Friday 20th March – wet, windy, camping and paddling. You must be mad. Comments from colleagues. Yes, I am mad; a mad keen paddler, who along with our club paddling enthusiasts had an absolutely fabulous few days away
Despite my best intentions to arrive early, the impact of the recent public health crisis called, and a drop in to see an elderly relative, became “stay for lunch” and a subsequent delayed arrival at the camping ground, to be met with Sue, Roz, Pat and Don well ensconced for a full self catering weekend away. The Major Creek camp ground is located off the Mitchelltown Road, a few kilometres down the road from the Mitchelton Winery. It is a sheltered free camping area, set along the banks of the Major Creek, at the rear of the Puckapunyal Army Base Live Firing Ground. It was the site where Thomas Mitchell crossed the Goulburn on his way back to Sydney after his 1836 winter tour of Australia Felix (Victoria). Amenities include boat ramp, long drop toilets, streamside frontage, native vegetation, birds, open skies and stars at night. The creek meanders down to the Goulbourn River (2km), where Tabilk Winery is a further 2km downstream and Mitchelton Winery 2.5km upstream.
Despite the overcast and windy Friday afternoon, interspersed with showers felt south of the Divide, as the evening progressed, the skies cleared and the wind dropped, leaving us to wake to a chilly but sunny Saturday and a gentle breeze which continued to drop through out the day. The first part of the paddle is along the Major Creek a quiet waterway, sheltered by box gums, wattles and shrubs, with lagoons of water lillies, their large leaves stepping stones for the animated water hens, a maze amongst which the ducks paddle. Dotted along the creek natures bonsai – plants and trees seeking a foothold in the stump of a long forgotten eucalypts, once standing proud in the creek.
At the end of this picturesque creek we headed upstream towards Mitchelton Winery, passing salutations with our fellow campers now enjoying their pastime of fishing from their powered watercraft. Future trading of wine for fish were offered but to no avail. Making very good time, it was decided to extend the paddle through to the Mitchellstown Road Bridge which became a morning tea stop, with entertainment provided by observing a talented young man turn and back a trailer in a very limited space. How he did not jack knife still amazes me. Back on the water, paddling down stream we headed for Mitchelton Winery and some samples of wine before lunch.
Mitchelton is a relative new comer to the winery industry having been established in 1969 by Ross Shelmerdine. The “NV Cuvee” (sparkling) was enjoyed by all, other whites to a varying degree. The “Crescent” (shiraz blend) was equally enjoyable. Lunch was enjoyed on the lawns of Mitchelton, under the shade of the gums, before heading back to the boats and on to the historic winery Tahbilk.
Tahbilk is a complete contrast to Mitchelton, the aroma of the centuries old wine cellar permeates . the tasting room, whilst sampling equally enjoyable wines. The family still reside in the homestead on the property and there are a number of old cottages along the river bank, once workers cottages one assumes – now perhaps B&Bs. With the afternoon drawing in it was once more back into the boats and back upstream to our camp and a leisurely evening meal around a camp fire.
Sunday morning we woke to bird song, blue sky and sunshine. Todays paddle was a lap of Major Creek Island – about 4km. Starting with Yoga on the boat bending forwards almost flat to go under the road bridge, a very leisurely paddle around the island in almost still water, Don et al rescued a sheep stuck in the fence near the waters edge – (once released he limped away and we were able to notify landholders of his plight later in the day), negotiating snags, finding the elusive Azure Kingfisher, more Yoga sessions to duck under another large tree, meeting the new local landowners exploring their new property and finally back to the start. With great reluctance we packed up and headed home. Thankyou to all who attended and made this an unforgettable weekend.
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Avenel Casson
Avenel Casson