Benalla

The drive to Benalla from Frankston was a breeze. Driving the road systems in Victoria, especially around Melbourne, was a delight, and a horrible reminder of just how bad our Government has been in NSW. You cannot believe the infrastructure improvements in Victoria versus NSW over the past 15 years. Anyway, I'm not going to talk politics, just enjoy the ride until we cross the border. 

We hadn't booked at Benalla, where we intended to stay for 4 or 5 days, so were quite shocked when the Manager at Benalla Leisure Park announced they could only give us 2 nights as the place was fully booked over the weekend, as the V8 Super Cars were racing at Winton over the weekend, only about 10 kms away. So that meant cramming 4 days fun into 2 days so we could leave town before the arrival of the race crowds, which didn't actually eventuate as they started arriving Thursday so the macho, testosterone crazed young men could use the streets to show their prowess, while the experts practiced at the circuit.

The bridge over the lake at Benalla

The caravan park provided a free pancake breakfast every morning from 9 to 9.30, which proved a great way to meet fellow travellers, and watch the V8 crowd fuel up before taking to the track! We met a lovely couple, Dave & Carol, who were quite a few years older than us, who had been travelling for a few years in their motorhome. Dave was in a wheel chair, so his motorhome had been modified for him and his wheels. I asked what had led to him being in the chair, and he told me he had polio from birth, then proceeded to tell me that at one park a lady had asked the same question, and when told the reason replied "oh well you must be used to it by now!!"

"Weary" Dunlop Memorial

Benalla has a lot of history. Not only did that famous outlaw Ned Kelly frequent the area, but the great hero from the second world war, "Weary" Dunlop, was also a local. Both are immortalised in a variety of museums and parks. The museum, was one of the best we have ever seen, all for $2.00! The museum had a wonderful display of costumes and clothing from as early as the 1850's, and the display of wedding gowns from 1850 to 1980 was excellent. They even had the outfits worn by then PM, Malcolm Fraser and wife Tammy at Charles & Dianas Wedding. The Frasers are also locals. Remember the wattle dress girls??? I was disappointed that they didn't have the trousers that Malcolm had so famously lost at a motel in America. Wonder who has them?? Anyway, the museum also had fantastic displays honouring "Weary" Dunlop, and another war hero, naval captain Hec Waller, who went down with his ship at the Battle of the Java Sea, taking quite a few nips with him. Then of course there was a fantastic display all about the Kelly Gang.

Ceramic Sculpture - Benalla

Outside the museum is a most interesting Ceramic Sculpture. It was the idea of a local artist, and has evolved over many years with contributions from dozens of artists. It incorporates seats for contemplation, areas for kids to climb all over, and some amazing artworks, and no graffiti!!
From here we went over the bridge to the Art Gallery, which is in the Botanical Gardens that are lovely, and has the most marvellous rose garden, which was unfortunately past its best. The gallery has quite a few famous artworks by the likes of Boyd, Streeton, Rupert Bunny, as well as the famous Sidney Nolen tapestry of Ned Kelly. Also had a great cafe, looking out over the lake, where we enjoyed a delicious light lunch.

Ned Kelly - Glenrowan

Over at Glenrowan, a short drive away, everything is about Ned Kelly. As the scene of his last great stand against the cops, in that famous armour, you can buy everything Ned Kelly. We resisted, and only took a few photos, but it was all very interesting, and not to be missed.

A few kilometres east is the Gourmet Food Trail that leads to Milawa. Being the foodies that we are, we enjoyed a morning of tasting. First there was the Olive Shop with an amazing array of oils and produce. Then down the street a little to the Mustard Shop, where John learnt very quickly that when you taste mustards, you should have your reading glasses on so you can read "exremely hot chilli mustard", and be prepared for the 10 pound sledgehammer hit and steam coming out the ears! The other patrons got a laugh. Bastards! Next stop was the wonderful Brown Brothers Winery where we tasted some of their fantastic wines. John liked the chilli shiraz, the chilli sauvignon blanc and the chilli graciano, then wisely let Carol choose which wines to buy! Last stop was the Milawa Cheese Factory where we tasted some fantastic cheeses. The blue cheeses killed off the chilli! Having topped up the larder, we headed back to Benalla, to find the V8 crowd had filled the park.There were Holden & Ford flags everywhere, and not a spare blade of grass to be seen. The sites beside us, empty when we left, were now full of both caravans and tents, so close you could hardly walk between them.

So Friday morning, we lined up for our final pancake breakfast, and hit the road, squeezing out of our site, successfully just missing the neighbours, heading for Yarrawonga on the Murray River, just 67 kms away, and just out of earshot of the V8's.