VO Tour - Fraser NP/Lake Eildon

 17th-18th January

Lake Eildon

A wet pack-up marred our departure and a nasty cold to Sam also left us short handed. Despite this, we

managed to get away and head towards Lake Eildon.

We had a short stop in Sale to replenish groceries, gas and petrol and checked on th weather. The outlook was not so good, with rain, which was falling in drizzle at the time and was predicted until the end of the week.

Our journey today was through Heyfield and then into the mountains, to enjoy a short cut to Eildon. Did I say short cut?

Before going on, let me advise all would be travellers to be wary of road maps that cover back country roads. What appeared on the map as a sealed, secondary road, appeared in real life as a winding, rough, unsealed road that lacked signs and guide posts.

The weather was threatening for the entire 94 kms of dirt that we had to endure. Much of the drive was in second gear because of the steepness of the grade and for half of the journey we were not even sure we were on the right road. It continued to deteriorate, the further we went.

We stopped at about the halfway point, near the summit of Mt Skene. The view was amazing. Valleys tumbled away on either side of the lookout point and the view to the south was sporadically covered by clouds. The view to the west was dramatic, as it revealed an approaching hail storm.  Dark purple clouds billowed ominously across our passage and lightning gave them a threatening life that unnerved driver and passengers.

Still we pressed on, seemingly driving further toward the storm and trouble and some endpoint on a mountain top road somewhere.

Finally, after three and a half hours, we arrived at Jameison, much to everyone's relief - not the least, the driver's. Rolls and biscuits and a cup of tea were consumed by stomachs that had spent the period since their last meal in anxtous turmoil. I was not prepared to stop lest the weather catch us, so lunch was overdue.

Fraser NP proved to be somewhat of a disappointment.

It is a massive camping complex and is set up, basically, for the boat owners and water bugs. The amount and nature of walks was poor. The maintenance of the camping areas was impressive and the regular touring of the camping facilities by the park officials was appreciated.

The lake was not the ideal venue for swimming, as the edge and footing was very muddy - this mainly due to the low water level and to enter the water you had to descend a long, steep slopped bank as the water level was so low.

The kangaroos here were also, apparently, very aggressive and the Rangers had gone to extraordinary lengths to warn visitors not to go near them. This, plus the desire by many of the crew to head for home, weighed heavily in the decision to curtail our time here and scrap the time planned at Mt Bujfalo. The main factor, was the shared desire to return to Tambar Springs and spend time with our friends the Nays, prior to their departure.

The mountain drive to
Jameison

In the morning of our only day at Eildon, we again wet the lines - this time, in search of trout and redfin. It is enough to say that we left the lake as well stocked as it had been when we arrived. Despite new fishing lures, no success was had. Chris lost his lure on a snag - water hazard, not bar-b-q - and Sue again went swimming, this time in her walking boots. Her morning finished when she was caught unawares. Sam, retrieving his line and got his only catch of the trip ... his mother, by the trousers.