Wombat Pub Lunch 2023

03 September 2023 / Words and pictures by John Chapuis

As it was the month of August, tradition dictated that devotees of the great wombat go to the temple of wombat and make an offering. And so, a small but dedicated group of said devotees from the Canberra Chapter made the twisting, turning, hazardous journey to the Wombat Temple. The devotees gathered at 0815 hrs at Hume. Those members from the northern estates sang the great lament of how they had to rise before the sun and undertake the perilous journey into the south, passports, and travel papers in hand. They were given the traditional response, ‘yea, but at least your tyres and oil are hot’.

And so, we left through to Tharwa Bridge, onwards to the Cotter Reserve and further into the wilderness of the Uriarra Reserve. There, some sort comfort, others a breath of the cool country air, before the journey continued on to Yass via Mountain Creek Road, across the Taemas Bridge and up Wee Jasper Road (eyes on the road here as the drop over the edge would be rather unpleasant). Occasional spots of broken tarmac, carefully placed by Council workers and journeymen towing boats and vans, were skilfully avoided by those in our team. Breaking with recent tradition, High Priest Rod did not seek, or receive, abuse from sundry 4x4 drivers.

We arrived in Yass at the appointed hour (10:30) and partook in light refreshments. At this point in the journey Simon and Cathy left us but were replaced by Jill and Dennis. Refreshed the odyssey re-commenced. Patrick unfortunately forgot his left from his right and was lost to us for a short time. Mike and Cathy overshot the right-hand turn onto the Lachlan Valley Way. They, however, recovered masterfully and re-joined the caravan in Harden.

In accordance ancient tradition, the run leader (me) took a premature turning on the Burley Griffin Way and lead the devotees in the much anticipate U-turn. Custom having been satisfied, we then charged ahead down several narrow country lanes a little more accustomed to tractors than our little toys.

Once again, the ‘big dipper’ was a highlight (especially for those who experienced it for the first time). Heading towards Harden, scooting along Bouyeo Road, a crest leads to a long steep drop down the hill, which flattens off briefly and then drops away again, steeper still, to a narrow bridge crossing a small stream. If the first drop is sort of expected, but the second can catch folks a little unprepared.

On arrival at the at the Temple (aka Wombat Hotel) at 12:35, we found that in accordance with ancient scripture, a group of Harley Davidson riders were in situ. These, however, were all trike riders and hence neither hirsute nor were scary!

We all enjoyed our lunch, and we paid homage to the great wombat. John Brown even had his favourite meal – a wombat pie. Ian the cook had especially collected fresh roadkill that very morning and baked the pie for John.

It was a great day. We had great weather, and the roads had enough wombat holes to make the spirited driving a little more exciting.