We drove South for around 1 and a half hours into the Victorian Alpine region and found a nice camp in the region of Smoko. The area of Smoko, Bright, Myrtleford and districts is well known for its tobacco crops
The river near our camp site. It is relatively low at this point of the year however swells considerably more during and at the end of winter. Occasionally people catch trout here.
We headed out from our camp to take a look at Mt Buffalo about 20 minutes west. From the bottom of the mountain it was approximately 20 kms of winding road that was no faster than 3rd gear in the Nissan and a sheer drop if the driver (me) miscalculated a bend or other oncoming traffic.
On the way up to the summit we stopped at this river that had slowed to a trickle at this time of the year...
However winter will see these two pipes under the roadway tested
We reached the summit with some quite spectacular views
At this section of the summit is where experienced hang gliders launch and end up landing way down in the fields below. I remember back in the late 1970's before the stringent regulations I bought myself a hang glider took myself and friends down to port beach just north of Fremantle, launched myself off the beach ledge and crashed nose first into the beach. After wiping the blood from my nose I went up again until I got it right. Probably not the best way to learn how to fly! Don't think I would attempt this one in the picture below!
Also at the summit was this old hotel that is disused and looked after by a caretaker. The hotel was built over 100 years ago and was originally intended to be built out of stone. Costs however required it to be built more modestly out of timber.
One local I met here explained the Victorian Government pledged $12 million for the refurbishment however the project was shelved after tenders came in at closer to $30 million.
A shame to see such a grand old lady in disrepair like this. I imagine what it would be like at night time and images and thoughts come to me of the movie 'The Shining' with Jack Nicolson..... Here's Johnny!
Camp kitchen on the side of the mountain
From here we headed into the town of Bright to take a look around...
Here you can see the trees are just starting to change colour for Autumn, the locals say we were about 1 month out from a spectacular display of all the different colours being on show.
Here you can see the trees are just starting to change colour for Autumn, the locals say we were about 1 month out from a spectacular display of all the different colours being on show.
Ello, ello, ello!
The river in Bright, which is fairly slow at this time of the year provides a popular swimming hole for all the locals
In the dam section there is a slide provided
and a concrete springboard for the locals to have fun on.
There is also a water park for the kids to play in
After a good nights rest we headed over to Mt Beauty and the Falls Creek Ski Resort
Overlooking Mt Beauty town site
On our way to Falls Creek we stopped to look at one of the hydro electric power stations
Unfortunately the station was closed to visitors this day but I got to look through the windows at least ;)
and so after 20 kms of winding road and in 3rd gear in the Nissan we finally reached Falls Creek Resort
One of the ski lifts up from the main resort
and the further up the mountain we got the wetter it got
and by the time we made it to the top of the mountain it was pretty much a white out, but not with snow but from rain!
therefore it was time to head back to camp and try to get a fire lit with wet wood which was all we had
But not too difficult for this bunny much to Karen's surprise considering she is the fire lighter.
So with that done it was time to settle in for one or two ports because it was getting down to a minimum of 1 degree tonight
and with the warmth of the fire and one too many ports it was time to do the miners light dance, not forgetting with socks and thongs....
but where's Karen in all of this, shouldn't she be joining me in the ritual dance?
.... well she reckoned with 1 degree outside I could dance by myself!
so with Karen really getting to know this tobacco growing country intimately
it was time to hit the road
In the dam section there is a slide provided
and a concrete springboard for the locals to have fun on.
There is also a water park for the kids to play in
After a good nights rest we headed over to Mt Beauty and the Falls Creek Ski Resort
Overlooking Mt Beauty town site
On our way to Falls Creek we stopped to look at one of the hydro electric power stations
Unfortunately the station was closed to visitors this day but I got to look through the windows at least ;)
and so after 20 kms of winding road and in 3rd gear in the Nissan we finally reached Falls Creek Resort
One of the ski lifts up from the main resort
and the further up the mountain we got the wetter it got
and by the time we made it to the top of the mountain it was pretty much a white out, but not with snow but from rain!
therefore it was time to head back to camp and try to get a fire lit with wet wood which was all we had
But not too difficult for this bunny much to Karen's surprise considering she is the fire lighter.
So with that done it was time to settle in for one or two ports because it was getting down to a minimum of 1 degree tonight
and with the warmth of the fire and one too many ports it was time to do the miners light dance, not forgetting with socks and thongs....
but where's Karen in all of this, shouldn't she be joining me in the ritual dance?
.... well she reckoned with 1 degree outside I could dance by myself!
so with Karen really getting to know this tobacco growing country intimately
it was time to hit the road
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