AUSTRALIA - VICTORIA - BEECHWORTH - Lake Samwell, Woolshed Falls, Allen's Flat, Yackandandah - 28 to 31 december 2013

28^th December 2014 Saturday

The next stop, after Stromlo, was Beechworth in Victoria. We camped at Lake Sambell camping area - $24 per night - and then went for a bike ride around part of the lake and through a garden park. Cycling down the steps to the gardens was fun!

29^th December 2014 Sunday

Today, we tackled the Beechworth to Everton rail trail bike ride. The ride down was easy and fast. There was a mountain bike track that followed the bike rail trail path for part of the way allowing for some fun cycling on a narrow and challenging dirt track. We reached Everton station and after a rest it was a 17 kilometre grind back up the hill. That part was hard and not fun! I turned off a few times on the dirt trail and at one stage nearly ran over a brown coloured snake just as I was going around a sharp corner. Luckily, the snake was fast and got out of my way.

distance - 35,92 km
time - 3h 21m
av. speed - 10.7 km/h
max speed - 37.9 km/h
elevation range - 325m

We rested (recovered) for most of the afternoon. Later, we drove to Woolshed Falls for a short hike and a swim/sit in the rock water pools formed by the cascading water. The water was cool and the weather was hot.  The scenery around the falls was rugged and very pretty. Opposite the falls and perched a little higher was a viewing platform.

30^th December 2014 Monday

We drove to Yackandandah and walked the gorge walk, which didn’t really have much of a gorge but it was a nice trail. After that, we walked back to town and walked through the main street. The buildings were old, selling a variety of wares and services from banks to hippy shops. The furniture shop at the lower end of the main street had huge tables and very unusual metal work sculptures.

distance - 3.12km

Later in the afternoon, we drove to Allen’s Flat Lake for a kayak. It was a pleasant and peaceful paddle. I tried a bit of fishing but, as usual, no luck. I did manage to lose my reel off my rod. Luckily, I was able to retrieve it and set it on the rod tighter.

distance - 0.82km
time - 11mins
av. speed - 4.3 km/h

On the way back, we drove along the Gorge scenic drive at Beechworth. Nice short drive with great views at the top. The top area had a large area of sloping plants and smooth rocks.

31^st December 2014 Tuesday

Early in the morning, I dragged and carried the kayak to Lake Sambell while Jacinta was sleeping. It was a pretty and glassy paddle. There were mainly ducks and nice morning views across the lake with mist in some parts.

Later in the morning, we drove to Beechworth Mountain Bike Park. Jacinta and I did the green loop which was easy but challenging in sections. Jacinta continued to do the green loop a number of times getting better on each turn while I did the ‘Mojo’ blue run. It was hard and fun with lots of sharp turns, downhill sections and short uphill grinds.

mojo
distance - 3.51km
time - 18 mins
av. speed - 11.7 km/h
max speed - 21.7 km/h
elevation range - 30m

loop
distance - 1.24km
time - 9 mins
av. speed - 9. km/h
max speed - 19.7 km/h
elevation range - 18m

Later, in the afternoon, we walked through town and booked dinner at the ‘Beechworth Brewery’. We bought a 10 sample beer tray and after testing we decided Beechworth Pale Ale was the one we liked the most. We spent the late afternoon and early evening drinking and eating. We were joined by a couple and their young child from the camping area.