2012105 VIC Rochester, Ayson Reserve to Bendigo
2012105 We Stop at Girgarre for a shower, fill up our water before heading to Rochester to check out the town. Found a bakery for some bread rolls then head back to the van to make a yummy salad roll.
Rochester Shire Hall one of the towns lovely old building but couldn't find any history on the building.
The AT Model Ford was one of the first motor fleet used in delivering meat.
Ayson Reserve on the Capaspe River is a free camp site set. We were told the land is owned by one of the local farmers who donated the reserve for travelers passing through.
On of the many wheat farms opposite the reserve.
As for this little fellow, I have seen these pretty birds everywhere but have never been able to get close enough to capture a decent shoot, now it’s up to you Doug to find its name.
Sacred Heart Cathedral - Designed by W. Tappin in 1887, construction of the cathedral began in 1896 until 1908 before lapsing through lack of funds until 1954. It was completed in 1977, dominating the Bendigo skyline; it is built of Geelong sandstone and the tallest spire is 86.6 metres with the bronze cross at its apex weighing 3 tonnes and standing 7 metres.
Alexandra Fountain
Named after the Prince of Wales the fountain is located in the heart of Bendigo's Pall Mall and was completed in 1881.
Soldiers Memorial Museum
Completed in 1921 by public subscription the collection covers the Boer War to Iraq and includes medals, diaries, weapons, uniforms, personal effect, trench art, a library and the Grinton collection "A Camera on the Somme".
The Old Bendigo Post Office and Law Court
Rochester (via Rowecherter) was named after Dr John Pearson Rowe, who had a hotel here before the township was gazetted in 1855. The town is famous as the birthplace in 1904 of Australian racing and endurance cyclist, Sir Hubert Opperman affectionately known as Oppy, who on his 90th birthday donated one of his trusty Malvin Star bicycles to the museum.
Rochester Shire Hall one of the towns lovely old building but couldn't find any history on the building.
The murals depict the early day delivery carts set out on rounds, delivering meat.
The AT Model Ford was one of the first motor fleet used in delivering meat.
We then drove onto Ayson Reserve, one of the camp locations Phil and Paula showed us to camp up for a few day.
06 to 08-12-2012 Not a lot to do just take a load off and chill out, caught up on the blogg, finished reading my book, Des walked around the park and I took my usual photos.
Ayson Reserve on the Capaspe River is a free camp site set. We were told the land is owned by one of the local farmers who donated the reserve for travelers passing through.
On of the many wheat farms opposite the reserve. 
As for this little fellow, I have seen these pretty birds everywhere but have never been able to get close enough to capture a decent shoot, now it’s up to you Doug to find its name.
08-12-2012 On the road to Bendigo but first we need to top up with fuel, concerned about the diesel shortage we stopped in Elmore to fill up.
Arriving in Bendigo we pack up and as we step out of the van the first building that caught my eye was this amazing looking Cathedral. I'm not one for religion but I do love a Gothic church.
Bendigo has a rich prosperous heritage dating back to the days when gold was discovered in the area in the 1950s. Since then, Bendigo has been the second highest producing goldfield in Australia and remains the seventh largest in the world.
Sacred Heart Cathedral - Designed by W. Tappin in 1887, construction of the cathedral began in 1896 until 1908 before lapsing through lack of funds until 1954. It was completed in 1977, dominating the Bendigo skyline; it is built of Geelong sandstone and the tallest spire is 86.6 metres with the bronze cross at its apex weighing 3 tonnes and standing 7 metres.
The interior is exquisite, noted for its hammerbeam roof and west windows. Australian Blackwood was used to build the pews and Sicilian marble was used for the sanctuary walls.
The twentieth century work was largely executed by sixteen craftsmen, most of whom were Italians brought to Australia for the purpose.
This outstanding Gothic Cathedral is the largest cathedral outside Melbourne and reputedly the last Early Gothic style cathedral built in the world.
The stained glass window was made in Birmingham and is 21m long.
The Organ-In 1904 Bishop and Son extended the connection with the Catholic Church and gained the contract for a larger new organ for the cathedral, the contract was worth some £2,000 ex works plus £500 for packing freight charges and erection in the Cathedral and the official opening was on the 7 Dec 1905.
Alexandra Fountain
Soldiers Memorial Museum
The Old Bendigo Post Office and Law Court
Central Deborah Gold Mine
Opened in 1939 and closed in 1954 the mine was the last working mine to close in the Bendigo area during the gold rush. Central Deborah Gold Mine reopened in 1986 for underground tourist tours.
Arrr, Bendigo, swimming in history with fabulous historical buildings, unlike Brisbane who knock all of our history down.
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