What not to miss in Victoria

Beth54 · Guru

RE: What not to miss in Victoria

Happywanderer · The Master

I have driven past Mt Franklin many times on my way from Echuca to Geelong and return but never found the freecamp. Is it at the top of that hill with the trees on it.
I can't get into that link gillyb provided. I am having a problem with a runtime error box popping up on a few links and the only way out is to close the laptop down.

Beth54 · Guru

Happywanderer wrote:
I have driven past Mt Franklin many times on my way from Echuca to Geelong and return but never found the freecamp. Is it at the top of that hill with the trees on it.
I can't get into that link gillyb provided. I am having a problem with a runtime error box popping up on a few links and the only way out is to close the laptop down.

I couldn't get it through that link either Marj, so I copied and pasted into the search box.

Happywanderer · The Master

Ok Beth, will try that

rod56 · Veteran Member

Hi Happy

The camp is inside the old volcano of Mt Franklin, great spot although the sun does go down early because you are surrounded by the crater walls. It is an easy drive in as the wall has a breach that the road passes through. Campsites are set out around a circular road. Lots of old English type tree plantings. Very peaceful and protected from the wind. Short drives to Daylesford and Castlemaine.

Rod

Happywanderer · The Master

Hi Rod, I have been past the entrance many times but all I see is a very steep stoney road going up a hill. Is that it? Or am I missing something.

rod56 · Veteran Member

No, the road is slightly southwest of Mt Franklin and goes off at an angle, just on a bend, I think the road you are thinking of is about 1 or 2 Km further north. It is a sealed road all the way to the campground and goes around the southern side and enters the crater on the eastern side.
Hope this helps.

Rod

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks for that Rod, I've been looking at the wrong entrance all this time. Will go have a look in the summer and stay a few nights.

Beth54 · Guru

So it's not a steep entrance Rod?

Pam · Guru

If you are traveling hay to Echuca. Then stop at the peppin heritage centre in deniliquin. Well worth the look for just a gold coin donation. What dates are you down this way ?

rod56 · Veteran Member

Hi Beth
No it is not steep, about 2 or 3 km of narrow bitumen with a small hill to get over into the crater, all size vans can access easily.

Rod

Nicholstones · Guru

When going down the Cobb Hwy from Hay to Echuca make sure you stop at all the 'Long Paddock' sites. You can get a free brochure/map at the Hay Visitor Centre. The displays, information and sculptures are really interesting.

Beth54 · Guru

Nicholstones wrote:
When going down the Cobb Hwy from Hay to Echuca make sure you stop at all the 'Long Paddock' sites. You can get a free brochure/map at the Hay Visitor Centre. The displays, information and sculptures are really interesting.

Thanks Nicholstones, I've taken note of that too.

Two Strays · Senior Member

There are seven or eight districtsin Victoria. Pick a couple and see them within your time frame. Then do the same on your return visits. You could spend 12 months in Vic and not see it all. Don't worry about the weather, dress accordingly.

Happy travelling.

Loffty · Senior Member

If you like miners history, try Walhalla.
Lovely spot.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Two Strays wrote:
There are seven or eight districtsin Victoria. Pick a couple and see them within your time frame. Then do the same on your return visits. You could spend 12 months in Vic and not see it all. Don't worry about the weather, dress accordingly.
Happy travelling.

12 months - lived there all my life, travelled heaps, still haven't seen it all!!

As for clothing - swimmers and a raincoat - carry an umbrella and light jacket at all times -

Walhalla - gosh that is a beautiful place - used to love camping there!

jan-ed · Veteran Member

Beth if you get into the city of Melbourne, you can get on to a "city circle tram".

Its a free service that takes you to shops and some major tourist attractions.

You can hop on and off whenever suits you, and it takes about 50 minutes
to do the full loop.

Its a great way to see Melbourne. Just Google "city circle tram Melbourne"
for more info.

Enjoy your travels
Jan

Beth54 · Guru

Yes, I realise we won't see everything in Victoria in that time Two Strays, but we'll see as much as we can without overdoing it. Gotta take time to smell the roses, and I can always go back again another time...hopefully. smile

I've googled images of Walhalla Lofty and Jules, and it certainly looks interesting. How's the road in? Keeping my rig in mind. confuse

Jules, raincoat, swimmers, jacket and brolly, got it! Not sure if that'll be enough though. wink biggrin

And Jan-Ed, we're looking forward to a ride around on the trams. Thanks for the info. smile

-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 21st of July 2012 09:02:47 PM

Beth54 · Guru

Yes Jules, someone mentioned that. But, NO WAY am I going up there!

Get the idea Jules?! biggrin

Thanks Wendyv, I daresay there'll be lots of dodgy sections after all the recent rain.

-- Edited by Beth54 on Sunday 22nd of July 2012 07:53:32 PM

wendyv · Guru

Beth,
if you are travelling the road from Hay to Echuca, be very careful. The bitumen strip is quite narrow in parts and the roadsides can be quite boggy and slippery. The only time we ever got stuck with the van on, was on that stretch of road. There was a lone, dead tree with an eagle's nest in and driver pulled over so I could take a photo. All the right hand wheels were still on the bitumen, but the left wheels were not going anywhere. We were lucky that a passing motorist was able to snatch us back onto the solid stuff. That was in 2009, so I reckon that with all the rain of recent times, sections could be even more treacherous.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Beth - don't know if anyone has mentioned the Eureka Tower in the city of Melbourne - from the 88th floor you get the most amazing view of the entire of Melbourne and right down to Geelong on clear days - it is an absolute "must", in my opinion - took Billeeeeeee up there - he was super impressed!!

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Oh, Beth - nothing to be scared of - all glassed in, and the lift takes about 30 seconds to get up there - it is really the most amazing view, and something not to miss!!

Kaid · Guru

jules47 wrote:
Oh, Beth - nothing to be scared of - all glassed in, and the lift takes about 30 seconds to get up there - it is really the most amazing view, and something not to miss!!

If you are really brave you can walk to the section that is clear

and you can see right down to the ground

biggrin biggrin biggrin

Beth54 · Guru

jules47 wrote:
Oh, Beth - nothing to be scared of - all glassed in, and the lift takes about 30 seconds to get up there - it is really the most amazing view, and something not to miss!!

The glass just adds to the fear factor. Doesn't interest me one little bit.

Beth54 · Guru

Kaid wrote:
jules47 wrote:
Oh, Beth - nothing to be scared of - all glassed in, and the lift takes about 30 seconds to get up there - it is really the most amazing view, and something not to miss!!
If you are really brave you can walk to the section that is clear
and you can see right down to the ground

I googled it! No way!