Day 59 – Grey skies = wet roads.

Winter started to sprinkle in yesterday right on time.  Rain clouds built up on the horizon and heavens opened up over Central Qld.  It was an afternoon travelling over water soaked roads, and the rivers climbing, it would have been easy to think we were back in the wet season.  We made it through to a great camp spot, even though a little damp it was great to put the flooded roads behind us.

Day 53 – Dargo Nights.

Dargo Hotel - Victoria Australia

Climbing through the valley the road snakes around the mountains reaching the township of Dargo at the foot of the Dargo High Plains.  A mecca for 4wder’s, dirt bikers, shooters, fisherman, adventures.  The Dargo Hotel has been the starting/finishing point for many a ‘boys trip’ or family adventure.  Established in 1898 the Dargo Hotel was original called the Bridge Hotel in the gold fossicking days.  I’m sure if the walls could talk they might tell many a new and old story.

Day 32 – Downgrade

Italian Flat Campground near Dargo Vic Australia - Fogged In.

  Well this morning it wasn’t quite in the minus degrees because we were a little bit lower in the valley at Italian Flat Campground.  So we downgraded from ice to fog creeping along the valley floor and snaking its way around with the river.  Settling in and around the camp.  Can’t help but love camping in the land of the giants – that being huge gum trees.  You just have to make sure you don’t camp under them, because I’m sure if one of their beautiful big limbs came down and gave you a hug you’d be a slight bit skinner than before.

Day 30 – Secret Locales in High Places.

Top pools of Wentworth Falls

  Trees encase the rocky dirt track that lead off to the right.  Blackberries, brittle tall grass help shroud the track long ago used, as it collects the bottom of the vehicle.  The walls of nature close in further as we go a wombat hole in the middle of the road adds another obstacle.  Finally the track opens to a dirt turning bay, and a very minuscule walking track starts down the steep, rocky embankment.  You can hear the water, but it is yet to be seen through the blanket of bush.  Water starts to sparkle through the trees and the stringy barks, rocks protect its edges before it plummets off the cliff in dramatic form.  On the top of the falls tranquil pools play in the filtered sunlight.  We were only half way through the day, when we found this magic spot.  It really isn’t about the destination; it’s about the adventure you have finding secret treasures along the way.

Day 29 – Hanging on.

Collingwood Spur Track - Victorian High Country

  With a drop to the right, and a bank to the left, and a drop coming up atkm the front.  It is time to take another deep breathe and head over the lip, down, down the mountain.  Little tracks sneak up all over the high country some tame, and others a little cheekier.  Bigger drops and bigger ups.  Collingwood Spur Track was one of those little ones that proved a little exciting and the views again were once again astonishing.

Day 28 – Billy Goat Bluff.

Billy Goat Bluff Track - Victorian High Country

  Well, you know how I said there was a threat of raindrops, and the hope that they’d stay away.  Who was I kidding, but it all adds to the adventure.  Being on the top of a mountain you have to get down.  You can take the easy way or you can go the hard way.  Guess which way we went?  Billy Goat Bluff track has been ear marked for a while on the, to do list, and I’ve now renamed it the OMG track.  With probably another adjective to describe it but not going to put that on a public forum.    Flecks of dirt appear on the mountain and that is the track that goes straight down to the valley.  With the added rain, and fog it made the trip even more of an escapade. Although the fog an added advantage because couldn’t see the sheer drops on either side; yahoo you know you are alive that is for sure.   Awesome track, so much fun when I got my breathe back, ha ha :)