Wangaratta
Report 18h to 22nd September 2018 Brigitte and Jurgen Salwat "Come when you can, leave when you must." |
16 contented campers returned home from Wangaratta after a rally filled with new experiences of both the natural and historic environment as well as great camaraderie, sharing and a feeling of belongingness.
Activities included a drive through the Warby Ranges including walking to the Salisbury Falls (without water but with impressive rock structures) and Ryan's Lookout. At the Winton Wetlands, again more aptly named Drylands, we viewed the painted trees and a tank painted by Guido van Helten, all set in a forest of ghostly tree skeletons.
On Saturday most of us enjoyed a guided historic walking tour of the city and in the evening a deliciously varied menu at the Historic Pinsent Hotel, formerly a hospital.
On Sunday most of us were impressed by the size of the gold dredge at Eldorado, enjoyed wandering through gold mining territory at Reid's Walk and a snack at McEvoy's Tavern, Victoria's smallest pub. One member looked up his ancestors and some climbed up to the local lookout. The day was topped by a community barbecue in the sunshine at the excellent facilities of the camping ground.
Other activities which some chose to do included a drive to Millawa for a gourmet tasting experience, Wangaratta Woollen Mills, a local market, a music festival in the park.
Great weather most of the time meant happy hour on the grass. No effort seemed to much for Gini and Gary, the managers. They made us a fire free of charge, brought over a table, booked the camp kitchen, and were overall a wonderful support.
Because we were so delighted with the caravan park we decided we'd like to begin a 5 star rating system of caravan parks for future reference and possible return. We decided on 4 1/2 stars because the showers were hard to adjust and we hadn't tested it out in poor weather.
All I can say is: here's to many more rallies!
Activities included a drive through the Warby Ranges including walking to the Salisbury Falls (without water but with impressive rock structures) and Ryan's Lookout. At the Winton Wetlands, again more aptly named Drylands, we viewed the painted trees and a tank painted by Guido van Helten, all set in a forest of ghostly tree skeletons.
On Saturday most of us enjoyed a guided historic walking tour of the city and in the evening a deliciously varied menu at the Historic Pinsent Hotel, formerly a hospital.
On Sunday most of us were impressed by the size of the gold dredge at Eldorado, enjoyed wandering through gold mining territory at Reid's Walk and a snack at McEvoy's Tavern, Victoria's smallest pub. One member looked up his ancestors and some climbed up to the local lookout. The day was topped by a community barbecue in the sunshine at the excellent facilities of the camping ground.
Other activities which some chose to do included a drive to Millawa for a gourmet tasting experience, Wangaratta Woollen Mills, a local market, a music festival in the park.
Great weather most of the time meant happy hour on the grass. No effort seemed to much for Gini and Gary, the managers. They made us a fire free of charge, brought over a table, booked the camp kitchen, and were overall a wonderful support.
Because we were so delighted with the caravan park we decided we'd like to begin a 5 star rating system of caravan parks for future reference and possible return. We decided on 4 1/2 stars because the showers were hard to adjust and we hadn't tested it out in poor weather.
All I can say is: here's to many more rallies!
"Come when you can, leave when you must"