The loop is roughly about 1 500 km so a long weekend is the
minimum amount of time one should spend on it, but a whole week would be
better. Any town along the way is a good stopover for a night or two with
Mildura, Horsham and Ballarat having the most to offer. However we opted to
camp in the national parks at designated camp sites with toilet facilities
and camp provisions. A majority of Australian NPs offer such sites for
little or no money at all. Not only is it a cheap alternative to motel/B&B
accommodation, but it's the best way to experience the nature and inhabiting
wildlife.
The fog lifts off the single-lane Calder highway in the
first few minutes of daylight.
Sunrise over the farms surrounding Calder highway. It is
worth pulling over for a few minutes just to take in this majestic daily
routine in a tranquil setting.
Early morning hours at Lake
Tyrrell. It is Victoria's largest salt lake covering 20 860 hectares out of
which three quarters is a wildlife reserve. In addition to this, the
1977-78's study of the lake's lunette yielded 137 Aboriginal cultural sites
including hearths, stone scatters and burials (oldest one recorded at 2 300
years old). The lunette is not clearly visible in these photographs, but it
is situated directly opposite the viewing platform from which these photos
were taken. What's more, you can see emus and kangaroos frequenting this
area on most occasions.
About 35 km from the Calder and Mallee Highways intersection
(towards Mildura on Calder Hwy) is the eastern entrance to the Murray-Sunset
NP and a little more above that is the western entrance to Hattah-Kulkyne NP
and park lake with camping sites and other facilities.
Eastern part of Murray-Sunset NP. The vegetation consists
mostly of brushwood, stunted forest growth and shrub which inhabits various
mammals, birds, reptiles and truckloads of insects.
The Nowingi iron clad tank is a functional tank serving as a
back-up supply to the local fire-fighters. It was a good spot for a quick
outdoor breakfast and a coffee as there was a table with benches set up near
by. However the rusting heap of scrap metal seen in the background of centre
photo dampened the beauty of the site.
The last touristy thing to stop for and have a look at before Mildura is Big
Lizzie and her remaining trailer in Red Cliffs. Display boards tell a brief
history of its use and specifications, the most interesting fact stating the
machine's normal operating speed of only 1.6 km/h and a turning radius of 61
metres!
Sturt highway bridge in Mildura that connects Victoria with
New South Wales and sits on the Murray river.
Flora surrounding the Hugh King Drive.
Mildura city centre. From top row, moving left to right:
Corner of Eight Street and Langtree Avenue, Eight Street, Orange Avenue,
corner of Lime Avenue and Ninth Street, fountain on Deakin Avenue and
Langtree Plaza which bears a striking resemblance to Smith Street Mall in
Darwin (Northern Territory). The city centre can be easily covered in 30-45
minutes on foot while enjoying the quiet music on the city's PA system. It
gives an impression of a somewhat tropical setting with palms trees
scattered around the whole town. One can't help but to compare it to a
cleaner and tidier version of Cairns (Queensland).
River Road in NSW by the Murray river – an alternative to a
portion of Silver City Highway. Apart from access to
the botanical gardens, this road hasn't got much more to offer.
Silver City Highway by the Murray river in NSW. Vast plains,
dry red earth and low lying vegetation stretch out to the horizon.
Abbotsford bridge in Curlwaa is the closest western link back
to Victoria from Sturt Highway bridge.
Much of the way along Paruna Road is plain and dull. The
highlight of this leg of the trip was the spotting of two emus on a road
side farm. It's hard to photograph them properly before they sprint into
oblivion like Road Runner.
Venus in the early evening skies over Paruna Road in South
Australia. The absence of light pollution and 360 degrees of unobstructed
field view in this area provide some of the best views of Southern skies
including Milky Way galaxy disk, Magellanic Clouds and of course The Crux.
Railway South Terrace in Pinnaroo is the main street of this
small South Australian town roughly situated halfway between Loxton and
Bordertown. Neat public garden with a fallen pine tree and concrete bench
and table was the perfect place for another outdoor breakfast.
The Pertendi loop track in the Ngarkat conservation park
looks much the same – endless mallee in every direction. However this park
is home to a plethora of wildlife including over 120 species of birds. Keep
an eye out for spider-webs stretched right across the walking path though.
At the beginning (which is also the end) of the path is a campsite with
ample space and camp fire provisions. A small park fee is applicable.
Bordertown's centre, from left to right: North Terrace,
Soldiers Park and Woolshed street.
A flock of very loud sulphur-crested cockatoos.
Mt Arapiles from Natimuk Frances Road.
View of Mitre Rock, Mitre lake and surrounding planes off Mt Arapiles
summit, 369 metres above sea level.
And finally the sunset off Mt Arapiles summit.
