Back in November last year at Eddie’s 70th birthday celebration, a group of St Elizabeth’s parishioners and primary school parents forged a friendship that is growing stronger today. Many of us have caravans and some have been traveling our wide brown land for many years in a variety of vans. As the night unfolded, we started to consider those of us with vans should go away together.
The seeds had been sown, and it was only at Eddie’s mum funeral the following January, that it was time to be serious, less talk and confirm a date. A WhatsApp group was formed and a site was agreed. Somewhere relatively close to home. Chris & Kris had stayed at a caravan park in Erica in Gippsland close to Walhalla. Perfect! Dates during the week outside weekend peaks in March was agreed as the weather at this time of year is beautiful.
The campsite, seven couples announcing their arrival.
We booked for the week from 18-23rd March. Set off in beautiful autumn weather, the forecast for the week was sunny and in the low 20’s except for one day, with a forecast of some showers.
A railway line was established in 1910from Moe to Walhalla, when a station was opened. Previously known as Harris until 1914, when it was renamed Erica, after a nearby mountain.
The township lived mainly from forestry and agriculture, this due to the decline of Walhalla as a gold mining town. A small population of less than 200, has an elvation of 445 mtr.
With a crisp clear morning I decided to ride to Walhalla, as I knew I would quickly warm up, and the rising sun would soon be increasing the temperature towards the low 20’s C. A beautiful Ride, through dense forest, with climbs and descents to keep the heart rate up. 500 mtr of climbing in total.
After riding back to camp the rest of the group are stirring, with fragrances of coffee and cooked breakfast in the air. Still it wasn’t long before I was on my way back to Walhalla, as we had all booked a train ride from Walhalla to Thompson.
Their was another surprise in store for the group, Greg and Ann Wright joined us for the rest of the week. Greg & Ann, had been caravanners for many years, but now retired, they stayed in the adjoining cabins.
Sarah, Rosemarie & Ed, Dave assistant train driver and views from the track of the local creek that flows into the Thompson River.
Walhalla, a beautiful Victorian town founded out of the discovery of gold in the 1860’s. At it’s peak there were 4000 residents, today only 20. Nestled in the Stringers Creek valley, with steep sides, are wonderful period buildings and homes that are holiday properties to cater for the large number of tourists to the region.
In January of this year Liam Neeson, was filming Ice Road 2 scenes in Walhalla, which has been styled as a Nepalese village.
Hotel styled as Nepalese. Since been repainted to original colour.
We had some wonderful night activities. One night at the local Erica Pub, the camp bar for a drink a few nights listening to favourite music from our youth. Dave & Lorraine, showing the rest of how the jive is done.
Greg & Ann completed a night around the fire with many folk and popular Irish jigs from another era. Wonderful.
- Coopers Creek, a beautiful spot. Soon to be de-commissioned coal fired power station, Thompson Reservoir, The largest in Victoria, supplies much of Melbourne’s water and surrounding irrigation.
Morning coffee on Mt Baw Baw, at 1567 mtr, ski run depleted of snow at this time. The road from the Erica side is a dirt road climb to the top.
Dave & Eddie, The new Leyland Brothers.
