The Rainbow Road

The Rainbow Road connects St Arnaud to Hanmer Springs via a private, unsealed (gravel) road, gradually meandering uphill through forests, mountains, streams, rivers, farms, gorges, and pure beauty. Island Saddle is the highest point along the road at just above 1350 meters. Nothing islandy about it up there! :) Just a whole lot of grass and mountains and clouds. And beauty. Below are some pics of us making our way to and through the road. The road goes through a few homesteads and is only open December-April each year. A $2 toll applies to bikes - pretty cheap considering 4 wheeled motorized transport = $25!

We did have several streams to ford across. One we even have to take apart our bike and trailers and carry them across due to high water levels. Kate and I stayed in St. Arnaud an extra night due to the water falling from the sky the day we had intended to leave. I think it was a smart choice because we very easily could have gotten stuck in between unpassable creeks.

We spent our first night in Connor's Creek Hut. What a gem of a place. Roughly 1 km off the main road, it's nestled just at the base of a huge mountain with a mountain creek (Connors Creek, I presume) running just to the side of it. Great water source. One of the lovely streams we encounter that would be so nice to have a refreshingly cool jump into on a hot summer day - a day that really has yet to come!

Everyone here keeps mentioning how Autumn is just around the corner...that's not music to my ears :)

Just behind the hut is a beautiful trail marked with orange triangles. These huts are dotted throughout the mountains along trails for hikers - and hunters and cyclists...whoever needs them. A small (usually) fee applies to maintain the huts and they are equipped with fireplaces and bunks. Nice to stay warm and dry from the rain we would have encountered.

I took a little walk behind the hut and encountered lots of beauty. I would love to come back here one day and do some tramping through these mountains. Such variety.

Yeah, we made it to the top of Island Saddle - just the name is bringing back memories of island life on O'ahu - oh Hawai'i how I miss you so. You will always hold a special place in my heart and one day I will return. But for the time being, I must appreciate and embrace life on another island.

We spent our second night on the road at Lake Tennyson. Pictures do this place no justice...so you'll just have to go there yourself. We met a few people also camping on this below freezing night (frozen dew drops on the tent the following morning!). I had pretty much every layer of warm weather clothing on me. I guess being optimistic about the cold - at least I am using all the gear I have packed rather than it sitting in the BOB taking up space and waiting patiently to be used.

Such a beautiful Road and definitely recommended for those with the proper treads, location and time.