An Ideal Summer Holiday: Trip to Bogong High Plains
Although weather conditions early on Monday, 12th inst., were not propitious, a party of Mitta residents, organized by Mr. C. J. Rootsey, adhered to an itinerary of a visit to “the roof of Victoria.” The party of twelve persons (including five ladies) utilized riding horses and two jinkers, together with a spring-cart in which blankets, provisions, &c., were transported. Additional supplies were to come from Omeo.
From its commencement, the journey was full of interest—varying phases of river, woodland and mountain scenery, with a profusion of lovely wild flowers, shrubs, &c., opening-up like an interesting book. A halt was made at Nicholson’s picturesque dairy farm at Snowy Creek bridge, where the visitors were hospitably treated to morning tea and luxurious peaches. Continuing, Blair’s cutting, with its wild gorge-like appearance, attracts attention. Farther on, the Lightning Creek is crossed and followed for two miles to Otty’s Camp—the well known lunching place, where the mid-day meal, in picnic style, was greatly enjoyed. From that point the long ascent begins, on a well-graded cutting to Christmas Creek. We reach the saddle and Bogong, with snow-drifts still in existence, comes plainly into view. Beneath the cutting extremely tall white gums are noticeable. Farther on a magnificent and extensive belt of woollybutt impresses, the while we wonder why such valuable resources are not utilized.
From Christmas Creek—the highest point on the Tallangatta-Bruthen Road—splendid views of Kosciusko and intervening mountains are obtained. Five miles farther and Sunnyside (perhaps the highest one-time township, but now almost deserted) was reached just ahead of a heavy storm.
The weather continued unfavorable for two days. During that time the party remained at Glen Valley, where, between showers, cherry-picking and rabbit-shooting were indulged in, with good results—especially to the commissariat. Target practice was also in vogue. Mrs. N. Lafontaine proved that women can hold their own in that branch of sport. Time was also found in which to look over the Maude and Homeward Bound, the once flourishing, but now deserted gold mines.
Thursday morning broke fine and clear The equipment was transferred to pack-horses and a start was made on the final stage to the High Plains. A ride of five miles brought the party to Fitzgerald’s, “Shannon Vale,” prettily situated on the banks of Middle Creek, almost surrounded by the lofty mountains that fringe the eastern slopes of the Plains. Leaving Fitzgerald’s, a steep spur is followed through a fine belt of woollybutt, and nearing the top comparatively stunted flinty gums abound. The party arrived at Kelly’s hut as drizzling rain and fog set-in. Fitzgerald’s hut is situated a short distance away. Both huts were utilized—one for the ladies, the other for the men.
The fog was still in evidence on Friday morning, but cleared away at mid-day. In the afternoon a start was made to view the northern portion of the Plains. Within a mile of the huts a panorama of exceeding beauty burst into view. Mile on mile of beautiful undulating country, with stately mountains, east, west, north and south, standing sentinel-like guarding the Plains. Looking from Holland’s Nob, to the south-west, Mount Cope, 6000 feet; farther on, a little to the right, Mount Jim appears, then Mount Hotham, 6100 feet, which possesses the highest coach road in the State. Westerly, Mount Feathertop, 6303 feet, rears its distinctive head, while across the Ovens Valley Mount Buffalo, 5645 feet, the Hump and Horn being plainly shown on western horizon; nearer but still westerly Mount M’Kay and the Fainter tower above the Plain. To tho north-west and quite close to our point of vantage appears Mount Nelse, 6000 feet, with its spacious gently sloping summit, and to the south-west and west fairly steep but even slopes, eminently suitable for snow sports, ski-ing, &c. Further extensive ski-ing and tobogganing grounds are available at the watch-bed and park within easy distance of Mount Nelse. To the north, divided from Mount Nelse by the head waters of the Mitta Mitta, Mount Bogong, 6508 feet, looms majestic, as befits the monarch of Victoria’s mountains. Through a depression in the range connecting Bogong and Mount Wills, 5758 feet, Granite Peak, near Mitta township, can be clearly seen. To the right Mount Benambra comes into the picture, with Mount Kosciusko, 7206 feet, away in the distance. To the east, Mount Gibbs, 5764 feet, Mount Pilot, 6020 feet, and the Cobbler, 6025 feet, complete the mighty cordon of mountains within view of the Bogong Plains.
Besides the foregoing, other features of the Plains command attention. The well-grassed slopes, with numerous kinds of beautiful wild flowers; dark-green heath, with a background of grass of a brighter shade; the thickly-timbered ridges and spurs that lead off the Plains; timber stunted, gnarled and twisted, the dead trees showing-out white and skeleton-like amid the dark-green of the living trees. Nature provides. Nothing but trees of stunted growth could withstand the fierce storms and winds that (in winter and early spring) sweep the high-lands; nothing but twisted limbs could stand the heavy falls of snow—probably over ten feet of snow would cover the Plains for five months of the year. In depressions with a southerly aspect, snow-drifts over 50 feet in depth have been met with. Even at this time of the year, two snow-drifts remain on the south-east slope of Mount Nelse, firm enough to stand the weight of horse and rider. One drift presented a unique sight: natural drainage apparently melted the underneath snow, forming a passage, and allowing the air to gradually melt the snow to such an extent as to make a tunnel through the drift—a tunnel, half-moon shape, 5 to 6 feet in height and some 7 feet across tho bottom.
Leaving the drifts, the north-west spur—Razorback—was followed to a point where a close-up view of the southern precipitous slope of Mount Bogong was obtained. Turning to the south-west, we crossed the head of the Mitta Mitta, a tiny stream 1 foot deep and about 3 feet across. Continuing to Spion Kopje, a clear view of Dederang and the Kiewa Valley was appreciated.
As they were returning homewards, a fog settled down when the party was some three miles from camp. Though temporarily at fault, Mr. Rootsey soon found the right direction. A High Plains fog is something to be dreaded—even the cattle-men, with many years’ experience, have difficulty in finding their way through a fog. Some thirty years ago a line of snow-poles was erected to guide travellers from the Mount Wills gold-fields to Harrietville and Bright. Of those poles, perhaps one in fifteen remain standing. For the safety of travellers and stockmen, the line should be re-erected.
Saturday proved an ideal day for exploring the Plains to the west and south-west. The line of snow-poles was followed to Rocky Valley (in fine weather the fallen poles are easily found). Then leaving the track to the left, the Valley was followed to the slopes of Mount M’Kay. Ascending and travelling eastwards, the party inspected the Ruined Castle (an extinct volcano).
Close to Mount M’Kay a descent was made to Pretty Valley—aptly named, for no pen can adequately describe its beauty. A halt was then made for lunch. Riding on “the roof of Victoria” would give a dyspeptic a first-class appetite.
Pretty Valley is the site of the prospective storage for the Kiewa hydro-electric scheme. Should that materialize, a lake several miles long and over a mile in width will provide yachting and boating in summer, and in winter the largest ice-skating rink in the State.
From Pretty Valley the party wended its way to the Big Plain, the south-west boundary of the Bogong Plains. The head waters of the Cobungra and Kiewa Rivers divide Mount Hotham and Mount Feathertop from the Plains. To reach Mount Hotham and the Bright-Omeo Road, one must follow the spur down past Dibbin’s hut, cross Swindler’s Creek and ascend a spur opposite, which will bring the traveller quite close to tho C.R.B. House, “ Hotham View.”
Satisfied at seeing the finest mountain scenery in Australia, the party commenced its return journey, making a short stay at Wallace’s hut, where greatly appreciated afternoon tea was partaken of. The party arrived at head-quarters at 7 p.m., all well—tired but happy.
Sunday morning brought packing-time. The party regretfully bade au revoir to the future holiday resort (summer and winter) of the Commonwealth.
Sunnyside was reached without incident, and on the following morning a visit to the Falls was enjoyed. These Falls compare favorably with the famous Eurobin Falls.
The homeward stage to the Mitta was then resumed, completing an ideal summer holiday.
