Echuca-Barmah State Park
14 June 2005
The participants: Grant & Caroline, Jim & Lynne, Leighton & Debbie, Ruslan & Natalia, Nelly & Victoria.
On Friday June 10 at 3:45pm we were on our way and it wasn’t long before we had the windscreen wipers on, which is how they stayed most of the way to Echuca. As we rolled into Hamilton, everybody was in agreement that take away was the go for tea. We battled wind, rain and traffic to Lake Bolac where we turned and headed for Ararat, Avoca & Maryborough where a stop was needed for toilets and to consult the maps. Time was slipping by, so after a discussion with a Ballarat 4WD club member passing by, the decision was made to go to Castlemaine & Bendigo to Echuca. Finally around 10pm and some 525kms later we had arrived After more map consultation we quickly found Ruslan & Natalia’s accommodation and then the rest of us found our way to our shared cabin.
Saturday morning we caught up with Harry Shepherd, who is a member of the Northern Districts 4WD Club, based in Echuca. Harry had contacted me some weeks prior to theweekend after reading in our monthly magazine we were heading his way. Harry has lived and worked in Echuca for the past 30 years, so his knowledge of the town and surrounding countryside was enormous. After looking at his maps and planning a day trip for Sunday, we got the good oil on what there is to see and do, we headed off for a quick drive around Echuca then to a servo for fuel and a nap while Jim filled the Hundred series (a very, very slow filler neck!). It was time to move, so we headed for the ‘Steam Rally’, which is an annual event on the June long weekend in Echuca. With the generosity of the Lions Club member on the gate who let us in on a family pass, we had a saving of 50% on the admission price. We went our own way once inside and all met back at the main gate about 1 ? hors later. Anything that has ever been made to run on steam was there (just about) along with horse-drawn vehicles, vintage cars, tractors and a host of other demonstrations and stalls. From the steam rally we headed back to the wharf area where the group split up and did their own thing for an hour or so.
Harry had organised a one hour cruise on a paddle steamer, ‘The Pride of the Murray’, for us so we picked up again withhim around 3pm. The paddleboat was skippered by a mate of Harry’s, Tony Brown; who is also a member of the 4WD club there. We were well looked after with this as well with a 2 for 1 deal. Tony’s commentary on the boat was non-stop which added to the enjoyable atmosphere. The day done, it was back to our respective huts for tea, card games & bed.
Sunday 8:30am we were on the road with Harry & Tony heading the convoy (I had been demoted to senior private) Tony assumed the role of commentator and Harry as pilot. The boy’s combined knowledge of the area made for an interesting and informative day. We crossed the river at Moama and took backroads and tracks through the redgum forests all the way to Tocumwal where we had lunch on the river, before heading back down the Victorian side through more redgums to Barmah.
Rain on the Friday had made the black and red soil tracks very slippery in places, which saw various sideways action during the day. Morning and afternoon tea breaks were made on the riverbanks, which gave those who wished a chance to fish. We arrived back in Moama, roughly 300kms later, at about 5pm. We said our farewells to Harry & Tony, who are both keen to come our way to do a beach run. In the week leading up to the weekend I had been burning the midnight oil out in the shed manufacturing souvenirs for the trip. I presented one each to Harry & Tony in appreciation from the Mt.Gambier 4wd Club. They were accepted well and a good day had been had by all, thanks again guys (I did hear a rumour that a photo was coming off a mantel piece and a souvenir jeep going in it’s place!) Back to the huts tea, cards, chocolate & bed again.
Monday 8am we were rolling again and I was back at the helm. We headed north towards Swan Hill & after some 30 kms of tar made our way back onto the river, where we followed the river track to the Torrumbarry weir (Lock 16). After a look around & a read in the information centre we continued on the river track where there are many good campsites along this 60 odd km stretch of river, the track was quite slippery in places. (The good sticky stuff!). We left the river at Koondrook & onto Kerang to take on food & fuel where applicable. It was then onto Donald, more food & into Horsham, where they were having a tropical down pour. A quick visit to Mt. Arapales (the rain saw to that). Then down to Wrattonbully where we followed the border lane to Tower Road into Nangwarry & back to the Mount at approximately 5:15pm.Thanks everybody for your company Caroline and myself had a great weekend.
PS: each vehicle involved on the weekend received a ‘Grant’s Special’ Handcrafted Souvenir!
What is the sign of a busy weekend? When you look forward to going back to work for a rest.
Regards Grant,
"KEEP THE SHINY SIDE UP"
