Summer Get Together - Gunbower Island

Happywanderer · The Master

RE: Summer Get Together - Gunbower Island

shadyandme · Senior Member

That sounds good to me . Norma

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Roll on November!!!!!!!!

VK3FEMT · Senior Member

Sounds good to me, if I get my bus sorted by then I will come up for a wander.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hope to leave here end October, meander down, I reckon - no specific date as yet, but will firm up pretty soon, and keep you posted.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Here are some sites for you all to look @

http://www.australiancampsites.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78:gunbower-island&catid=52:murray

http://au.totaltravel.yahoo.com/listing/647027/australia/vic/goulburnmurray/echuca/gunbower-island-state-for/

http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/Victoria/Goulburn-and-Murray/Gunbower-National-Park/Gunbower-Island-camping-area-bush-camping

http://kevinswilderness.com/Victoria/gunbower.html

Happywanderer · The Master

Interesting wombat. So many versions for the same place. I would prefer to access via Gunbower itself, sounds the better option.

We could all get real fit while staying there, its a 7 hour walk around the island. Didn't know it was that big.

yeoeleven · Guru

Looking at the links provided by Wombat it seems that there are many locations for camping on the island from free camping to caravan parks, so nearer to the beginning of November a specific location for the get together will be helpful.

I will be travelling south by then and after a holiday at the Trial Bay Eco Village had intended to follow the coast but could just as easily take the Sydney to Echuca route from Camp6 and link up with the coast at Geelong for the Great Ocean Road part of the trip.

Would like to meet up with as many from the forum as possible on the trip round Aus. and this get together would be a good start. Looking forward to an excellent get together at Gunbower Island.

John

Happywanderer · The Master

Will depend on when the Qldrs are able to come down from up north. I will fit in with the others and what they want. Happy to take on board any dates that suits everyone. We don't have to book, just turn up so its an easy one and there are plenty of other free camps around the area suitable for a few days if anyone wants a change on from there.
Good one at Elmore beside the river as well. I know that one has a toilet block and very shelterd with trees.

ChiChi1 · Guru

HW, could you please consider places where pet are allowed. I will have to bring molly along. Thanks

Sheba · Guru

ChiChi if you click on the first link Wombat provided, you'll see that dogs are allowed.

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 17th of July 2011 05:21:27 PM

ChiChi1 · Guru

Hi Sheba, I did have a look. It seemed like it was a wildlife sanctuary in some parts. Looked great though. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks

-- Edited by ChiChi1 on Sunday 17th of July 2011 06:53:22 PM

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Happywanderer wrote:
Good one at Elmore beside the river as well. I know that one has a toilet block and very shelterd with trees.

Just FYI

We have stayed at Aysons Reserve (Camps books Vic 475, 36 27 34 S 144 40 08 E) just out of Elmore on the Campaspe River a few times. A very popular bush camp as there are no fees plus there are flushing loos and cold showers.

Pet friendly, plenty of room, plus there is a large pavillion in which to gather if the weather is a little unkind. There is a fire pit just outside the pavillion, but BYO wood.

You can camp virtually on the riverbank for those that wish to dangle a line. We are not into fishing, but plenty were trying whilst we were there both off the bank and from their tinnies. http://www.fishingvictoria.org.au/campaspe_river_fishing.htm

There was plenty of birdlife, fish plopping in the water, plus some platypus last time we were there.

Nearby Elmore has a very good bakery, good Butcher, IGA, and Newsagent as their main shops.

The HF Radio Club have their Victorian Meet there 4th to 7th Nov this year, so they will somewhat take over the pavillion that weekend.

Happywanderer · The Master

Sounds like a good spot Ron and Shirley. Could be a bit crowded beginning of Nov if HF Radio Club are there. Not sure if its the same spot I was thinking of. The one I saw a few years ago was on a bend on the river, toilets and trees but nothing else. No Pavilion. There were a lot of campers set up there enjoying a nice quiet spot. Just fishing and lazing around.

Happywanderer · The Master

On the bus into town this morning, the lady on there with me mentioned she grew up on Gunbower Island. So I told her our plans. She hasn't been back there since she was 16 she said but it is a large place, lots of tracks, bush and popular with bird watchers. She also said theres quite a farming community on there and the one room school that she went to is now used for school camps.
She agreed it would be a great place for camping, plenty of room and lots to do including fishing.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I reckon Gunbower sounds like th go - at this stage I am able to leave probably the last week in October - what about you Sheba? Just that I have birthdays before that - and some other commitments up here. Weather should be a bit warmer down there by then hopefully. Can't wait - gunna be a lot of fun!!

Sheba · Guru

Murphys' Law is applying with me at the moment I'm afraid. Friends' husbands problem has suddenly turned very agressive, and I may have to stay here to house/animal sit while they go to Brissy for Bone Marrow transplant etc. in the near future.

Still going to try and at least get down to meet you before then though Jules, but can't promise at this stage.

Everything's up in the air at the moment.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

That will be a shame Sheba if you are not able to get down here. Will keep my fingers crossed that you do make it. Looking forward to meeting you all.

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Looking forward to it - at this stage are we saying somewhere around Melbourne Cup (1st week Nov) ?

Shall I bring a hat?

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hey Marj and Rip and Rosie, and any others - around Cup Weekend sounds about the timing - shame if Sheba can't come, but we'll wait and see - looking forward to meeting you all, and also the trip down -

A hat? Absolutely - we should all have our own Cup or even Oaks Day - dress to the nines, drink heaps and fall down drunk!!!!!!!

Happywanderer · The Master

Never thought about that. Just checked the calender. Melbourne Cup is Tuesday 1st November. My grandson up in Biggenden was born on Melbourne Cup day 3 years ago on 4th November.
If you are all here by then maybe dress up, flash hat and a sweepstake . Maybe being the 1st it might be too early for some. I will work in with whatever you all want to do.

yeoeleven · Guru

Anytime will do for me but I haven't got a hat,will a beanie do? confuse

John

HeadnHome · Senior Member

Sounds like you guys are going to have alot of fun.. make sure alot of photos are taken so us poor buggers who can't make it can see what we missed out on!!

Happywanderer · The Master

I don't have a hat yet either Yeoeleven. Never owned one, so may have to go hunting the op shops.
I'm sure there will be plenty of cameras around headnhome.

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

Not wishing to sound like a party pooper however be careful re the site you choose if you opt for the Melbourne Cup weekend.

For Melbournians it is the first long long weekend (4 days) after winter. Many campgrounds within a few hours of Melbourne get a large influx that weekend.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats why I thought Gunbower Island would be ok. It is a huge place with lots of different areas to free camp. The island is so big it goes from Gunbower right down to Koondrook I'm told with plenty of access to it.
Anywhere from Echuca towards Melb could be very busy.
Any overcrowding problems and we will all find someones front lawn to park on.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hey Marj - how many do you reckon are going to be there? Not looking good for Sheba at the moment - but I will be there - as I said leaving here last week in Oct -

Happywanderer · The Master

I haven't done a head count yet but it looks to be at least 10 different campers.
Once Myrtle is back on the road I will go for a drive down there, a bit cold to stay over night but will take my lunch and sit around for the day, test it all out.
There are plenty of others around the area if you don't want to spend you whole trip there, including jonathons suggestion on campsites thread Manangatang sound like a good spot a bit further on as well. Plus Torrumbury Weir.

Happywanderer · The Master

Maybe time to do up a tentative list.
I will put up all names I am fairly sure about and anyone not there, please add your name.

Happywanderer

Jules47

Jonathon

ShadyandMe (Norma)

Travelbug (Pam)

ChiChi1

Yeoeleven (John)

Rip and Rosie

Sheba ????

VK3FEMT ????

Esmerelda