. Luckily we were able to disconnect the battery and save the van from going up in smoke but the wiring loom will need to be replaced. The van was filled with acrid smoke from the melting wiring and will probably take some time to disperse. The RACV contractor was very apologetic and said he would arrange for the wiring to be replaced in Bright. In fact, the auto electrician was waiting when we arrived and had the wiring replaced within 2 hours. The van is currently in the RACV yard waiting to get the hitch fixed and allow venting to give the smoky smell a chance to disperse . The RACV put us up in the Bogong Views Motel overnight at their expense so I'm happy with that outcome so far. In the late afternoon we drove up to a lookout and then walked around the township. Barring no major problems the van should be ready again by mid-morning tomorrow. Then we will move into the caravan park for another night.

Damage to the receiver

Front bolts missing

Van in for repairs.

A panorama of Bright from the lookout.

Bright from lookout.

The story continues....