High Plains Drifting
Heading out of Canberra towards the mountains.
The availability of interesting beer in rural Australia has improved immensely in the last decade. Before the pull up the hill, we stop for a burger and a drink at the Tumut River Brewing Co; recommended.
The road up to the plains twists and turns alongside the reservoirs of the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme. With Snowy 2.0 under construction, apparently it can be pretty hairy with construction trucks. We are in the holidays, so it's not busy thankfully.
Home for the next few days is Yarrangobilly Village, which consists of a spacious green National Parks campground, a drop toilet, a cool mountain stream, and a single heritage cottage. This is our first bush camp, so we will find out how we go relying on our own supplies of food, fuel, water & power.
A beady-eyed D2 spots a dingo on the ridge across the stream. I manage to get a glimpse of Comet Leonard.
Yarrangobilly Caves have been the major tourist destination here for a century. National Parks run tours are all booked out, so we do a self guided tour of the impressive Glory Hole cave system, and take a dip in the thermal pool (D2 somewhat disappointed by the mild temperature). We return another day for a guided tour of a smaller more delicate cave.
A drive across the plains, and more bushwalking at the Blue Waterholes. This includes investigation of some much wilder caves. 2 torches recommended, in case one fails! D2 very excited by this new experience!
