Forges Beach (Yarrawonga)
We left Murtoa, after a great 4 days, via Minyip, Donald, Pyramid Hill and Echuca for a cuppa and a few supplies. Then Cobram and finally Forges Beach
This is one of the most beautiful free camps we have been at. Approx 8klm from Yarrawonga, on the Echuca-Yarrawonga road.
You enter off the main road for approx 2klm of gravel. Flat and easy to navigate. After about 1klm the road points to Forges Beach #1 and #2. We chose No1. Both have more sand than Bondi. #2 is slightly more elevated than #1 in parts, and surrounded by trees that encroach closer to the water. The undergrowth is light grass. I have heard it is busy in the summer months, which is not a surprise, but very peaceful at other times, with plenty of space, with many klm’s of river frontage.
The view from the van, space and glorious river views. Amenities block close by. Bring some wood for an open fire, as the the woodlands are very tidy, with little or no loose timber around. The fire and the Harvest Moon…..Serenity. Went for a run early the next morning to Forges Beach #2, approx 1.5klm away. Evidence of a permanent camper, well set up, with plenty of solar panels, chattels. But loads of space.
Short drive to Yarrawonga for a bite to eat. This is a twin town, with Mulwala over the other side of the Murray River.
Yarrawonga, was connected to Melbourne via rail in the late 1800’s. Lake Mulwala was built during the 1930’s as part of the Murray-Darling Irrigation Scheme.
The major industry in Yarrawonga is explosives, operated by the French company Thales.
With a population of around 9000, it is popular place for retirees. The weather on the Murray is very close to a Mediterranean climate. It is classed as humid sub-tropical
Mulwala, staged a pop festival in 1972, with many local artists at the time, but also Canned Heat, Crosby Stills & Manassas. Sadly, rain had washed out the site on Day 3.
Hit the road via Junee, lovely town, fantastic for train enthusiasts, then finally to Young for the night.
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Junee is in the Riverina region of NSW. It is an important rail hub for this region of NSW.
Arrived in Young late afternoon after passing through Cootamundra, (birthplace of Donald Bradman). Noticeably balmy in Young. A quick look around town and a meal in the RSL. Young is only 150klm from Canberra, so it leaves us a short drive to the capital.
We were parked alongside Dave, who was heading to Bathurst for Australia’s premier Supercar Race. He has restored a 1964 EH Wagon, valued at $150,000. one of only 110 made in this colour.
They say Young is the Cherry capital of Australia. Gold was also discovered here in the 1860’s. Gold attracts many different ethnic groups, Chinese, being a large group, who were industrious, but attracted other anti-chinese miners and conflicts arose and many were attacked and killed.
Young was the first town in NSW to install electricity on the streets.
