To Yack & Back

Photographing the township of Bright during Autumn had long been something I'd wanted to do, especially the red-and-gold-leafed trees against backdrops of blue-tinged mountains. When the opportunity arose in May 2022 to visit the region, it proved to be a perfect adventure.

To break the four-hour road trip from Geelong to the high country we dropped into Benalla for a night. The mystical Winton Wetlands, which lay to the northeast of the township, incorporates 5,000 hectares of grasslands, swampy billabongs, an abundance of wildlife, and superb paintings by Yorta Yorta artists. If you're a wildlife or landscape photographer, you'd be hard pressed to find a better place to set up camp. For me, it whet the whistle for another trip down the track.

Because the road to the high country meanders through Glenrowan, it would have been remiss of me not to make a pitstop to read up on the history of the infamous bushranger, Ned Kelly, and his gang. Fun fact: my great, great grandparents, Martha (Lee) and Sam Trigg - as the story goes - lived next door to the Kelly family. The tale handed down from generation to generation, relays how the Kellys occasionally stole poddy calves from Martha and Sam, but apparently it was Sam (the town's blacksmith) who put horseshoes back-to-front on Ned's horses to help the notorious bushranger evade police!

Continuing on, nestled high among rolling hills and winding roads, Beechworth is an historical goldrush town with heritage-listed buildings. The main street greets its guests with the scent of (what turned out to be) significantly good pies. I had met the owner of the Beechworth Bakery emporium, Tom O'Toole, previously when he'd delivered a rather charismatic and fascinating speech at a business dinner once in Geelong.

Not far along a stretch of pretty country road, Myrtleford is an unpretentious country hub with a vibrant Italian background. In the 1920s, a group of Italian settlers grew tobacco in the region. When WWII broke out and the village became home for Italians interned into a POW camp, c.1942, apparently many of the camp’s occupants worked on the surrounding farms and, according to the region's historical society, “endeared themselves to the community”. Myrtleford not only became known for its tobacco supply, but also for producing hops, wine and timber. The Italian festival “La Fiera” is held annually in mid-May. The town makes for a fabulous base to explore the high country and if you're a cyclist, trails are aplenty.

From Myrtleford to Bright the road, at times, nudges the Ovens River as it winds through the valley via Ovens and Porepunkah. The rail trail which is easily accessible to cyclists and pedestrians alike, is lined with vineyards and colourful deciduous trees. My husband, pictured above, can attest to its beauty.

Bright, as it turns out, is, well, beautifully bright. With autumn leaves strewn across pathways and wide smiles spotted at cute cafes, the town thrives on tourism and is touted as the gateway to the snowfields during winter. I found my happy place in an open-all-year-round Christmas shop, and a decadent store full of sweets. Picturesque, postcard perfect, and well worth the drive north, no wonder the smiles on the people lining the lanes were large.

Yackandandah, another nearby town worth exploring in the high country is beyond quaint. In fact, I may have even rated it as my favourite of the region. A crowd of rugged-up revellers and dogs joined me in listening to a quirky band as we all welcomed the warm morning sun. The main street is packed with cafes, galleries, and colourful umbrellas. Its goldmining past provides a backdrop to shops full of curios and collectibles. I may have munched on meringues and sipped hot chocolate while I waited for my hubby to complete yet another gravel ride up Mt Stanley and back. Yack holds an annual music folk festival in March, and perhaps a little piece of my heart.

My words seem largely inadequate to describe this naturally abundant corner of Victoria, Australia, especially when the richness of Autumn colours the days. While we had a few rainy moments, this road trip left me with a sense of peace, love in my heart, and a yearning to go back to Yack ... and the high country surrounding it of course. Put it on your list. Especially if you're a photographer. Just make sure you pack a brolly and a warm coat.