TRIPS FOR 2025
1. May 6th-12th Wimmera River.
Places to include:- Ararat, Mt Cole, Northern Pyrenees, Dimboola and Wyperfeld NP.
(Further update in April)

The Wimmera River rises in the central Victorian Pyrenees and flows, sporadically, north-west towards the Wyperfeld National Park. This trip uses the river as the theme for a tour of its countryside.

Date Accommodation Activities
Tue 6 May 3 nights
Ararat G’Day caravan park:To Ararat, Around the Pyrenees

Fri 9 May 3 nights Dimboola Riverside caravan park
Meandering to Dimboola: The dry county

Mon 12 May To home
Contact Brendan 0438 619 625 br845324@gmail.com

 

4WD Wimmera River Trip Report
Tue 6 May – Mon 12 May, 2025
Barry and Chris, Chris and Pat, Bruno and Julia, Stuart and Edith and Brendan and Val met at Ararat. Ron joined us later at Dimboola.
On Wednesday we climbed into the high country of the Pyrenees, close to Mount Cole, and had morning tea at a steep gully close to the source of the river. A tour along the upper reaches of the river was modified due to a new ford under construction at the river crossing.

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            Near the source of the river                              Cameron Track Campsite

Further south, Richard’s Campground provided access to walking trails, which some hardy souls checked out in light rain. The lame and halt made a fire to warm and dry the walkers. By lunchtime the showers had cleared.
At Langi Ghiran State Park we walked up to the reservoir.
After dinner, games.
On Thursday we took a track on the ridge of the Pyrenees State Forest to Cameron Track Campsite for morning tea. Proceeded to Governor Rock lookout and Avoca Falls (just add water!). After lunch we walked around the historic precinct at Moonambel, mooning over the portable lockup, the charge book and the human sundial. Finished the day with refreshments at Summerfield Winery.

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​         ​At Governor Rock lookout                                         Moonambel human sundial

​On Friday (moving day) everyone chose different ways to get the caravans to Dimboola for happy hour. Some chose to visit wineries, others to drive direct and have a leisurely lunch on the way. We visited the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre and then followed the course of the river. At Dimboola we were greeted by hundreds of corellas celebrating sunset and sunrise with enthusiasm.

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      Corellas at Dimboola Caravan Park                              Main Street, Rainbow

​On Saturday it was difficult to find anyone in the tennis scene on the Arcona Silo Art. Perfect weather made morning tea in the Main Street of Rainbow a pleasure. We continued north to another Silo Art spot and then to the “shore” of Lake Albacutya. Water is added only occasionally by the river. This is the place where the river sinks into the sands of Wyperfeld National Park.
At Jeparit, on the river, we spotted some water, before dispersing to a walk by the river or visiting historic sites in town. Menzies Square commemorates a prime minister’s birthplace.
On Sunday we played in the sand just south of Dimboola where the river crosses the eastern fringe of the Little Desert National Park.
 

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​                  Little Desert National Park                                                  Mount Arapiles

 

​On to Mount Arapiles where the Sunday rock-climbers were busy on the mountain walls. After lunch at the summit picnic ground a short climb to the lookout revealed countryside extending forever.
At Horsham the regional gallery had a small exhibition of colonial paintings of the Wimmera district.
We had dinner at the Dimboola hotel in a unique dining-room setting.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the trip, including games organisers, those who arranged the dinner and Julia and Val for the pictures.
Brendan.

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2. May 14th  Normanton. 

​Depart mid May 2025.

Broken Hill, Sturt Steps route to Cameron Corner, Windorah, Lark Quarry, Winton, Normanton Rodeo and beyond.
An easy-going camping trip. No towing. Number of vehicles is limited.
 

Organiser: Ron.
Please contact Ron direct on swero45@gmail.com.

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3. October 20th - 26th Gellibrand

We will be staying at Otways Tourist Park, Gellibrand, for 6 nights from Monday 20 Oct, departing on Sunday 26 Oct. We will visit some of the features within the Otway Ranges, and drive parts of the Great Ocean Road and surrounding countryside.

 

​ Contact Brendan 0438 619 625. br845324@gmail.com

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