APUG Grampians adventure!

[Mick Fagan]

Lot to be said for driving 200 metres up a dirt track and chucking up the tent...

Very true and that is what we do a real lot of the time. However, amendments to certain acts appear to have made doing this in National Parks in Victoria illegal. One can still do this in state forests though.

Another possibility is a legal challenge to being charged for hospitality and not getting hospitality. That is, you pay in advance for a site as required under state law, then the state does not honour the contract when you find the paid for site already occupied. This equates to not providing you with the accommodation you have paid for under the hospitality act, but not received.

I was speaking with a group of people one of whom was a lawyer familiar with the act as it is the area she specalises in. It was mentioned that QLD, who brought in like legislation about 4 years ago, has already settled a number of claims prior to going to court. As usual, we live in interesting times.

Mick.

 

[Dr Croubie]

It is "a discretionary matter" for the Rangers as to what to do.

Something tells me that the difference between looking like a yob blasting music, or looking like a nice grey nomad without internet access would be the difference between what their 'discretion' involves...

 

[Molli]

Molli, we have a few tents you could use.

One is about 40 years old and really is almost beyond it. The second was bought new in 1975 and was brilliant, heavily used through Europe, NZ and of course Oz, getting on a bit now. The third available is the youngest and is a generic small three man tent, sort of dome set-up with front and rear little annexes, one of my nieces has borrowed it for the Great Victorian bicycle ride a couple of times and liked it.

We will be leaving next week so if you would like to borrow it, not a problem but we would need to move on it a bit.

As for payment, Parks Victoria have gone online now, apparently you have to make payment in advance online, or via telephone, do a search.

Mick.

Mick, thank you for the information and the offer and my apologies for the slow reply; I didn't get any thread update notices for some reason.

At the moment, I still haven't sorted out how I'm getting there and, given all of the lovely stories everyone's telling of drunken morons invading campgrounds, I'm getting more anxious about the whole thing by the minute! Arriving at a campsite in the middle of nowhere and bumping into some strange photographers is nerve wracking enough; sleeping out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by ferals really doesn't hold much appeal.

If I can get my over-active imagination under control but can't get my sister's tent worked out, I'll just go with my old one; but thank you so much for the offer of a loaner.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Personally I would not camp at Wannon campground. One point is that it is a holiday period and roaming thieves are to be expected in the Grampians just as they are anywhere else.
I have been hassled by bogans while camping in the Victoria Valley, at Mount William and Lake Fyans. Camp in the town centre or further down the road at Lakeside resort where there are at least civilised facilities.

 

[Dr Croubie]

Well, I left it too late to book my cabin, and missed out on Cabin 69 at Lakeside (the missus was rather looking forward to staying at that particular cabin, maybe next time).
So we're in a cabin at the Halls Gap Caravan park in the middle of town, for Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights. Looks like we're powering there from Adelaide on Thursday, might stop at Robe or somewhere Sunday night to break up the trip.

Anyone else getting there that early? Otherwise see you all 10am Sat in the bakery.

 

[Molli]

My car has made the executive decision that you're all far safer if I stay home. It's gone belly up..... again.

So, my apologies for the late notice, but I guess that means I'm out.

 

[Yamaotoko]

I am very sorry to say that I'm looking quite unlikely now too... It's now looking like I'll need to drop Alexander back at his mothers house on Saturday morning, so unless we get ourselves organised and out the door by 3am, I won't make it to Halls Gap by 10. I'll still be heading out for a few nights, but may go a little further into Little Desert perhaps, or maybe north to Moira...

If I end up passing through the Grampians I might still try to catch up with you lot at some point, it'd be a shame to mis out completely after all this (non) organisation!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I'm not looking promising at this time. Next Tuesday I have surgery on my left hand (removal of x2 early skin cancers) and that will reduce my hand use for a few days. So for me it is speculative at best, and no-go at worst.

 

[munz6869]

Oooh, we've lost a few - so to recap:

27th 28th September, meeting at 10AM at the Halls Gap Bakery - Mick, LJH, Colin D, Kevin, Andy C, Joachim & family, Yanluk, Dr Croubie, Me & Christine

Also - probably Wyno, speculatively Gary

Has anyone had any thoughts about itenary? Should I print out a list of what's currently open, bring it on the day for us to pick a few places to go?

Marc!

 

[Yamaotoko]

Caught up with Wyno at the pub last Friday, I wouldn't count too much on his attendance, he's got a bit on at the moment.

 

[munz6869]

This very much reminds me of the rock bands I'm in - one in particular has fairly much dissolved, on account of the lead singer doing his PhD, and having two small children and so on. Organising adults with busy, full lives is complex

Marc!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Marc!

Some suggestions for the Gramps.

• Silverband Falls: will have some wildflowers about, and possibly a bit (but not much!) water
• Halls Gap-Mount Zero Road: a hot-spot for wildflowers, so too, Victoria Valley
• Mount William: roadside bush, wildflowers, also the upper trails. Good for sunset light / afterglow too
• A wander in Wonderland. You go. Not me. I got lost there when my sister wandered away from me in 1972. Not funny! I still have her...
• Drive along Mount Victory Road (but no access to MacKenzie Falls et al)
• Sunset light against rock strata of northern Grampians, viewed from the road below Mount Difficult/Briggs Bluff (all closed).
• Grasstrees will be in profusion since they were fired and this encourages germination
• Attractive open farmland with views toward Redman Bluff on the approach road to the Grampians (from Ararat).


Lots of ad hoc opportunities for photos on the approach roads e.g. north from Dunkeld offers dramatic views of Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrubt, even more dramatic and atmospheric if there is a heavily-laden sky. If the weather turns drack the best place to be would be an eatery with an endless supply of van slices, cappas and sundries paid for gratis by Marc. Kindly gent.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I'm probably also unlikely to be coming. Will see what I can do.

 

[LJH]

I've had leave postponed, and now have to rip out my old kitchen that weekend. Unfortunately, I'm out.

As recompense, I'm happy to organise the next trip...

 

[Mick Fagan]

Well we are still on track to be there, camper is packed, on the back of the ute, heading off to the Snowies tomorrow.

I would presume the best thing would to see how things pan out on Saturday morning.

We will possibly either pass through Halls Gap on Friday, or maybe even be there.

0425 816 499

Or email via a pm from this site.

Mick.

 

[SMBooth]

Fate would have it that I'm heading up there this weekend to walk the Major Mitchell Plateau. I see what about for you lot for the following week.

 

[munz6869]

Crikey!! So:

27th 28th September, meeting at 10AM at the Halls Gap Bakery - Mick, Colin D, Andy C, Joachim & family, Yanluk, Dr Croubie, Me & Christine

Also - Speculatively Gary, maybe not Kevin...

Thanks Gary! And thanks Shane in advance for your recon...

Marc!

 

[Oxleyroad]

Yep I'm still Gunna be there!

 

[Dr Croubie]

OK, so it's good news bad news good news bad news good news (bad news) good news time!
Good news is, I'm still going to be there, thurs/fri/sat nights.
Bad news is, that's it, no nice relaxing dawdle to Robe on Sunday arvo.
Because the good news is that I've got a job to get to monday morning, with any luck it'll turn into a permanent job in a field that I actually want to be in, I've been looking for well over two years.
So the bad news is that I've gotta burn off pretty early Sunday to get back to adelaide with enough time to get a decent amount of rest to impress the new boss, so I'll probably miss out whatever hikes on sunday.
But the good news is that I'll actually be able to afford to process all the shots I'll be taking (although the bad news is that they'll sit in the fridge for a while until I can process them).
But the good news is that I'm still coming!

 

[SMBooth]

OK for you campers the camping sites south of Halls Gap where basicly empty with maybe 4 or 6 tents in each. No sign of the rampart bogan so often talked about, kids yelling are going to be your biggest problem around the ice cream shop.
Light wise the sun drops below the ridge at 5.00pm sending the town into the shadows while out of town the low raking light is beautiful. Personal the best shots are of the Mt William range early morning from Pomonal, you see as you drive in. Might be some good image at the south end of Lake Bellfield with dead trees around the edge or head around to White Bull swamp near Boreang campsite or keep driving a bit more to "sheet of water" near the Roses Creek Rd where it joins into Lodge Rd. Lots of wide flowers coming out so for the macro photographers there's at lot of stuff along the tracks.
Plenty of food, there is a pub just on the edge of town and a few more fancy bars in town.
Plenty of police on the highway so keep within the speed limits

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

OK for you campers the camping sites south of Halls Gap where basicly empty with maybe 4 or 6 tents in each. No sign of the rampart bogan so often talked about, kids yelling are going to be your biggest problem around the ice cream shop.
Light wise the sun drops below the ridge at 5.00pm sending the town into the shadows while out of town the low raking light is beautiful. Personal the best shots are of the Mt William range early morning from Pomonal, you see as you drive in. Might be some good image at the south end of Lake Bellfield with dead trees around the edge or head around to White Bull swamp near Boreang campsite or keep driving a bit more to "sheet of water" near the Roses Creek Rd where it joins into Lodge Rd. Lots of wide flowers coming out so for the macro photographers there's at lot of stuff along the tracks.
Plenty of food, there is a pub just on the edge of town and a few more fancy bars in town.
Plenty of police on the highway so keep within the speed limits

Most educational.
There is an icecream shop?? Oh joy...

'Sheet of Water' ... is that a wetland with redgums and reflections? I can't recollect it exactly, but I camped at Boreang many years ago and stumbled across something like that in the morning — one of the first instances I was captivated by the absolute stillness of water and reflections. If it's photogenic, it will be in my crosshairs.
______________________________________________________________
EDIT: A google image search turned up what I thought: a redgum wetland.


Re morning light on Redman Bluff & Mount William...
I'm eyeing off this splendid place offering a dress circle view of Redman Bluff at pre-dawn and sunrise (see Aidan's last photo on the page: sunrise on the Bluff).
http://www.grampiansparadise.com.au/
Placemark with Google Maps

If this horrid soreness abates in time (at the moment I'm on Panadols), I am hoping to base at Grampians Paradise Wednesday afternoon and Thursday (not confirmed yet!), then beeline for Halls Gap Friday, based at Halls Gap CP park (not yet booked). If there is a change of plans somewhere or to confirm my presence in the district please SMS me 0418 14 80 60.

I venture to suggest that we add to the itinerary and maybe make an early morning group trip to 'Sheet of Water' and thereabouts for the wildflowers if there is sufficient interest? Possibly a place to avoid in the evenings though for the threat of mozzies. And well-fed Grampians mozzies, when defined, come in three basic varieties: single-engined, twin-engined and B52s. You'll know all about it when the B52s wickedly this way come...

I had my curretage surgery rescheduled (after much arguing!) Saturday morning; nagging soreness yesterday, Saturday night, last night and now this morning, but healing is afoot. Got to consciously avoid bumping/scraping/chaffing hand lest I yelp like a dingo...

 

[munz6869]

The weather in Halls Gap this weekend is looking excellent too!! Hooray!

Marc!

 

[Oxleyroad]

Excellent! Oh and did I mention I'll be there.

 

[Dr Croubie]

Well, it just started absolutely bucketing here in the last 5 minutes, going to rain all night apparently.
But according to earth.nullschool.net it'll go due east and hit the riverland and go a bit north of the Grampians, so here's hoping...

 

[Molli]

Can we go back to the part where it sounded as though the campgrounds were going to be overrun with Mad Max 2: Beyond Thunderdome re-enactors and the weather was going to be gloomy and generally inhospitable so I'll stop feeling so miserable about missing out?!

Actually, I'm (very unselfishly) happy that the trip seems to be coming together rather nicely, all in all. I just wish I could come, too.