Wangaratta - day 1

Sydney to Wangaratta

Our journey started off well – everyone arrived well ahead of time!!!! 27 Probus members and three additional travellers were on their way promptly by 8.30. Our driver, Toby, had explained the necessary housekeeping details and we were soon on the freeway headed south.

We were forewarned by our driver about the possibility of what may happen at the upcoming weigh station - just as well - there was a full on police operation with cars being diverted to have roadworthiness and registration checks. Our coach must have passed muster as we were waved through.

The countryside unfolded before us. The Great Dividing Range, the second longest mountain range in the world after The Andes, offering up the rolling hills of first the Southern Highlands, then the Southern Tablelands and later the distant high country in NE Victoria.

The freeway was lined with rivers of gold as it is wattle season. A spectacular sight, the beautiful fragrant trees are particularly beautiful this spring after a very wet summer. Generally the countryside was of rolling hills with either sheep or beef cattle grazing, interspersed with the golden fields of canola striking a contrast with the clear blue of the sky.

It was a beautiful day with the clear skies offering up the inevitable sunshine. Our stops along the way made for a very comfortable trip –morning tea at Mittagong, another comfort stop before lunch at the Dog on the Tuckerbox just outside Gundagai; a further stop at Holbrook the ‘submarine town’ then into Wangaratta by 5.30pm and our accommodation for the next 5 nights.

Dinner was made especially enjoyable with the celebration of a member’s birthday – what a great start to our week.