Another road trip - Victoria to Whitsundays in the Subi

Well, I have just about come full circle since May, arriving back in Kyneton to witness Spring in full swing. Time to get out the antihistamines! Another road trip, but this time in the Subaru: it needs relocating to our chosen home in the Whitsundays, along with the mountain bikes.





Kyneton river walk

 

 

 

Landing in Melbourne, the air is crisp and cool; I’m wearing jeans for the first time in months. The brightness of the fresh green foliage is almost glaring against the backdrop of the cloudless blue sky. The winter caretaker of the Subi, Frank, greeted me with a sparkling vehicle which I then drove to the beautiful town of Kyneton. A weekend with Alex and Steve, winter caretakers of the mountain bikes, was spent riding and indulging in gourmet food.

 

With the Subi loaded up, it was time to return briefly to Mt Buller, via Diggers Rest to collect Frank and via Mansfield to purchase a bike rack. The High Country was looking magnificent – a perfect Spring day. A couple of quick hello/goodbyes, a few more photos and it was back down the mountain that I know so well.

 

It felt strange just visiting as Mt Buller has been home for the last two years. I shall miss it. 

No time for a last ride down the Delatite River trail (a Deli run as we locals fondly say), but a couple of laps around the block through the Merrijig countryside with Ted finished off the day nicely. So did feeding the calf!

 

 

I awoke to another bright clear day ready to hit the road. A quick cuppa and garden tour with one of the tennis ladies, followed by an op shop visit to get a cushion for the long drive ahead, it was time to head north. I thought I would take the scenic route over the range to the King Valley, stopping for some roadside fresh walnuts and tomato chutney and to pick a bag of lemons from a friend’s tree at Moyhu. The Subi will be rather full by the time I get to central Queensland!

Elaine's house, Mansfield



I made my way to the Hume Highway near Wangaratta, and it was full steam ahead into New South Wales. It’s been awhile since I have travelled at that speed and on such a huge road. The countryside was scenic: rolling green hills sprinkled with large eucalypts and happily grazing sheep. I stopped at Holbrook for a picnic lunch next to the big black submarine, and at picturesque Gundagai for a leg stretch and some photos.

 

Prince Albert Bridge, Gundagai

The afternoon sun was getting lower so Yass was the chosen overnight stop, with the Colonial Lodge Motor Inn the chosen bed. It’s been awhile since I’ve stayed in a hotel room too! The Australian Hotel was recommended for dinner, and the Atlantic salmon didn’t disappoint. Then it was time to watch some TV in bed, as you do in hotel rooms, but I was kept up later than I anticipated as I had to watch the Gough Whitlam documentary. What a great man.

Oberon next, to see my brother!