A sincere thank you to Alan and Tonee Harlow for once again putting in countless hours to organise this fun day out.
Ross and Sue, Wash and Bruce (Wash’s brother), Lois and Greg, and Alan and Helen met Alan and Tonee at Jaguar Land Rover with pen and clip board in hand, ready for another secret fact finding mission.
Setting off at 10 minute intervals we started by crossing the railway line onto Bank Street where our first answer was to be found. Alan and Helen had to back track because they missed it. The first one! Knowing Alan H is very particular about answers we made sure we covered everything in detail. Not 16 caravans in storage, but 15 caravans and 1 motorhome.
It didn’t take long to determine that we were heading in a southerly direction having travelled first towards Loy Yang and then towards Traralgon South which we went around by being diverted onto a sandy track. We drove along the edge of the Traralgon South Flora and Fauna Reserve, an area of 843 Hectares, seeking out the names of all the tracks along the way.
Back onto bitumen we drove past the recently rebuilt Callignee Hall and CFA and then onto Mt Tassie where a difficult question tricked us all. We had to give the name of a compass plaque placed on top of the cairn. Apparently, it is called a toposcope. From here we travelled down through a lush valley sided by tall tree ferns and stopped at the Tarra Visitors Centre for morning tea.
Following morning tea we set off again. This is where navigation plans and directions came unstuck. Those who knew the area didn’t really read the directions but took off in the direction they knew they had to go; to Cyathea Falls. Two couples studiously read their instructions and, due to a slight error on the sheet, back tracked until they had that feeling that all was not right. After consultation they were back on track, and we all headed in the same direction.
Eventually we all ended up on Grand Ridge Rd seeking out historical information, flowers, and needing to take note of warnings and signs while being vigilant about other vehicles. Back onto the sealed Monash Way we travelled towards Boolarra where our final questions were centred around the Old Mill Site.
With all the hard work done we drove into the Boolarra Hotel where we enjoyed our lunch and were joined by Wash’s sister and brother-in-law. Wash’s family were visiting to celebrate his 70th Birthday so we wished him a very Happy Birthday.
Meanwhile Alan marked our answers. Alan and Helen had the greatest number of points and won a box of chocolates which they shared around the table, and the privilege of writing the report.
Thank you again Alan and Tonee.
Helen and Alan
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