DONALD Vic

  The locals of Donald are obviously very proud of their town and friendly, a few waving welcome as I took photos in the main street.Donald is on the Richardson River named after William Donald, a Scottish pastoralist who was the first settler in the area in 1844. At the 2006 census Donald had a population of 1,697. The earliest township was known as Richardson Bridge until surveyed as Donald in 1866. The Donald Post Office opened in 1870. The town grew steadily boosted by the closer settlement of the surrounding countryside and the arrival of the railway in 1882. Donald  became famous on 26 September 2006 when it was the scene of the Borung Highway collision in which seven people died. Unfortunately, the town has been the victim of floods three times in the last year, with the most severe in January 2011. Major floods also occurred in August 1909, 1918, 1956, 1975 and 1992. In contrast, the area suffered a major drought period in the 1990s and 2000s, significantly impacting the community which primarily relies on crop farming to survive.
(Click on a photo to enlarge)

WYCHEPROOF and LAKE WOOROONOOK Vic

  Wycheproof was a place where I stopped for a lunch break as I continued to travel through NW rural Victoria along the Calder Hwy towards my intended final destination of Greens Lakes.
  As of the 2006 census, it had a population of 686. The name, Wycheproof, originates from an aboriginal word meaning 'grass on a hill', referring to Mount Wycheproof just off the Calder Highway, which is the smallest registered mountain in the world, standing at 148 metres (486 ft) above sea level or 43 metres (141 ft) above the surrounding plains. The economy of Wycheproof is driven mainly by wheat.The railway from Bendigo and Korong Vale reached the area in 1883. The township was established beside the railway and the Post Office opened on 1 April 1884 replacing earlier offices from 1876 serving the rural area named Wycheproof (renamed to Moffat) and Mount Wycheproof.] The last regular passenger service though the local railway station was from Bendigo to Sea Lake on 7 May 1977. The town is unusual in that even today the railway line runs in the centre of the main street. Wycheproof is a gentle place with an ageing population I assumed as most of those in the main street, at least while I was there, were elderly.

(Click on a photo to enlarge)

This thing was BIG, the wheels were abput 2 metres in dia.

  Just a few kms down the road, Lake Wooroonook, a recreational fresh water lake ideally situated for a overnight stay. Unusually there was power available as well as an amenities block. Payment is via an "Honesty Box", $10 per night for power and $5 without. A good place to keep in mind if exploring these parts.

MOONRISE OVER LAKE TYRRELL Vic

  It started out as just a roadside sleepover overlooking Lake Tyrrell, a Salt Lake far in the distance and ended with a bonus. I happened to glance through the side window of the Hiace to witness the moon as it rose spectacularly over the Lake. Quickly grabbing the camera I managed to get a few shots. The quality is not the greatest I know but was the best that I could do. I think that a good moonrise may be more impressive than a sunrise and is certainly less common.
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HATTAH - KULKYNE NATIONAL PARK Vic

  I decided not to continue following the Murray any further as I had previously travelled from Mildura to Echuca earlier in the year and wanted a new experience. So instead, I ventured SE through rural Vic for 85 kms to the Hattah - Kulkyne National Park camping area. If you like isolated bush camping as I do, then you will like it here. A number of individual sites have been set up, each with a table and fire pit (no wood collection is allowed so bring your own). It was easy to find a secluded spot next to what looked like either a dry lake or river bed. This is not a free camp, in fact it was ridiculously expensive with the "honesty box" declaring that the cost was $19.80 per night per vehicle for up to 6 people! How come it costs $19.80 for one person and $3.30 for each if in a group of 6? After all there was only a drop toilet, which I didn't use, well away from most sites. Anyway, I reckon National and State Parks should be free for use by the Public as we all own the bush. As no Ranger showed up while I was there, I decided to send a cheque in the mail, when I get around to it. Although I am sure that you would find some enjoyment in staying here, I suggest that there are better and indeed cheaper places around.

Why is there a white ball way out in the middle of the lake bed?

I just had to find out. It turned out to be a water level recorder.