Caravan Group

Please remember you do not have to take a Caravan on these trips. Many people stay in Cabins.

A trip is planned to Swan Hill November the 4th to the 11th more details as they come to hand.

I believe that this Picture was taken of our Group at the Yarrawonga Caravan Park.

ON TUESDAY 11^th May Greg and I left Warragul bound for Yarrawonga. The trip up was an adventure all on its own but we finally arrived in Yarrawonga on Wednesday (12^th May), having been delayed by a friendly policeman in Benalla. The day after arriving we went for a leisurely trip to Cobram and Beruga with Kevin and Veronica. At one roadside stop farmers were selling big pumpkins for $1! There were hundreds left to rot in the paddock as one of the producer’s supermarket contracts had been cancelled.

That night the entire group went to enjoy a Chinese meal at the Mulwala RSL. Before the meal some of the group enjoyed some dancing to live music in the classy Las Vegas style setting.

The next day we all went on a bus trip to Rutherglen and Corowa (the “home” of federation; Henry Parkes stayed in the local hotel). On the way there we stopped at Buller Wines and on the way back we stopped at All-Saints winery for a wine and cheese tasting. For lunch in Rutherglen we stopped at the much talked about Parkers pies bakery and that night we enjoyed a BBQ dinner and a sing-along, with Henk, a friend of Ron and Laurel’s, playing the guitar and leading the singing.

On the next day (Saturday) Greg and I went to Finley via Berrigan (with Neil and Jean) to visit some of their relatives. It was a great day with lots of scenery to take in. We came back via Tocumwal, Beruga and Mulwala.

The next day, Sunday, we all went on a boat cruise around Lake Mulwala (a “swollen” part of the Murray river created seventy years ago as part of the irrigation scheme).

While on the cruise we were able to have a sticky-beak into the backyards of the rich and filthy rich. In NSW land can be purchased right up to the water’s edge and 100 ft into the water (unlike Victoria). This means people have private boat ramps and swimming pools.

And all for only $1.4 million! Many of these houses, being holiday homes, are empty for a lot of the year. The cruise itself took us among the eerie dead trees in Lake Mulwala; a fascinating sight. The bird life was prolific, with sea gulls as happy as if they were on the beach. Most of them had never seen the beach, we were told.

After our cruise we had another BBQ dinner, preceded by the usual “happy hour”. Happy hours are a feature of our caravanning trips, much enjoyed by all.

On Monday Greg and I went with Neil and Jean to see Byramine Homestead; this was the house built by the explorer Hume’s widow in 1842. While there we enjoyed a lovely Devonshire tea for lunch on this historic house’s veranda.

The next day we packed and headed back to Warragul. The entire week had been sunny although cold through the nights.

Many thanks to Kevin and Veronica for all the work they put in to make the week such a success. Nicholas Peck

Some of our members went to Yarrawonga from May 11th. to May 18th. This was a beautiful park with generous grassy sites. The two bedroom cabins were bright with linen provided in the main bedroom. Four bunk beds are in the second bedroom. Linen for the second bedroom can be hired for a fee. The cabins had a large bathroom and shower and toilet. There was plenty to see and do in the area. The river was at the bottom of the park and the town was in walking distance. The courtesy bus took them to the Clubs in New South Wales.

I guess we weren't too enthusiastic about the caravan and cabin trip to Cowes. The weather forecast was for a wet week and we had been to Cowes a number of times. On arrival, we were given a grassy site with a view to the beach. The weather was overcast but fine and each day from then on was fine, mostly sunny with the rain coming at night. We gathered in the Camp Kitchen for Happy Hour and a trip to the Nobbies was suggested for next morning. The Nobbies were windy but the hundreds of nesting sea gulls and baby chicks had us enthralled as we walked the boardwalk. A drive around Cowes showed that the town had progressed rapidly with a number of smart, new houses. Dianne suggested a walk from the Koala Reserve to Rhyll and lunch at the hotel for Wednesday. It was a pleasant walk through the bush and along the mangrove boardwalk but the 6 km. walk was more like 10 km. after a wrong turn. The Hotel, lunch and a drink was a welcome sight. Dianne, Gary and Kevin hiked back but the rest of us gladly accepted a lift back to the Park. Thursday saw the bike riders head out for a ride and a coffee along the way , as well as scones, jam and cream!. Happy Hour was around at Joan and Alan's more expensive cabin with "the beach view". Joan wasn't impressed, especially when the motor homes parked in front. President John, Margaret and Keith paid us a day visit on Friday. Keith introduced us to the Island Hamburger purchased from the shop across the road - it was delicious. By Sunday we were reduced to three caravans, so to finish off the week we dined at the RSL.

Thanks to Helen, Peter, Shirley, John, Joan, Alan, Joan, John, Dianne, Gary, Nicholas and Greg for a GREAT week of fun, laughter, stories and friendship. Thanks for the organisation Helen. Veronica & Kevin.