Heading out thru western Victoria

On Boxing Day after spending 3 months in and around Adelaide we finally packed up and headed out of South Australia.  We had one final stop before leaving the state which was overnight at our nephew's property at Tintinara and had a terrific catch up with more rellies and participation of more food and Christmas celebration drinks!!

As we headed off the next day we were mindful that it was school holidays and the high holiday season so as to avoid high prices and crowded parks, we decided that our journey to Queensland would take more of an inland route. 

This is "4 mile beach" no water but!!

After passing through Bordertown headed to Nhill where we turned north to make our way through the back blocks of Victoria towards the River Murray.  Our first night free-camp was at "Four Mile Beach ".  Now I know I said we were keeping away from the beach and we are - this camp is on Lake Hindmarsh just 20kms from Jeparit.  Lake Hindmarsh is now a dry lake as a Weir was built not far from Jeparit which stopped the flow of water into the lake some 3 years ago.  The Caravan & Camping area had power and good amenities and also showed signs of what would have been a very popular water skiing and  picnic area when the lake was full of water.  

You can only imagine the fun water skiers and campers would have had when the lake was full.

We only stayed one night before travelling further north passing through Hopetoun where we stopped for morning tea at Lake Lascellies and watched water skiing.  This was very popular, with fishermen & water skiing camps dotted around the lake - will certainly keep this in mind for future camping spots.  From here we set off for Sea Lake with the intention of camping there the night as we had heard and read favourable reports about the area.  When we arrived at Sea Lake around lunch time it did not look as appealing as we envisaged and with the temperature hovering in the mid-thirties we decided to keep going and try our luck for a campsite on the River Murray.

Hopetoun reserve, on the other side you can see the campers.  Note the painting of the corrugated iron on the shelter.

Arrived at a small town on the River Murray approx 100kms upstream from Robinvale and explored the Nyah-Vinifera State Forrest where we were lucky enough to find a quiet camp site beside the River and ended up staying for 3 nights - only seeing a couple of fishermen and the odd jet ski passing.  Thought ourselves very lucky to find this gem of a campsite at this time of year.

Water front site in the Nyanh Forest, nice to relax.

Our camp is on the LHS

Our camp - on the bank

On the last day of 2014 we headed into New South Wales crossing the River Murray at Tooleybuc, travelling through Balranald, Maude and settling on Hay to stay for New Year's Eve.  Thought we would celebrate New Year's Eve with a night at the Bowling Club - a venue where the catering is done by Chinese and offer Chinese and other meals.  We chose Schnitzel  & Fish and on reflection we should have selected Chinese!!!  Without the most vibrant entertainment we headed home around 9.30pm, treating ourselves to a Magnum Ego - which was the highlight of our New Year's Eve!