Australia Day Weekend in the

Brindabella Ranges

Left home at 4.45am after having been up since 3.30am. Half way to our meeting point at Pheasants Nest, Keith realised he had left the van keys at home, so back we went. Cause it wasn’t his fault! Laura & I had packed the van the night before, hung the keys up on their hook, as we should, but apparently we should have put them with Grumpy’s keys.

 

Anyway back on the road we finally arrived at Pheasants Nest at 6.30 am & as we were very late we didn’t have time for a cuppa, which didn’t impress me much.

 Ian & Margaret epitomised Australia Day, dressed in their Aussie T-Shirts, with their car adorned patriotically with Aussie flags.

Laura hadn’t eaten before we left home, so after some very “curt” service she finally drank in her words her “worst ever” hot chocolate, along with a bacon & egg muffin, the cost of which left Faye, who had bought one for Phillip, aghast.

 After a visit to the filthy loos we were at last on the road to Canberra, prompting me to comment to Grumpy that we could have easily made a cuppa. Not so according to Keith who was still cranky that we had arrived last, although we were the Trip Leaders.

 

Faye attempted to get everyone in the spirit of the day by playing Australiana songs over the CB.

 A couple of hours down the track, after a few gentle hints from Faye, supported by me we pulled into Lake George for morning tea, took in the great views & watched a hang glider attempt to become airborne

Back on the road we managed to find our way through Canberra following Keith’s mud map, reinforced by Mark’s “Nav Lady’s” directions. Travelling a short distance we found Brindabella Rd which eventually turned to dirt as it passed through Piccadilly Circus, turning right we found what was to become known over the weekend as the “not so Gentle Annie Track”. This steeply undulating track prompted Keith & I to wonder whether we would make it out with our Jayco “off-road camper van” at the end of the weekend.

 

We were to discover that after about four or five hours driving, our final destination for the weekend was worth every bit of “Gentle Annie’s” roughness. “Flea Creek”, who knows where it got that name from, we were to discover later was the preferred spot to camp or visit for the day by the “locals” from Canberra. It was an open area beside the Goodradigbee River, which was like camping in paradise, with crystal clear water cascading over the rocks.

On arrival we discovered that the trip in over” Annie’s” supposedly gentle track had bent the van spare wheel bracket & the step, easily fixable according to Grumpy.

After setting up camp we had lunch & decided to go for a drive to investigate our options other than “Annie” for our departure on Monday. Not long after leaving the clear skies of Flea Creek “someone” pulled the plug & she came bucketing down. We had left every window in our van fully opened as you do on a nice day & as there was no quick route home we knew we were in for a wet night.  

Along the way we ventured up Cooee Mountain which housed a fire watch tower, affording us 360 degree views & many photographic opportunities over Canberra & beyond.

On our return we discovered that our van & George’s tent were the only casualties, as everyone else had sensibly zippered up before we left. Luckily the weather was warm & we had some spare blankets. After mopping up we had a few drinks before sitting down to Ian’s Chicken Kebabs, Chips & Salad.

 Washing up over & the fire glowing, the marshmallows appeared before one by one we called it a night.

After a wet night, Sunday dawned with clear skies & the promise of a great day ahead.

 Breakfast prepared & cooked by Ian & Margaret over & the dishes done, we set off for McIntyre’s hut, built on the banks of the river by the owner of the land.  We had to wait however for George to finish washing his vehicle in the run off from the river, before we set off. After meandering up & down an often very windy track we arrived at the site of the hut which McIntyre built, in time for morning tea. Back at camp, after lunch, we had our first chance to explore the mighty Goodradigbee.

 The river, although magic & pretty tricky to manoeuvre in parts, was well worth the risk. However there were a couple of casualties along the way, Grumpy & Gerry’s bruises from the rocks, Keith’s can of Jim Beam, which Ian went down river to find & along the way met a fly- fisherman for a chat & Laura’s toe ring.

After we had savoured the delights of the now obvious, by the numbers of passing traffic, “locals” favourite water hole, Mark & Keith (Grumpy) decided that they would venture up “Gentle Annie” to see if she was as ferocious on the uphill climb. They happily returned in time for “happy hour” to report that they thought we would have a much easier trip out in the morning.

 Recapping the events of the day whilst relaxing around the fire & several drinks later we called it a night.

 Monday morning or “pack-up day” seemed to appear in no time at all & after a great hot brekkie prepared by Ian & Margaret once again, we packed up & hit the road. Mark went ahead of Keith & I to pave the way, as we were the most vulnerable, however it appeared to be much easier than the way in, although we bottomed out many times.

  At the top of “Gentle Annie” we stopped to take stock of the situation, discovering that apart from a bent jockey wheel handle, we were OK continuing on through the State Forest towards Wee Jasper. We arrived in Yass in time for a late lunch in a park by the Murrumbidgee River. Ian rapped up the trip before we headed for home.

 After what can only be described as a fantastic weekend, catered for by the Club & prepared by Ian & Margaret, Keith & I vowed we would be back with bigger tyres & a raised van in the not too distant future.

...................................Report by Gerry