Saturday 6 June We all met at Yan Yean Reservoir to kick off our Kings Birthday Long Weekend adventure to Echuca. With 16 cars and 28 members, plus four children along for the ride, it was already shaping up to be a fantastic trip. It was wonderful to see everything from historic classics to modern hybrids lined up and ready to roll.
UHF radios on, smiles all round, we set off toward Tahbilk Winery for our first rest stop. A few photos, a little wine tasting, and plenty of laughs later, we were back on the road and heading to Nagambie Distillery for lunch. What a venue, delicious food, brilliant service, and a gorgeous view over the lake. We even had a bit of free time to explore the town, although we missed the market by just 30 minutes… my timing wasn’t perfect, but the company made up for it.
From there we cruised to Rushworth, a charming historic town and a great spot for more photos and a quick drink. Next stop was Girgarre, where the new botanical gardens were a lovely surprise, peaceful, beautifully designed, and another perfect backdrop for car photos (as always!).
We rolled into Echuca and checked into the Mercure for the weekend. I’d arranged dinner onsite for the first night, so no one had to travel, and it was lovely having the restaurant to ourselves. We handed out a few missed presentation‑night awards, enjoyed a great meal, and watched new members start forming friendships. The kids were absolute superstars, beautifully behaved and a joy to have with us. After a big day, everyone headed off for a well‑earned rest.
Sunday – Choose Your Own Adventure
Sunday was deliberately relaxed so members could explore at their own pace. Graeme and I decided to visit the Torrumbarry Weir, and a few others had the same idea. While we were there, we got chatting to a young fellow who’d been out on his jet ski. Half joking, we mentioned going for a spin… next thing I knew, he’d called his boss and I was getting ready to hop on!
No wetsuit, no swimmers, just me, fully dressed, removing only my good jumper, socks, and shoes. I was sure I’d end up in the lake, but they looked after me like royalty. And what an experience — 118 km/h and only wet toes! I’d never been on a jet ski before, and it was absolutely brilliant.
Back in town, we wandered through the shops before boarding a 4 pm paddle steamer cruise. If you’ve never been to Echuca, it’s full of history, great cafés, and charming little shops, you could spend days exploring. The cruise was a highlight, with a fantastic commentary from the skipper.
Dinner that night was at the 1895 Royal Hotel, and this one was fully covered by the club thanks to the RACV regional grants we’re fortunate to receive each year. We sometimes top it up, but that’s what our club is about, giving back to our members and supporting regional communities. Another wonderful night of great food, great company, and great stories from everyone’s day out.
Monday – Homeward Bound
After a good night’s sleep, most of us met in the car park to begin the journey home. Two cars stayed behind, one for an extra relaxed day in Echuca, and another heading west to SA for more exploring.
Our first stop was Rochester to admire the incredible silo art. We’ve done several silo art trails as a club, and these are still my personal favourites. After the obligatory photos, we continued to Colbinabbin for morning tea and more silo art (and yes, more photos). Hot drinks and cake hit the spot perfectly.
From there, a few cars peeled off home early while the rest of us continued to Redesdale for lunch. We stopped just before town at a beautiful historic bridge where Peter went ahead to capture photos of every car crossing, a magic moment. The pub welcomed us early with true country hospitality, huge servings, and delicious food.
After lunch, everyone made their own way home, wrapping up another fantastic long weekend away with both familiar faces and new friends.
Why Our Trips Work So Well
The beauty of our weekends away is simple: You can do as much or as little as you like. Nothing is compulsory, our itinerary is a guide, not a rulebook. We love seeing members explore on their own or join in with the group.
We’re also thrilled with how well TourBoss is working for us. The trip notes popping up along the route, combined with UHF radios, mean members can travel at their own pace, stop for photos, or take detours without worrying about getting lost. The app keeps improving, and it’s making our adventures even better.
Join Us Next Time
If you haven’t yet joined one of our away weekends, have a look at our upcoming events, we run at least two a year, some longer than others, and they’re always memorable.
Thank you to everyone who came along and made this weekend such a joy. Here’s to many more adventures together.
Jo Mawson #2
