OKA RALLY - Walhalla - 23rd - 25th November 2007

Written by Rowena Paterson

Attendance: Fred Hallett & Vicki Blackley, Wayne & Lisa Simmonds, Paul Nott, Ian & Jackie Jones, Rowena Paterson, Darren Visser & Janine Ridley & family, Chris & Arleen Deed & family, Lex & Corina Brown, John & Dianne Smithard & Greg & Maree Boyle & family.

We couldn't complain about the weather, near perfect as we met at Walhalla, in the high country north of Moe in Gippsland Victoria.

Walhalla is a beautiful historic mining town, nestled deep in the mountains. It's a very interesting town, has been burnt down a number of times and had a number of mining accidents in the past. You couldn't help but noticed the burnt line of trees in the mountains surrounding the town. That's how close the fires came earlier in the year.

It even has a tourist train which runs in the valley from the township to the Thompson River.

We stayed at the local campground in town, set up 8 OKA's and a campfire and we were happy for the night.

The next day we headed off north of Walhalla, towards Thompson Dam which is Melbourne's main water supply. After having a look at the low water levels of the dam, we headed further north for 8 kms of dirt road until reaching Merrimans Track, which took us a few kms down the mountains to the Merrimans campground. The track was interesting, with a few people describing it a little hairy in places. The track was recently graded which made it quite rocky and narrow in places, so it was quite interesting negotiating our OKA's down a steep windy rocky track with a number of hairpin turns.

The campground was great, huge area with plenty of grass, shade and a short walk to the Aberfeldy River. Again it was interesting to see the surrounding hills, all blackened by the bushfires earlier in the year.

We set up OKA's, campfire, chairs, drinks, food etc.... The Boyle family joined us, which made a total of 9 OKA's for the weekend.

The Deed family went for a ride on their dirt-bikes into the mountains. The rest of us walked to the river for swim, sat under the shade of the trees and enjoyed the scenery, weather and each others company.

Another great weekend!