Melbourne APUG get-together!

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 22, 2012

johnnywalker said:
I can't believe what I am reading. A bunch of Aussies worried about where they'll get their coffee? Or is it just understood that everyone brings their own beer?

Believe it. We're spoilt for choice, believe me!!
Beer is passé, coffee is in.

munz6869 · Jan 22, 2012

We're getting somewhere!
So far we have:
Joachim_I
Poisson Du Jour
w9cae
SMBooth
wotalegend
Oxleyroad
me!!

That's 7 - not a bad start! Who else? Anyone heard from Mick or Kevin lately....?

Marc!

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 22, 2012

Maybe one more; I'll have to contact him. He's not very active on APUG, but has some impressive stuff: Fotoman 6x17 and 6x24 (!). Just need to get him away from the joy-toy: an iPhone 4 with olloclip!

POST-EDIT: Nup, no luck in convincing him. Oh well...

wotalegend · Jan 22, 2012

I've put the 18th in my calendar. So far, so good.

LJH · Jan 22, 2012

Given Gary's listing of Noojee's benefits, can anyone list what's at HR? I've been to the horse races there, but really didn't take too much notice of what's to shoot...

Oxleyroad · Jan 22, 2012

I am in. For 18th. Might have to try and stooge lift from someone.. Marc maybe? Will know closer to the date.

I can not comment on either location as have been to neither.

I look forward to which ever it is.

munz6869 · Jan 22, 2012

Here's a website that explains all: http://www.visitmacedonranges.com/natural-attractions/hanging-rock/visitor-information/

Costs $10 to get in with a car!

Marc...

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 23, 2012

LJH said:
Given Gary's listing of Noojee's benefits, can anyone list what's at HR? I've been to the horse races there, but really didn't take too much notice of what's to shoot...

Not a great deal at the Rock, its feature being the enigmatic jumble of boulders and the mystique courtesy of one Pete Wier.
There is:
Walking tracks that weave in and out amongst boulders (people do get lost!)
the racecourse (likely to be dusty and dry)
Hanging Rock Picnic cafe
a small car park
Pleasant, but not spectacular picnic area.
Oh, and tribute copies of Peter Wier's remastered film, "Picnic at Hanging Rock".

Much loved as a half-way point for the infamous Bendigo Double Century bike ride in the 1980s (Melb-Bendigo-Melb/360km in two days). Where'd the $10 entry fee come from? I have not paid that when I rocked up on a mountain bike! Then we'll go east, young men!

Meanwhile, in them thar hills:
Toorongo River,12km outside Noojee would be just the thing for the rainforest and waterfall baggers amongst us (me!): cool, quiet and serene, the ferns arc politely over the rushing Toorongo, cascade down Toorongo Falls and leap over a giant log-jammed chasm to join their better known brethren in a furious torrent 10 metres away. I guarantee it is a pretty place and well worth the effort.

Marc?

Joachim_I · Jan 23, 2012

Does anyone know which of the two places (Hanging Rock, Noojee) is likely to be less crowded by visitors?

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 23, 2012

Joachim, Noojee has only had a smattering of campers and dribs and drabs of curious mums and dads day-trippers who have discovered it by accident by following the scenic road above the valley from Noojee (the only other route goes up and up to Baw Baw). The only signpost is "Toorongo River". Trout fisherkings can occasionally be seen, as too can noisy trail-bike riders. But you'll see the same thing in hitherto quiet places of the Otways. No place is sacred.

Hanging Rock is popular with Sunday trippers from the city. Cyclists ride there from Woodend. Everybody wants to "picnic at Hanging Rock" and go nature walkabouts. Noojee/Toorongo River has my bet for serious photography without being poked and prodded by stickybeaks.

A thought just flashed by: Wilsons Prom... I guess not...

LJH · Jan 23, 2012

I'm very familiar with Toorongo; just a beautiful place. A couple of KM of creek/river to shoot (i.e. not in each others' pockets), cascades, falls, lyrebirds, etc.

One thing to also consider is the Trestle bridge just before Noojee. Allows the Architecture shooters a chance to go bush as well!

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 23, 2012

View attachment 44981

Nice enough for a picnic here, hmm?

nick mulder · Jan 23, 2012

arrrgh!

Always happen with these melbourne get togethers - I'm out of the country - AGAIN

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 23, 2012

nick mulder said:
arrrgh!

Always happen with these melbourne get togethers - I'm out of the country - AGAIN

Tut, tut. You could always be imaginative and call up an Australian APUGers meet-n'-greeet in NZ!... Say at Milford Sound, or The Catlins. Suddenly, I've got an urge to jump ship and head over The Ditch....

Yamaotoko · Jan 23, 2012

Hi Guys,

I'd be keen to tag along too, if you can excuse the fact that I haven't actually been very active on Apug over the past... ummm... 'while'... I've got a job the day before, on the 17th, but all going well I should be good to make it up there on the Sunday. I may have missed it in skimming the posts, but has a time been proposed? ...or is it just in time for morning coffee break?

nick mulder · Jan 23, 2012

I'm back in forth between Melbourne/NZ and wherever 'a popular broadway show' is playing for the next few months. Working elsewhere and studying too...

I don't actually know where I live or what I do at the moment - I'm sure those forms you have to fill in for customs will throw up a contradictory exception sooner or later.

Ok, so yeh, still not sure exactly where I'll be on the 18th - very likely Auckland stuck up in the grid of the Civic theatre yelling at someone on stage to yell louder at me "just confirming, you want me to drop the heavy thing on your heads ?" "now?"

ya'll welcome to visit !

raoul · Jan 23, 2012

I'm a maybe, but will second Noojee - very scenic place.

Joachim_I · Jan 23, 2012

Poisson Du Jour said:
Joachim, Noojee has only had a smattering of campers ...Hanging Rock is popular with Sunday trippers from the city.

Thanks Gary. Advantage Noogee. I hate to stand in the way with my tripod...

wotalegend · Jan 23, 2012

Another vote for Noojee. It's a path less trodden, it's closer to home (for me anyway), and they don't charge for parking.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 23, 2012

"Closer to home"!?
For this little road warrior, it's 219km as the Google flies..., but still a damn good and scenic drive with much to see.
Think I'll make a mini-roadie of it: camp along the way and at the river Sat. night to get a leg up on the rest of you for scenics, snix!

LJH · Jan 23, 2012

Just one thing about Noojee - you really need an overcast day. I've been there on several occasions when it's been sunny, and the contrast within the trees makes it almost impossible to shoot.

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 23, 2012

LJH said:
Just one thing about Noojee - you really need an overcast day. I've been there on several occasions when it's been sunny, and the contrast within the trees makes it almost impossible to shoot.

That's right, absolutely. I favour dawn or 8.00pm for rainforest shots. It's nigh impossible in bright light. But hey, there's the Toorongo River to swim in if photography strikes an impassé!

munz6869 · Jan 23, 2012

To recap...

So far we have:
Joachim_I
Poisson Du Jour
w9cae
SMBooth
wotalegend
Oxleyroad
LJH
SteveR
Raoul (maybe)
me!!

That's 10 - and currently the argument appears to have swayed in favour of:
Sunday 18th March - Noojee! Are we saying to get there at 11.30am? Cross your toes for clouds...

Marc!

Poisson Du Jour · Jan 23, 2012

Strange, I thought the initial time was 10am, now it's +1.30.
Whatever, I will be there.
Are we going to have a barbie in the bush for lunch?
Prey it doesn't rain. That's not too pleasant a place to be in wet conditions. But I vote and hope for warm to hot and overcast conditions! Might even see a nicely coloured tiger snake...

munz6869 · Jan 23, 2012

It could well be 10am - I'm just accounting for the 2 hour drive and it being SUNDAY But I've got up early before... I think it was in 1992....

Marc!

Melbourne APUG get-together!

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