Heathcote to Violet Town ~ AUS Post #43
June 14-20
Heathcote
Victoria is known for its rail trails and we were grateful for each one along our route. The O’Keefe rail trail took us through woodlands, along rivers, and the edge of an expansive reservoir, Lake Eppalock - a welcome break from endless paddocks of sheep and cows. The trail was in great condition and is still being upgraded with rest stops but what we really missed were the hiker/biker camps of the Northwest. I guess we will have to drop an email in the suggestion box.
Rail trail at Lake Eppalock
Lake Eppalock
As we wound through town on the last section of rail trail, whole families of Roos were grazing alongside the trail and in the neighborhoods, apparently quite comfortable with small town life.
Just outside of town, we spent an afternoon exploring the Pink Cliffs. Unlike the Painted Hills of Oregon, a natural geological wonder, the Pink Cliffs area was once an open box forest until the miners arrived in the late 1800s. After years of sluicing for gold what remains centuries later is still a moonscape of iron-stained granite.
We were greeted the next morning by the first signs of winter. Victoria similar to Tasmania experiences all four seasons. My angst over traveling in endless summer was no more. I was more than ready to feel the crispness and embrace the chill after carrying our woolies for eight months.
Free Camps
On the way to our next free camp at Spring Creek, we ended up traveling several kilometers on a road that pinned us between farm paddocks and the military range, with signs warning of “live firing”. At the end of the compound, we took a snack break at a community picnic area across from the entrance, wondering if we were under surveillance, but again no one seemed to be around.
After following the side road to the Spring Creek entrance, we could see evidence of mining with some holes fenced off but no signs of a creek nearby, probably would not of been a viable water source anyway. Another peaceful night spent in the woodland - priceless.
The next day we arrived in the town of Murchison late in the afternoon only to find the caravan park did not accept tents. After further scrutinizing the map we realized there was a section along the river behind the Sports Ground that appeared to allow camping. There were many signs the area was heavily used in the summer but thanks to the approaching winter season, we had the area to ourselves. Another clear night and the temperatures continued to drop.
As we rolled out of town the next morning, we passed an ornate looking hotel, now abandon, giving us another glimpse into how towns like this one were once vital hubs to local industry and agriculture.
Violet Town
Heading for Violet Town, we were on an almost straight line trajectory following the tree-lined gravel roads between farms, again seeing no one, except for a road works section, where we negotiated with the flagger to let us through instead of taking the several kilometer detour. After passing countless paddocks of sheep, we were excited to see a couple camels. A bit out of context, but it reminded us of a film we watched years back,“Tracks”, when our own thoughts of traveling Australia were a distant dream.
Crossing the main track line between Melbourne and outlying towns, we were reminded, soon Nivaun would be aboard the train on that same track to fly home within a few weeks time. In this town, there were no caravan parks or campgrounds close by, giving us the perfect excuse to stay at the historic hotel in Violet Town and spend some time exploring the museum and local park. During our stay, we learned Nivaun’s trip home would also include lending support to family during a time of shared loss. We left home knowing this time would come, but distance, in times of need, weighs heavily nonetheless.
