Snowy River...heaven.

We flew from Tasmania back to Melbourne...and realizing we had 10 days before we had to be in Cairns we decided to rent a car and drive all the way to Brisbane. We would be getting a lot of "beach" later in the trip...so we decided to head for the mountains. Growing up I was a big (horse crazy) fan of "The Man from Snowy River" film. So why not check out the Snowies? We headed for a YHA that was on a cattle, sheep and horse ranch right off the Snowy River. The man on the phone assured me that they could arrange some horse riding...although they had something going on...but his accent was so strong that I didn't have a clue what it was. We arrived late in the evening in the dark...and slept in our little cabin that was once used by loggers. The next morning we discovered that a "camp" of 40 kids was arriving at noon. No horse ride...We decided to move on....but first we walked around the property playing with the dogs, pigs, cattle, horses....and waking up a very sleepy little Koala in a tree!

We packed up and decided to take a TINY, wee, little dirt road all the way to the Snowy Mtn's.
We met some Scot's who assured us that the road was horrible. We were driving a compact Hyundai, but what's a little adventure? It's a rental. On the way we stopped at many scenic lookouts....above is the biggest gorge in Victoria. Actually fairly impressive...in the middle of nowhere!

Another stop along the Snowy River. Founds some huge burrows that later we discovered were dug by Wombats. We were waiting for a giant wild pig to come running out. Smart? Maybe not.

At the end of the road we found rolling green pastures....and beautiful Snowy River horses! We headed in to Jindabyne....a ski resort town that is sleepy in Autumn. We found a visitors center, and discovered a bunch of cabins and chalets that are on the same property as a place for horse riding. SOLD.

Our little cabin was beautiful...all windows looking out on green pastures and horses (and soon to discover ALL kinds of wildlife). We were on acres of property, and had the place to ourselves. We decided to stay two nights.

Our view from the cabin. The horses we would get to ride the next day...and feed carrots to

On our little nature walk we discovered tons of colorful parrots...red and blue, green and blue.

When we opened our curtains the next morning we found pink and grey cockatoo's in our driveway. The bird noises are incredible here. If you ever get a chance to hear a Kookaburra....you will crack up. They make a "laughing" noise...sounds like a monkey. Makes me smile every time. There is also a black bird that sounds like a dying cat. Creepy. Heard it the first time in the middle of the forest...I think I started running...;)

We got our cups of tea and went for a morning walk, only to discover a "herd" of Kangaroo's right outside the door. At night and in the morning they are EVERYWHERE. You can't NOT see a roo. The big male in the middle is on all four feet, but when he stood up, I backed up.

Took a two hour ride on Boofhead and Flora. Our guide was great...he "rehabs" most of his horses. Both Boof and Flora were headed for the slaughterhouse. He trains horses to ride without reins or saddles. We left the snowies and decided to stop in whatever town appealed to us! Traveling by the seat of our pants....