b'Dec 2021 Trackwatch.qxp_Trackwatch Layout 128/11/20215:38 pmPage 11have never been to Bindaree Falls,the track leads behind the falls so youcan look outward through the water.Very enchanting. We then caught upfor a very quick lunch with the rest ofthe group who had stopped atBindaree Hut.From there, we headed up 16 MileJeep Track to Bluff Hut for a look-see.As the day was getting on, we weregoing to camp at Lovicks Hut, but wehad a feeling that it might be full giventhe number of travellers on the road.We found an empty spot big enoughfor us all right on top of Mt Lovickwhilst Gary quickly went on to see ifthere was space at the Hut. It was The little cemetery at Wonnangatta Stationlooking a bit crowded there, so westayed where we were and set up the clear weather. We still had quite a night. Bonus!camp just off the track. few cars coming the other way who all At 8 oclock, when it was fulyl dark,After setting up a fire in the middle of said that they were enjoying the show. we grabbed our torches and (asour circle of wagons, we were treated We got on to Howitts High Plains creepy as it sounds) headed for theto a lovely sunset overlooking the Road and made a bee-line to Howitts cemetery where the tour was to start.Howqua River valley. As night fell, we Hut for morning tea and another look The senior members of the FOWcould see the Mt Buller Resort all lit around. society were there in full periodup in the distance to the northwest, Back tracking north, we turned onto costume, and we went from plot tobut the best view of all was straight Zeka Spur Track and worked our way plot where they shared the history ofup. The kids and I found a small down into the Wonnangatta Valley, the Barclay family who lived there.clearing just to the east of camp and were pleasantly surprised that it Moving carefully from site to site, wewhere there was nothing but sky and wasnt nearly as busy as we feared. looked at the layout of the homesteadstars. Away from the lights of We got a nice spot by the river to set all marked out in stone so we couldMelbourne, and on a moonless night, up camp in the vicinity of the move from room to room, as well asthe view of the Milky Way was just Wonnangatta Station and had a late outbuildings such as the piggery. Allstunning, and we just stared at it lunch. Seeing as we had the afternoon the while they were telling stories andpicking out constellations and the odd free, we all went for a bit of a walk in anecdotes about the unsolved mys-satellite. the sunshine to see what we could tery of the Wonnangatta Murder inThe next morning, we were off early to see. There were some people restoring 1918. My favourite tale is about howsecure a good spot in the the little cemetery in the distance the local constabularytravelled forWonnangatta Valley, but not before under the fir trees, so we wandered two days in heavy rain bringing thechecking out Lovicks Hut. My son over. It turned out they were from the body of the victim back to MansfieldJarryd was in the drivers seat this local historical society Friends of slung over the back of a horse, andtime, as it was his turn (I always get Wonnangatta, and not only do they how they had to sleep next to thekicked out when my adult kids are maintain the cemetery and historical body overnight to protect it from awith me), however I secretly suspect sites, but they also run night tours of pack of wild dingoes. Life was brutalthey didnt want to risk another tyre the sites with stories of the back then. After a couple of hours, weincident. Turning on to King Billy Wonnangatta murders that occurred headed back to camp in the darkTrack, we were treated to spectacular 100 years agoand their first tour in where some of the group had stayedviews going on for miles and miles in 18 months was to start at 8pm that behind to simply chill out by the river.The top of Eaglevale TrackTRACKWATCH DECEMBER 2021 9'