Victoria – Trek's Walkabout

Last time we drove through Swan Hill we did not stay here, so we thought we would and splurged a little bit and got a riverside site at the Big 4 Swan Hill for 2 nights. Well we regretted that decision. The park is in a good location on the river next to the Pioneer Village which is not dog friendly. We got to watch a paddle steamer from the village go past once a day and that was fun.

Paddlesteamer went past everyday

The amenities were great, camp kitchen was great, well stocked, air conditioned, lots of table and chairs, pool also looked great. Easy to walk into town which we were not that impressed with. Next to a great park with lots of swings and places for people to picnic. The caravan park is very popular, most of the sites away from the riverside had green grass. This is where we made our mistake, paying extra for a riverside site, that were very very well used with no grass, just dirt and dust. There was no way we could attach our hose to a water tap that was far too away from our van. Honestly if you stay here just get a normal site.

After leaving Swan Hill we stopped for the night at Covina RV Park 72 hrs max stay. What a great little spot, very friendly town. Park is right next to the bowls club who apparently come over on Friday’s and invite the campers to a game of bowls and BBQ for $5 per person. We did buy lunch in town. Unfortunately only had time to spend 1 night here but it would have been good to have spent several night.

Covina RV Park

Our plans when leaving home was to free camp along the Murray, but as mentioned any place we did call into and we did keep checking them were very dry, dusty and busy. And with the heat we decided this trip might be better to stay at caravan parks if needed. Murray River camping offers some really great spots that are free but also very popular so over used and the ground does not have chance to recover.

We knew Echuca was a place we wanted to spend a few days, so we had to book here a few days in advance. We stayed for 3 nights at the NRMA Echuca Holiday Park on a new Ensuite site. It was fantastic. And well worth the extra dollars for us with Chris, making having a shower so much easier. It was also within walking distance of town.

Ensuite site

We walked up and down the streets several times, explored all areas of the Port of Echuca with a walking tour, really worth doing. Echuca is pretty dog friendly, Jess was welcome at the port and on a paddle steamer. There are plenty of places you can sit and eat outside in the Main Street with a dog. Something that was very much lacking at Swan Hill, we could not find any suitable places to sit at outside and get a meal with Jess.

There is loads to see and do at Echuca much of which we had done before. We were keen to do another Paddle steamer cruise which Jess enjoyed being on. The PS Pevensey is what we went on, Jess even got her own ticket.

From Echuca we headed to Wodonga, checked out the area a bit before heading to Ludlows Reserve for the night right on the edge of the Hume Dam.

Rewarded with a rainbow after a storm

This is a free 24hr camp area, really good spot for the night and pretty popular as well not surprising.

The next day we drove to the Hume Dam Wall and that is also worth a look.

Hume Dam wall

We thought we were going to spend more time in the Murray Region, but with the unexpected heat, dryness and dust we decided to start moving north. We had a few places we really wanted to call into and stay and the extra few days, we were able to add into this part of the next journey made that possible.

Live Long and Prosper

We left Broken Hill late arvo heading towards Menindee stopping for the night. At Stephen’s Creek, we were able to get right back off the road and were the only ones there for the night.

The creek was totally dry when we were there, a lovely peaceful spot on the river bank with the gum trees. It was relaxing until the flies came and boy were they bad. All 3 of us had to have our fly nets on for some relief, it stayed warm and the flies hung around until it was dark.

Jess was not terribly impressed with the fly net

Relaxing spot before the flies

Last time we were at Menindee in 2009 the Lake Menindee was dry. It was great to see it full of water, we called into Lake Menindee lookout and had a bit of a walk around.

Sunset strip Menindee

Lake Panamaroo did have water in it last time so it did this time. Last time we camped in the Main Weir area, paddled on Lake Wetherill in the Kayak. It was our intention to stay here for several days but it was so dry and dusty, no grass in sight from over use being so popular.

We decided to move on into Menindee and have a look around. There is a free riverside camping in Menindee that goes for several km’s. We were very surprised to find no one camping here, so we did for several days. Very relaxing camped along the river, thanks Menindee.

Free camp at Menindee

From there we headed towards Wentworth going through Pooncarrie, a road we had not been on. Pooncarrie had a lovely little park with lots of thick lush green grass where we stopped for a cuppa. There are toilets and also showers.

At Wentworth we drove out to Perry Sand Hills, we had been here previously and walked all over the sand dunes. You could also drive around most of it. You can’t do that now, walking on sand dunes is a bit hard for Chris so we drove back into town to Junction Park. Where the 2 rivers the Darling and The Murray meet.

Where the Darling and Murray Rivers join

Our intentions were to drive out of town and find a camp along the Murray River. We tried several spots driving most of the way to Mildura but all with the same result. Very full and very very dusty. We didn’t realize at first why the area was so busy, then we realized it was the Melbourne Cup weekend. So we drove back to Wentworth and stayed at the free Wentworth Sports Complex, which also has a dump point. This was a temporary free camp we believe. Camping was on an old carpark, bit slopey but bitumen so no dust, next to big grassed area to walk Jess. Was nice and quiet with several others camped there.

Dust free campsite with a sunset

With camp areas along the Murray so dry and dusty and with a bit of a heatwave, we decided to stay at a caravan park in Mildura with a pool for a few days. Glad we did with 38 degrees it was great to be able to jump in and out of the pool.

Mildura has a great big lovely park area along the Murray with a very nice coffee shop that we visited a few times while we were there. Last time we were here we stayed at the caravan park across the river, right on the river, it was closed due to renovations and restoration after flooding. We remember our time here where we paddled the kayak down the river with the paddle boats.

We also went to Orange World and did the tour which was interesting, Jess could also go on the little tractor train. Everyone was given a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. Which was a very good marketing ploy as no one left there without buying at least one bottle of fresh juice, it was the nicest sweetest orange juice we have ever had.

Live Long and Prosper