Dan Will Travel
I'm Dan and I WILL Travel
Here are some fun shots that did not fit into a defined theme. Next post will be on Melbourne.
Would you believe that separately two parts of my family dined here? This is the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, at the base of the Grampians. Chris and his family specifically came here for the famous multi course dinner that books far in advance. (think Herb farm) I stopped in the bistro for lunch just passing through. But it was an amazing lunch, so I am sure the dinner is really something. Totally non-descript place in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere.
Grampian’s National Park
The trail in the Grampians up to the Pinnacle. Easy to see where the trail really is, huh?
He is just for perspective and scale. Right. He was also young, athletic and very French. And, of course, passed me by while I was huffing and puffing.
Pretty cool trail
so, yes I did get to the top and I went out there. And pretty immediately went back. Nice that I got this bird to pose for me.. Oh, BTW, the Frenchman was long gone by the time I got there.
Another shot of this great trail
I have no idea what this was, but it sure was big. Due to mining, you see just giant equipment moving down the back roads here.
One of the most interesting old bridges I have ever seen. Dates from 1864 and still totally in use.
So Australian………
Do not even ask me about my gas or lack of gas escapades, but this is one of the places that I could have used some fuel, but I think I am too late?
Giant tree ferns. The old growth forests of Australia are so fascinating as almost all of the truly native plants are from the dinosaur age and before, essentially unchanged. This is a result of Australia breaking away and becoming its own separate land mass.
Quite a surprise for me, the supposed Redwood expert, but if they are correct, it was taller than any known redwood. This is just a sign along a country road in the middle of nowhere. I believe this as I had seen some eucalyptus in Tasmania that were almost as tall as a redwood and this is fairly close as the crow flies. Sadly, we will never know for sure as someone felt the need to cut it down.
Unfortunately not a great shot of a great National Park, Wilson’s Promontory. A large peninsula jutting out into the Southern ocean, less than a day’s drive from Melbourne. Probably 90% wilderness park, very nicely done.
The view from the B&B I found near Wilson’s Prom. Sanctuary at Waratah. Amazing hostess. She washed and ironed my jeans, did a full breakfast each day including fresh baked bread and everything was from her garden.
Much of Australian history revolves around mining, and Victoria is no exception. Throughout the north central area of the state, there are literally hundreds of gold rush towns, many in amazing condition to this day, even though most date from the mid 1850’s. The best preserved are of course tourist attractions, particularly since they are within a day trip from Melbourne.
I spent a few nights in one of the better ones, Beechworth, at the foot of the Australian Alpine area, and then later a night in Walhalla, population 18. (For those of you that think you are good with a map, just try to find Walhalla!) Walhalla did not survive as well as the others due to the use of wood for building material versus stone and brick, and the role of fire that periodically occurred in its narrow valley. Some structures are original, but many have been rebuilt. Even with active residents all along, Walhalla was the LAST town in Victoria to get electricity, just 18 years ago!
The train station in Maryborough. A classic case of civic ego and pride, they were determined to build a more impressive station that the rival town of Castlemaine. And they sure did! These were small towns, but definitely not poor towns!
Maldon, one of the best preserved gold towns
Maldon
Telegraph station, Beechworth, circa 1854
Beechworth county (shire) government building.
Beechworth fire station
What an elegant Post Office! Beechworth.
The town of Omeo. what is interesting here is that this 1941 vintage Golden Age Hotel is the FIFTH version. Fire is very common in this town, and repeatedly destroyed the town, so this one is the latest version of the hotel. I guess the locals still miss the previous one, but I though this was pretty cool art deco.
Walhalla Star hotel. My room was above the “hotel” word.
The original Walhalla post office. I think it is still in use.
The Walhalla fire station. The valley was so narrow that they built it over the creek! Note the outhouse to the far right
The Walhalla grave yard, terraced up the mountainside. Population 1300+
In Australia? Well, yes, that is what they call this area. Maybe more like our Appalachian mountains, but some very rugged, remote areas with miles of highway above tree line. And wild roads getting up and over the passes. This area is not at all like the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney where the easy roads are at the top and you look down into the valleys. Here you work your way up and over and then down each pass. And I have done countless mountain passes in my time, but these were tough. Steep, winding, tons of switchbacks, narrow, and never ending it seemed. The passes are at about 5,800 feet, and I have snow shots below, even though it is summer. Lots of fire damage, I think from 2003 chiefly.
View from Mt. Buffalo over vast areas of ghost gums. When fire kills these trees, they just remain upright like ghosts for years to come. This is from about 5,900′ elevation
From Mt. Buffalo out to the valleys below
The final ascent to The horn of Mt. buffalo. Even Dan can do this!
Seems like a sort of rather obvious suggestion, but they were everywhere, so maybe this driving on the left gets out of hand?
Snow!
How could I resist? That is Mt. Buffalo in the far distance.
Above tree line and continuing upwards. Trying to be sure to drive on the left, but to the right of those poles. Concentrate, Dan.
I can never resist a run down shack out in the country.
Nice meadow above tree line. Not what you think of when you think of Australian scenery, right?
Fabulous ferns on the way up to the pass