Day 228 Native Cat track to Omeo

VIC Day 4 (228) Saturday 8th January, 2022 50.2km

24.7 walking

The night is restless and the spot I've setup isn't ideal. I think I've got an animal living close and I worry most of the night it may chew its way in. Light showers over night and I'm ready to put in a big day if I can.

The Morning Road

I get a message to say the Omeo Caravan Park has closed permanently as they have suffered their 4th flood. and Tambo River has a flood watch. As I'm walking I'm trying to work out a route. The plan is to try and get down to Bindi Station which is on the Tambo River. There are two ways. One is 25 kilometres across a fairly steep track the other is 12 kilometres longer.

Tambo River South

I don't decide until I get to the turnoff down Garron Point Track which is the shorter steeper route. I do have to cross Tambo River South. I see a couple of cars have come up so I go the short steep way.

The track down to the river is very steep and slippery. I hope I can get across the river. It's going to be a bugger going back up. I can hear the river when I get close and I get a little worried. But when I see it I think it's definitely doable. As long as the depth is OK. I check both sides of the actual track crossing and there are a couple of spots upstream and downstream that look OK. But I decide to wade across the track crossing. The poles check the depth and help me brace the current. The depth is mostly just above knee height but there was a hole just before the exit at ball deep that I slipped into. Didn't really worry me and I stopped and had breakfast before moving on.

One of the drop offs. I was hoping it would be the last

I get to an intersection of the Marble Gully Track and get a message to say don't go to Bindi as they are flooded in with Bindi Creek and Tambo River flooding. Bit late as I'm only 12 kilometres away. To now turn back would involve getting back to a road and going round the Tambo River to Omeo. However once Penny and Fraser from Bindi Station hear where I am they say to keep coming and as long as I can get across the creeks to the homestead then they will give me a lift into Omeo.

Looking down on Bindi Station

So I continue on up and down some steep hills to the back end of Bindi Station. Then it's a walk across their paddocks and a long jump across one creek.

A diversion around a large bull then a boots off wade across Bindi Creek. It started raining as I was crossing the paddocks. No photos in the rain, then I met Penny and Fraser who loaded me in the Ute and drive me into Omeo. Penny drops me off at the Hilltop Hotel the only spot in town with room available. It's raining. Do I attract the rain. From the day I started it seems everyone is having their wettest periods. I'm in Omeo a day early so I intend to stay 3 nights. Hopefully some of the creeks and rivers go down.