LROCG CUP WEEK AT JINDABYNE: Compiled by Helen MacRae
Jindabyne 2022 Getting there… The bit by Alan Harlow
Wednesday 26 October
The Harlow’s, Parniaks and MacRaes met at Flynn at 10am to travel in convoy to Jindabyne. The Howells were 30 minutes behind. We stopped at the Stratford bakery for morning coffee and Greg and Lois joined us, during which time the Howells passed us with their new van. After fueling the body, we took off to Bruthen Brewery for lunch. The Howells joined us for lunch, which was a leisurely time as we only had an hour to travel to our first night stop, which was at the Murrungowar Rest Area about 18km past Orbost. This was our 2nd choice as the Cann River camp site was closed due to the wet weather.
The Kerr’s left the day before and stayed in Bairnsdale with friends. Their plan was to travel to Bombala and stay at the caravan park, but they received a phone call from the park manager advising the park was closed due to possible flooding and they were moved to the showgrounds. John checked the Cann River camp on the way through and confirmed the camp was closed.
The first group arrived at Murrungowar around 3pm, and before we could decide on where to park Wash pulled in with us. So, we had 4 vans: the Harlows, Parns, Howells and Wash, with the MacRaes traveling onto Ben Boyd van park in NSW.
The weather was, to say the least, variable but we set up the fire pit and Alan was able to burn wood he has been carrying around since coming back from Queensland. The drinks were opened, and the umbrellas were put up. At one stage the ladies found the rain too heavy so retired to the Harlow’s van for a cup of tea, though as it turned out, the tea came in the form of a red wine which was revealed when the rain stopped, and they returned to the warmth of the fire.
Jindabyne 2022 The bit by Graham “Wash” Shaw
For me it was a drive straight to the Murrungowar Rest Area 17kms east of Orbost arriving just after the rest of the motley crew had stopped and were considering parking options for the night.
Thursday 27 October
Adventure abounds for the short 260km trip to Jindabyne. We set off with Alan leading, followed by Jan, then myself with Ross being Tail-end Charlie. Which was fine except Ross decided he had a couple of last-minute things to do before leaving.
We covered the 60kms to Cann River at a reasonable place and here was me preparing to turn left at the roundabout when Alan decided to turn right, with Jan following. I felt sorry for the poor fellow behind me as I had put on my blinker to turn left before deciding to follow Alan and Jan to the service station to fill up.
Ross had not caught up with us by this time, but we pushed on as he knew where we were heading. The Monaro Highway that follows the Cann River, had developed quite a few potholes following the recent weather making it a bit of a dodgem trip to Bombala. We parked down near the Bombala River and walked up to the Bakery for a bit of morning tea and to wait for Ross to catch up with us. Pies, cakes and coffee were going down well when Ross and Sue finally arrived. A bit of a slow eat and then it was time to continue on.
Not far out of Bombala, we turned off to follow The Snowy River Way where we once again slalomed around potholes. A pleasant drive heading towards a ridge with more than 50 Wind Turbines in sight. And then it was a steepish climb to the top of the ridge and a short time later we reached Dalgety.
About 10kms further on, we once more came to a steep section and I took it easy, travelling in 2nd high at a reasonable pace. Suddenly Jan was coming to a halt in front of me and I quickly slowed almost to a stop on this very steep section of road. Jan moved on and I struggled in 1st gear to keep moving only to almost hit Jan’s caravan again. Allegedly, Colette was having kittens knowing how close I had come to the back of the van. If I had stopped, I would have needed low range just to get moving. We finally made it to the top of the 300 metre climb over something like 2kms. It turned out that Jan had been fiddling with the gears and had chosen higher gears instead of lower gears. Ross said later he travelled in 1st gear most of the way up.
It was an easier drive once up the top, and a short time later, we were booking into the NRMA Jindabyne Holiday Park. The Kerrs and MacRaes, who had come via Cooma, were on site and setting up camp, with the Trimnells looking on, as they had arrived earlier coming down from a lovely NP called Denison Camping Ground located above Lake Eucumbene. We all had great water views of the exceptionally full lake.
Friday 28th October, Liz and Neville Trimnell
Our convoy of 4 cars departed for the Yarrangobilly Caves as per schedule at 9.15am.
Morning coffee stop was at the bakery in Adaminaby, which was very nice.
We drove in and out at Providence Point, then Dennison Camp Ground where Neville & Liz had spent the night of the 26/10. Coming back to the highway, we were pleased that Alan H in the lead car, chose to give way to very big green crane truck. Quote from Alan H, "missed him by that much". It was a careful and successful turn for us all.
Next was the Rest House Sawyers Hill for a quick photo stop, then back on the road before the very big green truck caught up.
Nobody chose to pan for gold as we went over the Eucumbene Creek.
We stopped at Pollock's Creek to read the sign and view the ruins. We were back on the road about 12 noon, where we had a good sighting of a mob of brumbies.
We had lunch at Yarrangobilly watched by lots of kangaroos. Still very cold although the sun came out as we finished lunch.
We paid our cave fee at the visitors centre. After some confusion about which caves to visit, we found our way to the spectacular North & South Glory Caves. The 200 steps out of the caves actually turned out to be 202 steps.
Another Alan H quote, "Follow me you won't get lost". Yeah, right!
Our final stop on way back was Kiandra Courthouse & Chalet which is under restoration, and we only stayed a few minutes as it was very cold & windy again.
Back at camp we enjoyed happy hour & briefing for the next day in the lovely warm recreation room. It didn't take long for all to turn in for an early night.
As we arrived back in camp, we saw Ian Blake erecting his tent right next to the lake, which later in our stay would prove to be a courageous place to camp. Having left home early in the morning he had made good time.
Overall, a great day.
Saturday 29th. October, Sue and Ross Howell
On a cool, sunny morning, at 8.30am all 14 of us walked up to the village to the Parc Café. We walked to the front of the Caravan Park and crossed the highway. A very hearty breakfast was had by all.
Following a late lunch, we set off at 2pm for a lovely drive to Davies Hut situated in the hills above the Gungarlin River. We travelled out from Jindabyne where we turned onto Nimmo Rd, and followed along undulating country, passing farms, until we came to the powerlines. The road narrowed and we continued through a cleared area into the hills, eventually travelling through natural forest, and ending at a camping area on the Gungarlin River. Most of us walked over a bridge crossing the river, and onto a walking track which was about 3kms to Davies hut. The hut was in the open, below the hills, and originally occupied by a pioneering farming family. They endured 3 very cold winters, which made it impossible for them to be successful or happy.
For dinner that evening we walked to the Lake Jindabyne Hotel. This is a very large hotel situated right on the lake with magnificent views through large windows.
Sunday, 30 October 2022, Charlotte Pass via Smiggin Holes and Perisher Village , Alan MacRae
Sunday, 30 October was a fine sunny day which had been a rarity on the trip so far. Since it was fine and sunny, what better idea than to go looking for snow?
So, we did! – three Discovery 4 set off with a total of 11 Passengers - Alan M and Helen together with Wash and Ian, Alan H and Tonee together with Jan and Collette and Neville and Liz together with Sue.
I had arranged this trip for two reasons –
1. My originally planned trip to the Geehi Huts and Major Clewes Hut was cancelled due to maintenance on the Geehi Hut Area, in conjunction with track closures due to the condition of the Track and the depth of the river crossings and the corresponding Parks Track closure.
2. I had always wanted to have a look at Charlotte Pass and what better time.
Charlotte Pass is a snow resort in the Kosciuszko National Park. It is the closest village to Mt Kosciuszko and is nestled in a valley at an elevation of 1,755 metres. It is Australia’s only snow bound resort and claims to have no cars, crowds or long lift queues. Charlotte Pass is named after Charlotte Adams who, in 1881 became the first European woman to Climb Mt Kosciuszko. In the off season, you can drive to the resort but the road terminates on a saddle above the village.
So off we went, directly to Charlotte Pass, having paid our Park’s Pass and therefore only pausing at the Parks Roadblock to get checked out. We did, however, slow down to revel in the sight of a number of superbly presented Morris Minis sitting in a parking bay with the owners and passengers taking the mandatory groups photos.
It was fine and sunny at Charlotte Pass but also windy. The temperature registered in the Disco was 4 degrees which was at least 10 degrees cooler than at Jindabyne. The village was devoid of snow and looked desolate so, no crowds, no long lift queues but plenty of cars at the turn around bay. Heaps of snow there extending into the distance. Since none of us were snow bunnies, it didn’t take us long to take in the view and take our mandatory group photo and decamp back to the cars. Well, most of us did so we waited in a huddle as best we could out of the wind until the full pack had assembled.
So, down to the village. It looked abandoned with snow vehicles and various other vehicles and snow making equipment littering the area. No sign of anything open even though there was a sign at the turnoff promising the availability of food and drinks. Really, no sign of anything that looked welcoming, but I guess it is a ski resort and in the off season, with no snow around it there was nothing to recommend it.
So, off to find a place to have morning tea/lunch. We got as far as Perisher Valley and parked in an enormous carpark the contained only three other vehicles which we decided were derelict. Again, nothing obviously open except a couple of well-hidden toilets and no snow. Again, heaps of management vehicles, snow handling equipment and other out of season vehicles littered the place. With the cars circled as a wind break (as best you can with only three), we downed our vittles and took off down the mountain to warmer climes.
Having seen little sign of life at the larger villages, we didn’t bother stopping in Smiggin Holes, but we did stop at the Jindabyne Surge Tank/Tower and Lookout, marveling at the view – Lake Jindabyne and, for the engineer among us, the exposed water conduit. There is a pumping station on the shore of Lake Jindabyne which pumps against a head of 231.6m, the two pumps each consume 25.4MW with two lower booster pumps each consuming a further 6.7MW. The water flows 1 km up a 3m diameter steel pipeline into the Jindabyne - Island Bend Tunnel and the pipeline from there to the start of the tunnel is underneath this tower. The tower absorbs the kinetic energy of the flowing water as it stops flowing.
Since the whole trip up to this point had only occupied about two and a half hours, we decided to visit the Jindabyne Brewery on the way home. Whilst there, we enjoyed a glass or two of their brewed liquids and sampled their food. Both were pretty good!
Monday, 31st October, Helen MacRae
Lake Jindabyne had white capped waves breaking onto the shore, and the wind had blown with great gusto all through the night. We had had our one and only sunny afternoon the day before. Looking out of the caravan window I could see a beautiful double rainbow, and Ian’s tent flat as a pancake! Fortunately, he was not inside it when it collapsed, but he did have to endure the howling wind, and the splashing of the waves during the night. Later in the morning he shifted further into the caravan park, where he was more sheltered.
As it was a free day Wash went to visit a cousin a couple of hours away, and the Harlows, Parns and MacRaes went to Cooma to meet up with friends from Canberra. The remainder of the group cruised the Jindabyne shops, fished, and spent time playing games in the recreation room. During happy hour final plans were made for Cup Day activities.
Unlike any other year, we were unable to put out our awnings for any length of time, nor sit outside for most of our relaxation activities. We were very fortunate that we had access to the camp kitchen and the recreation room in the park.
Tuesday November 1st, Heather and John Kerr
The freezing day started with John collecting the chickens from Woolies, early in the morning. Then, it was off to the camp kitchen where caterers Heather and Colette were organising food preparations for our Cup luncheon. Many hands made light work with a number of fellow campers coming in to assist. A great team effort and the food was ready.
Alan H proudly showed us a nice sized brown trout he had caught before we all went to the camp recreation room for the all-important Cup horse draw. Alan H was the master extractor of money from the eager crowd ably assisted by Tonee who gladly accepted the money. The horse auction drew many bids with Ross bidding ($59) to draw the favourite and Colette bidding ($45) to draw the second favourite. The next 6 choices were auctioned and Alan H ($55), Neville ($50), John ($40), Heather ($30), Jan ($30) and Colette ($25) drawing the next 6 horses. The other 14 horses were then drawn and distributed amongst the 14 attendees.
Then it was off to the camp kitchen for a wonderful lunch including chicken, corned beef, various salads and desserts…. yummy!
It was then back to the recreation room where we all watched the Melbourne Cup. It was Ross’s lucky day when his horse Gold Trip passed the post first. Ross took a cool $200 for 1st place, Helen $100 for second, Jan $75 for 3rd and Alan H $30 for 4th. Wash kindly donated a bottle of wine for last place which Alan H won.
John then conducted a quiz of three rounds of 20 questions. Three teams of 4 competed and in the end the CANT team (Colette, Alan Mac, Neville and Tonee) won and were presented with a box of chocolates.
Back to the camp kitchen for a hearty tea followed by a tired crew going to bed after an eventful day. Neville and Liz were rewarded for their best dressed efforts with a small chocolate. A fun day had come to an end. Thanks to Heather and Colette for organising the catering. Alan H and Tonee for organising the sweep and John for organising the quiz.
Wednesday November 2nd, Collette and Jan Parniak
Our Wednesday trip was planned by Ross and Sue, up into the Kosciuszko National Park.
For this trip we had 9 takers and 3 vehicles, 1 Defender belonging to Sue and Ross and 2 Discovery’s with Wash hitching a ride with Nev and Liz. Tail-end Charlie were the Parnz with Harlows as passengers. We expected 4 seasons on this day trip; lucky enough most of it wasn’t too severe although quiet cold.
We left the caravan park at 9am and got onto the Barry Way route heading to the Kosciuszko National Park. We travelled for quiet some distance and, then our leader (Ross), shouted over the airways that is the end of the black stuff. The road ahead was now gravel, but it was as good as the bitumen. I’m not sure how far we had travelled but it led to Wallace Craigie Lookout, our first stop. We saw some magnificent views of the mountains, valleys, and the winding road ahead dropping some 1,000 meters give or take a few.
At the bottom of the descent, we saw the Jacob’s River which was flowing at a great pace, and soon after the Jacob’s River was to merge with the Great Snowy River. This view was to die for. It was awesome, with the torrent flowing swiftly, and seeing the vast flooding of the banks into the surrounding low countryside. At approx. 10.30 we stopped at Pinch River camp site for morning tea. After a refreshing stop, the convoy headed to Jacks Lookout, again looking at the magnificent valleys and the Snowy River. Leaving there, our next stop was at Running Water Campsite. This time we viewed the surrounds at river level.
Our next stop was at the Surveyors’ Plaque that indicated the border between N.S.W and Victoria. This Plaque is the point that draws a straight line between the two states to the ocean. By this time, we had a few showers, sunshine and cold winds blowing so we decided to head home stopping for lunch at Pinch Creek.
Heading back to Pinch Creek Ross decided we needed some excitement. Consequently, he led us through a river crossing instead of going over the quaint old bridge which we had done on the way to the border.
Wildlife on the trip: We saw 2 emus, wallabies, a snake and lots of birds. No fish as the water was too murky.
Stopping again at Wallace Craigie Lookout for one final look, one could see Ross’s face glowing for he knew the trip was a great success.
We arrive back at the park at around 4.00pm.
Thursday November 3rd
Ian had left on Wednesday and the remainder of us left on Thursday. Some travelled home in the one day, some did an overnight trip and Liz and Neville went to the coast for a few days before stopping off at the LROCG meeting on their way home.
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