Day 12, Mildura to Swan Hill

Mildura to Swan Hill (~220km)

Not far to go today so Noeline allowed us a fairly leisurely start.

We gathered for breakfast at Brumby’s and a quick look around Mildura before heading off through Hattah Lakes National Park to Ouyen.

In Ouyen we stopped off at the General Store, now a tyre fitting workshop, once owned by Alan’s grandfather (Arnold), a mover and shaker in early Ouyen.  Leaving Ouyen their was some confusion and we missed the drive passed of the family home.  As we have discovered many times before - it is amazing in how many different directions ½ dozen Alvii can go in a short distance all with the same specified directions.  We managed to re-group and exited the town towards Manangatang.

While we had planned to have lunch at Manangatang we quickly discovered it was almost a ghost town there was not so much as a coffee or chip to be had - so we went on to Piangle.

At Piangle we got fuel, coffee and some (quite massive) potato cakes to keep us going until we got to Swan Hill and our over night stop. Although a bit short of time but we fitted in a quick visit to the Pioneer Village in Swan Hill. As it was Sunday (and Mothers Day) there were several volunteers driving the various tractors around the village (what an amazing Men’s Shed).  This was great entertainment for the men making the entry cost worthwhile, not sure the ladies were quite so entertained.

Norman and Claire on the road heading out of Mildura

Mildura River Gardens

Kamikaze bird flies through the convoy!

Ruth and Mike wait patiently to proceed

Baker's Graber heading out of Mildura

Todd's Speed 20 and Blundell's Eagle heading out of Mildura

The group stops at Big Lizzie in Red Cliffs

Big Lizzie, built to carry huge loads across soft ground

Wide open plains heading towards Swan Hill - Riverina region

Dust storm approaches as the Hirst's head into the storm

Stark landscape in wheat belt country

12/50's hit the outskirts of Ouyen

Once the Ouyen General Store was owned by Alan's grandfather

Plague recognising the history of the building.

Dust caught on the headlights from the dust storm

About the only thing in Manangatang

Rainbow across the fields outside Piangle

Group reaches the outskirts of Swan Hill

Hirst's 12/50 passing the riverboat GEM moored on the Murray.

Lathe made from car parts, looked like an Amilcar block supporting the head

Mighty Lanz Bulldog

A lot of the tractors in the Swan Hill Pioneer Village are in running order and are used regularly

Rainbow over Swan Hill Pioneer Village - Photo by Jo Todd

Motel car park in Swan Hill

Dinner in Swan Hill Hotel