Black Cockatoo – 9-11 March 2018

Black Cockatoo (Naracoorte)

9-11 March 2018

We had an initial line up of 9 vehicles but after a quick phone around Thursday night we were trimmed down to 7 vehicles; one had an unscheduled family matter crop up and the other had completely forgotten they had their name on the list. Three were to travel ahead of us on the Friday so that meant four vehicles would gather at Tailem Bend.

We all arrived ahead of time and were able to depart as scheduled as a convoy of 4. Peter “kissed” the truck trailer goodbye and we set off. A short stop at Coonalpyn to stretch our legs and admire the silo art, it was onto Willalooka for another short break and to let the dog have a play. We then arrived at camp at 12.30pm. The campground was empty as the others had gone their separate ways touring for the day. Camps were set up in the shade as it was a warm March day. The shade was welcome. When the ‘tourists’ arrived back we all sat around the fire pit (no fire – too risky). Events of the day were discussed.

Overnight the predicted cool change and cloud swept in and most had jackets at hand even if they were not wearing them. We left camp at 10am and headed to Francis. We saw some yellow tailed, black cockatoos and heard their peculiar screech; then crossed the border to Benayeo, and then south to Apsley. Along the way, we passed a couple of places that might be worth returning to for camping another time. Both were on shallow lakes that would have yabbies in them.

Then it was east to Edenhope. Edenhope is where the first Australian cricket team gathered to travel to England. The aboriginal team was from the surrounding districts. Lunch was taken down on the foreshore of Lake Wallace. The lake was about 80% full which is great as it was bone dry in 2012, at the height of the drought. This dispelled the local story that there was a gig bogged in the lake bed when the water dried out. No remains were found but lots of old empty beer bottles and number plates were.

After leaving town we travelled towards Lang Koop but turned off the bitumen and onto some dirt tracks. The first part of the track is now called Poolaijelo Lane but it is just one part of the old Portland wool lane that ran from North of Kaniva all the way south to Portland. As the name suggests, the bullock drays used to cart wool to be loaded onto the ships at Portland. This part of the track is graded once a year as a fire access track so was quite user friendly.
We turned onto the Mereek Track which follows the Mosquito Creek. At this time of year it is not much more that a puddle every kilometre. Evidence of previous vehicles using the track in the wet meant we had to dodge quite a few holes and, as usual, the worst spots were right where the track narrowed between trees. Some would like to come back in the wet. As a former resident of the area I can assure you that it is possible to get stuck in 2 inches of mud, such is the nature of some parts of the soil in the area.

Turning onto Longbottoms Track, we travelled along the edge of the scrub and were able to see where blue gum trees had been harvested. The stumps remaining had shot again. We disturbed quite a few kangaroos from their afternoon slumber as we meandered along. Being at the front of the convoy had a few advantages. Wal and I were lucky enough to see a feral deer and her fawn cross the track from the scrub into the plantation; they certainly move very fast.

We called into my mother’s place and some took a look around her large, beautifully maintained garden. My brother, Stephen, was working in the shed at the time and came to meet us all. He was able to answer all the questions the gang threw at him and, while some of us gathered two buckets of lemons to take with us, he returned from his own orchard with a tray full of pears which were absolutely delicious.

It was then back to camp for drinks. This time we had a fire and all sat close to it as the wind was quite chilly. What a change from the previous day.

All in all, it was a relaxing, social weekend and I thank those who attended with us; Peter & Lynne, Jim & Michelle, Alan & Cecilia, Bruce & Deb, Trevor & Barb, Trevor & Julie.

Kerry and Wal