Day 3 Tuesday 19/11/2024 Newstead to Moora, crisp to a warm 25

(That’s Moora, Vic not Moora, WA nor Moura, Qld)

The smoke alarm woke us at 6:00am! Twice.

I’m so glad we always carry clothes for all seasons because the early morning is crisp and yet, by the time we’ve showered it is warm and sunny. We sit in the sun deciding on which of 3 routes to take to Moora. Through the city of Bendigo, through the smaller city of Castlemaine, or the wiggly road. We choose the Castlemaine route.

A quick glimpse of the historic goldfields towns of Castlemaine and Chewton and we turn off towards Redesdale. The road is narrow and windy but interesting, there are kayakers on Expedition Pass reservoir and small farms. We cross a range and suddenly the vegetation changes. I’m loving this road, but I think that the drivers have sacked me from navigating, once again. At Heathcote we pull up behind the bakery for sustenance before taking the Rochester Road through vineyards, wheatfields and drying canola.

Moora is a mere dot on the map between Colbinabbin and Rushworth. Only a few houses remain, but there is a racecourse that is used for horse trials and the annual Easter Working Draught Horse Muster. We have a whole 40 acres to choose from and the whole area is neatly mown and level. VeeWee is in her element. Elle arrives declaring that what there is of Moora looks ‘exhausted’. We have a quiet afternoon acclimatising to the summer warmth and as we don’t have power I cook a one pot pasta on the gas stove. We eat outside on our knees.

Accom: $5.00, (drop toilets, water from tap), Fuel: $92.94, Towing Kms 130

Sunset at Moora