Gold Escort Route – November
The old Gold Escort route was established in 1852 to transport gold found by South
Australia miners at the Mount Alexander goldfields safely back to the banks in Adelaide.
Alexander Tolmer was given the task of finding a safe route and the first gold escort
left Victoria on 5 March 1852 carrying 150 kg of gold. Eventually 18 trips were made ending in December 1853 with 328,509oz of gold transported back to South Australia. We followed the main route but also did parts of the alterative routes.
Day one of the trip saw us start at Jane Duff Highway Park with a lovely billabong. The day included silo art, tracks through the Little Desert and crossing the Murray River at Tailem Bend on the ferry.
One of the old Gold Escort route marker we located along the route.
Day two of the trip we travelled from Wellington, crossing the Murray on the ferry and ending the day at Tintinara. Along the way we found 6 gold escort markers and visited Pangardena Botanical Gardens and the old Tintinara Station Woolshed.
Day Three of the trip started from our camp-site at Lake Indawarra in Tintinara. We found several of the Gold Escort Route markers and travelled some great country roads. We camped the night at Horseshoe Bend in the Little Desert National Park, near Dimboola.
Day four of the trip we continued to follow the Gold Escort route. We visited Murtoa’s amazing Stick Shed, Glenorchy street art and a quirky but beautiful garden. We finished the day at Avoca with Silo art and another quirky garden.
The last day of the trip saw us visit the Maryborough railway station and find the last 3 markers. We finished our trip at Castlemaine. We have had a great trip, saw interesting country and a had a great group of club members to travel with.
Post Farina – 14 July-13 August
Beyond Farina – 14-28 July
After a week of volunteering at Farina, South Australia, some members of the club left to explores theses areas. Aroona Dam at Leigh Creek, Italowie Gap on the way to Arkaroola. At Arkaroola we explored the Mount Jacob Backtrack, the Pinnacles, Bolla Bollana Springs and then the ruin of the Bolla Bollana Smelters and the Station Backtrack.
Grindell’s hut which is located in the Gammon Ranges, Wurtupa Loop track, Mainwater Well on the Idninha track. Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole, Old Illinawortina ruins, Four Mile track and the Idninha Outstation ruins.
After this the club members went to explore the Flinders Ranges, first staying at Merna Mora station, then Edeowie Station and finally Mt Little Station. Great 4WD tracks to explore in this area: Bunyeroo 4wd loop, Bunyeroo Gorge, and Hookina Track.
There were lots of spectacular views from lookouts, amazing variety of bird life, the changing of colours in the sunset, and provided some great video and photo opportunities.
Volunteering at Farina – 6-13 July
Pre Farina – 25 June-6 July
Healesville/Donna Buang/Starlings Gap – 27 April
Long Lead – 29 March-1 April
Camp Host Murrinindi – 9-11 March
Mt Terrible Jamieson – 23-25 February
Lardner Park 4WD Show – Sunday 18th February
Our club had a stand at the show this year. The benefit of having a stand is that we get to promote our club to persons who attend the event.
We were lucky enough to have our stand at the entrance/exit gate where everyone had to go through.
Welcome Back BBQ – 14 February