Leaders were Helen Langley and Shirley Southcombe. 25 Jan 2006.

One and a half hours after the "Bogong Walkers" set off, the alternative excursion commenced at 9 am. Fifty enthusiastic travellers boarded Peter Collies bus, with high expectations of a relaxed and enjoyable day.

Helen counted heads. Then we were off heading northwards on the Great Alpine Road in bright sunshine. The surrounding hills were a bit hazy from the fires burning in Central Victoria.

Blackbirds were the first of the bird count (for the Chinchilla Mob) and the birdos had plenty of opportunity today to add to their list.

Bright. Peter gave us a brief run down of the area around Bright where we would be today. Helen read out a couple of walks from a pamphlet she had, one based at Wandiligong and two others around Bright.

When we arrived at Bright, Ivan and Paul de-bussed. Then we continued on a tour of the township, past ice-cream parlours and sweetie shops and other important local highlights before driving along Coronation Avenue towards Wandiligong.

To Wandiligong. We were following Morses Creek and the valley was most picturesque with tobacco fields, apple orchards, and pine-clad hills with higher hills behind clothed in eucalypts. Birds seen along here were purple Swamphens, White-faced Herons, Magpies, both Pied and Black-backed, and Wood Ducks in a different habitat (for me, anyway). Many were seen under apple trees with snails and grubs to feed on.

Peter continued his interesting commentary. Nightingales "Alpine Apple" orchards and packing sheds are one of the largest in the area. They concentrate on Pink Ladies and Fujis, which are send interstate in great quantities.

Wandiligong township was small and neat, with a little of its hectic gold-era history now on show, except for a Manchester Unity Hall (1974) and the Methodist Church and Wandi Pub. We had morning tea down at the local "Alpine Park".

Walk along Morses Creek. We then headed off on our four kilometre track along the bank of Morses Creek. We started at the park, went through three or four farm paddocks. Friendly cows, we were informed by signs on some gates, but prone to wander, so PLEASE SHUT THE GATE!. Along the creek it was cool and shady; (35 ^o out in the sun) Birds were singing and calling in the trees and shrubs. Birds seen were Crimson Rosellas, Gang Gangs, Eastern Whipbirds, White-throated Treecreepers, and many more; the birdos had a field day. Once we had crossed over the creek we were soon into the old diggings country. It was fascinating to see a few remains of the workings, mainly many water races hand-hewn out of the rock and leading to the creek. Further up the track we traversed the area called "The Rocks" - well named as the creek was now flowing through much deeper rock walls. Soft green maidenhair-type fern fronds were growing near here.The creek was diverted by weirs in many places.

Back at Bright. We finally reached Dougherty's Bridge two hours on. Others of course had arrived much sooner, but we weren't the last!

It was great to sit in the shade beside the bus. The temperature was 42 ^o according to Peter. Many had their lunches here while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive.

We finally set off for Bright again just after 1 pm. We arrived about 10 minutes later at the Information Centre and Howitt Park. We all debussed and went our own way for the next two hours.

Bright is a lovely township. It is very popular with tourists all year round.

• Autumn festivals when the exotic tree-lined streets are a riot of colour
• Summer when the camping grounds beside the Ovens River are full of family groups swimming and paddling/rubber rafting in the shallow clear water
• winter of course, when the accommodation is at a peak for the skiing crowds who prefer to stay away from the expensive mountain-top chalets.

Bright has an excellent Information Centre with friendly staff. The shops and cafes (ICE CREAMERIES!) along the main street cater for all needs.

Daphne and I had our lunch on the grass down on the river banks. We watched children and ducks (Black and Wood) competing for the sparkling tree-lined waters. The next hour or so was happily filled in before the it was time to be aback to the bus at 3 pm for our trip home.

The trip home. Helen had promised we could stop and talk about some trees on the route, but no getting off - you can't get 50 people back on the bus in under 10 minutes each time! So we discovered blueberry crops under wire covers, hazel nut bushes, magnolias, tree farms and chestnuts etc etc. We still managed to get back to Feathertop Chalet at 3.33 pm. after a wonderful day. Thanks to Helen, Shirley and Peter.

Yvonne Paterson (Western Australian NC)