Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[roverdriver]

Gloria Over the Mountains

Mrs Roverdriver expressed a desire to re-visit Bruno’s Sculpture Garden at Marysville. We decided to extend the trip somewhat so that I could revisit areas that I had last seen in 1965. We set off in a well laden Gloria, (our 1954 P4) on Monday, St Valentine’s day.

If you would like a cyber visit to the gardens, you can do it here.
http://www.brunosart.com/

A good run to Marysville, a nice visit to the sculpture garden, and then off to Eildon. This little township bears the same name as a vast dam. Over the last 10 or 15 years the water level had dwindled so low that boating was forbidden, but recent rains have nearly filled it again. We were delayed a little, as we approached the town, by a houseboat being returned to the lake.

From Eildon we chose the shortcut ‘over the range’ to Jamieson. A very winding road, but sealed and in good condition, unlike when I passed over it before.

Here is the 'old' road.



We did need to use lower gears for most of the way, because of the climbs and bends. Naturally there were many photo stops too.







Dropping into a valley, I saw, according to the map, that we were approaching Big River, so informed Mrs. RD that we should expect to see a bridge and once across it a track off to the left. That track held memories of an adventure to a place called Enochs Point, so when we arrived another photo stop was called for.



Another climb and we had a magnificent view of an arm of Lake Eildon wher the Golburn River enters it.



Then we descended to Jamieson. The 33 mile journey had taken us nearly two and a half hours. Jamieson had been a busy bustling place in the latter part of the 1800's with a population of about 6,000 all intent on finding gold. Now it has a mere 160 people. We were the only visitors at the tourist cabins where we stayed for the night, but were told that in the tourist season the place is very busy.

Early next morning we set off southwards along the river valley.





The road was unsealed, but seemed much rougher than 46 years ago. The roughness was due to the heavy rains early in the month, that had washed over the road surface. Something new were the numerous neat camping areas beside the river. There are settlements marked on the map, but so small that they would make Jamieson seem like a busy city.





Our speed was kept low because of the winding road and the condition of the surface, so second and third gear found lots of employment. The A1 Mine Settlement is at the head of the valley. We were stopped here for a few minutes while some road work was being carried out, all supervised by a knowing dog.



I was pleased to find out that the A1 mine was operating again, it had closed in the late 1960's.

Now we faced a steep long climb up to Frenchmans Gap at an elevation of 1082 meter, a bit over 3,500 feet. There was evidence here of the bushfires of 2007, lots of trees standing, but dead.





Down the other side of that hill we regained the river valley. Mrs RD pointed out an odd structure in the bush. It was a retort left from when a sawmill had been. Some exploration found a more recent relic from the mill, the cab of a CMP truck.]







On again, to arrive in Woods Point. This is again a gold mining town as the Morning Star mine is back in operation. What is probably Australia’s most photographed petrol station, has been closed for a couple of years, but of course we had to park Gloria there for some snaps.



There are some nice old signs on the building, and the owner is engaged on some sympathetic conservation. Maybe it will open for business again.









I was worried about fuel because of all our low gear driving. A local passer-by told us that Diesel could be bought at the General Store, but petrol was sold at the pub. The petrol was housed in the old bakery opposite the hotel, and pumped from a 44 gallon drum. We were limited to buying 15 litres because it was mainly kept for emergencies. The publican told me that they were quite busy for such an out of the way place, They were fully booked out through the week with the mine workers, and busy on weekends with tourists.

There were a couple of interesting vehicles to photograph in the township, which nowadays has a population of less than 100.







It is a very steep seven kilometer climb out of the little township to Matlock. There was no evidence there of the saw mill that had just closed down when I passed through before. Here we turned to the west, the road following a ridge for a while, to bring us to McAdams Gap at 1158 meters or nearly 3,800 feet.



We had been enjoying some wonderful scenery, but it would be even more stunning in winter with snow on the ground.

Now we started on a slow descent. Still very winding, and still needing to use second and third gear, but now to hold the car back. We were looking for Nine Mile Road, a turnoff to the south.



We had been warned that the road was used by logging trucks, and as we paused for lunch at the junction, a loaded juggernaught roared by in a cloud of dust.

We were very alert on that drive, the winding road allowing little warning of a vehicle approaching, but we only encountered two- one was a 4wd car and camping trailer, met at one of the rare wider sections of road, and the other an empty logging truck that went by when we were stopped on the outer edge of a hair-pin bend consulting the map.

Eventually we reached tar-sealed road again, and it was less winding. What a joy to be able to make use of top gear once more, and even occasionally slip into overdrive. What pleasure to hear just the hum of the engine, rather than the incessant rattling and banging over the rough roads. Soon we were on much better roads, and brought our speed up to 60 mph. We made one other photo stop. This was at a large wooden trestle bridge, now merely part of a ‘rail trail’ but built to carry trains over a gully.



In the two days we traveled 337 miles. Very narrow winding road requiring low gears, accounted for 108 of those miles and 75 miles was unsealed road. We used 17 gallons of petrol so managed 19.8 mpg. Not bad considering the nature of the journey.

Users of Google Earth can view the countryside by searching for 'Jamieson, Victoria Australia', then zoom in and follow the road south.
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[peter scott]

Thanks for posting Dane.

That certainly looks likes a nice interesting trip. As I was reading your account but before I got to your mention of railways I was wondering if you might have been competing for space with the big trucks on the tressle viaduct!

Petrol consumption sounds very creditable. Maybe just as well.

Peter

p.s. A friend has been looking for a nice P4 for some time and has now just taken delivery of a very good specimen.
http://www.405-line.tv/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=823&sid=f1c9e05c3e99827bc42ce0a1bf6301e0
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[RotaryBri]

p.s. A friend has been looking for a nice P4 for some time and has now just taken delivery of a very good specimen.
http://www.405-line.tv/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=823&sid=f1c9e05c3e99827bc42ce0a1bf6301e0

I'll look out for that P4 as I often go through that part of Worcestershire.

Peter,

What is a 702? Is it an early TV set?
_________________
Keep Torqueing,

RotaryBri

1976 NSU Ro80

[RotaryBri]

Thank you for posting the story of your journey Dane,

Nice to see Gloria taking you on a very scenic and interesting journey. I really liked that petrol station.
_________________
Keep Torqueing,

RotaryBri

1976 NSU Ro80

[peter scott]

[RotaryBri]

Thanks for the info Peter.

That's quite a story going all the way to Cornwall in the little Reliant. I rated those cars and the Kitten version.
_________________
Keep Torqueing,

RotaryBri

1976 NSU Ro80

[P3steve]

Thanks for that account of your trip that was awesume, 19.8 I'd be glad to get that on a flat road in my P3 that was really good going seeing as you were using the low gears for much of the time.
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If the world didn't suck we'd all fall off

[Rick]

Fascinating account and photos RD, thanks for sharing them here

Rick
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[FrazzleTC]

That looks like a wonderful trip! I'd love to do a trip like that in my P6 at some point, it looks like a great adventure.