On the move again. This time we are travelling through Victoria, destination Point Lonsdale and Werribee, which is on the western edge of Melbourne. We are also catching up with Rudolf and Conny and Jackie.
We are mostly travelling on the main highway between Adelaide and Melbourne, initially called the Dukes Highway (South Australia) and the Western Highway (Victoria).
Nhill is about half way between Adelaide and Melbourne.
Nhill is a great place to stop for a night, or for a rest, but we have always been fascinated by the town so thought a few days here would be a great way to see the place, without the need to rush off, either to Melbourne or to Adelaide.
But first a photograph of the Murray River. Our first stop at Murray Bridge Big4 Caravan Park. Not overly impressed but we must return and have a good look at the town.
The camping ground in Nhill is a delight, with a revamped and luxurious ablutions block. Luxury plus. The Hindmarsh Council now manages the park and have certainly done a marvellous job. Sadly I did not take any photographs. Perhaps tomorrow before we leave.
Nhill is in the Wimmera region and is known as the 'Abode of Spirits' due to its Indigenous name. It is also surrounded by an enormous grain growing area.
The main street has the usual number of empty shops, and shops that look closed but are open, but just with dim lighting. We were fascinated with the dim lighting when we visited about ten years ago.
I counted four cafes, two of them bakeries, so they must get plenty of people stopping for coffee, cakes and pies. We were not disappointed with our coffee and cakes.
The Western Highway runs through the town centre, which is a pity, as the big trucks are very noisy. They are called B-double trucks and consist of a prime mover (truck) pulling two semi trailers. They are big brutes. I was impressed though with the wide gap (marked) between the parked cars and the road. It means you can open your car door without the fear of it being swiped by a vehicle. And you too, of course.
The public toilets. Ten years ago they included classical music as well. Walter informed me there was no music today. There are no pedestrian crossings or lights on these roads!
The old Post Office building, still in use.
Many of the houses were built of timber and and have an ornate verandah on three sides.
The local Catholic Church.
The wooden Presbyterian Church, named appropriately as St Andrews.
Underneath the protective roof there is a very old two roomed wooden house, which was the home of a local poet, called John Shaw Neilson. Well at least he lived in it as a child. It was actually situated in Penola in South Australia and moved to Nhill in 1972.
Next to the camping ground there is a beautiful park. No photos sadly. However behind the park, is a large swamp area, which is home to many birds, plus a few snakes too, no doubt. And through part of the swamp there is a very long high wooden walkway. Most impressive.
There are also walkways around the edge of the swamp, with plenty of reflections in the water.
In the centre of it all there is a lake, partly used for swimming, and the rest for boating, on even numbered days for rowing boats, and on odd numbered days, for speed boats and water skiing. However, only one speed boat at a time is allowed as there is limited space.
Such a beautiful area
The Saturday morning ParkRun uses these paths. Now that is a picturesque route.
Today we drove into the countryside on very narrow bitumen roads, which were surrounded by grain fields. They have obviously had some much needed rain here as the crops looked very green and healthy.
Tomorrow, a long drive to Point Lonsdale. An early start, I think.
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