Jindabyne Anti Freeze Weekend

26 March 2016 / Words: Brian Clayton Photos: Brian Clayton & Bryan Shedden

Snowy Mountains Anti Freeze Weekend – 19-20 March 2016

Saturday, 19 March

After a wet and stormy Friday, Saturday dawned fine and clear, if not a little cool, our intrepid anti-freezers met at Haywards Bay and included starters from Sydney and RPM chapters.

After the sign on and briefing from the trip leader, and forming into two groups for safety’s sake, we set off following the road along the magnificent coastal scenery which is the South Coast, through the Kiama bends and Gerringong, past the wineries at Mount Coolangatta and on into Nowra.

A red and blue flashing light alerted us to trouble ahead at Bomaderry and instead of finding a police operation, greeting us was a car parked at a very peculiar angle, on its roof. Momentary excitement over, we journeyed on through the state forests south of Nowra, tops down and enjoying the brisk fresh air. Our first stop was the Heritage Bakery on the highway at Milton for coffee and cakes, pies for some.

Refreshed, we reformed south of Ulladulla and set off again, following the highway south. Glimpses of the ocean gave way to more forests and the sound of bell birds in some of the gullies. Through Batemans Bay and Moruya we travelled, fortunately, with the road works which were causing delays of half an hour the week before, no longer in evidence. The Bega Valley is one of the delights of the trip south and greeted us in all its glory. No road works meant we arrived at Ciccios in Narooma half an hour early for lunch. The proprietors, notified in advance, had reserved tables for us and we enjoyed some lovely seafood, right on the beach, in lovely autumn sunshine.

With still a long way to travel, there was no time for dilly dally and the convoy set off for Pambula for a brief refuelling and comfort stop, then on to the Mount Darragh road, President Bryan leading a group who wanted to “have a crack” at the tight and twisty section up the hills. Peter and Janet, misunderstanding the starting order, joined the sporty group and tales of white knuckles greeted us at our next stop in Bombala. Meanwhile, the touring group enjoyed a less pacey but nonetheless brisk run up through the lovely mountain scenery.

The rise in altitude with cooler temperatures, and a brief shower in Bombala, convinced some to put their tops up and we were off again for a brisk and picturesque run along the Snowy River Way to Jindabyne.

That night we were joined by Ken Keeling and his group from Canberra who were also doing a Snowy tour, and also based in Jindabyne. In the room set aside for us by the hotel, we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks, a good hotel bistro dinner and a few post dinner drinks. But this was not a night for party animals as the main event awaited us on the following morning.

Saturday had been a good start for the weekend.

Sunday 20 March

Sunday dawned overcast and cool with just a little Scotch mist about. Two cars from Canberra had opted to join our run which was planned to take in some of the more “adventurous” roads on the loop around Jindabyne and Eucumbene lakes.

Trip leader Tony Heathwood gathered the Anti-freezers, picnic lunches packed in the boot, in temperatures only a little above freezing (yes - several lunatics wore shorts), and delivered the briefing. While the bulk of the group was heading off to Adaminaby via Berridale, an intrepid few were to follow Peter from Canberra and President Bryan on a more adventurous route via Rocky Plain and past the Eucumbene trout farm. This little group headed off first, followed by two cars who had misunderstood the order of events. There were more stories of white knuckles to greet us in Adaminaby.

Meanwhile the rest of the group followed Tony out of Jindabyne, through Berridale, to the turn off to Adaminaby, most of us with the tops down. The Scotch mist became a little thicker and started to look more like rain. But with lovely high plains scenery the intrepid group pressed on, heaters blowing and rain drifting over our heads. It was, however, a different story upon reaching Adaminaby, where rain forced the tops back on. A short break, sufficient for nature's call and a warming hot chocolate, and we were on our way again, heading for Sawyer's Hill and Cabramurra.

Again, the group who were “having a crack” lead out, this time a smaller group. Everyone, by now, knew which group was the tourist one. Fortunately, a few Ks west of Adaminaby, the skies cleared and we were able to enjoy some fabulous mountain scenery, as well as roads built specifically for an MX-5. After stopping briefly at Cabramurra it was on again, stopping briefly again at Tumut Ponds dam. If you want evidence of the parlous state of our water supply, Tumut Ponds dam provides a real wake up call. So little water!

On the road again, heading for our lunch stop at Cattlemen’s Hut. If you blink you will miss the turn off and Peter, Malcolm and Bryan must have blinked because they were not there for lunch (they continued on to Khancoban). This proved to be a great spot for a picnic with most finding a spot on a log to sit and munch. The hut is now mainly used by walkers as an overnight stop and, while a little rough, provides a warm and comfortable shelter. It also has an above average “little shed” out the back. The girls were impressed!

After lunch it was on to Khancoban. Every rise greeted us with magnificent mountain scenery. Even the stark silver trunks of the mountain ash, killed in disastrous fires a few years back, had a beauty of their own. Through Khancoban, we stopped at Murray 1 Power Station for a coffee and comfort stop and rejoined by Bryan, Peter and Malcolm. We were greeted by the lady running the information centre, who, upon realising we were a group, immediately offered to run a guided tour of the Power Station. Tony & Iris also popped in for a visit, after the Canberra Chapter run had split up into several smaller groups.

What a fabulous ambassador that company has. She even showed us how we might save many dollars on our power bills. We formed up for a group photo and I would not be surprised to find a bunch of MX-5s among the company’s promotional material.

After that brief but interesting stop it was on to Thredbo via the superb twists and turns of the Alpine Way ... and (eventually) Jindabyne where a cold beer and a Persian banquet awaited.

While some opted for a pizza and a quiet night, the bulk of the group headed for Café Darya where we feasted on our Persian banquet. It was BYO and the group were in a happy and boisterous mood after a great day of driving our MX-5s. The food was very different from what most of us were accustomed. Spicy and delicious! Exotic starters, goat as well as lamb and chicken, the dinner developed into a party. It was a great night to cap off a wonderful day of driving and sightseeing.

Monday 21 March

A smaller group of anti-freezers met the starter on Monday morning for the return trip home. Some had left early to meet commitments at home, but the remainder set off for the coffee stop at Bredbo. A couple of late breakfasters caught up at Bredbo, a few chose to drive on.

The remainder of the group headed off through Queanbeyan to Tarago where lunch awaited at the Loaded Dog. From there it was a brisk run through Nerriga and on to Nowra and home.

All agreed it had been a great weekend and one we must put in the calendar in future years.

Click here for all of Bryan's photos