Continuing Corryong

Mt Mitamatite dominates the skyline to the north of Corryong. Last summer it was still closed to the public due to the bushfires the previous summer. This year it was opened up again, so we visited! Although it is a very short distance from town, it required a drive around to the back, closer to Tintaldra. Then it was a 16 dirt road up the back of the mountain. Initially this road traversed farm land, then into the regional park. 

Our first stop there was at Embery's Lookout. Terrific views down to Corryong and across to the Australian Alps. On the opposite side of the valley was Mt Elliot - where we drove up last summer to watch the hang gliders taking off. We sat on rocks and soaked in the stunning views, while also admiring the wild flowers that have taken over in the bushfire recovery.

Back in the car for a few more km's and we came to another lookout and picnic area. It was a short walk to Falcon Point with different views to take in. 

From this point Ethan and Gemma rode their mountain bikes down off the mountain. Mind you, it was not all down hill and some of the 16 km's involved going up hill, so they had to work hard! We met them at the bottom and loaded the bikes back on the roof. 

The water back at the caravan park was again very inviting after that expedition - especially for Gemma and Ethan! 

To give Zac some driving practice, he and I drove to Bluff Falls, in the Burrowa Pine National Park. It was only 30 to 40 minutes away from Colac Colac. The national park was also closed last summer due to the fires. Our visit prior to that the falls were a trickle. This year they were flowing as it has been a wetter summer. But much of the infrastructure at the falls has not been rebuilt yet, so we were not able to get down to the base.

The penalty to go down to the falls was just too much, $909 would have broke the bank. If it was a straight nine hundred we may have considered it. But we took photos from the fence line instead.

On our second last night at the caravan park, it rained all night. It thundered all night, some of it very close and loud. Lightning was also frequent. We were told the next morning there had been 75 mls of rain overnight. We suddenly had lake views around the caravan park and the river was way higher than it had been the day before. The water was a muddy brown and it was recommended that everyone stay out as the water was expected to keep rising during the day. 

A morning in Corryong was in order then, the weather had brightened up so the three children rode in and we drove. 

The number 12 tram terminates in Corryong, under the watchful eye of Mt Mitamatite! It's actually outside the Men's Shed, so it maybe a project. We all met up for thick, cold milkshakes.

On the last night at Colac Colac, Ethan was in charge of cooking dinner... and it was nice and spicy!

The trip home was over 2 days. We stopped in Benalla for a night at a friend's property. This first pic is Lake Hume where we stopped for coffee on the way to Benalla.

While Ros and Jeanette had a catch up chat during the afternoon, the kids and I went into town and had a wander around the art gallery which included an interactive chalk exhibit where we got to add our own details. Our work is now on display at the Benalla Gallery if you want to see it...

The final leg home yesterday was a simple drive of just over 200 km's. We had a coffee stop at Yarck which is 22 km's before Yea. Great little bakery and coffee shop in Yarck called 'Bucks'. It also has a little 2nd hand book shop that we had a browse through. 

Another holiday done and dusted - according to the caravan log book, we have spent 345 days in the caravan in nearly 12 years. The van has travelled over 28000 kay's. It's starting to have some minor issues, such as the door handle breaking on the last day of the trip. It needs a new awning, a good clean, cut and polish! With the kids getting older, before we know it they'll not want to join us anymore, so we enjoy these moments while we can! See you on the next adventure...