Series 4, Episode 27
This week on Discover Downunder, we travel to Yarra Junction, which is 66 kilometres east of Melbourne.
This is the point where the 36 inch gauge of the Powelltown timber tramway intersected with the standard Victorian Railway line, which now serves as a walking track. Timber has been at the backbone of this beautiful part of Victoria, and little wonder when you consider, more wood has passed through here than any other part of the world with the exception of Seattle in the USA.
Eager to learn more about this neck of the woods we set off to The Upper Yarra Valley Historical Museum.
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This Museum is located in the old Lilydale Station which was relocated here in 1965.
It is has an excellent collection of timber memorabilia and some wonderful photographs are on display.
The Ada Tree in Powelltown, 16 kilometres south east of Yarra Junction, has one of the biggest known mountain ash trees in the world.
This magnificent specimen is calculated to be over 300 years old, has a circumference of 15 metres and is 76 metres tall.
The Powelltown-Noojee Road will take you to the tree, a car park area and picnic ground is near by and there are several other great walks, so take advantage of this picturesque area.
A further 40 kms on is Noojee, sitting comfortably on the banks of the Latrobe River.
This town also used to be a big wheel when it came to timber production, but that trade has dried up in recent years and now Noojee is noted for its beauty.
If you have a mind to try gold fossicking then this is the place, with many streams running through the town, it is a popular spot to try you luck.
Take a walk along the Heritage listed Trestle Bridge, this is a great example of its type and was built in 1919 but had to be rebuilt in 1939 following a devastating bushfire, it is the only remaining, highest trestle bridge in Victoria.
Thirty five minutes south from Noojee is the West Gippsland town of Warragul, situated between Drouin and Yarragon.
The name Warragul is Aboriginal for ’wild’ or ’wild dog’ and is the regional capital of West Gippsland.
Some of Victoria’s richest agricultural land lies in this district, with dairy farming being the major industry.
But it’s not only cows down this way, they also lay claim to some rather large earthworms! A record breaking worm was unearthed in 1868 at Brandy Creek, measuring 2.19 metres!
They don’t do things by halves around this area.
Warragul is the ideal place to base yourself to explore the snowfields of Mt Baw Baw, there are also some great scenic drives through the rolling hills, just keep an eye out for those worms.
Around a 10 minute drive north of Warragul is a spectacular glass making gallery. Lillico’s Haydn John, specialises in making art from working tools. There are some amazing examples of everyday tools transformed into exceptional masterpieces.
Other works of Haydn’s include; glass garden sculptures,
Platters, signs, lamps, jewellery and decorative plates.
All pieces are individually designed, so if you are interested in something out of the ordinary then this is the place for you.
On next week’s show we hit the off road. We start by showing you how to get ready and then set off for a little fun. Along the way, we take a look at two parks right on Melbourne’s doorstep and have a visit with the city itself, so join us then, when next we Discover Downunder.
PRODUCTS & CONTACTS
RV SHOWCASE: PARAMOUNT CARAVANS
15-17 Merri Concourse
Campbellfield
Victoria 3061
Ph: (03) 9357 7332
Fax: (03) 9357 9790
LOTUS CARAVANS
Ph: (03) 9303 9300
CUB CAMPERS
361 Wentworth Ave
PENDLE HILL
NSW 2145
Ph: (02) 9896 3550
Fax: (02) 9688 1770
www.cubcampers.com.au GLEN CROMIE CARAVAN PARK
850 Main Neerim Road
Drouin West
Victoria 3818
Ph: (03) 5626 8212
Fax: (03) 5626 8414
YARRA JUNCTION HISTORICAL MUSEUM
Yarra Junction
Victoria 3797
Ph: (03) 5967 2167