Drive to the Snowy Mountains

June 27

The drive to Adaminaby was not the winding mountain roads I had imagined. The majority was traversed on major highways, and perhaps this was for the best because we had a long way to go. We passed through the western wine regions around Geraldon and, since we were researching kids’ holidays, we didn’t stop. Fedra Olive Grover was, however, a different matter. Located a fair distance from the city for a stop, it offered the intrigue of rows of olive trees, promised olive tasting and an attractive restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining and a tasty/organic looking menu. Kids seemed very welcome with numerous ankle-biters running amuck and change tables and high chairs readily available. We tasted four different olives (black and green) and dipped Turkish bread in pure virgin olive oil also crushed on the premises. It was too cold to play on the playground, but we noted they DID have one before jumping in the car, cranking up the heat and continuing along the highway inland.

Next stop was a rest stop about 20km up the road and it was a strange one to say the least. We were skirting a flat bottom valley with hills rising on both sides and Amber exclaimed her excitement as she spotted her first ever wind farm on the far side. She wanted to pull over and take pictures so we planned to do so at the next rest stop. As we neared we were taken back by four zebras poised as if eating in the vast plain of the Serengeti (except for the lack of heat you could have easily have imagined yourself there). This rest stop was popular and I imagine the zebras (which were sculptures) and the accompanying reviver survivor free tea and coffee were equal drawcards. At least, they were to us.

We took pictures of the incongruent animal figures, steamed up my glasses in the hot drink donga and dropped a few coins into the donations box as we exited with tea and milo. What a great service!

It was about 3pm when our GPS lead us astray. Worse still, we let it. We took a right turn off the highway onto a dirt road called Caddiget Road. This was the road our accommodation was on and we knew it was a little out of Adaminaby Town so we followed along. An adventure ensued. Over hill and dale we drove on a dirt road, through breathtaking dormant farming land. Our fillings rattled over cattle grates and we espied a fox and a couple of wallabies on the way. At one stage we headed down a steep incline and held our breath, pride refusing to turn us around. It was a longer journey, yet one we will remember, and we approached our resort through the back way just as we were getting worried.

On first glance, San Michelle looks like an old stable and perhaps it is. Single storey white-washed buildings are organised with a courtyard area between. Now housing a grassy area and swimming pool, it wasn’t a place we intended to make use of in the winter… I am sure it’s a lovely spot in the summer though. The tennis court did pique our interest, however, and we make a mental note for later.

We checked in with Graham the manager in the main lounge area and were shown to our room… number 2. Overall first impressions were of the 70s. Brick walls, brown flowered bedspreads, red and black patterned carpet, wood free-standing wardrobes and patterned tiles in the bathroom. You get the idea. The lounge was similar: the bar boasted saddle bar stools, a few couches crowded the wood stove (which was beckoning) and wooden country-style tables and chairs were neatly arranged in the dinning room. It wasn’t what I was expecting from a snow area, but I soon warmed to the idea because Graham and Murray who ran the place were extremely welcoming. We placed an order for dinner which is served with a set menu (with two choices). One course cost $20 and two $28. Kids’ menus are even more reasonable with a set price for all three, but most guests appeared to be on an accommodation and meal plan.

We placed our orders, unpacked and made ourselves feel at home, then hit the tennis courts to warm up before dinner. My grilled Barra was lovely and Amber gave her spag bol a 10/10 which is high praise indeed. By 9pm we were tucked up beneath electric blankets and sleeping soundly.