Well, I won't call this a ride because it was more like a tour, seeing as though it was over 6 days and well over 2000 kilometres. A couple of the days caught me by surprise as far as finishing time were concerned, because although I tried to limit the daily kilometres travelled to around 400 km, I didn't take in to account that the roads across the Alpines would take so much longer due to the very tight corners and incredible sights. And you just have to stop for photos because some of the sights were just too incredible to describe. As expected. Robocop excelled and averaged 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres.
This ride was inspired by a good friend we met in Europe who has property in Mansfield, Victoria. We promised that we would visit him and experience the Victorian Alpine area wile we were there. He also was kind enough to drive us around his huge property and show us an excellent example of an Australian sheep farm.
Video part 1
Video part 1
Day 1: Map (433 kms travelled)
This morning we met at the Crossroads truck stop, just outside Liverpool, at 8:00 am where we fuelled up ready for the trip south. Today's trip was purely a transport day to get to the great riding areas down south.
After a break in Goulburn. we continued on to Tarago, where we stopped for a drink at the "Loaded Dog" pub, which is for sale by the way.
Ugly lot aren't they?
When we reached Lake Jindabyne, we headed to the shores for a pic.
As usual, we chose "Mad Moose's" as our accommodation for the night.
Our babies parked up for the night.
Our first night in Jindabyne, was spent socialising at the local Bowling Club for dinner and drinks to set the mood for the rest of the tour. All was going well, even though Jalal decided that he and I were going to hit the hard stuff. (Bloody Russians)
Day 2: Map (445 kms travelled)
After a good night's sleep, we packed our bikes ready for the trip ahead. Today promised some top riding roads where Cathy and I have not ridden before.
Here our good friend Ed cleans all our wind shields.
Martin tightening his box.
Susan and Cathy supervising their men.
Ok, bikes packed, time for brekky at the local bakery. As you can see the sun was out, which made for a beautiful crisp Alpine morning.
Ed approaching Pilot's lookout.
And Lance.
Let's not forget Graham.
Here, Ed takes a pic of Cath and I, with Martin and Susan following, winding down the road down to Khancoban.
Parked up to enjoy the scenery.
The actual lookout.
Smile girls! Oh hang on, they are.
Here we approach one of my favourite spots in the area.
I simply love the wooden bridge crossing this perfect alpine stream.
Bloody Graham, anything for attention.
A rose between two thorns? Ok, maybe not.
You can camp at this site and here we have a great camp BBQ.
Eventually, we reach the tiny village of Khancoban, where we refuel and grab a snack.
Eventually, we arrive in Whitfield, Victoria where we stop for a break at the Mountain View Hotel.
A perfect way to rest. A cool drink and a chat with friends.
From this pub, we have just 61 kilometres to travel to Mansfield.
Between Whitfield and Mansfield, we come across Power's Lookout Reserve.
The scenery all through the alpine area simply doesn't give up.
Looking down from the lookout.
Here we arrive in Mansfield to the High Country Holiday Park where we spend the next 2 nights.
This is the cabin we shared with Ed.
After showering and getting out of our riding gear, we head for the pub for dinner and meeting up with our mate Dick and his wife Jenny.
Lovely down town Mansfield.
Tonight we had dinner at the Delatite Hotel.
But first a cool drink or two before dinner. Dick and Jenny are front left in the pic and it was great getting together with them. Dick organised a ride with 2 of his mates for the next day. Nothing beats local knowledge I say.
Day 3: Map (157 kms travelled)
Today we start by meeting Dick and his mates at the local cafe for breakfast, before heading off.
The Coffee Merchant serves the best coffee I've ever tasted and the breakfast was really tasty.
Our good friend Dicky.
It was great to spend time with him again.
A group shot before we head off, but Ed,Susan and Graham leave us to do some high country horse riding.
We are taken along a local dirt road that offers superb views over Lake Eildon.
Our bike was at home on this dirt road, although we still had to have our wits about us.
Dick shows us a plaque with the names of the men who built this road.
Another stop along the way.
An opportunity for a pic with Dicky.
Here we take a break in Eildon.
The cockatoos are quite friendly here.
They even pose for photos.
Polly wanted a cracker, but he didn't get one from us.
After our break we headed for Eildon Dam.
The dam is what forms Lake Eildon, funnily enough.
A little further' we come across another great view across the lake.
Nearing the end of the circuit of Lake Eildon we arrive in the town of Jamieson for lunch.
After lunch, we headed back with Dicky for a tour of his property, while some of the others rode to Mount Buller.
As if Dicky wasn't busy enough with his sheep and cattle, he was also in to creating these weird and wonderful contraptions.
A monster bike perhaps?
Here he takes us through the shearing shed.
He looks right at home with his sheep.
No sheep property is complete without its dogs to help out.
He is also passionate about the history of his property. Note all the old memorabilia hanging on the wall.
A few of the shearing stations where the sheep come out the doors then slide down the lower shoots after they've been sheared.
The outside pen.
To our surprise, he also has a heard of Elk Deer.
Dinner time.
The size of the male's horns were impressive.
It was then on for a tour of the property in the 4wd.
The Broken River passes through his farm but isn't flowing at the moment.
This steep hill was exciting to climb. It was very steep and the pic doesn't do it justice.
The view half way up at the gate.
Up top he has built this cabin that overlooks the property for miles.
The surrounding views were impressive to say the least.
It was also quite windy up there, but refreshing.
Back at the shearers quarters, Dick shows us some pics of scenes from the "Man from Snowy River" movies 1 and 2 and explains that he was one of the riders in the scenes depicted, along with some of his mates. I tell you, this bloke never ceases to amaze me.
Day 4: Map (300 kms travelled)
Today, Graham, Martin and Susan, left us to return home while Lance took a route further south through Victoria to meet Ed, Cathy and I back in Omeo in the afternoon. Ed and ourselves rode back to Whitfield then ventured on approximately 30 kms of good dirt road past Buffalo Dam and in to Myrtleford.
We meet once again a the cafe for breakfast before saying our goodbyes and heading off.
In Whitfield we stop for a quick break and to confirm directions before continuing on.
Ed handled the cruiser very well on the unsealed road and didn't seem to phase him.
These signs about half way.
The BMW was right at home on this track, easily sitting on 70 - 80 kms/hr on the straights.
Here we stop to check if we are travelling in the right direction. We were, by the way.
The worst thing about this road were the inconsiderate morons racing through in their 4wds, covering us in dust on the way past.
As with a lot of dirt roads, the scenery is superb along the way.
At last we get back on sealed road just as Lake Buffalo comes in to sight.
Again, more beautiful scenery makes the dust worth it.
An old cattle yard.
To my surprise, pelicans basking in the sunshine.
A little closer.
The lake borders Mount Buffalo National Park.
Here we cross the Lake Buffalo Dam wall.
Close up of the gate.
So pristine and used for water recreation as well as a water supply.
Cath and Ed looking over the wall.
The flow from the dam.
When we reach Myrtleford, we take a break in the local park.
From Myrtleford, we head on to Mount Beauty and find this great look out.
Group shot.
Again, the scenery is great.
Looking down to the town of Tawonga.
Our bike taking a break in the shade.
On our trip back over the other side, I spy this spring but it was dry unfortunately, unlike what we experienced in the European Alps in July.
The road was fun though.
Here, Ed waits patiently at the bottom of the hill.
155 kms of full on mountain windy roads to Omeo at this point.
Here we check out a picturesque gorge in Bogong.
A great place to visit with this little bridge crossing another cool mountain stream.
There was a family taking a dip in the water when we arrived.
I would've like to take my boots off and put my feet in, but we were quickly running out of time.
Falls Creek Resort.
Stay Robocop! Good girl.
Just below the car park, I spot these beautiful Alpine flowers.
Just out side Falls reek we come across the Rocky Valley lake. Another awesome sight.
A sample core from the dam's construction.
Robocop poses for her portrait.
Ed, Cath and Ed's cruiser.
Look! there's us.
the road through this area was stunning and up there with the best.
There goes Ed.
We also come across this group of horses, trekking through the area.
A little closer.
Eventually we meet up with the Omeo Highway with 41 kms to Omeo.
This intersection overlooks the Big River which we follow most of the way through to Omeo,
Looking back toward the road we came from.
Ed goes for a closer look but discovers a black snake in the long grass.
Eventually, we make it in to the town of Omeo and funnily enough, Lance arrives at about the same time after taking a totally different route.
The Golden Age Motel where we spend the night.
As we usually do, Cathy and I take an afternoon walk through town to see what it has to offer. This is the Court House.
The old Commercial Bank.
The Hill Top Hotel at the other end of town.
Down town Omeo.
Like most of the buildings in town, the post office is in excellent condition and a pleasure to see.
Day 5: Map (348 kms travelled)
Once again, we are greeted on day 5 of our tour with an excellent crispy morning which makes for perfect riding conditions.
Sunrise over Omeo, looking from the pub's verandah.
The pub's verandah.
Even the street lamps ad to the character of the town.
The pub in all its glory in the morning sun.
A great view of the road heading out of town.
Close up. This pub is in excellent repair and the meals are good too.
The reception booth.
Most pubs serve breakfast as part of the accommodation cost but for just $80 Cathy and I got a clean comfortable room and a buffet breakfast!
Our final breakfast together. This morning Lance and Ed made their way back home while Cath and I rode to visit our son Phillip and his girlfriend Lexy and her family in Tarcutta.
The bikes drying the dew in the morning sun before we leave.
The Great Alpine Road leads us out through Mount Hothem.
Mount Hothem Resort.
Note the ski lift in the back ground. No shortage of those here.
The views around the resort were spectacular.
This section of the road winds along the top of the ridge for kilometres and was simply breathtaking.
Thanks for this one Ed.
At the bottom of the mountains we ride in to Harietville.
Another picturesque Alpine Village.
And all these pics taken in the information booth car park.
Ed taking a picture of me taking a picture of him.
The whole area was also famous for its gold mining in the past.
This old log cart perfectly preserved.
Almost entirely made of timber. Incredible to see.
Here we ride in to Tarcutta and our first stop was the pub for a couple of cold beers.
More country town character.
After we freshened up at the Motel, Phillip and Lexy picked us up and took us for a tour on the family property after meeting her parents. Lovely family by the way.
This area is called the lookout and the view from up here is amazing.
Another angle.
And another.
My boy with his gorgeous girl, Lexy.
This cow wouldn't moooove.
The family has horses on the property and Phillip seems right at home.
Gorgeous animals.
Ok, so why wouldn't he feed the dogs when he was home???
Well done mate.
Lexy with an orphaned calf.
I think they're looking for more Phil.
In the evening we shared a BBQ with Lexys family and friends. It was a great experience to meet new people and it was great to see my boy fit in so well out in the country.
Day 6: Map (392 kms travelled)
All good things come to an end and today saw us leaving for home. This is the room we had at the Halfway Motor Inn, Tarcutta. This Motor Inn offers excellent rooms for just $80 and includes a great breakfast in the restaurant. Unbeatable value.
This was the longest tour yet and we enjoyed it very much once again. Apart from the excellent scenery and roads, we always enjoy the friends we ride with and the new people we meet on our trips. Always looking forward to the next one.
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