Mildura to Tallangatta

Coming south from Mungo National Park to Mildura there was one final old car wreck photo.

We had a night on the Murray River (backed on to a billabong) before joining Mum and Dad at the caravan park at Buronga on the NSW side of the river.

I spent most of the time working, washing or cleaning, but Dazz had time to watch the passing boats. 

He also went to the local Holden Motor Museum with Dad.

We went out for a "last day of holidays" and early birthday lunch for Dazz and it was absolutely delicious!

We all travelled as far as Balranald together and after having pies for lunch at the bakery said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. We were headed towards the High Country to meet Dazz's niece and husband for a few days.

We stopped for the night at Moulamein on the Edward River. It was pretty, but cold and wet, so no sitting out. The next day we passed some murals on our way through town, but it was raining so we didn't stop for photos.

Our next night was at Finley, next to the old railway yards.

The north east of Victoria is beautiful and green at the moment, and no "prickle weed" in sight! The Pioneer Bridges Rest Area near Everton is on the Ovens River, and was a very pleasant camp for the night.

Ellie and Luke were camped at Clear Creek Campground on the Buckland River. They said there was plenty of room to get the caravan in and turn it around, but the view from the top of the track looked daunting!

It was an absolutely beautiful spot and the creek was crystal clear. We were totally spoiled by Ellie and Luke, who took care of the fire and the cooking. We spent most of our time lying back in our chairs... now we know what all the kids have experienced camping with us over the years!

We drove into Bright and went for a walk up to the Apex Lookout. It was a nice walk and there were lots of wildflowers.

Waxlip Orchid

Pink-bells

Early Nancy

Hop Bitter-pea 

There were a couple of mesh protective barriers with Parks Victoria tags on them that were obviously identifying rare or endangered spider orchids. This was the only one that hadn't completely finished flowering. 

Leopard Orchid 

Grevillea - I couldn't find an exact match but it is a low groundcover.

Buttercup

Scarlet Robin (male)

Possibly Rustgills (toxic!)

Guinea-flower

Either a Pink or Dusky Fingers Orchid 

Tall Sundew 

We were initially baffled by what this green parrot-like bird was, before we realised it was a juvenile Crimson Rosella. Now we're seeing them everywhere. It's clearly been a good breeding season for them.

Crimson Rosella race elegans (juvenile)

After a great couple of days together we then had to pull the van back up the hill, which was happily anticlimactic!

We left Luke and Ellie to continue their holiday while we went to the Tallangatta Showgrounds for a week of work. It was a pretty spot to work, and we fitted in a couple of walks. There were also a number of birds nesting in the trees around us.

A life-sized replica of Sandy the War Horse, that served in World War I.

Lake Hume

Yellow-rumped Thornbill