Off we went to Yarrawonga to see the new Sebel Hotel on Lake Yarrawonga.
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It is the finishing touch to compliment the Black Bull Golf Course and it looks great . . . not too big, not too small, just right for its location. It opens on November 1.
We intended having coffee at the Yarrawonga Visitor Information Centre, which has the best view in town of Lake Mulwala and the bridge, but it was closed.
Outside, the old paddle steamer wheels and restored Customs House, once used for collecting import taxes, are reminders of past Murray River activities.
Day Trips: One thing leads to another
Instead we sat on the grass watching the ducklings and cars stopping mid bridge for their permit checks.The Yarrawonga Bridge is a classic example of two governments having two different plans and stopping mid-bridge to implement two state's COVID-19 different requirements prompted us to talk about the bridge, which has a most unusual appearance.
The concrete and steel portion on the NSW side was built (1917-1924) to replace an old wooden bridge.
It preceded building the weir to create Lake Mulwala in 1939.
Bad communication between the states led to uncoordinated works from both sides.
The Victorian section is quite dissimilar with its low profile.
A redesign led to the dip and bend needed to make both sides meet.
I hope they never pull it down because it personifies state differences.
We were told the Rich Glen Olive Estate had a pop-up-shop in Yarrawonga, so had to have a look.
After lunch we headed along the Murray Valley Hwy to find Cactus Country at Strathmerton.
Day Trips: Myrtleford via Milawa
This is an unusual destination with 12 acres of huge cacti, many now showing their bright pink, yellow or white flowers.
But I am jumping ahead.
I wanted my friend to see historic Byramine Homestead, located about 15 km from Yarrawonga, in the middle of one of Australia's largest market gardens.
She has lived in Benalla for more than 40 years and had never heard of it.
Day Trips: North of the divide
Once part of a 85,000-acre sheep and cattle station, its location today, surrounded by 1700 acres of irrigated vegetables is quite unusual, but the Kelly family combine tourism with showcasing their produce and capabilities, including beer and cider making.
The homestead is a National Trust property because it is the oldest homestead in Victoria and the elm trees in the old garden are also the oldest in Victoria.
It was built in 1842 by explorer Hamilton Hume for his sister-in-law Elizabeth and her nine children after his brother had been murdered by bushrangers in Gunning, NSW.
Its design with octagonal rooms leading off a central fortress room was intended to provide protection from the heat and bushrangers or local Aborigines.
The cookhouse is outside.
Normally tourists can eat or drink in the cafe/brewery and do the homestead and garden tour (Wednesday-Sunday) but it was also closed, so check first when you plan to go by phoning 5748 4321.
We drove through the rows of vegetables to get a glimpse of the homestead, which will also make you want to see it.So, back on the road to Strathmerton.
With the growing trend for succulent and cactus gardens my friend was keen to see a whole landscape of them.
Day Trips: A visit to the silos
She had thought of buying one as a living sculpture, but they are surprisingly expensive.
We were transported to Mexico or Arizona as we walked between towering plants.
The desert landscape was created in the mid 1980s and is undergoing another eight acre extension.
Its popularity is evidenced by tourist numbers increasing from 12,000 a year to more than double that.
There is a cafe with a billboard suggesting drinking a margarita or having a tequila with a slice of cactus cake . . . it was a bit early for us, but maybe another time.
We drove home on the Tocumwal/Benalla Rd. It was another fun day trip.
- Suzie Pearce
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