TRIP REPORTS
Leaving SBR we then headed for Henry (Harry) Power’s
Lookout and lunch. Here we learn more about another
famous Bush ranger and his hideout overlooking the
valley below. Harry kept an ear out for the valley farm
dogs barking and Peacock calls whenever visitors arrived.
Unfortunately for Harry they didn’t perform when it was
raining and the police arrived to arrest him.
The Irish-born bushman Henry (Harry) Power, was said to
have been a protégé of sorts to a teenager -Ned Kelly;
and escaped from Pentridge Prison in 1869. Power was a
fearless and daring rider and bushman, but never killed
police or his victims. He broke from prison several times,
defied the police in the Ovens District for a decade and
was finally convicted through an informer.
It’s said that when the police found him asleep in his
hideout, he offered them tea before being arrested!
Years later his body was found in the Murray River near
Swan Hill where he died 'on or about 11 October 1891
from a supposed drowning mishap. His fondest for the
bottle may have been a contributing factor.
The drive home to Mansfield saw pleasant. Sujeevan and
friend headed back home after saying our good byes.
Monday 28th January
Our final trip was to Lake Eildon NP and Stillman Plateau.
Leaving at 9:30 we proceeded down Mansfield Woods
Point road before turning onto Goughs Bay Road. A quick
reckie around the town before proceeding onto Walshs
Road saw us soon encountering head on stream of
vehicles leaving the numerous campsites along this road,
heading for home. Soon the dust clouds and potential
head on crashes was a risk I wasn’t prepared to take for
much longer. The plan for the Trip was quickly reversed
as we TL onto the SEC road and the transmission lines.
Once on the Highett Ridge track we TL onto Stillman
Track. This a is a ridge track as well with wonderful views
back over Lake Eildon. I was on the lookout for the Eildon
Boat Club which is the largest inland boating club in
Australia. I have a friend who has a house boat moored
in its Anderson Harbour. Dreaming of days of my youth
camping at Candlebark Campsite and fishing on the other
side of the Lake from where we were. Lunch was at Mt
Enterprise before starting the steep down hill run to
Plantation Road and the long haul back around to Walsh
Road. Most camp sites had cleared out. Further along we
got caught up with several vehicles with Vans and trailers
ahead of us , and the DUST again!.. That didn’t stop one
idiot that he thought could pass all the traffic passing
thru dust totally blind. Soon he realised that wasn’t such
a good idea and rejoined the queue back to Goughs Bay.
At Goughs Bay we thought that a short cut was the Go,
being avid 4WDérs and all. So off we went on a really
nice drive thru very parched country side to Monkey
Gully Rd off Howes Creek Road, back into Mansfield. We
were not done for the day however and decided to go up
to the PAPS north and south. Neil had trouble with his
car over heating at the Nth Pap. The Disco drove up the
very steep rocky section to get right on top, much to
amazement of some locals. But then again, the Traction
Control of the Disco is just something again.
Dinner was to join Paul Hicks at the Mansfield pub. Next
morning we said our good byes. Neil wanted to stay on a
bit longer such as the good time he was having after he
moved into one of their deluxe cabins forsaking his tent.
Gordon was the 1st to depart camp but I never caught up
with him. I think his new 15 ft pop top van tows very
easily, and quickly!
PS – it was sad to hear that a few weeks later lightening
strikes had set fire to the Howqua Hills, Steiner and
Mitchells Trks. At the time of writing this report it is a
very large bush fire and still out of control in a RNA whilst
it is heading north as well towards Howqua Hills Historic
area and Sheep Yard Flats. The southern edge of the fire,
on Labour Day weekend, is very close to the old
homestead ruins on the east side of the track; the gorge
area wont be far away to the west. Several weeks ago
the camp areas were heavily over grown with dried grass
so that area will be razed very swiftly.
According to the Emergency Vic app over 2200 Ha have
already been burnt out. The Alpine National Park
(Western area) and Howqua Hills Historic Area from
Sheepyard Flat Bridge are closed until further notice. The
fire is extending through the Alpine NP and now is
burning into The Governers RNA. I would anticipate the
fire will take off up hill heading towards The Governor
and Mt Darling. The Remote and Natural Area (RNA), like
the Avon WP, has only 2 poorly maintained steep rough
(personal experience many years ago) walking tracks
(Eagles peak from Mt Darling and Lickhole Trks) so I can’t
see any way the CFA can stop the fire’s march through
some tough steep country until it hits Low Saddle Rd to
the south and Brocks Road to the east of The Governor
and Mt Darling, with no rain forecast for weeks.
Ross G Wines 575