Despite heavy smoke, the view from The Horn in Buffalo National Park was beautiful. This is looking northeast from the top of the 1723 metre Mount Buffalo (The Horn).
As we enter our final few days in the beautiful Albury area I thought it a good time to highlight some of the day trips we enjoyed in the area. With this second house sit in Albury we were incredibly fortunate to have the use of a vehicle which allowed us to vastly increase our exploring of the area.
Our route south down to Mount Buffalo and the Chalet and Gorge.
The route of our eastern trip to Yarrawonga and around Lake Mulwalla.
The route of our trip to Canberra, northeast of us. That was a long day of driving. 3.5 hours each way.
Built in 1910 to resemble the grand railroad hotels built in the Canadian Rockies, The Mount Buffalo Chalet is unfortunately facing an uncertain future.
We had a wonderful day in Mount Buffalo National Park walking up to The Horn on top of Mount Buffalo and checking out the Chalet and Gorge. Unfortunately there was a lot of burning going on in the region so the smoke severely limited the visibility, but still a great day.
The winding road up to Mount Buffalo is a motorcyclists dream.
Great imagination was used when constructing the access path to the Horn on Mount Buffalo. Definitely not handicap accessible.
Even with the smoke the view down the gorge by the Mount Buffalo Chalet was amazing.
The view of the Mount Buffalo Chalet from across The Gorge puts the grandeur of the geography in perspective.
The size of some of the old volcanic rocks littering the landscape in Buffalo National Park are impressive.
We enjoyed some very interesting day trips to local towns as well. We learned about the infamous Ned Kelly (good name to remember if you are ever playing trivia in Australia) and were fortunate enough to witness the fall colours coming to the region.
The town of Beechworth has capitalized on the notoriety of a local criminal, Ned Kelly. The history of this murdering thief who somehow became a national icon is documented in Beechworth, where he was initially jailed after his capture in 1880.
The autumn colours were coming in strong while we were in Beechworth. We sampled the offerings at the excellent Bridge Road Brewers. The beer and pizza are fantastic.
The Beechworth Lunatic Asylum operated from 1867 until it closed it’s doors in 1995.
Just north of Beechworth are Woolshed Falls. It was one of the locations that supplied the massive amounts of gold that caused the establishment of the town of Beechworth in 1853.
This massive fellow waddled up to check us out when we were having a picnic in the park in Yarrawonga beside the Lake Mulwala. He was at least a metre tall as he stood beside us.
This crosswalk in Beechworth clearly sums up where you stand as a pedestrian in Australia. Unless you are in a “Zebra” crossing you had better make sure there are no cars coming. Funny how this seems to work so well. North America could learn from this.
Our longest road trip was a 14 hour day trip to the capital city of Canberra. It was everything one would expect from a capital and the weather only made it that much better. As the country was preparing for their Anzac Day (Remembering and appreciating their military veterans) it was very powerful touring the War Memorial.
At 81 metres high, the flag post on top of the Australian Parliament is the largest stainless steel structure in the southern hemisphere.
We are on the roof of the Parliament building in Canberra with the Old Parliament buildings, The Anzac Parade and the Australian War Memorial stretched out behind us.
Looking up the Anzac Parade from the Australian War Memorial toward the Australian Parliament. The bleachers are for the upcoming Anzac Day celebrations.
The Roll of Honour in the commemorative courtyard where the names of over 102,000 Australians killed in conflicts since 1885 are inscribed in bronze.
Australian Police Memorial in the heart of Canberra beside the National Carillon and Lake Burley Griffin. The names of over 750 Police Officers are listed.
There are inscriptions in the stonework of quotes from family members of fallen Police Officers.
The Australian Mint is celebrating the 50 anniversary of the introduction of decimal currency.
Another brilliant experience was visiting the Bonegilla Migrant Experience museum. This was just a short drive from where we were living, but it was like stepping back in time to see how post World War 2 migrants were processed and treated when they arrived in Australia. A must see sight if possible, especially if your family had to make a choice between Australia and Canada between the 50’s and 70’s.
The heritage site of “Bonegilla Migrant Experience” is a powerful museum portraying the initial life of migrants arriving in post WW2 Australia.
One of the recreated bedrooms in the bunkhouses that served as a temporary home for arriving migrants.
Block 19 is the only surviving block of the 24 blocks of buildings in Bonegilla that saw 320,000 migrants pass through it’s doors as they arrived in Australia.
The last thing I would like to share was some of the cycling in the area. The great path system and wonderful weather made cycling a great way to see things.
Taking a break during our bike ride along Lake Hume. I found the skeletons of the flooded trees sticking out of the water rather creepy.
These dilapidated rail cars were at an abandoned siding at Huon beside Lake Hume.
Lakeside camping at Huon on Lake Hume
The 600 metre long Sandy Creek Rail Bridge is part of the High Country Rail to Trail system. It appears a little odd with no water in this end of Lake Hume.
At less than 20% of it’s capacity, Lake Hume provides an interesting landscape to cycle through.
The entrance to the Wonga Wetlands just west of Albury.
Fall is quickly settling in here. The pathways through the Wonga Wetlands provided an amazing setting to enjoy the transition.
There were several very well maintained hides for observing birds strategically placed throughout the Wonga Wetlands.
The water level was very low throughout the wetlands. A beautiful area to explore.
We were able to enjoy a gorgeous day at the Albury Botanical Gardens enjoying a free concert in the sunshine by Emma Pask, an Australian jazz vocalist.
It has been a fantastic time here in Albury, NSW and it is safe to say we enjoyed every minute. But now for new adventures. Getting packed up and heading toward Sydney later this week.
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