Xmas Camp, Mt Buffalo Caravan Park, Porepunkah

Monday 26^th December to Monday 2^nd  January 2006

 Over the past 10 years or so the Club has camped for about a week at the Mt Buffalo Caravan Park. Situated on the fork of the Ovens and Buckland Rivers it offers a fantastic range of activities including swimming, fishing and bush walking. Close by is the Smoko Trout Farm, the “Wandi Pub”, the Hedge Maze, various berry, deer and nut farms, and an alpaca ranch. The famous Milawa wineries and cheese factory are close by.

Great road and dirt riding country abounds. Mt Buffalo offers a sensational 25 km climb to the scenic Chalet and lookouts. Nearby are good half-day rides to Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and Dartmouth Dam or full day rides into the Snowy Mountains and some of the best roads in the world. Who can forget Tawonga Gap? On the flip side there are lots of fire trails and mountain tracks offering spectacular views of the surrounding alps, most of which can only be reached by 4WD or dirt bike. So, bring your road and dirt bikes, the missus and kids, the 4WD, pushbikes and swim shoes. Supermarket shopping is available at Bright, 6 km away.

The Club usually secures some unpowered sites “under the willows”. Last year a few couples rented self contained cabins for the week, another good option. Ring 03-5756-2235 to secure a cabin or a powered site. Otherwise tell Ian Payne of your intention to camp with the group. Do it now.

There are also budget motels and hotels nearby.

Australia Day Weekend January 26^th  – 29^th, 2006

As per the Melbourne Cup weekend, the Committee has booked the spectacular “Snowy Mountain Holidays” house and two cottages accommodation package, right on the Murray River at Towong, 11 km out of Corryong. Australia Day falls on a Thursday and hence we have made a 4-day weekend to take advantage of the great location.

The plan would be to ride up Thursday, ride around the hills Friday and Saturday and return to Melbourne on Sunday. This means three nights accommodation. You’ll need to take annual leave for the Friday, so book your leave day now.

Cost is around $35 person, per night. Remarkably cheap. All you need is your tooth brush and a change of clothes. Note: Towong payment is by cash only. As per usual, this is strictly first come, first served, with any overflow into the Corryong pubs. Preference will be given to members. A $70 deposit is required. Book now.

There will be a two cut-off points when no more bookings can be accepted: (i) two weeks before where we must surrender unused capacity to avoid financial risk to the Club, and/or (ii) when the beds are filled. The latter depends on the make up of participants. As a rule of thumb, the house/cottages accommodation sleeps ten people comfortably (assuming two couples), and less if more singles. The point of this paragraph is to emphasise the importance of committing early, and why it is necessary to do so. It avoids the disappointment when last minute requests for accommodation are likely refused.