Category: Vic

Freedom Camp, Vic3 Comments

Warburton’s Bridge

Itching for Hitching

Warburton’s Bridge is a pleasant camp ground tucked into the hills south of Castlemaine, Vic. There are well made concrete fire pits, those good ones with a hot plate that swings over the fire. There is a toilet as well. The first camp sites don’t have a view of the river as it is quite overgrown but it is only a short walk further into the camp ground for a paddle. When we stayed, there was phone reception from the hill behind the toilet. The best access on a good made road is from either Chewton or Guildford. The local … Continue reading Warburton’s Bridge

Point of Interest, Vic7 Comments

Anderson’s Mill

Itching for Hitching

In an area founded on gold then settled on the wealth of golden grain, Smeaton is one of a number of hamlets dotted across these western plains of Victoria. Built in 1861 Anderson’s Mill at Smeaton served the community until 1959. Now preserved by Parks Victoria the mill, its huge metal water wheel, the office, the Anderson house and all of the outbuildings are in excellent condition. There is an old wooden bridge spanning Birch Creek, a rather grand bluestone bridge and a picnic perfect park of shady oak trees nearby. It doesn’t take much to imagine what life was … Continue reading Anderson’s Mill

Vic, Wildlife3 Comments

A Wise Old Bird is the Pelican

Itching for Hitching

His beak can hold more than his belly can. We were in Mallacoota in Victoria and there had been quite a bit of rain. Once the weather cleared we wandered around the boat ramp watching the commercial abalone boats returning with their catch and amateur fishermen cleaning theirs. The family of pelicans that live on the sandbank opposite the boat ramp, took flight and skimmed in to the pier to get their fill of the leftovers. It was easy to spot the birds that were successful enough to get a fresh feed as the blood dribbled down their huge bills. Continue reading A Wise Old Bird is the Pelican

The Pubs, Vic, Wildlife9 Comments

Blackwood Hotel

Itching for Hitching

Atop a ridge between the Wombat State Forest and the Lerderderg State Park in Victoria is the old mining town of Blackwood. We order dinner at the rambling weatherboard Blackwood pub, it is Pot and Parma night. The publican comes out with a heaped plate of strips of steak for a mob of waiting kookaburras on the deck. There’s seed for the King parrots and last of all a whopping parma for us. Oh, you beauty! Continue reading Blackwood Hotel

Caravanning Hints, Vic5 Comments

Firewood Collection in Victoria

Itching for Hitching

With the bush fire season behind us we can think of cool evenings around the campfire once more. Of course that brings the other problem of whether to collect the wood, buy it in small packs at inflated prices or use the services of an old country wood merchant who delivers to camp grounds when phoned. There is a charming old gent who provides this service in the Upper Goulburn Valley. If you are up that way just look for his phone number on the tree at Skipworth Reserve. Remember that you will have to drive back into Jamieson to … Continue reading Firewood Collection in Victoria

Freedom Camp, Vic2 Comments

Avoca Lions Club Park

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We recently visited the gold mining town of Avoca, Vic. Avoca Lions Club has kindly provided a spacious RV park on Dundas Street which is only a block back from the main street (Sunraysia Highway) and beside the Avoca River.  There is a modern amenities building, the site is level with plenty of turning room and a sheltered BBQ area. The Avoca Hotel is charming and has had a new lease on life. We once stayed there in the 1980’s and there was what looked suspiciously like a bullet hole in our bedroom window. The ‘old girl’ certainly looks more … Continue reading Avoca Lions Club Park

Caravan Parks, The Pubs, Vic9 Comments

Rawson Caravan Park

Itching for Hitching

Now here’s one that is a little different. The town of Rawson was built for the construction of the Thomson Dam. It is situated up in the hills behind Moe and is between Erica and Walhalla. There is a feeling of being in the mountains here. Clean chilly air and tall timber that stretches hundreds of feet above you. Old workers cabins are now family bush retreats and there is a small circular caravan park with space for about a dozen vans. Each site has what can at a stretch be described as a basic ensuite bathroom. There is a … Continue reading Rawson Caravan Park

The Characters You Meet, Vic9 Comments

Turkish mouse mats and dairying superstars

Itching for Hitching

We’re on our way to Lakes Entrance, about four hours east of Melbourne to make arrangements for our Caravan Club’s Christmas Muster. Which I should mention can be quite a shebang, with four or five days of fun filled frivolity and laughter and a bit of over indulging. We pull up at Stratford as I want to buy a miniature Turkish carpet to use as a mouse mat. We stayed in this town a few years ago and I bought one of these little mats for my sister in law and have admired it ever since. I fall out the … Continue reading Turkish mouse mats and dairying superstars

Freedom Camp, Vic3 Comments

Rosedale Willow park

Itching for Hitching

On the grassy banks of the Latrobe River flats and just below the Princes Highway you’ll find the Rosedale RV Camp. There is a meandering walking trail into the cheery little town a kilometre away. Locals have kindly provided two portable toilets for the campers to use. There is a rustic old tin roofed fireplace to warm cool evenings that I can always remember having been here on this spot. Yes this has been a wayside stop for families for generations. The Rosedale Tavern Hotel is known for its pizza and take away can be picked up easily on your … Continue reading Rosedale Willow park

The Road Less Travelled, Vic, Wildlife10 Comments

Not One but Three!

Itching for Hitching

We’re camped at Healesville, Vic with friends. It is the middle of winter and freezing. After breakfast we pile into two cars and set out for Warburton following the instructions of the GPS. We soon find ourselves crossing the shoulder of Mt Donna Buang on a dirt road in thick fog. Obviously it is not a popular road as we see only one other car. But to our joy three lyrebirds scurry across our path and the last one stops and shows us his tail feathers. I cannot contain myself as I have never seen a lyrebird in the wild … Continue reading Not One but Three!