We decided to drive the loop that leaves Orbost through Goongerah and Bonang and Tubbut to McKillop's Bridge and then return to base in Orbost via Walgulmerang, Seldom Seen, Gelantipy, Buchan and Bete Bolong. All up a round trip of 286 km into and through parts of Snowy River National Park.
McKillops Bridge is one of only two bridges that cross the Snowy River in Victoria and is an engineering feat in its own right. Himself wanted to see this bridge so off we went.
The road was mostly bitumen, with about a third gravel, but good gravel. It was also mostly a good road with occasional parts being a little narrow. So far so good!
Then the bends started and for the next 140 km there were no straight stretches at all. The entire thing was one bend after another and most of them were quite tight. All this in the most magnificent mountain forest we have seen. There were so many trees you really could not see very deep into the bush beside the road because of the thick growth. These trees were so tall, they started somewhere way down that I could not see from the road and they were way higher than I could see above the road. And the other noticeable thing was how straight they were growing. I suppose when there are that many in the ground they would have to grow straight up to reach the sunlight as I doubt much of it reaches the forest floor. We passed signs warning that logging trucks use the road, I am not surprised, these trees would be a saw millers delight, no wastage.
So anyway, after about 100 km of non stop winding road I was pretty much over the trip, my old balance problem does not like winding roads and I was beginning to feel quite queasy. Still only another 50 km to go to reach the Bridge and I would get a break and maybe the road may not be so winding for the return run on the other side.
WRONG!
After 140 km of bend me shake me that took three hours at an average speed of 50 kph, we were stopped by DEPI personnel (Department of Environment and Primary Industries) who informed us that after some seriously heavy rain the night before, a landslide had not only blocked the road, it had taken a whole section of the road off the map and down the mountain. This road was closed and was going to stay closed for weeks if not months! Very disappointing. We were within 10 km of our target, McKillops Bridge. So near...
The only choice was to turn around and retrace our way back over the mountains the way we had come! There are no alternative roads up there.
We turned around, carefully, and a couple of km back we found a picnic spot beside a creek and stopped there to eat our packed lunch and to give my head a chance to settle again before we wound our way home.
There was an old original settlers bridge next to our picnic area that has been restored and heritage listed which Himself found quite interesting.
And then we did it all over again!
After a round trip of 7 hours we had travelled 280 km and had not reached our destination. It really was a bridge too far.
It is still possible to reach the bridge from 'the other side'. Perhaps Himself is eager enough to try that. I think I will stay in camp and read a book if he does!
No comments:
Post a Comment