Linga Longa Tour March 2023

Our Linga Longa Yarrawonga Tour started on Monday March 13^th at 8.30am when our excellent coach and equally excellent coach driver left with the 35 of us for Yarrawonga Victoria. Our adventures to happen over the next six days just names and planning on an itinerary at this stage. Stopping at Yass for lunch we arrived at Yarrawonga, settled into our motel, the four star Central Motor Inn, which was to be our base for the rest of the week and had our first meal at the Tame Restaurant which was just a short walk from the motel and also the restaurant where we had all our breakfasts and most of our dinners.

Day Two saw us travelling to Lake Mulwala where we boarded a traditional steam driven paddle boat for a cruise on its tranquil waters. A semi live theatre production of Ned Kelly’s last stand was the other highlight of Day 2 where the Kelly siege came to life through the use of animatronics and computerised robots. A great experience where we were transported back in time to the final siege at Glenrowan. The day concluded with a delicious dinner at Burkes Hotel which was across the road from our motel.

Day Three saw us visiting the Red Stag and Emu Farm at Eurobinin in Victoria’s High Country  for a delicious Devonshire Tea (the largest and best scone I have ever eaten), an amazing panoramic view over the Owens Valley and a wonderful talk about the history of the family who established this farm. Following this we visited Bright, Myrtleford and Wandiligong where the first signs of Autumn are starting to appear, the Pumpkin Seed Factory where we could taste pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil and more. I was won over by chocolate coated pumpkin seeds and was glad they had large bags. Healthy dark chocolate and pumpkin seeds together. Wow! This was followed by a wine tasting at a Michelini Winery on our way home.

Day Four saw an early start for the long drive to Echuca and a cruise on the “Canberra”. So much history. In our free time afterwards Gerry and I then visited The Shamrock Hotel and celebrated St Patricks Day a day early.  Reminders of Australian History surfaced when we visited ‘Bryamine’, one of the oldest buildings in Victoria, on our way home to Yarrawonga. The homestead was built by the famous Australian explorer Hamilton Hume (Hume Highway was named after him) for his sister Elizabeth. After dinner on Day Four we had a Trivia night which was great fun and checked on who had been listening to the commentary as we drove around. It was a very close competition and the table calling itself “The Positive Table’ were the winners.

Day Five took us to beautiful Beechworth where we were entertained by Lazy Harry a local identity who was also a poet, a musician (organ and guitar) and who told us wonderful local stories.

At the Courthouse we then participated, with scripts, in the drama of Ned Kelly’s Trial, bringing to life the events of long ago. We returned home via the lovely little towns of Chiltern and Rutherglen. This was our last night and we wore Silly Hats to our last meal. Everyone participated and it was great fun with prizes being awarded to different categories. Our hosts at the motel and restaurant were wonderful and it was sad to say farewell to them.

Day Six, our final day was the long trip home with stops along the way, reaching Menai around 5.00pm. Everyone agreed that it was a wonderful holiday and many thanks to Helen Blayney for all her excellent organisation of this trip, both before the event which had previously been postponed due to Covid and during the six days we were away.

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Story by Carole  Sharp