Touring Victoria

[mudguts]

One of our moderators may wish to move this to a more appropriate area as I'm not sure how/where to put it.

TOURING VICTORIA
With the warmer months in Southern Australia fast approaching and the humidity increasing in the north perhaps its opportune to suggest a southern touring trip to our northern friends or those heading east from WA.

Victoria’s weather in October/November and March/April are ideal times to venture south to explore a huge diversity of landscapes and attractions. I'll leave out December/January as these peak periods are generally spent with family, and include school holidays for many, requiring advance bookings and generally higher costs. Badgers Caravan Reports badger.php gives an independent review of parks throughout Victoria.

MURRAY RIVER

Here’s a suggested trip that starts in the north western corner. From the west you can leave Adelaide and head north to the Riverland where there a range of parks along the Murray at Berri, Renmark and Loxton. A couple of hours east and the start of a River Murray journey.

Mildura has plenty to see and do with the Country Music Festival starting late Sept and running through for about ten days well worth a few days. You’ll find information here http://www.milduracountrymusic.com.au/. Explore the area and stock up on a wide range of fruit and vegies, citrus and wines. At these times of year the weather is terrific, mid-high 20’s and very comfortable. Gets a fair bit warmer during Dec-Feb so either autumn or spring are the best times. There’s a dozen parks here so explore Badgers Caravan Reports and pick one to suit you. Try a river cruise and meal one evening or a meal This site will give you a more extensive see & do list. http://www.murrayriver.com.au/mildura/a ... ctivities/

From Mildura you can either head south east through Hattah National Park or follow the Murray Valley Highway east. The Euston Club is a great spot for a meal and a beer overlooking the river. Robinvale has a good golf course and there a nice park right on the river. Robinvale is also a favourite spot with the cod fishermen.

Another couple of hours lazy drive and you’re in Swan Hill with several very good parks to choose from. A visit to the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement will take you back in time and a trip on a paddle steamer is a peaceful aside. Local wines and produce stalls will replenish your supplies. A game of golf at Murray Downs or a day trip to Kerang and Barham RSL & Bowls club will fill in a day. The old Flying Boat aviation museum at Lake Boga is worth a visit. Keep an eye out for plenty of cheap fruit and vegies stalls along the highway.

Further east the Murrabit markets are on the first Saturday each month and have a wide range of goodies to keep everyone interested
http://australia.shopsafe.com.au/events ... rrabit.htm. Murrabit is just north east of Kerang http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&um ... o&resnum=1

From Swan Hill a couple of hours east and you’re in historic Echuca /Moama. A side trip for a few nights on the river at Torrumbarry Weir where you’ll find the fishing is productive, the bush walks peaceful and the parks friendly.

Echuca / Moama has enough interesting activities to fill in a week http://www.echucamoama.com/ will give you a vast array of information. The Paddle Steamer Capital has an interesting historical precinct and the restored wharf area will keep you enthralled all day. For the bowlers the world class Moama Bowls Club has excellent greens and Rich River Golf Club will challenge to best golfers. Both have excellent meals/entertainment. Barmah Forest is now a National Park and is a pleasant spot to camp. For the fishermen there’s plenty of Murray Cod in these waters.

An hour south east to Shepparton will give the ladies a day’s retail therapy. There’s something for everyone with every major chain represented and you can stock up on the famous SPC Ardmona goodies in Mooroopna on the way through. Thos outlet attracts over 600,000 visitors each year and has a vast array of products from everywhere. If its in a supermarket you’ll probably find a cheaper version here. The outlet is due to move to Shepparton late this year and will be located in Corio Street - keep an eye on their website for details http://www.ardmonafactorysales.com.au/about.htm

There are several fine parks in Shepparton with the Victoria Lake Park most central. A major refurbishment of Victoria Lake is underway and the lake will shortly be a major focal point for visitors and locals alike. In March and April fresh fruit is plentiful from roadside stalls SPC ARDMONA Kidstown http://www.kidstown.org.au/ and the Mooving Art display attracts thousands of visitors every year. http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/shepparton/

Take the road north via Numurkah and rejoin the Murray Valley Highway at Strathmerton. East to Cobram’s RACV Holiday Resort for a pleasant stopover. Visit Barooga Sporties or try out the challenging 36 hole Cobram Barooga Golf Club layout rated in the top 50 in Australia.

Yarrawonga is another half an hour away and a stay at the Yarrawonga Caravan Park adjacent to the weir will be a pleasure. Peter & Tanya Robinson run a great park. Gets very busy in peak times with over 450 sites but is in an ideal central location to all the local attractions http://www.yarrawongaholidaypark.com.au/
There are several other good parks but this is my favourite. We stay there several times each year. Young Robbo runs a tight ship and won’t tolerate idiots who disturb the amenity of the park, so you can be assured of an enjoyable stay. There are several other parks in the area and all are very busy over summer. If travelling around Easter you will find almost every park along the Murray close to capacity so ensure you book ahead. There are many free camps along the river and the area from Echuca to Yarrawonga has some of the best beaches you’ll find anywhere.
Look here for local attractions www.yarrawongamulwala.com.au/

From Yarrawonga head east to Corowa the home of Federation, then on via Rutherglen which boasts a finer port than Sydney. Their famous Winery Walkabout takes place on the Queens Birthday weekend in June but their fine reds are available all year round. http://www.rutherglenvic.com/events/maj ... reventID=3
Here’s a few free camps that I’ve swiped from someone’s information chest but don’t remember who, but think it that might interest some.

Free camps along the Murray
Gunbower Island State Forest - Cohuna
Bush camping sites on Gunbower Island between the Murray River and Gunbower Creek. Fireplaces. Access via Cohuna Island Road from Cohuna.
Christies Beach – Echuca
Beach camping area on the banks of the Murray River just outside Echuca.
Toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces.
Horseshoe Lagoon – just out of Cobram township Access via Horseshoe track, off River Road, Cobram Beach camping area . It has no facilities, just sandy beaches and a boat ramp. RACV have/had map showing all the beaches along the Murray between Yarra & Tocumwal.

Forges Beach – Yarrawonga
Bush camping beside beautiful river beaches. Toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces.
Access is available via Forges Pump Road, off the Murray Valley Hwy, 7 kilometres north-west of Yarrawonga.
Burkes Bend has 3 beaches to choose from right on the river & about 17 k's from Cobram heading towards Yarrawonga at 17 k peg turn left at rest stop on the left just enter the reserve. Drop dunnies but great place to camp and great sandy beaches.

The Kurrajongs camping area in Mt Lawson State Park near Albury is a riverside camp off the Murray River Road near Talgarno. Picnic tables, fireplaces.
Located near Lake Hume. Access via Murray River Road
Richardson's Bend and Doolan's Bend near Albury
Beaut spot on the Murray River. Picnic tables and fireplaces.
Accessed off the Murray Valley Highway between Albury and Rutherglen
These may help locate them.

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1process_ ... activity=5

http://www.murray.nsw.gov.au/files/1004/File/Forest.pdf

Albury Wodonga has a vast array of attractions and several good parks. Trek 31 on the north side or Albury is good but a bit of a way out whilst the Big 4 in Wodonga is quite good. This will put you in touch with the major attractions/activities http://www.alburywodongaaustralia.com.au/

.Nearby Lake Hume has several lakeside pars although water levels in recent times has reduced its attractiveness.

NORTH EAST

North Eastern Victoria can be broken up into several valleys,
Upper Murray up to Corryong which includes Tallangatta, Walwa, and Jingellic . http://www.tourismuppermurray.com.au/

Mitta Valley includes Miita Mitta and Dartmouth

Kiewa Valley includes Mt Beauty/Tawonga, and the Falls Creek snow fields. http://www.visitalpinevictoria.com.au/p ... ur-region/

Ovens Valley includes Myrtleford, Porepunkah, Bright and Harrietville though to Mt Hotham, Omeo and the Alpine Way to Bairnsdale.
http://www.brightvictoria.com.au/?gclid ... pAodrjM8bQ
King Valley includes Wangaratta, Moyhu, Whitfield and the Gourmet Food region that encompasses from Glenrowan and Milliwa, to El Dorado and Beechworth.
Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival Late October/early Nov

The north east has so much to see and do. There are numerous major events throughout the area ranginging from Wangaratta Jazz & Blues in late October
http://www.wangaratta-jazz.org.au/ to Bright’s Spring Festival in October and the famous Bright Autumn Festival at end April/May . Historic Beechworth’s Golden Horseshoes Festival at Easter is a must. http://www.beechworthonline.com.au/visitbeechworth.asp

Mt Beauty’s Music Muster in April, http://www.musicmuster.org.au/

You can spend several weeks touring this exciting region which has particular appeal when the autumn leaves are in full show. Visit the history of Ned Kelly in the Wangaratta, Glenrowan and El Dorado areas. http://www.visitwangaratta.com.au/ details a lot about this area. The mountain walks at Mt Buffalo, Falls Creek, and Mt Hotham are all invigorating. The famed Brown Brothers winery is just one of the many in the Milawa Gourmet Food region. Myrtleford and Porepunkah have several good parks and are the gateway to Lake Buffalo at the foot of the Mt Buffalo National Park. http://www.visitmyrtleford.com.au/ will provide lots of detail on this area. The Ned Kelly Tourist Centre provides shows the visitor the story of Australia’s infamous Kelly Gang and is well worth a visit.
http://www.glenrowantouristcentre.com.au/

Head south down the Hume Freeway to the City of Roses, Benalla and visit their stunning Art Gallery and the Edward “Weary” Dunlop statue. Benalla is also a major site for gliding, and nearby Winton Raceway caters for the revheads. From V8’s to vintage motorbikes, classic cars and truck racing Winton has every base covered. http://www.benalla.vic.gov.au/Page/Page ... _Id=37&p=1

CENTRAL VICTORIA’S FOOD & WINE & HIGH COUNTRY

Head south on the freeway to Euroa & Seymour the equine centre of Victoria where some of Australia’s best breeding stock is found. The 3 day Seymour Alternative Farming Expo held in late February creates huge interest each year. http://www.seymour.org.au/index.cfm/Home and http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/euroa/ provides more information .
Nearby Nagambie is the home of Australia’s finest rowing course and the famous Chateau Tabilk and Mitchelton wineries. For a rundown on Nagambie visit . http://www.nagambielakestourism.com.au/

Head east from Seymour to Yea, Alexandra and Eildon and the wonderful Lake Eildon Waterway. http://www.lakeeildon.com/ The Country Music Festival over Cup weekend in November draws big crowds each year. Fraser National Park has a basic campground and an ideal spot for the travelling fisherman. http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/alexandra/

Head south from Alexandra and a visit to the devastated Marysville will help their economy and people get back on their feet after the disastrous bush fires

Follow the Black Spur to Healesville and its famed Animal Zoo & Sanctuary and visit the wineries of the Yarra Valley http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/healesville/. From there its an ¾ hour to the outer suburbs of Melbourne. The former Crystal Brook CP in Warrandyte Road East Doncaster is a good base for visiting Melbourne or there are many other parks throughout the metro area that may prove closer to your interests. Melbourne and its attractions are another topic which I won’t try to cover here. The Dandenong Ranges and Warburton are full of interesting places . The century-old Puffing Billy steam train which runs on its original scenic mountain track between Belgrave, Emerald, Cockatoo and Gembrook is a must do . http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/ Here’s the place to find out the main details . http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/regions/yarravalley/

From Melbourne you can head east or west.

LATROBE VALLEY GIPPSLAND EAST & SOUTH

To the east take the freeway to Gippsland via the Latrobe Valley cities of Morwell and Traralgon. http://www.visitlatrobevalley.com/ and http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/morwell/
and http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/traralgon/.
The Tarra-Bulga National Park is a beautiful part of the Strezlecki Ranges and a day trip along the Grand Ridge Road is a must. http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_dis ... m?park=194

Further east to Sale and the gateway to the Gippsland Lakes. Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance and the villages of Paynesville, Metung and Swan Reach, Bruthen and Buchan are all magic hideaways well worth a day or two. http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/lakesentrance/ and http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/bairnsdale/.

SOUTH GIPPSLAND

From Lakes Entrance you can commence the round trip back to Melbourne. From Sale head south to Foster, Korumburra, Leongatha and the seaside villages of Port Albert, Port Welshpool, Inverloch, and Venus Bay. http://www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/

All these places have their own tranquillity and a night or two in each will be rewarded. A few days at Wilsons Promontory National Park are a must, but you may need to book ahead.
These sites provide up to date information on each area.

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_dis ... m?park=217

http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/inverloch/

http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/foster/

http://www.promcountrytourism.com.au/

Take the turn off the South Gippsland Highway and spend a few days at Phillip Island http://www.visitphillipisland.com/

The newly opened National Vietnam Veterans Museum is a treasure house of memorabilia that provides an excellent historical record of the Vietnam years.
http://www.visitphillipisland.com/searc ... s%20Museum
The Phillip Island Circuit is home to the International MotoGP Motorcycle Grand Prix, World Championship Superbikes and Australian Touring Car Championships and a host of other events. You can also try out the go-karts on a miniaturised version of the track. The Penguin Parade attracts visitors from throughout the world each evening at sundown. The arrival of the Fairy Penguins is a must see.

PORT PHILLIP BAY

From PI take the road back to Melbourne then turn off to Hastings and on to Rosebud, Dromana and Portsea. http://www.visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/
Here are five top tips for your stay:
• Point Nepean, right at the tip of the Peninsula, is the best-known feature of the Mornington Peninsula National Park. It was closed to the public for more than 100 years, but you can now walk it, cycle it and delve into a remarkable military history that dates back to the 1880s.
• There's seriously good golfing on the Southern Peninsula, with eight coastal and rural courses ready to challenge you. Our golfing tour operators can plan your stay and your play for you.
• There's full-on adventure too, with beach and bush trail rides, dolphin swims, scuba diving, fishing, sea kayaking and fishing. At a more leisurely pace are guided bush and beach walks, and strolls through some of the Peninsula's most beautiful gardens.
• The Sorrento Pier is the starting point for lots of tours and activities, including the Sorrento-Queenscliff ferry which can take you and your vehicle across to Queenscliff and the Great Ocean Road.
• Call into our villages: Portsea (multi-million dollar cliff-top mansions, a hotel right on the beach, golf, a busy front beach with pier, a turbulent back beach), Sorrento (great style, lovely old limestone buildings, noted eateries, shops and galleries); Rye, Blairgowrie, Rosebud and Dromana all have tranquil bays and a great variety of seaside accommodation.


The Sorrento to Queenscliff Ferry will take you across to the Bellarine Peninsular and Geelong and on to the Great Ocean Road.

http://www.searoad.com.au/ provides timetables and costs.
http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/vi ... ommodation

http://www.greatoceanroad.org/?s_kwcid= ... 3791451204

The Bellarine Peninsula guards the western side of Port Phillip Bay and is a playground for the city dwellers of Melbourne and Geelong. With a choice of the calm waters of Port Phillip Bay or the surf beaches facing Bass Strait, swimming, sailing, boating, scuba diving and surfing are all popular pastimes. There's history galore at Fort Queenscliff and Geelong and railway enthusiasts shouldn't miss the railway trip from Drysdale to Queenscliff. Nature lovers, too, will find plenty to explore, both above and below the surface of Port Phillip Bay. You can spend several weeks in this area and the Barwon Heads Caravan Park is a good base to explore the Surf Coast, Geelong and Queenscliff.

THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

The GOR is recognised as one of the world’s most scenic drives. It follows the stunning coastline of Victoria’s south-west. Stretching 243 kilometres from Torquay, just south of Geelong, to Allansford, just east of Warrnambool, the road winds along cliff tops, up to breathtaking headlands, down onto the edge of beaches, across river estuaries and through lush rainforests offering panoramic views of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean at every turn. The driver needs to take extra care and not be distracted by the stunning views. Make sure you stop and look – not look and drop!

http://www.greatoceanroad.org/MustHaveExperiences.aspx
will provide lots of information for the visitor and http://visitgreatoceanroad.org.au/ will add further knowledge. The Otway Ranges are spectacularly beautiful and a contrast to the scenic coast road.

Warrnambool is a large provincial city that offers lots to see and do so make sure you allow a few days here. A day trip to historic Port Fairy is well worth the day. http://www.visitwarrnambool.com.au/ gives a through insight into this area.

From Warrnambool take the road to Hamilton then north to the Grampians, Halls Gap and Stawell. The Grampians National Park (also known by its indigenous name of Gariwerd) covers almost 170,000 hectares at the western end of Victoria's Great Dividing Range. The park encompasses the Serra Range, Victoria Range, Mt Difficult Range and Mt William Range with their towering sandstone mountain peaks. Within the park are a diverse collection of plants and animals, spectacular views, walking tracks, waterfalls, lakes, dense bushland and a rich Aboriginal culture.
The tourist centre of Halls Gap is located within the national park, while nearby to the east are the larger towns of Ararat and Stawell
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/regions/grampians/

GOLDFIELDS REGION

Now take the Western Highway east to Ballarat and the Goldfields region. The gold rush of the 1850’s has left behind a lasting legacy within towns of the region, particularly Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine and Maryborough. Beautiful architecture, grand public buildings, statues, fountains and exquisite gardens are all reminders of that rich era.
Tourism is now an important industry for those former gold mining areas. History is preserved and recreated at various attractions including Sovereign Hill in Ballarat and the Central Deborah Mine in Bendigo. State and national parks protect those relics from the gold rush including old mines, tunnels, digging sites, abandoned machinery and building ruins. Must sees are everywhere – check out this site and you’ll find heaps to see and do. Sovereign Hill is the most famous of Ballarat’ s attractions along with the Eureka Stockade and the Kryall Castle. The Botanic Gardens are spectacular during the Begonia Festival over the March long weekend is a must.
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/regions/goldfields/
Castlemaine has history running out its ears and nearby Maldon is straight out of the 1800’s. Take a ride on the old Maldon Railway – it’s a great experience. Maldon has been perfectly preserved since its mining days and is Australia's First Notable Town - classified by the National Trust in 1966
Ballarat & Bendigo are major populations cities and have a wide diversity of attractions. Check these on the website above. You may wish to try your hand fossicking in the Golden Triangle – never know you might strike it lucky – lots have!
Early in the year Bendigo and Maryborough holds major athletic and bike riding carnivals that prelude the world famous Easter Gift at Stawell.
Check these out for more detailed information.
http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/castlemaine/
http://www.bendigotourism.com/
http://www.visitmaryborough.com.au/
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Victoria/Wed ... 07578.html
There are many other smaller villages in the GOLDFIELDS region which have a history of their own. Give yourself plenty of time in this area.
From Bendigo you can take your pick – Calder Highway back to Mildura, Midland Highway to Shepparton, and the North East or the Northern Highway to Echuca. West takes you back through the Wimmera and onto to Adelaide.

That trip could take you all of six months but this might give you some thoughts to ponder. Prerhaps break it up into several trips over a few years. Despite more than 60 years I've still not seen it all but I'll keep trying a new spot every few months. I hope you enjoy it like us Mexicans do

Travel safely and share the road with everyone.

[VHW]

Fantastic rundown on Victoria Mudguts, have saved it for next years trip which included the areas mentioned, very comprehensive and helpful,

Vic

[droversdog]

Great lot of info Mudguts. I have saved it for later use.
Regards
Ray

[EscapePod]

Thanks Mudguts
Your report will indeed assist in our upcoming trip down that way albiet short unfortunately.

Therese

[agi1944]

To all bowlers bring your bowls and have a roll at COROWA see the biggest complex in AUSTRALIA

[Spanishlady]

Great Post Mudguts

Great for Victorians wanting breaks in their own state.

I would like add Mansfield to your list.http://mansfield-mtbuller.com.au/

November Melbourne Cup Picnic Races, High Country Spring Arts Festival - 23rd October - 3rd November 2009. Tolmie Sports Day in February and The High Country Autumn Festival - March Labour Day Weekend to name a few.

You will also find the graves of the policemen that Ned Kelly killed in Mansfield.

Craigs Hut, Mt Buller also Jamieson and Woods Point are all cool destinations in the summer months.

4x4 driving, fishing, camping, horse riding and boating for outdoor acitivities.

The road between Jamieson and Eildon will be sealed in the near future.

Cheers

[BrettAltea]

I would like to add the Grampians to the list after Ballarat. One of my favourite places.
WHOOPS: Just saw that you had it in there before Ballarat . Great list.

[KarensCubby]

Absolutely brilliant post Mudguts!!
It gave me a bit of a patriotic glow reading what you have written, you obviously love our beautiful state.
Reg and I intend doing a lot of shorter local breaks for the next year or so while we save enough annual leave to do an extended trip up the centre to visit family in NT in a couple of years.

We did quite a bit of driving around the Mt Buangor/Mt Cole/ Avoca areas over the weekend scouting for somewhere nice to free camp in a few weeks time and have decided to stay in a beautiful local spot called Happy Valley.
PM me if anyone would like the directions, just stay away between the 9th to the 12th of October.

[Keppoch]

What a great report. So thorough and a time consuming task that is not wasted. I've filed a copy away for when the Boss is feeling better and we can manage a few short trips.

Even the suggestions in our home territory along the Murray will come in handy. I really must do some lobbying to try and get the local council to put in loos, showers and a drop point at the Cobram beaches and those on the Victorian side near Tocumwal . Might be whistling into a head wind as I suspect the flood levels (if they ever come again), would see a big pollution problem. Can they build loos on stilts?

Thanks Mudguts.

Cheers,

Dee

[Badger]

Drop toilets were put in at Fresian Beach (between Cobram and Tocumwal) sometime in the '80s and they lasted about 6 months before they were demolished completely (to ground level) by vandals. As a local at Koonoomoo told us, the council decided to not do it again. That was some time ago though, but I go up there and have not seen any along that stretch.

[mudguts]

Might I suggest you add this site to your favourits list for valuable information on Victoria. Have a look and you'll see what I mean.

http://www.travelvictoria.com.au/regions/

In researching the places around Victoria that might be of interest I left out plenty and barely touched the High Country, Western Victoria & the Mallee and East Gippsland. That site give further links to the major interest points in each region and I'm sure it will provide valuable information.

Perhaps others mi9ght give a run down on their home states - best times to visit/avoid. I reckon you can leave out the capital cities as there is so much available already.

If we had something similar for each state we might start a new section on trip planning and have others add to it.

What do others think?

[garyc]

Great post.

I would also suggest returning to Adelaide via Port Fairy, Portland, etc.

Gary

[mudguts]

Good suggestion Gary and might include a deviation to include Horsham, Natimuk, (Mt Arapilies if you are into rock climbing) Dimboola and the Little Dessert.

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_dis ... m?park=132

Mt Gambier and SE South Australia has a lot to offer and I am hoping that one of our Croweater friends might post similar information on the jewels of their state

A Suggestion for the "Team":

Perhaps this post might be more appropriate in General not Campfire or as suggested perhaps we might start a section on Trip Planning Information

There's lots to be gleaned from others experience. Whilst local tourist information centres and website do a preety good job there is nothing like first hand knowledge.

[mudguts]

G'day Dee,

Suggest you have a talk to Frank Malcomn if he is still on Moira Shire council as he is a doer in my experiences with him. I suspect the trouble will be getting DSE & NSW P&WS to agree as it might cost some dough. They will no doubt (pardon the pun) Sh%tcan the idea as they seem hell bent on making access to many areas difficult. Parts of Barmah now inecessible as they have either block failed to maintain the tracks. Locals are probably right that there will be a huge fire there in the not far distant future given the build up if fallen timber.

For decades thousands of families have enjoyed the serenity, wonderful beaches (better than most on the coast) and the fishing, camping and hiking between Gunbower and Corowa. Its a hidden treasure that the beancounters and the city based greenies seem hell bent on locking up sight unseen in the name of conservation. It would not cost much to at least installed fenced rubbish collection areas close to the main access points so that the vast majority of campers who do the right thing could leave rubbish for collection safely without having a few over-filled wheely bins stacked high for the foxes to maurade through. A couple of large skip bins would be appropriate or perhaps the numerous fees and licences we pay might find there way into the construction & MAINTENANCE of some designated camping areas at the more popular locations.

Then again that would cost money and our mob are more concerned with collected revenue to pay for hair-brained schemes though up by the likes of our little hitler, oops meant ou little hiker, to divert water to the Metro areas.

If he keeps up his current approach there won't ever be a problem with water being polluted by drop dunnies - it'll never get up to the bank level. And don't get me started on those idiots running DSE - if they have their stupid way they'll burn down the rest of this wonderful state. Heard the news this am that none of the Royal Commission's Bushfire Disaster recommendations have been implemented and as usual Spring St comes out with more spin and no action....

Sorry this is supposed to be about caravanning not politics but this citycentric fools are doing their best to ruin the best state in the nation.

Hope you can have some success in the Cobram area - the council there understands the value of tourism.

[Bernie]

Thanks mudguts for the suggestion and for the work put in to compile.
I've moved this into "trip planning and reports".

[brotell]

Loved the report going across in October to meet friends at Cobram and stay on the river, the trip across will be pleasant with some of the stops that you outlined

Thanks

Terry and Raelene

[mudguts]

G'dsy Terry & Raelene

Check out this site. The book/CD by Maureen Wright - I have Edition 3 but it looks like its been updated a couple of times

http://www.rivermurraycharts.com.au/charts.html

It is primarily a navigation aid for boaties but it shows many of the tracks/campsites along the river which might be of interest - Don't know current cost but I bought mine at Echuca info centre about 10 years ago and still refer to it every now & then. I thinks its available in other places along the river.

Hope you have a great trip

[jaap]

Thanks Mudguts

Lots of good info

Regards

Jaap

[groghogger]

Congratulations Mudguts, thats a quality post you have put up. I am an ex Victorian so know the state reasonably well. Being in our early 50s my wife and I like to visit scenic places and do some bushwalking while freecamping in a nice spot down by the river/sea etc. We have found to our dissapointment that throughout Victoria many of the nice camping areas have been closed down or relocated to totally innapropriate places by the government authorities. Some walking tracks away from the main centers are falling into ruin even though a days work for one person would make a huge difference. Examples can be found in many places but the southern Grampians is noteworthy. We recently made a deliberate decision to avoid Victoria altogether until we have enjoyed what the oher states have to offer. When we run out pehaps we will revisit.

[Keppoch]

Suggest you have a talk to Frank Malcomn if he is still on Moira Shire council as he is a doer in my experiences with him. I suspect the trouble will be getting DSE & NSW P&WS to agree as it might cost some dough. They will no doubt (pardon the pun) Sh%tcan the idea as they seem hell bent on making access to many areas difficult. Parts of Barmah now inecessible as they have either block failed to maintain the tracks. Locals are probably right that there will be a huge fire there in the not far distant future given the build up if fallen timber.

I'll see what I can do about getting some facilities in our stretch of the Murray River. There are plenty of vandal proof public dunny designs around. Thanks for supplying a starting point name. Haven't lived here long enough to know what's what with the Moira Council, apart from the fact that they hardly ever grade our road! The Boss was born and raised across the river in Berrigan Shire, which is a different kettle of fish. When I look at all those campers down the back of Koonoomoo and other beaches each Summer, I shudder to think where all the human waste is going. Emphasising the pollution problem might help bring the tree hugging council members on side.

I've known Barmah Forest since childhood when I used to help friends turn out and muster their cattle there and also chase and catch brumbies to break in for saddle horses. I've ridden a horse over every inch of the Forest and caught a lot of fish there too. We live just 7 kms south-east of Barmah and now that they are shutting the place up in a National Park, we will have to worry about fire danger due to chronic mismanagment. Not many irrigated pastures between Barmah and us now that the drought is biting so hard.

I've had a thought about the trip planning segment of the Forum. Would it be a good idea if Forum members could make a list of emergency van/trailer or vehicle storage areas in case someone needs to leave their rig and head for a city in an emergency? For example, we have room for two or three full size vans including their rooftop aircons, under cover (in addition to our own), in a large machinery shed on our little farm. Happy to offer temporary emergency storage if needed in the Central Murray area.

Cheers,

Dee