Echuca, Victoria.

We haven't travelled a lot of distance since our last Blog Entry but there was a fair bit going on! Our best thought out plans were going astray one after another. Well, it makes life interesting doesn't it?

After Barmah Lakes we had planned on going into Christies Beach, not far out of Echuca. On our drive into the river we saw a camper whom we had met earlier in our travels. This fellow camper advised us that Christies Beach is a beautiful position on the river but is marred by several groups of feral permanent campers who run amok at night. Sadly destroying the harmony for peaceful temporary campers. 

After looking at other Free Camp sites around Echuca that also weren't suitable to us, we drove down to the Old Field Days Site near Elmore. This is a large well looked after camping area alongside The Campaspe River. We had a couple of days to fill in before our Mazda BT50 was booked in for a Service at Echuca.

We eventually booked into a Caravan Park in Echuca as we needed to meet up with some friends we had when we lived in the area. We also had a surprise meeting with Judy's Brother, Lindsay, and Sister-in-Law Linda. They didn't know we were in Echuca and we didn't know that they were going to visit either.

Echuca is known for it's old port area and it's Paddle Steamers. This is PS Emmylou with PS Hero passing in the background.

PS Canberra tied to it's wharf.

PS Pevensey also travels the waters of The Murray.

Linda, Lindsay and Judy alongside the old Barge, Alison.

Walking through the Old Port Area of Echuca takes you back to another era. Coach Rides are available for Hire.

Cutting and Milling River Red Gums was an important industry back in history.

One of the old Iron Archways from The River Murray Bridge. Just outside the Echuca CBD.

Campaspe River Rest Area

Once more we get on the road very early to avoid the high temperatures and gusty easterlies.

Made Hughenden for morning tea, refuelled, had a look at the RV camping area for possible future stays. The RV area is in The Showgrounds and looks very good, with green grass and well maintained facilities. There is a fee involved though. Made camp at The Campaspe River RA, 90 kms west of Charters Towers on the Flinders Highway. We have stayed here before and on this occasion we were able to camp in the exact same location, behind a huge mango tree that blocked out most of the highway noise. However, the downside was the extra long freight trains thundering past only 35 metres away ---- not too many of those though. I only heard two trains during the night, one, I thought was coming through the van door!

Photograph taken early morning, from beside the rail line looking towards our camp and the Flinders Highway beyond.

The rail trestle over the Campaspe River. The river bed does not have any water, only truck loads of sand!

More photographs of the Campaspe River here on a previous post.  http://avantouring.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/campaspe-river-rest-area-sat-7th-sun.html