Yarrawonga Holiday Park

Three hours drive north towards the Victoria-New South Wales border via Benalla was pleasantly smooth sailing. 

With three bikes of top of the tray and one on top the roof sitting side by side with the roof box, our Ford Ranger Wildtrack must had appeared that we had packed quite an adventurous trip. We were able to keep an eye on the bikes with the rear and side mirrors.

Our initial reaction was shock as we were not used to the crowds at our campsite, Yarrawonga Holiday Park. We found our fellow campers quite easily. They had arrived much earlier than us. 

Manisha and Matt's car battery needed to be replaced with RACV providing a helping hand. The sun had a bite in it as we were setting up our tents. We found slight relief in our beers.

The children disappeared at the playground and waterpark. These areas require a pincode to enter. The waterpark entry was inclusive with the camping fees. They loved these very much. There were lots to do and friendships made.

We started preparing for dinner of baby bocconcini, rocket, cucumber, pork steaks, and thinly sliced pork belly. Rebecca and Ronn bought their Snowpeak bbq box and as did we. When we combined them into their table module, the setup was really good. I think once we settle into our new place, we will purchase similar modules as theirs.

We talked and laughed into the night. We ate slow roasted figs that were gifted by my colleague, Colin.

The next day, Kim and Ronn went out for a morning 35km ride. They left later than planned and we had a much later breakfast than the others. Nevertheless, the children were happy playing in the playground, squawking like the corellas in the morning. 

After cleaning up breakfast, we went for a 10km bike ride with those who wanted to explore by bike. We set the ground rules for all before we started. This assisted us in keeping the children safe.

We rode to Yarrawonga Weir. This was where the border between Victoria and New South Wales lay. 

We stopped to observe a tortoise on the embankment. The steep bank was far greater than its determination. I could imagine its struggle and plight for survival before it died of exhaustion.

Kari and Yasper's son accidentally caught his handlebars on between the metal balusters and fell of his bike. Luckily, he was ok and bravely rode on. 

Corellas and sulphur crested cockatoos were foraging underneath canopies of the eucalyptus grove by the weir oozed peace, serenity and utter happiness. Anne Shirley of Green Gables would've named this place Eucalyptus Elation. 

We reached our destination by the river. Dead sun bleached trees were reaching out in vain with their branches to be rescued. Ice-creams completed the perfect summer holiday picture as we sat on the green grass. This was the life - not drawn into mass panic of lack of toilet paper, food or bottled water in this pre-Covid-19-

 pandemic. 

The others rode back to camp and we rode into Yarrawonga. Thyme for Coffee was a friendly and chilled out lunch place. The greenery in the undercover alleyway was cooling. 

The children were thrilled when they arrived to base camp for the waterpark. They immersed themselves in water play for hours. In addition to running around like headless  chickens, the weather was very sunny and hot, thus the children returned with rumbling bellies.

After a fresh shower, we walked 10 minutes to Criterion Hotel. We sat outside but undercover at a table with a reserved sign with the name Nisha. Manisha was not impressed but we all had a giggle. The food and service here was good. The serve was a healthy size. 

An evening stroll to river and camp finished our evening perfectly. We even stumbled on the most beautiful and bounciest green lawn.

Needless to say, the children slept like little possums nestled in their warm nests. 

The adults gathered around the warm charcoal grille that evening and sipped wine. We talked and laughed late until the night, which I was certain, annoyed the other campers. 

The charcoal was still hot the next morning. Some of us warmed our bread over it. We had a quick breakfast and started to pack our car. The sun was unbearably hot and I thought of that tortoise on the embankment. How hot and bothered must it have felt.

We convened again at Rich Glen Olive Estate which was 5 minutes drive away. It was a oasis. There were handmade windmills and scarecrows. One can feed the gorgeous lambs with bottles of milk. 

Thomas played giant chess with a lovely boy who was visiting the estate as well as Lachie. Whilst we were sitting on a grass, a lady came and laid a picnic blanket for us. We sipped our drinks contently and enjoyed each other's company.

We said our goodbyes to our friends and headed for Benalla. We extended our thanks to Manisha for organising such a fun trip. The bakery was closed and ate our stash of hot cross buns. We stumbled into a secondhand bookstore nearby. The lady was very kind and was like minded cyclist too. One of our future trips will be to Benalla where there is a bike trail from the town to Winton Wetlands.