NOW: Jamieson, Granny’s Flat.
When you travel the Alpine Way it’s easy to call in at the wineries and berry farms. We were just in time for the last of the fresh raspberries. At Bright and Myrtleford old tobacco kilns can be seen from the road. The local talk is that medicinal cannabis is to be trialled and dried in the old kilns and bring life back to the agricultural aspect of the community. Our destination is Wangaratta for replacement camp chairs and on to Mansfield at the foot of Mt Buller. Mansfield is a foodies village with interesting delis and cafes.
Tobacco drying kilns near Myrtleford
From Mansfield we passed through Jamieson and out to Granny’s Flat on the Jamieson River with our own fire pit and picnic table. We took a short drive to the Jamieson Brewery which was indeed a short trip as they were no longer brewing but the hoards had arrived at Granny’s Flat for the Easter break! First in best dressed so we were all set up with our fire pit and river view! Bright orange finches were regular visitors here.
After hot cross buns heated on the coals, we took the Licola Road to Mt Sunday Road past Wren’s Flat then up the Mitchells Track to the Mitchell Homestead ruins. From the river the road became steep and rocky with large humpty dos (some people call them erosion mounds). We returned home on Masters Track which started with a huge rock step but after a second look there was a track around this and then a steep track back down to the river crossing and back to Granny’s Flat.
Mitchell Track
Crossing Jamieson River.
Many people relaxed in the river at Easter
The Mitchell family cut a Bridle Track through the hills to Granny’s Flat and on into Jamieson to sell their cattle and produce to the miners in the early 1800’s. Local legend is that the pack horses could even walk unattended into town and return without any human assistance! The Mitchell’s were also known for their parties which lasted several days. Everyone had to travel the Bridle Track single file so I guess they didn’t want passing traffic and stayed to be sure everyone had arrived before starting the return journey. The track is now a narrow walking track used by hikers.
Walking part of the Bridle Track
After the Easter weekend the locals all left and we settled back to the quiet surroundings and some good campfires. After proving some bread mix in the sun on the car dashboard we baked some great bread and even wiped the dust from the car cabin.
Campfire
Bread in the camp oven
Jamieson Camp(after everyone left us)
Granny’s Flat was named after Mrs Hoskins (Granny) who farmed potatoes on the river flat. Granny sold her vegies to the miners and continued in the area long after the gold and the miners were gone. We also met those famous Aussie travellers Viv and Ron Moon who have explored and recorded their travels in a series of guide books. They’ve also travelled with Tvans and wished us well in our travels!
NEXT: Pineapple Flat (Victoria not tropical Queensland as the name implies)
On the Emu Track
Cheryl and David.
