STAWELL to BARHAM

March 7

Checked out Stawell town, didn't take long. We have a great spot at the caravan park, camped beside the lake where there are lots of birds.

March 8

Today off to Halls Gap, small town in the Grampians. Very popular holiday spot. There are lots of Holiday cottages, camp sites and resorts.

Town of Halls Gap

 We stopped at the dam just out of town, Lake Bellfield and then travelled through the Grampians down to Dunkeld.

Lake Bellfield

Grampians

Two years ago the Grampians had a major flood and near the southern tip was a huge land slide, went across the road, taking all the trees in its path including the road.

Looking up from road

Looking down from road.

From Dunkeld we headed north east to Ararat and arrived in time to do a tour through the J-Ward Goal. It was a goal for 5years and then became an asylum for the criminally insane.

Grampians from the North

"J Ward"

March 10

Off to Halls Gap market day at the school, had a wander round, saw some lovely hand made jewellery and bought some dried lavender.
From Halls Gap decided to travel up the northern part of the Grampians and headed off to Dadswells Bridge.On the way stopped off at a lookout, The Balconies, fantastic views and the road was very wriggly, great on the bike. Passed by a huge Reservoir, Wartook Reservoir.

View from the Balconies (Wartook Reservoir in back)

South from the Balconies.

McKenzie Falls

Lake Wartook

The next stop was at McKenzie Falls, so many people and a fantastic view. More zig and zag through the hills until we reached Dadswells Bridge and there to greet us was a giant Koala, had lunch and headed back to Stawell.

Roses Gap Road

Dadswell Bridge grow BIG Koala's

March 12

Shopping and pack up day.Went off to an Alpaca farm not far from the caravan park. Had a great chat to the owners and sweltered in the heat. Victoria is now into a heat wave record.

Home of the STAWELL GIFT

Stawell Caravan Park

March 13

Time to move, Mike spoke to a farmer looking for farm sitters and as we were passing close by we called in to meet them.
Quite a drive through irrigation, channels everywhere and some magnificent maize crops.
Barbara was working so we stayed on and spent the night on the farm. Alastair and Barbara Bear are a lovely couple and we will return at the end of June.

Bear Homestead at Boort.

March 14

Made our way slowly to Barham, over the border and now back in NSW.