Walhalla to Wangaratta Week 7 - August 9th 2010
 
North from Traralgon through Walhalla, Woods Point, Goulbourn State Forest, Jamieson, over the hill to Eildon, Stringybark Creek in Toombullup State Forest, then Wangaratta.

Hema 7 Page 48
Walhalla. Old gold mining town in Victorian mountains. North from Traralgon.

Built in relatively narrow gorge with lots of buildings (and cemetery) high above river.

Melbourne's initial growth and prosperity was founded on the gold that came from mines like those at Walhalla.
Camped at North end of Walhalla. Lyre birds seem to like miserable weather picking over soggy campground.
 
A tramway was used to carry wood to mine for steam generation, and ore for crushing.

Now a footpath it passes a mine entrance.

The quantities of wood required were large, even by today's industrial standards.
 
Very narrow gauge tramway runs South from Walhalla following the creek. This is where the loco is shunted ready to return.

A pleasant trip.

Took the road North from Walhalla to Woods Point. A bit narrow, twisty, steep, and rocky, but the Tardis took it in its stride. We were a bit nervous at times though.

The description we got of the road was "they did a lot of work on it when they replaced the bridge". Forgot to mention that beyond the bridge it was still "a bit rough". We forgot to take photos.
 
Slowly gaining confidence in the truck's abilities. We saw a bit of snow just North of Aberfeldy and it was raining so we carried on to Woods Point - a live mining town.

Arriving on dusk in the rain we found a dubious river crossing to the campsite at S end of town. Camp at N end of town was closed for renovations, but had enough space for us.

Following day we stopped at Knockwood Reserve (photo) on the Goulbourn River North of Woods Point.
 
Our first glimpse of Lake Eildon. Almost at the top of the road from Jamieson to Eildon.

Interesting time with trucks hauling road fill - "little white truck headed your way" on the radio. We provided some good hearted amusement for them.
 
Camped in Lake Eildon National Park. These very small, close to the ground, orchids caught Ali's attention.

Apparently when Ali says "that's pretty" its an instruction to take a photo - I knew that!
 
For some reason we were amused by some coppiced trees - lop off the top and two or more trunks appear, etc.
 
And had to take piccies of Eastern Rosellas.

Slightly blurry as they were a wee way away.

We seem to spend lots of time watching birds and the bird book is looking well used.
 
We walked around the edge of the lake for a couple of hours. Some of the mountains to the East, around Mt Buller, had snow on top.
Ever onward we found our way to Stringybark Creek Campsite in Toombullip Sate Forest - somewhere between Tolmie and Tatong on a forest road.

A pleasant clearing in the normally drier forest. Campsite was being renovated.

We had a brief look at the road into Mt Samaria National Park but discretion was the better part of valour - wet, and slippy.
What we didn't know until we went for a stroll is that the shootout which started the real hunt for the Kelly Gang (Ned Kelly) occured at the alluvial gold diggings at Stringybark Creek.

Photo is from the sign that says "shootout occured here". The gold diggings and creek are in the trees about 30m in front.

Slightly different to Thunderbolt at Uralla. The Victorian Police have erected a monument to the police that were killed - though its still Kelly the villain that has the name.

The nearby Kelly Tree is similar to the tree that replaced the tree etc. ..... not quite the original.
Next night was Wangaratta Caravan Park to do some washing (in the rain).
 
Murray River - Granthams Bend to Barmah Lake Week 8 - August 16th 2010