Hotham ride report - Jan 2010

[HyperGez]

During the final hours of my last shift at work, annual leave was upon me and plans to camp in the Gippsland Lakes area were in full swing. Bike and all gear was loaded and ready to go on my arrival home that morning.
We left at midday and arrived at our destination at 5pm, set up camp and cracked the first of many cans.
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Thursday ended up being the only day we could ride as temps were up in the high 30's the whole time we were there.
Plan was to head up the Alpine road from Swan Reach to Mt Hotham.
First stop was fuel at Swan Reach.
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu93/Gez510/07012010.jpg

We rode along the Tambo river to Bruthen where we turned up the Alpine road. The first 10 -15 kays had re-surfacing work going on so it was a little slow and steady for a bit till we hit the good stuff. We stop'd for a breather at a spot overlooking the Tambo river.
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Next stop was Omeo for fuel and a much needed coffee. It was cold and very overcast up until now, but by the time we re-fueled and drank our coffee's, the sun was shining and getting quite warm.
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu93/Gez510/07012010005.jpg

The road from Omeo to the top of Hotham was fanbloodytastic :twisted:, very minimal traffic and no wildlife for once. Hotham sure has changed since i'd been there, money talks.
Pic at the carpark opposite the chair lift.
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Random pic of the mountain tops.
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We continued on past Hotham for a few kays and stop'd for some pics at a lookout.
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The road we just travelled. :D Shit Yeah!
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The Beast :twisted:
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A pic of the bikes at a new water treatment pond.
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We soon doubled back over Hotham to Omeo, re-fueled and started making our way back down the Alpine road towards Bruthen, stopping at Ensay general store for a late lunch and a drink.
http://i637.photobucket.com/albums/uu93/Gez510/07012010013.jpg

Back at camp, the duke was cleaned off all foreign matter (rode thru a damn locust swarm) put under it's cover as all duke's should be, and cracked open the first of many more cans that night.

The rest of the trip was spent drinking, BBQing, drinking, pool, drinking :D and fishing the many rivers from my fathers boat, oh, and drinking.

Looking forward to our next adventure (Port Campbell overnighter)
Come on people, get out there and enjoy thoes bikes, report back and post pics.
:up:

[Grizzly]

Great report. I'm off to Tassy next Wednesday so I'll try and take some pics and post here.

[Gonzo]

You trailered them?

Soft :p

Touring, on a motard? - SupermotoAus

[MarkeeMark]

Nice one Gez. You shoulda continued onto Harrietville then over Tawonga Gap. I'm sure Muzz will chime in about this too. Looked like a great ride and holiday.

[Gonzo]

Nice one Gez. You shoulda continued onto Harrietville then over Tawonga Gap. I'm sure Muzz will chime in about this too. Looked like a great ride and holiday.

And then up over Falls Crk, past the Blue Duck Inn and into Omeo.

The Omeo Hwy is my 2nd favorite road in Australia :up:

[SMC690]

I'm jealous, great ride, awesome pics Gerry. :)

Anyone feel like doing Tawonga Gap next week? I'm thinking of heading up to go for a ride with my uncle who just moved to Mount Beauty.

[HyperGez]

This is our usual end of year family trip away so was just happy to take the bikes up for a spin while we were there.
The loop from Omeo - Hotham - Harrietville - Tawonga Gap - Falls Creek - Anglers Rest - Omeo is on the 'to do list'.
Maybe another overnighter in the making?

[daffy67]

Yeah it's a great ride, I was last at Hotham in '98 when I worked the snow season driving village transport.

[Dyer]

This is our usual end of year family trip away so was just happy to take the bikes up for a spin while we were there.
The loop from Omeo - Hotham - Harrietville - Tawonga Gap - Falls Creek - Anglers Rest - Omeo is on the 'to do list'.
Maybe another overnighter in the making?

thats a good ride, i started from sale and did that way but from falls creek went nearly to hotham then on the upper dargo road to dargo (45k's of gravel) then back home.

some hard roads on the brakes up there.

[HyperGez]

I'll have to remember your at Sale and give you a heads up next time we head up. Our old Van spot was on the Thompson river just out of town there. We originally started camping at McLennan Straits near Lochsport. Always wanted to ride thoes sand tracks out there, would be awsome.