We left Naracoorte planning to visit Mt. Arapiles and the Grampians.
The drive leads right through the Wimmera which is in strong contrast with the Mallee only a hundred klick to the north.
While the Mallee is arid and supports only stunted vegetation and which is worked by farmers who are either heros or stupid, the Wimmera is green and lush and apparently easy to farm. Clearly it is well watered here.
We lunched in the shadow of Mitre Rock which is a remnant outcrop of quartzose sandstone just to the north of Mt. Arapiles. The rock and the birds were spectacular and, as we didn't have to share them with anyone else, we really appreciated them.
The park at Mt. Arapiles itself was full of campers so we didn't stop. The rock, is which is perhaps 200 metres (650 feet) high above the surrounding countryside seems to be bursting out of the ground like some gigantic underworld creature struggling towards the sun.
Natimuk is a tiny country town apparently living off the tourist who visit Mt.Arapiles which is close by. The caravan park is a council run affair on the shores of the town lake which is used by the locals for water-skiing. Well it is when it has enough water in it. Presently it has not seen any significant water for two years and is stagnant and smelly and no-one goes near it. The caretaker was hoping that the rain forecast for the next two days would be enough to flush the lake out.