Alpine Adventures

After exploring the Murray, albeit briefly, we headed to the High Country of Victoria into the beautiful valleys around Bright. The weather was either hot or cold, but we had a great time exploring this wonderfully historic and picturesque part of Australia. More than a week was not enough! Ned Kelly, gold miners and fantastic wineries and food. Don't miss this part of Australia!

A Lazy Day at Nug Nug Camp

It might be E's Xmas pressie, but Big F takes advantage

That's not gold, it's a rock

E at Lake Buffalo on Sunset.

 Ringer Reef Winery, Porepunkah

The winery crowd enjoyed a fantastic sunset

Rainbow and sunset at Porepunkah Winery,  Ringer Reef.

Little F enjoyed................

As did the rest of the crowd.

 Beechworth - a fantastically historic and naturally beautiful town...

Kelly Country

Tough outside the gate, wait until you get inside tomorrow.......

Beechworth town

Just outside of town, this waterhole was a fantastic treat on  a hot day

Warming up on some hot rocks after a cool pool.

 Beechworth Goal

Ned Kelly's mum spent some time in this cell.

Dark and dreary. This place was an operational goal until 2004. Flushing toilets didn't arrive until 1993! Ned Kelly was incarcerated here pending his trial and  ultimate hanging in Melbourne.

Mt Buffalo

Alpine country from the top.

Just near the pinnacle, The Horn.

The Drop Bear and a Bound-Up Cockatoo

Coming into our camp at Cobram, it was well over forty degrees for about the fifth day in a row. Even the hardy Australian fauna was struggling.......

Big F spotted this koala at the base of a big river gum and he was really struggling. After about three jugs of water (drinking, cooling and spilled), we had given him some good refreshment. Next day he was nowhere to be seen (at least not still in the same spot!)

Then at camp, we found this cockatoo hanging upside down from the dead limb (hanging by some fishing line). M climbed up and cut it loose.

He fell in the water and had a much needed drink

J plucked him out and he had a stay in the five star van overnight!

Next day we set him loose. Not sure how this fella will fare, he had quite a sore leg. All in a days work for fivegooff!

Goldfields, Murray River and melting feeling

After a fantastic stay at Bunyip, we headed for the goldfields and stopped in at Maldon for the new year, Bendigo while we got the car serviced (and melted in the heat), Wakiti Creek (and Echuca) and Cobram along the Murray River. Nearly a week of 40+ temps tested even us Queenslanders....................

Our camp at Maldon

Unbelievable I know, but we all woke up early to watch the first sunrise of 2013.

A rare treat for us, a first class ticket on a historic train ride to Castlemaine and  back (courtesy of our Xmas pressies - thanks Pop and Aunty Gay).

All aboard.

Cooling off with a dip in the Murray River at Echuca (Pevensey in background).

On board "Pevensey"

It all got too much for little F

Our camp on the Murray at Cobram - a welcome change from the heat.

Bunyip Roundup

Between Christmas and New Year, we had a very relaxing time around Bunyip, Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Great weather, great company and a place to stretch our legs...........

Puffing Billy Railway, Dandenong Ranges

At a Mornington Peninsula Winery...

And at the William Ricketts Sanctuary on Mount Dandenong.

The kids last night at Bunyip was spent in a gypsy caravan. How exciting!

Beauty is in the eye of the Bunyip

After we left Wilson's Promontory, we headed straight to Bunyip, a bit east of Melbourne, to rendezvous at Uncle Blake's in-laws. A beautiful property to stay and celebrate Christmas, with the most beautiful and generous people...........

Fun with cousins..............



Waiting for the adults. They take soooo long.



One of our lovely hosts.



Game on after lunch.





At a place like this, the temptation is to replace the wheels with bricks!