Norris Around Australia

As 2023 came to a close, we headed off on a High Country adventure, seeking peace and quiet in the van to see out another busy year.

Our journey along the Barry Way in New South Wales provided wonderful vantage points to see the fast-flowing Snowy River. As we continued our adventure, the Snowy River continued to take centre stage, its mighty waters flowing quickly following recent storms and heavy rains.

The Barry Way, known for its ruggedness, lived up to its reputation as we navigated its winding roads in our trusty van. Thank goodness we had a compact vehicle and van! We traversed the narrow, winding road, and luckily, we didn’t encounter any vehicles in any precarious locations.

We had a lunch stop at the old schoolhouse at Suggan Buggan, a piece of history out in the wilderness. The school was established in 1865 to teach the 11+ children from the O’Rourke family who owned the run. The stories it could tell of those rough and rugged days!

That night, we camped at Native Dog Flat campground, nestled within the Alpine National Park in Victoria. Despite the time of year, the campground was relatively quiet. The spot offered ample space, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the bush surroundings.

As shadows fell over Native Dog Flat, we found ourselves at home in the bush and the simplicity of camp life. We enjoyed a nighttime visit by the local brumbies and the whispering wind as it moved through the trees. The chilly evening was perfect for sitting around the campfire with a few glasses of red wine as we indulged in a delicious camp-oven dinner under the stars.

The following day led to further adventures and exploration of new places, leading us to the iconic Hinnomunjie Bridge, a testament to Victoria’s rich pioneering heritage. Dating back to 1910, this truss bridge has stood the test of time and is a symbol of craftsmanship, its weathered timber bearing witness to decades of history. The bridge crosses the Mitta Mitta River and is the second older truss bridge in Victoria.

As we ventured deeper into the High Country, we stopped at the Washington Winch near Swifts Creek, a relic of yesteryear that told the tales of industry and ingenuity. The cable winch or skidder was steam-powered and was one of two machines imported from WA in the 1920s to move the gigantic jarrah logs up to 800m by high-lead cables in extremely steep terrain. It remains today as a relic of Australia’s logging history.

Our campsite at Moscow Villa was again surprisingly quiet, where we could enjoying the sounds of the bush. The hist was built in 1942 by firetower operator Thomas William (Bill) Ah Chow. The log cabin was completed on the same day the Battle of Moscow was won, hence the name Moscow Villa.

We enjoyed a campsite along the Dargo River at Ollies Jump Up campsite. The camping area was close to the town of Dargo, and considering it was New Year’s Eve was still relatively quiet. There were many great spots to choose from despite the time of year.

On New Year’s Day, we finally ventured into the township of Dargo, where the Dargo Hotel waited for us. Having a drink at the Dargo Hotel has been on our bucket list for over a decade and we were finally there enjoying a schooner. The pub is steeped in the history of the High Country and is an iconic Aussie hotel established in 1898.

The final day of our trip brought us back to the Cassilis Historic Area, which stands as a testament to Victoria’s rich mining heritage. We have visited the area a couple of times previously, and there is so much to explore that we keep coming back. The mining operation is nothing short of amazing.

King Cassilis Mine was one of the largest mines in Victoria. A cyanide plant was constructed in about 1896. By the First World War, available gold was depleted and both mines closed down. The mine sits on approximately 3,600-hectares which means there is lots to explore.

The High Country has been on our bucket list, and while this adventure merely scratched the surface, we are glad we took the time to start exploring. It was a great trip to see out 2023 and welcome in 2024. We cannot wait to return and explore the High Country again soon!