Continued following the state line up the course of the river. Back into Victoria to pass the Hume Dam, now charged with regulating the level of the river annually. Funny being in a state full of Victorians. And not one in a frock coat or dressed in crinoline.

The terrain is very different here as I head up into the Australian Alps. Some impressive hydro electric plants on the way up. The water is piped through the mountains where it is used for electricity before being used to fill the reservoirs and irrigate large chunks of three states.

Eventually left the river and crossed the pass back into New South Wales. Some beautiful scenery with snow, appropriately enough, capping the Snowy Mountains. Finished the journey in the national capital Canberra.

Back to the course of the mighty River Murray. (It's compulsory to use the word mighty when mentioning the Murray).

Stopped off in Echuca, once the home to the rivers biggest fleet of paddle steamers. There are still quite few, now chugging up the river with cargos of tourists rather than bales of wool or logs.

The ships are original, and still powered by steam, so quite impressive that they are still working after a hundred years or so.

The city is also home to fleets of houseboats hired out for trips up and down the river. It was quite entertaining to sit on the river bank, watching the bucks parties loading up the tinnies, and launching themselves into the water.

Now in Aubury, just over the border in New South Wales.

Took a detour from the Murray to travel down to the goldfields and the city of Bendigo.

Stopped at Wycheproof where I climbed the local mountain. Not a big deal as it is a grand total of 49m high/ It does however stand out from the surrounding plains and provides a wonderful view of miles and miles of cornfields.

Went down a gold mine today, no free samples unlike the coal mines in the UK. Cheapskates. Very interesting and gives a flavour of life during the goldrush. The population went from 800 to 20,000 in 1851 with more gold found here in the 19th Century than anywhere else in the world.

Continued my voyage inland along the course of the River Murray, Australia's longest river. At 2,375 km it traverses a large part of the east of the continent and drains an awful lot of land.

The early settlers used the rivers to explore the interior and set up communities all along the river. Part of the joy of exploring new countries is to come across vibrant and thriving communities, living lives in places you never knew existed,

Such is the Riverland, a string of towns along a section of the Murray, each with their own character and purpose.

Now in a new state, Victoria, and the town at the top, Mildura. Some lovely old buildings. Popped across the border into Wentworth, located at the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers. They welcome people with a tractor on a pole. They like tractors up here.

Headed west from Melbourne into Grippsland, home of the ninety mile beach. On the way out of Melbourne popped into Pinoak Court in South Vermont. Just an ordinary suburban which looks much the same as any other, you may think, although the fact it has a load of ‘Road Closed’ signs stored at the bottom of the drive, ready for action, give a clue to this areas claim to fame. For this road has seen so much tragedy and heartbreak over the last quarter of a century it has a solid place in the history of Australia. For it was here that Lucy started choking requiring an emergency tracheotomy from Clive the Doctor. It was here that Daphne went into labour and gave birth without even removing her knickers. And it was here that Scott changed heads before catching Charlene the mechanic, breaking into her mums house, launching the romance of the eighties. Who needs Gold Fields and Colonial History when you can visit Ramsey Street itself. Weather was overcast so decided against heading into the mountains and so stayed at water level exploring the scenery around the great lakes, Wellington and Victoria. Now at Lakes Entrance which surprisingly has the entrance to the lakes at its centre. Fantsitic view over the coast from my motel room.

Headed into the Gold Fields with a trip to Ballatt in the interior of Victoria. Exactly 150 years ago this was the place to be, when in February 1851, Gold was discovered in them hills and a mad dash to grab a piece of it saw thousands flock to the area. It’s a much calmer city now, with a very eclectic Gold Museum filled with interesting snippets. There is a man made lake in the North of Town, where the rowing events took place for the 1956 Olympics, something they are keen to remind you of. According to the Lonely Planet the lake is just a dust bowl now after many years of drought. Well update. After all the rains of recent weeks it is now overflowing, much to the delight of the swans cruising on it. Took a detour to Hanging Rock on the way up. A massive slab of rock giving tremendous views over the countryside. Climbed to the top and had a small picnic.

In Melbourne now. Fantastic weather and predicted to be up to 34 tomorrow. Getting quite sunburnt. It's the river festival here this weekend so everyone is in holiday mood.

Will stay until Monday and then head through the snowy mountains towards Sydney