Page 234 - Mit dem Wohnwagen durch Australien

GRASS TREE
Grass trees are indigenous Australian trees. They grow very slowly. Initially a Grass tree has no trunk, only a couple
of spiky grasses are visible. The old grasses die off and are glued together with a resin which the plant produces
itself, thus forming a hard core. Out of this core more grasses grow etc. It takes over 30 years, until a grass tree
shows some trunk with a little bush of grass on top. After many years the tree produces a flower which grows over
a meter in height. The Aboriginals made a sweet drink out of the flower, use the resin as natural glue and other parts
to start a fire. The biggest trees look like Bart Simpson.
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WALK OVER THE TREETOPS
Our way westwards leads us first a little southwards. We supported our warm jackets and rain gear well when we
explored the rainforest from above. Not far from Colac, our camp in the volcanic region west of Melbourne we
explore a million year old part of an ancient rainforest. This is how the world appeared millions of years ago. We
could almost believe that the dinosaurs, which we saw on our walk, are still alive. We enjoy the fern trees with their
crowns about 1.5 to 2 m above ground. Sometimes we can look at them from above. As for the gum trees, this is
impossible we have to look up sometimes more than 50 m. Some of them grow straight as an arrow about one
meter a year. One must have some ingenuity if one wants to look at them from above. The initiators of this walk
have built a slowly inclining hanging walk which leads gradually up to the tops. There we are about 50m from the
ground and can enjoy a view like the birds which flay around us. We even dare to go out on the 25 m long free
hanging and swinging cantilever and move in the wind with the tree tops

HOW MANY APOSTLES ARE LEFT?
When we came last to the Great Ocean Road, about 15 years ago, there were 12 as it is supposed to be. Meanwhile
some of them have caved in and we only counted ten. Some dubious people keep talking about the Apocalypse
now. Might this be a sign? The Apostles left are still very impressing.

THE MIGHTY MURRAY
Our intention was to go north towards the Flinders Ranges, when our travels crossed the Murray River. It was
another of these sweltering hot days with strong winds straight from the furnace to the North. This time it also
carried sand. No sooner had we installed our Caravan as the storm lashed out with all its might. We closed all
openings hermetically and waited literally until the air was clear again.

The River Murray near Luxton is very impressive. It is the largest, but not the longest River in Australia. The Darling
River has this privilege. The Murray resembles somewhat the Mississippi. Here also historical Paddle Steamer
cruise majestically up and down. Our Camping is directly at the shore and we can go swimming daily in its 27C
warm water without fear of crocodiles or sharks. The largest fish in the river are carp, an introduced species which
is now regarded as a pest. Fishermen which catch one are told not to let it go into the river again. An ingenious
company has started to produce dog food out of them, but not even that can they sell under the name carp.

The Murray twists and winds itself through a wide landscape. It has built lagoons, swamps and lots of side arms.
The reason for this is to be found in an Aboriginal dreaming. It is rated M, for Mature Audience only. One day
Ngurunderi travelled down the Murray in a bark canoe in search of his two wives which had run away from him as
Pondi, a giant Murray Cod, swam ahead of him. He widened the small river with twists and sweeps of his tail.
Ngurunderi chased the fish trying to spear it from his canoe. Finally Pondi escaped through the very narrow mouth
of the Murray River to the Southern Ocean. It is not know, whether Ngurunderi has found his two runaway wives.
We explore the river in the 100 year old paddle steamer PS Industry. The Steamer plied its trade along the river and
transported goods to the far out stations on its banks from near Adelaide up to the vicinity of Sidney. The steamer
was lovingly restored by a crew of volunteers and is also run by them. The whole crew including the captain and the
two elderly kitchen ladies give their spare time so we can enjoy a cruise on the river. We even get hot tea and freshly
baked scones out of the wooden stove, with jam and cream for afternoon tea. This I call civilised travelling!

We have lots of company on the campground. First we are called upon by some young Magpies which get a bit of
old bred. Then the Noisy Menders, a bird we have not seen up to now, come in droves. Then the Kookaburras join
the party. They are very tame. One of them flies to the back rest of beats chair. I can feed them by hand and they
even let me touch them fleetingly. We have big respect from their large beaks but they behave well. Should we turn
away, they would swiftly take away our dinner without qualms and laugh about it.