Swan Hill to Ouyen to Hopetoun

We have arrived in Hopetoun (no, not the one in West Australia and yes it has water views but not an ocean!)  It has a lake and some unique accomodation options for travelers from free camping at different sites around the lake to bush camping (accommodation in silos, sheds, 42 bunk bungalows etc) or at the shire caravan park where we opted to stay as our contribution to support small towns.  So far we have looked at two Silo Art designs which have been absolutely marvelous to see at Patchewollock and Lascelles where there were also a number of other travellers looking as well.

Some of the towns we passed by or visited such as Speed were “one horse’’ type towns which have obviously declined seriously to a nearly total lack of business occurring in the town.  One of these was Ouyen where we stopped after leaving Swan Hill. It had a number of shops but most were not operational or were for sale.  The only obvious thriving businesses were the café and the Newsagent/Post Office.

Now we are in Hopetoun (wonder if they have thought of being a sister/brother town to our Hopetoun community in Western Australia?... which fortunately is much prettier, right next to the ocean and national park and much more beautiful in a different way)  We will have another look around in the morning before seeking the rest of the silo art on this route south.  Hopefully we will not have any rain either!  Sadly our caravan park had its sewage blocked seriously, preventing any showers or toilet usage.