The Boomer Bus: 2016-03-18 Buchan Caverns and Snowy River WilderNest Retreat, Buchan, Australia

We did not tour the caverns since these require good health and we felt we couldn't endure the excessive climbing of the stairs that would have been required. We departed for the village of Orbost that took us down a narrow country road through the mountains with bucnches of u-turn curves and hills and valleys. It followed the Snowy River.

We encountered a very severe storm with high winds and sheeting blinding rain. I estimate the wind gusts to upwards of 60-75 to maybe even 100 mph. Limbs were flying everywhere and trees were uprooted and blown down across the highway. We had to turn around and back track because of one. We had seen a sign indicating a business of sorts so we turned in and followed a narrow dirt/rocky road for a mile or so and arrived at the "Snowy River WilderNest" Farm Holiday Retreat.

As we pulled in, the owner, was assisting two men hoist and dress a fifteen point Red Deer. After explaining to him about the down tree, he said that it wasn't unusual for the storms to down trees along the forest road and that there were probably several more down as well. Later after we left, we saw where several had been blown down and had been cut up and removed.

Joanne and Roddy Kleinitz own and operate the 350 acre bush Retreat and Farm situated between Orbost & Buchan. Their home and the two rentals are operated on solar power and gas. There is no electrical power attached to the buildings. No TV.The homes are situated along the Snowy River and Jo & Roddy's has a beautiful view of the river from their kitchen window. He said that when Queensland has heavy rainstorms all the water will flow down to the river and cause flooding upwards of fifteen feet, but it takes the water about six months to make the trip (close to 2000 miles).

Joanne, the perfect hostess, served us coffee and we had a snack of delicious toasted bread with Motzarella Cheese, tomato and ham and pancakes with different jellies. Absolutely delicious.

Roddy also raises Angus Beef Cattle & Red Deer for hunting, a legal practice in Australia. Note: Red Deer only and no other.

Interested? contact them at P.O.Box 178 Orbost, Victoria 3888 Australia or at International 011 03 5154-1923