Beechworth Caravan Trip

Monday 10th October 2022

Around 24 members descended on Lake Sambell Caravan park, and set up camp in either a caravan or a cabin. Many bought wood for the campfire.

Managers David & Chris welcomed the group around the campfire at Happy Hour.

Two BBQ plates were provided by Chris & David Cripps and most dinners were cooked on the campfire. Happy Hour and dinner was a happy affair.

Tuesday 11th October 2022

Members went in all directions and the following shows what some of them saw.

Woolshed Falls Tuesday (left) and Friday

View from Lookout at Mt Pilot National Park

Above & Below: Wild flowers seen in Mt Pilot National Park

Above & Below: Water scenes along the Beechworth Gorge Scenic Drive Pre & Post Rain

Below: Lake Sambell from the south-west end
(the black arrow points to our caravan park)

Below: The Cascades in the Beechworth Gorge

The campfire was lit around 3:45 and was in full swing by the time Happy Hour got underway. 

The Happy Hour group had swelled to around 44 and much conversation and laughter was heard.

The abovementioned BBQ plates were again used as hungry members organised dinner. The BBQ plates inside the camp kitchen were also used.

Some members dined inside the camp kitchen, while some dined beside the fire.

In the background we had a superb sunset.

Wednesday 12th October 2022

We started the day with a communal BBQ breakfast, inside the camp kitchen.

Many members had booked a Beechworth Goal tour while some drove to Dartmouth Dam for a look at the water over the spillway. It was very impressive.

Above: Members and the Cascading water at Dartmouth

Below: Around 600 mm of water going over the spillway

Below: Dartmouth dam above the wall

The CFA at Dartmouth has opened the fire-station to sell snack food and drinks for passing tourists to make a few $ for the town. Six members enjoyed salad rolls, a pork roll, pies and other goodies.

Above: Members at Dartmouth CFA Station (Photographer Jan Baker)

A gin and whisky distillery at Yackandandah was visited, but it was not open for business.

Above: Lois with the Goal Guide and the Kelly Gang

The rain started about 1:30 pm, and continued all afternoon.

Around 5:45 pm forty two members headed to the Beechworth Chinese Village restaurant for dinner. We were scattered around seven tables, in various sized groups. The food was superb.

Above: Members at the Chinese Village restaurant

It was still raining as we headed home and it continued into the night.

Thursday 11th October 2022

The gentle rain continued overnight and into the morning. 

Most members headed off in one of many directions. Many roamed the street of Beechworth tasting honey, drinking coffee, eating pies, eating pizzas at the 'Bridge Road' brewery and/or visiting historical buildings.

One member found the open fire at the clothing shop that had a relaxing couch in front of it.

One group headed to the Stanley pub for lunch. 

Above: Members at Stanley

Below: Local art

Another couple headed to Chiltern for a look around, and were forced onto an alternate route by flood waters.

The tourist information centre is located in the original Beechworth town hall, built in 1888. The photo shows an organ in the old ball-room.

The rain continued...........

At 4:30 pm we all mustered in the park work shed, as it was the biggest available building for the wine tasting. Rob and his folk from Indigo Wines gave us an entertaining talk while we tasted their wines. The caravan park staff fed us cheese and biscuits.

It was a pleasant session. The heater in the workshop did a great job

After the wine tasting most members headed to the warmth of their cabin. However a few hardy souls had conversations to be continued, and that happened in the camp kitchen.

The rain continued............... as news of wide-spread floods filtered through. Some families of members were affected.

Friday 14th October 2022

Four folk headed home with trepidation as the state of many roads was in question. Our area of Beechworth seemed to have survived OK.

The rain continued........... and members headed in all directions, to visit places seen by mates in recent days, such at the Goal, Stanley, a brewery, the Honey Shop and coffee shops.

Above: Very wet Beechworth Golf Course

Below: Chinese Burning Towers and Graves at the Cemetery

Above: Magnificent Blooms at Mayday Hills

Below: The Cork tree at Stanley

We finished the day with dinner for 44 at the Hibernian Hotel. Meals had been pre-ordered. Kaye became head waitress and helped to distribute the food. It was a great evening.

Saturday 15th October 2022

We awoke to sunshine and celebrated with a communal BBQ breakfast. It was a small group, but there was non-stop conversation.

After breakfast, members again went in all directions. The sun came and went, and came and went ...........

Our number had reduced as a number of folk headed home.

A few of us ended up at the Bridge Road Brewery for lunch and a drink. The Pale Ale was excellent.

It was time to light the fire, so we did, around 2:30 pm. And what a fire it was. It was put to bed around 9pm as members drifted back to their base.

We had Happy Hour. We had dinner, mostly fish and chips that were organized by Heather and Robert.

As the sun set on a wonderful six days in Beechworth I took a sunset photo across Lake Sambell.

The stalwarts sat around the fire, one with a 'struggle rug' to warm his knees. The group gradually got smaller. Trevor came to the fore and told a couple of 'ripping' yarns.

All good things must come to an end, and around 8:45 pm it was time..........

Many good people made a great six days of Fun, Friendship and Fellowship.

This story has come to an end ...................

Last update 9:25 pm Saturday.