Our 10th June walk - 'The Cheviot Rail Tunnel'
Sixteen of us, in four cars, left Benalla at around 8.45 a.m. on a sunny wintery day headed for the Cheviot Rail Tunnel. The Tunnel exists today as a tourist attraction that you can walk or bike ride through. The tunnel is 200 metres long and constructed of half a million hand made bricks. The bricks were made on site, out of clay from a local clay deposit. The tunnel was once an important part of the Mansfield rail link from Melbourne, which operated from the early 1880’s to 1978, when it was decommissioned. We walked through the tunnel trying to imagine busy scenes from days gone by. Our walk leader was Brian, and after a little snack brought along by Brian’s wife Gail, we were ready to commence our nearly 10 kilometre walk into Yea. Rail trails are great to walk along, and of course also super for bikes. The walk to Yea was good with wonderful views and when we arrived, Gail was there to greet us. She had kindly driven into Yea to take the car drivers back to the Tunnel Car Park to get the other three cars. A late lunch was then enjoyed in the Yea Wetlands and we walked one short circuit before heading back to Benalla. Many thanks to Brian and Gail for the lovely day.
Coming up on 17th July - 'The Paps'
The Paps consist of 2 hills. The walk starts up a gravel road, continuing past a road junction to the first hill for great views over Mansfield, Nillahcootie and Bonnie Doon. Then we come back to the junction and walk to the second Pap for views over Mt. Buller, Lake Eildon and as far as the eye can see. The Leader is Sue Pendergast 5768 2403 or 0429 866 162. Meet at the Centre at 9am, depart 9.10 or Swanpool Store at 9.30.
