A late decision was made to do a run up the hill this morning, with no other plan but to drive in that direction. I made my way across to Meander where I picked up the father in law, and then we travelled up through Golden Valley towards the Great Lake.
Unfortunately the snow that was falling disolved just as quick as it fell, so other than areas hidden from the sun it was more or less gone. We stopped and grabbed a couple of photos of the Lake whilst the sky was blue.
Continuing on we turned off and headed in to Lake Augusta with the road being bloody slippery. Upon arriving I released the kids to have a quick play whilst we had a look around. For some reason the bloody boom gate is closed, even though the lake is right down on it’s water level.
I can’t believe how much is locked up down here now, compared to when I left. For those not aware, when the boom gate is open you can access the western lakes via a 4WD track which is bloody rough and rocky but well worth the effort. I guess I’ll leave it until later in the year.
Working our way back out to the highway we followed the water down a little track that most people drive straight past. It would be great to float down in summer on a kayak or even a tyre tube – although I have not doubt it’d be frowned upon.
A quick stop at the shop to grab a few pies and we continued on turning down towards Poatina. This road disects the Great Lake and Arthurs Lake, although we didn’t get time to visit Arthurs Lake this trip. That’ll be another day run most likely.
Again for the whole length of the road there are heaps of areas that are now shut off to the public. Great big boom gates are all over the place – I really don’t remember it being that way. We were going to take an old track that drops down into Blackwood Creek, but again it was bloody locked.
So we continued on past Poatina and went to Blackwood Creek via the black-top. Sticking to the back roads we turned off and headed up into the Liffey Forest. The drive is really fanastic through here, and there is the added bonus of the Liffey Falls and camping area if you have time. I will say that it gets bloody cold though!
Coming out of the Liffey Forest you start running parallel to the Cluan Forest, another area I’ve been in a bit of late (wood cutting). Eventually you come out at Golden Valley back on the Lakes Highway where we turned north.
We also found a little play area on the way home. Nothing major as such, mainly 2nd gear low range but we did shock the crap out of a heap of motorcycles when we climbed to the top of the range – I don’t think they’ve seen a 4WD come out of there before!!!
A place to keep in mind for another day, although it is very overgrown…..
Cheers
Chris