Hi everyone

I have just returned from a 5 day trip to the Falls Creek /Mt Hotham area in Victoria where a group of us walked from Falls to Hotham and back over 2 days -about 45 km round trip.

This was my first trip to the high country in Summer and the area is absolutely beautiful with fantastic views and tranquility all around.

I had hoped to post a few photo's but it could be a while before I am able to.
I notice we now have a free campsite section so will post a couple that while there were no facilities as such they we very nice areas and "free"

These were the Pretty Valley pond area and on the drive in which could be 2 or 4 wheel drive and caravan /camper there were horse floats and campers up for the long wkd.

Not to far from there at the top of Mt Mackey we found a car and caravan on a level side area looking at a spectacular view and may have been there also for the long wkd.

Falls seems to have more picturesque scenery and things to do than Hotham.

The walk was excellent and even walking in about an hour we saw up to 30 or so wild horses just grazing and enjoying life.

On the way home we took a back rd to Omeo and this is also suitable for 2 wd and caravan in my view and comes out on the C543 highway.

There is a great Cuckoo Clock shop in Omeo worth a look.

From Omeo we went up the Alpine way back to Hotham a few klicks and turned left along a tourist drive which took us to Mt Markey winery where they make Mead , Elderberry Port a not too bad red and brew cider and beer. The cider was excellent but they were out of beer. Very nice guy at the winery so will drop him a line.

This also turned out to be excellent  as we asked about a nice place to stop for a picnic and he directed us to a close by rec reserve which also had great views and  excellent toilet facilities and would make a brilliant free camp site.

We had lunch including 2 free ciders which we were given.

We then headed home via Bairnsdale. In all a round trip of 985 kms and 110 ltes of Diesal in a Toyota Troupie 4.2 non turbo.

The sad news for me is although I am loving my new role I now am back in full time employment so my nomading days are a bit curtailled at present however I do now have the means to look at the best caravan option. I am thinking along the lines of small 4 wheel drive and noticed AVAN have a small full size unit .

Also at Mt Mackey the caravan looked about 12 -14 ft and was a Pheonix Nomad so will check these out as well.

Mike

Thanks for your inspirational travel report.items like yours makes one just want to get up and go.We have found the little Jayco Penguin to be an ideal van for us.The EL Falcon makes towing it a breeze.Once again thanks for your post.Cheers Ibbo.

Hi Marty I will also look into the Penguin. I like to travel light and small. The Territory is probably not the best tow vehicle for heavy vans but does have AWD capability. Mike

g,day Mike sounds like u had a great trip arround the alps, a trip i must do is starting in Myrtleford , up and over Mt hotham  then on to Omeo, turn left just throu Omeo and head to the Mitta Mitta valley to Tallangatta. from there over the snowy rangers to Cooma on to Bega  into Eden,  then onto Lakes Entrance then back up the Tambo valley  and back over Hotham and home,  Have been over the rangers many times  but mainly up to Eden ect. need to do it slow and easy either late summer or  mid to late spring would be ideal. miss the bushfires or snow that way



 strewth got itchy feet now   Wendy hook the van up, il just finish this stubbie and could u cheek the tyres   hey whatcha mean im a lazy bugger jeez il pack the esky

mike some of my favorite areas where you just described, sounds like a great trip, marty the falcon would haul that penguin along without even knowing it's there and should be a very good match, inside of these little fellers is really quite surprising, they are quite roomy inside and light and very airy and yet fold down to nothing 

we had one of these types years ago, nowhere near as modern as yours but it was a really good van

Hi Demon Dave - love the last comment ! I feel the same way about going back as soon as possible funnily enough -it really is a lovely area. The trip you describe sounds a great journey also and will do it at some point.The good thing for us at the moment is the area is relatively close to Melbourne so short trips are possible.

At the moment though I am going to Singapore and Jakarta on a holiday /catch up with colleagues trip befroe easter and then spending easter down at our house at Loch Sport. Hoping like heck the weather will be favourable.

Still even if it isn't there is always the bar in the garage complete with muscat barrel !

Mike

I've got a Penguin (with the Outback option) and I'm very happy with it. I'm travelling by myself and therefore don't need the extra beds and find that the amount of storage under the queen size bed (with innerspring mattress which is not standard on the other wind-ups) is phenomenal. I agree that it won't do the same thing as a camper trailer like the Kimberley or Cub etc, for really severe off-roading, but so far my Penguin Outback has been up the Outback Way from Kalgoorlie to Alice Springs, the Plenty Highway from Alice to Boulia, and the Oodnadatta track from Marree to Marla without a bit of trouble. The quality of the finish is not great (I believe this is true of most Jayco's) but you get what you pay for. Goldstream has an exact equivalent of the Penguin and it is 25% dearer.