Advertisement
Message Forums |
|
 Topic: An Island Holiday Plus More.
|
  |
19/5/2021 at 8:06am
Location: Melbourne Australia
Outfit: Windsor Rapid Off Road Van + tents
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 20/4/2015 Gold Member 
Forum Posts: 234
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0  |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2018: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2018: | 0 |
|
Hi all,
We left for this holiday just after the main Easter period/rush had died down. We were off on an eight day holiday to the far north west of Victoria, to a place called Lindsay Island.
Our first stop along the way was at Wedderburn, a town that was trying to survive during a difficult time. They had come up with a way to try to boost tourism as well as trying to encourage through traffic to stop for awhile.
They had engaged a number of Australia’s most eminent artists to paint 6 large murals around town. The topic was native birds that could be found locally. Particular species were chosen as they were under threat from a variety of environmental issues (local and world wide) which were effecting their habitats in a number of ways.
Some of the murals had been completed, some were in the throes of being done and others were in the planning/sketch phase.
The first one I’m showing you is painted on the side of the towns newsagent in the main street.
The male Mistletoe Bird is quite striking, as with a number of bird species the female is quite plain in comparison as the next pic shows. Just as well things are reversed in the human world!!
That mural faces the towns Uniting Church which was built in 1860. The Church had got into the swing of things by being one of the art sites, the very last touches had just been added with the mobile scaffold still in place. I will show more of this (and others) when we return at the end of our holiday. The scaffold was casting a shadow over one side of the church/artwork and other sites would photograph better in an afternoon light.
On the side of the towns toilet block was this interesting depiction of a Diamond Firetail preening its feathers.
There were other things I wanted to see in town as well, notably two historic graves. Due to their age, they were now found along local streets, at the time which didn’t exist. The first was the grave of Catherine Rinder, so young, already married, so tragic.
The next one we visited was Thomas Whyte, located on the edge of town.
We stopped for lunch at Ouyen, where possibly the worlds biggest “Mallee Stump”?? was on display.
Our next stop was beside the Murray River north of Cullulleraine (on the Sturt Highway west of Mildura). We were on the original track between Mildura and Renmark, called the Old Coach or Mail Road. The girls wondered why at this remote location I had stopped. I pointed to a clump of trees and we started walking towards them.
This is what we found, partly hidden beneath the trees foliage.
A remote spot today, even more so all those years ago.
This part of Victoria is quite harsh, always marginal as far as farming was concerned. Large parts of it have now been purchased by environmental groups, so rare and unique native species can be protected and have a chance of permanent survival. The vast majority of the rest of the land has been included in the Murray Sunset National Park.
Fences are being removed or dismantled to allow easy movement of larger animals, still a lot more rain is needed so vegetation can fully recover from last years severe drought.
We continued on towards the entrance to Lindsay Island.
After a short distance along a side track we came to the bridge that crosses the Lindsay River allowing access to the Island.
The Lindsay River leaves the Murray then flows for 33 kms before rejoining it, creating Lindsay Island. Once on the Island itself there was another 40 minutes of towing on remote tracks with little or no signage before we would arrive at our camp for the next 6 nights.
Shortly after we arrived, and then as twilight settled in.
Next morning, the access track to our camp and then a few shots taken looking directly across the river towards the Kulkurna Cliffs.
A small beach about 50 metres from our van.
Click on this next pic for a short clip taken from our site.
Later that morning we launched our boat to do a short trip upstream.
After about 5 kms we saw the remains of a home/holiday shack on the northern bank so decided to stop and check it out.
It looked a bit rugged but it had a seperate bath room.
The bedroom had a heater (of sorts).
Inside some of the woodwork needed a lick of paint.
If you preferred the great out doors, that was provided for as well.
My only criticism of the whole shebang was the toilet, it required a short stroll but at least they provided a seat if you arrived at it and it was still occupied Ha!!
Later that day the sky started to show potential.
And then it turned it on, big time!
Then it started to settle down and we thought that was probably the end of the show.
But that short respite didn’t last long, soon mother nature threw more at us, absolutely brilliant.
And then it slowly petered out.
As beautiful and stunning that was, it wasn’t a very restful time. Yes we were in awe of what we had just experienced but every time you would sit down, another photo would present itself. Now with a cuppa in hand I was able to relax by our fire, well for a little while. I then saw the fire and camp lights reflections on nearby trees so up once again.
Next morning there was some lovely soft colours looking down the river, then a short time later early sun lit up the cliffs opposite us.
And then a touch later.
It was the start of our second full day on the mighty Murray. Heaps more to show you all, that will be in the next report from our holiday which will follow soon.
Col. Jen and Kristie.
-------------
The worst day above ground, is a whole lot better than the best one under it. Live life to the fullest while you can.
|
|
|
5292 Visitors online !
Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite
[Message Forums]
[Caravan Sites & Camping]
[Company Listings]
[Features / Advice]
[Virtual Brochure]
[Shop!]
[Reception]
[Competitions]
[Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]
[Event Diary]
[Contact Us]
[Tent Reviews]
Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024 |
Advertisement
|
|
|
