Just to prove that all of our trips don’t end in disaster: As the rainfall forecast for the rest of the summer is dismal and the river heights are rapidly falling we seized (maybe the last) opportunity to shoot one of our favourite sections of the Wonnangatta, ie Black Snake Creek to Waterford (Meyers Flat) last weekend. This is really only a two day trip (and could even be completed in one hectic day) but we chose to spend a leisurely three days at it.
The thing is that whilst our masters are busily closing down every track we can walk or drive down and almost every spot by a road where you could camp, by and large our rivers (and their innumerable camping spots) remain free – for how long I can’t guess. We completed it at 1.7 metres on the Waterford gauge (with a few portages). 1.8 is much better.
On the way to Black Snake Creek we passed two such small spots where you could have previously put up 1-2 tents by the side of the road where the powers that be had dumped huge loads of rubble to prevent access. I was also unaware that the Stoney Creek Track is now closed before the first river crossing (though the closed section has some fine canoe camping – as we discovered). In the over thirty years we have been visiting this small section of the Wonnangatta several hundred such camping spots have been closed down – such as the entire length of Scorpion Track for example.
Dog acts by the ‘powers that be’.
But once we had inflated our double pack raft we were free of all concern about that. I had made a couple of small plywood platforms for the dogs to stand on. I also trimmed their front claws in the hope that this would prevent punctures but as it turned out they were perfectly behaved and the raft suffered no ill effects from them at all – though it was a bit crowded!
Off we go:
The water and the temperature were just beautiful.
There is still the very odd willow which has escaped the evil Departments of Many Names.
Lunch stop – where we camped with the dogs last time (Canoeing with Dogs)
Everyone was enjoying the trip.
Camp spot just above Hut Creek. McGuires on opposite bank.
Again we were using the Trail Star. It is just such a bonza tent. I have ordered the lighter version (under 400 grams). I use two 45 cm lengths of carbon tube to extend the hiking poles.
There are lots of such lovely flat grassy shady spots along the river.
We disturbed one of the resident dragons.
Off we go again.
Lunch stop above the Rock of Gibraltar. There are extensive flats along here particularly on the right hand side.
Like this.
Above Stony Creek Track.
Camped on the right bank on the closed section of the Stony Creek Track.
A good swimming hole. We were in and out of the water lots – at least I was.
Camping by a river is just perfect.
One of the dragon’s friends.
Just above Guys.
Lots of birds as you glide through Guy’s paddocks – including this sea eagle.
A flock of blue cranes – there were at least a dozen.
Shag.
Lots of ducks.
There is a fallen poplar just above the Waterford Bridge at the moment – an easy portage.
Some video snippets Della took on her camera.
See Also:
For lots more information about this wonderful river read:
