The Major Mitchell's Cockatoos were our alarm this morning - beautiful but noisy!!! They entertained us with their antics and acrobatics while we had our breakfast overlooking the lovely Wimmera River!
After breakfast we headed out of Horsham to have a look at the mountain climbers heaven - Mount Arapiles, and the historic town of Natimuk on the Wimmera plains - one of the richest farming areas in Victoria.
Mount Arapiles rises out of the rich flat farming land and dominates the skyline. The Mount is home to over 2000 quality climbing routes - it is known as one of the best rock climbing destinations in Australia. To get to the summit you drive though the lovely Mount Arapiles - Tooan State Park (7475 hectares) following the explorer, Major Mitchell's trail.
The park also includes Mitre Rock, adjacent to Mount Arapiles, flanked by Mitre Lake, a natural salt lake surrounded by Samphire, Melaleuca and other salt tolerant vegetation. Mitre lake is part of the Chain of Lakes, a natural chain of wetlands that stretch from Douglas in the south to the north of Mount Arapiles.
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| Mitre Peak |
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| We climbed to the summit at the communication tower you can see perched aloft |
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| The famous vertical cliff faces which entice the avid rock climbers |
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| The road up to the summit - also Major Mitchell's Trail |
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Such an achievement! |
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| We climb to the summit |
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We are rewarded with an amazing view across the Wimmera plains
carpeted with wheat |
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| Awesome! |
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| Mitre Peak and Mitre Lake lie far below |
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| One of the 2,000 rock climbs |
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| Mitre Peak and Mitre Lake |
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| Mitre Peak - another popular climb |
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| The wheat fields stretch out towards the horizon |
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| A beautiful patchwork! |
A popular camp ground nestles below the Mount - a favourite with the rock climbers and nature lovers. The birds and plants in the area are numerous, the park being an invaluable resource for nature conservation!
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| A different perspective of the sheer rock faces |
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| Rock climbers camped in the park grounds |
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| Lovely shapes and challenging climbs |
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Can you see the rock climbers? |
Natimuk is another historic gem in Victoria's west - its main street is graced with historic buildings, as well as art, antique, and craft shops - has a bohemian feel. A great little town and a great history lesson on the heritage of the town! Thanks Natimuk - loved the stroll along your main street!
( If you aren't keen on history scroll on :) )
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| The main street |
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| The original Police Station |
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| Kiefels, and the Soldiers Memorial |
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| The original Bakery |
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| The National Bank, now a private resesidence |
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| Originally the Fire Station |
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| The Post Office |
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| Colonial Bank |
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| Jory's Family Shop, now a popular Cafe |
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| Mosaic statues in the park opposite the old Court House |
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| The original Police Station lockup |
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| The Court House |
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| The Band Stand |
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| Some of the original shops |
We headed back through the wheat belt - newly harvested - to Horsham. In July 1836 Major Thomas Mitchell discovered the Wimmera. James Monckton Darlot, following Mitchell's tracks, passed through the Wimmera in December 1837 and returned as a squatter in 1842. He called his run Brighton, the district now known as Dooen. A Wimmera River crossing began to develop as a village, which became the future city of Horsham.
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Harvested wheat under huge covers to keep it fresh
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| Wheat silos are a common sight |
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| It was a really nice drive through the wheat fields |
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| Wheat properties |
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| Lots of wheat was growing wild on the side of the road |
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| The golden field! |
I think Horsham is my favourite town yet! Their civic pride is really evident! They are big on their sport with the town boasting an amazing Aquatic Centre and Gym, a Rowing Club and Fishing Club on the banks of the Wimmera Rivera which runs through town, as well as a set of immaculate croquet greens and 32 lawn tennis courts! The Botanical Gardens are beautiful to take a stroll in and there is a fantastic walk/cycle path along the banks of the river, punctuated with parks, playgrounds and rest places for a bit of quiet reflection and meditation! Just lovely!
I really enjoyed my late afternoon exercise walking in the Gardens and along the river!
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| A "game" butcher! |
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| The Art Gallery |
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| One of quite a few in town |
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| Roberts Avenue - very leafy |
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| Firebrace Street - the main street of Horsham |
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| Street art |
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| We found Ky in the Plaza! |
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| My afternoon walk in the Botanical Gardens - as well as good exercise it was very interesting! |
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| The main gates |
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| This Lemon Scented Gum looked like a living sculpture |
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| Lovely roses! |
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| The green, green manicured croquet lawns |
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| The beautifully kept lawn tennis courts |
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| From the Gardens I walked along the river bank |
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| The amphitheatre (Sound Shell) in Sawyer Park |
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| Rotary Park with BBQ'a and picnic areas |
Along the walkway the disasters of Horsham were documented.........floods......
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| The worst flood ! |
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| The flood levels - 1909 much higher that the other floods |
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| Where the weir and swimming pool once were |
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Another disaster......fire........
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| The sculpture is pat of the memorial to the the Remlaw Fire |
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| Lots of wildlife in the area |
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| The bushland section of the Botanical Gardens which sweeps down to meet the river |
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| A new housing development on the other side of the river |
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The tourist park where we stayed backs onto the path and river.
You can see the MH between the trees - we had a beautiful view!! |
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| Our view!- very pleasant! |
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