Anzac weekend at the Grampians
25 April 2008
Debbie and Leighton and Debbie and Wolfgang left Mount Gambier on Friday the 25th of April 2008 heading for Casterton along the Glenelg Highway where we met up with Leolla, Anton and Olivia. We then made our way up to the Henty Highway were we stopped at Cavendish to get some refreshments.
We travelled along Mokanger road then up Victoria Point road and then into Bullawin road into the Grampians. We turned onto Glenelg River road and headed up to our camp destination along the Sawmill track. Strachan’s Camp site is lovely with a beautiful little creek running through it, picnic tables, toilet block and lovely big fire places with BBQ plates and Billy holders ready to go. Just to the side of the camp site is a survival hut with an enormous fire place made of corrugated tin and a cement floor just the perfect thing for a rough night. We all got settled and decided to go for a little drive around. We headed back out on to the Glenelg river road and onto Burnt Hut Creek track. The scenery was fantastic. We headed down a dead end part of the track to view a grave yard where years ago a German family lived and operated a roof shingle mill. All that remains today is part of the chimneys. The site has been maintained and signs erected by the Horsham 4wd Club. It was lovely to see a lot of their input throughout the National Park and full credit to them for taking an interest in their backyard. Well done! This track was a great drive. We crossed Bullawin road, headed up the Geerak track and exited at Chimney Pot Gap and then headed back to camp.
We got the fire going and relaxed for the night under a clear sky. Saturday morning Wolf was the 1st up so he got the fire going and soon everyone was up and enjoying bacon and eggs for breakfast. We packed some lunch and before heading off for our day of adventure we secured the camp site. Debbie & Leighton packed their site up and took it with them while we locked the caravan. Anton, remembering that one of his jerry cans on the front of his van had fuel in it decided to put it in the van so it wouldn’t get stolen.
We headed along the Sawmill track where we pulled out opposite Red Hill road, travelled along Glenelg River road into Boundary track, up Green’s Creek road into Beehive track, then onto Serra Road back along Glenelg River road, then on to Moora track along the Homestead Track (I think they named it this because if you get stuck in their you would have to consider it home), then down along Rosea track up to Stony Creek road and back onto Glenelg River road. We ducked up Phillip Island track and had a look at the camp site called Boreang. This was burnt out during the January 2006 bush fire, but the area has been resurrected and was full. It seems to be a popular spot. After this we headed down the top end of the Moora track, onto the Henham track, followed that down to the Serra Track back onto Glenelg River road onto Sawmill and back to camp.
Due to the night being a bit damp we decided to make use of the survival hut. Leighton got the fire going and we all moved in with tables and chairs. It was just like home. A fantastic meal was cooked and terrific company shared. Sunday morning we sat around the fire talking as nobody was in a hurry to leave. We eventually packed up and headed along the Glenelg River road to Woohlpooer and down the Henty highway to Hamilton for lunch. Debbie & Leighton parted company at Casterton and the Balk’s and Wolf headed for Penola.
As we turned off at the hundred line we heard a strange noise we had shredded the tread of one of the tyres on the caravan. Anton helped to change the tyre while I played with Olivia on the side of the road. Leolla found some nice fresh road kill and we believe that Anton was going to get some nice lizard soup for tea. We parted company and headed our ways home.
I would just like to add that my favourite track for the weekend would have to be the Homestead track. It is very steep, very rough and very beautiful. The scenery was breathtaking and the drive would have to be the biggest adrenalin rush I have had for some time. During our trip we noticed that some sign posts were missing or the maps were a little light on details. Debbie & Leighton’s GPS was worth its weight in gold and it came in very handy a few times. From someone who thought they were just another toy for boys I am now convinced that they could be a real survival tool. Special thanks to Deb & Leighton for their help. Getting back to the 2006 fires it is remarkable to see the way the Grampians has bounced back. Another couple of years and it will be better than ever. If you have been putting off going there because of the fires, don’t. It is truly amazing how the self healing process of nature works.
WOW! What a great weekend, thanks so much to the Balk’s and the Neil’s for coming along and making it a fantastic weekend.