Elmore, Campaspe River, Victoria

Sunday morning found us driving a short distance into Elmore (previously visited 2021).

The Elmore district was surveyed in 1857 and the railway line opened between Bendigo and Echuca, via Elmore in 1864. In 1915 the junction railway line was opened form Elmore to Cohuna. Elmore had a diverse farming base, including vineyards (until affected by Phylloxera in the 1920s), dairying, poultry, sheep grazing and cereals. The town reached its peak in 1921 with a population of 893. Never the less, the town has everything you'd need including: local eateries (bakery, cafes, fish and chip shop, three hotels), supermarket, opp shop, antiques, second hand book store, newsagent, fuel station, post office, pharmacy, butcher, ag supplies, mechanic… along with 3 churches, a golf course, a swimming pool, a caravan park, a sports oval and tennis and bowling venues, a community bank and grain silos. It has also become well known for annual agricultural and machinery field days that began in 1964, held in October. 

We enjoy a stroll around and read a few signs about the town’s history.

Coffee van in action…

Brings back memories…

It was a short 10 minute drive to Ayson's Reserve, situated on the Campaspe River, is a  free camping area with toilets (BYO toilet paper), water (not potable), and dump point. It is a wonderful spot for camping, boating, bird watching, fishing and canoeing. We managed to get a water view site and decided it was too good to leave…. 

The next morning we drove 20km to Greens Lake which was created in 1968 as irrigation water supply or storage. In 2019 it stopped being used for such purposes and as a result it is returning to its natural watering regime. This  means that there will be an increase in flora and fauna including small-bodied fish and many species of water birds, such as the Brolga. There are toilets and hot showers on offer as well.

At this time of year there are plenty of spots to choose from and we settle in with water views across the lake. We have a wonder along the shore and then stay in the shade as the temperature reaches 34°, the hottest day so far. We watched a few fishermen take their boats out but unsure of their success in catching anything.

The evening brings a thunderstorm and cools things down for the night.