Easter at Blowering Dam

The regular trip down to Bendeathra had to be postponed this year as the tracks were closed. Rhys and Effie had been exploring at Christmas time and had found a great area to camp next to Blowering Dam/Reservoir.

Since we were so lucky this year to get an extra day off we decided to head to camp on the Friday morning. We had 6 in our group. Hammo and Evil, Rhys and Effie, Dean and Adam, Brian and Dawn, Matthew and his family. We met at the “Dog on the Tucker Box” at 10.30am for a 11am departure. Brian and family were running a little late but it was not long before we grouped and headed down the highway.

We turned off and made our way down through Adelong and onto Batlow and then followed the signs out to the dam. Lets just say well traditions have to be upheld and we did have to make a turnaround but hey that’s what makes trips interesting. We drove past several nice spots and then made it to Island Forest Park camping area and this would be our base for the trip. We set camp enjoyed lunch and collected firewood. It was early to bed for most as it had been a early start and long day for most.

Saturday most at camp just did as they needed or wanted. We headed back into batlow to get some basic repairs done and grab some supplies, Brian and family went exploring through Tumut, Rhys, Effie, Dean and Adam went south around the dam exploring and Hammo and Evil enjoyed the sun and stayed at camp to have the peace and quiet. We all merged back on camp early afternoon to sit in the sun enjoy some light nibbles and refreshments and sink further into relaxation mode.

Sunday morning most people slept in and had a very slow and lazy morning. It was nearly 11am before we decided to go for a drive and see if we can get around the northern end of the dam to then look for a walk to do on the other side of the water from where we were. After an hour of turnarounds due to fallen trees and blocked tracks we decided to head across on the southern end as Rhys and Effie had made it the day before. We enjoyed lunch at Log Bridge Camping area and then had heaps of fun taking more challenging tracks and muddy tracks on our way back to camp. Again we dragged wood and made a fire sat relaxed enjoyed each others company and the peacefulness of the area.

Monday morning Effie Dean and I rose early to watch the sun rise partly for photos but also to honour our fallen Anzac heros. After an early start we decided a trip north again was on the books for us. Dean and Adam headed down to Riverina to see where they had been years earlier. Hammo, Evil, Brian and Dawn decided that they were relaxed to the max and packed to head home so rhys and Effie joined us on our exploration. We had found a track the day before that seemed to just keep climbing through the forest so up we went and yep it did climb all the way up to the highest point of the mountain and up to the main road. We drove to the lookout and took some stunning photos. On our way back we stuck our noses down another track which at first seemed like it was going to go nowhere. Well we were so surprised to find a track marker so off we went to see where we could get. We were not hopeful that we would get anywhere with so many turn arounds the day before. We came to a few intersections and just picked a path and within about 20min we realised we were on a powerline trail that headed to the northern end of the dam. We finally spotted the northern dam wall and pushed on. We came out onto the black top and turned to find the wall. Well you couldn’t have found 4 happier people standing on the end of the wall. After spending so much time the day before and now to get there it was wonderful. We took photos dropped into Tumut to get coffee had a picnic lunch at the dam and then took the track back to camp collecting wood on the way. It was a very quiet night at camp many had headed home.

Tuesday we woke and got busy packing. We had a Emu visitor wondering through camp. Dean and Adam left early and we left with Rhys and Effie just after 10am. We decided to head across the back roads through Wee Jasper and onto Yass. This is the second time we have done this trip and unless necessary we wont be doing it again. We do enjoy the roads and scenery however it is a long trip home. After a very long wait for lunch we hit the road and were surprised to not get alot of traffic.

We had a great weekend and cant wait to get back to the area to do more exploring.

Us2martins enjoying Easter at Blowering Dam.