Australia Day Weekend January 24^th – 26^th, 2004

The planning for this ride is still in a state of flux. The general feeling by those who attended the Walwa Melbourne Cup Weekend sensational weekend is that travelling to a fixed location and using that as a base for day rides works really well. Travel light, don’t have to pack and unpack each day, no time constraints or booking issues. This said, the originally planned Orbost first night, Walwa second night has been ditched in favour of the Corryong district Saturday and Sunday nights, ride home Monday (Australia Day public holiday). Our preferred overnight stay is the Walwa Resort but it is booked out for all 2004 on the popular weekends, for weddings, where they book from Friday to Sunday inclusive.

I have tentatively booked what appears to be the spectacular “Snowy Mountain Holidays” cottage accommodation, right on the Murray River at Towong, 11 km out of Corryong. The entrance is all sealed road. Cost $75 for the cottage and then $15 per person, per night. Remarkably cheap. This includes bedding, kitchen and laundry facilities, etc. It sleeps six people comfortably. A second cottage is already booked. Given that people are reluctant to commit at any stage (I had to cancel one of the Walwa cottages) this is strictly first come, first served. A deposit speaks volumes. The overflow can pile into the Corryong Hotel (s). Check out www.albury.net.au/~snowyhol

I suspect that in future it may be better to travel on non-public holiday weekends. After checking out Snowy Mountains Holiday cottages at Christmas – a good day trip from Bright – I will consider booking them again for a Friday, Saturday, Sunday long weekend in February or March. Any takers?

Ben Warden

Since this was printed we have decided to take up the option of going up on Friday and taking advantage of the sensational accommodation and location. So, three nights: Fri, Sat and Sun, return home on Monday. Keep your eye on the web page. At this stage 9.30 am Yarck leave time for Friday.