Short Break Benalla

Finally after a fairly gruelling second half to the year the project was finally over. As a result I managed to get a couple of days break just before Christmas and we headed to Benalla. 2 nights one full day really. Anyway better than  nothing. Not much in the way of photo ops and I managed not to check my camera settings which I had been playing with so not many turned out particularly well. Thursday night was pizza at a place called Hollywoods and they make a really good pizza. All 3 of us were so full, no desert.

We managed quite a nice drive though on the Friday and drove through the King Valley via the Tolmie Road from Benalla. This is quite a good dirt road, although they had just finished grading a section of it, we saw them, and it was like driving on marbles for that section. Otherwise it was a good road and goes through the mountains and some spectacular views.

Somewhere along the way we saw a sign that said Kelly Tree. Since this is Kelly country we thought it worth a look. Apparently this is the site where Ned and his brother Dan were holed up panning for gold after there had been some trouble. They were confronted by some troopers and in the ensuing  gun battle Ned shoot dead a trooper. This site is dedicated to the memory of the trooper and a plaque erected in the side of the tree now selected as the Kelly tree. The original Kelly tree that had the bullet hole in it clearly marking the site had been earlier logged for timber. 

We pulled into Powers Lookout, we had been there a few years ago and just wanted to see it again. The view of the King Valley is just awesome and what inspired us to come back and have a better look.

We had lunch at a great pub in Whitfield. It is situated over a creek and they have seating outside so you can take the creek in whilst dining. Great food in a great atmosphere, very relaxing.

Then on to a national park and the Paradise Falls. Quite nice falls though not a huge amount of water given the amount of rain they have had lately. Still we were told the best it has run in years.

Back up the main road and to a winery called Pizzini. The valley is full of wineries, cideries and great food places all using local produce. Anyway Pizzini make mostly cool climate wines which are not a lot to my liking. BUT then I asked if they had any sweet wines and yes they make some great ones. I went from buying 2 bottles to 10. Their Vin Santos is exceptional. The grapes are left to raisin and then they are pressed daily for 5 days. Fantastic and there was the  hint of coffee in the flavour. I was advised that in Italy it is usual to drink it with an espresso. It was easy to imagine it. 

Finally we headed back through Greta (G South and G West also I think) and back to Benalla.
BTW Benalla has a pretty spectacular rose garden  in the centre of the town.

 Lastly - I know you have all been waiting for it here is our caravan.