THE DROP BEAR DIARIES - CHAPTER 11 "POETIC HEROES AND WILD BRUMBIES"

"Man from Snowy River" country

The storm had finally moved on with sunshine colouring the beautiful landscape as we drove the road to Corryong. 

Corryong’s claim to fame is as the final resting place of Jack Riley, “The Man from Snowy River”. 

The poem of the same name was penned in 1890 by Banjo Paterson. 

It immortalizes the horseback pursuit to capture the colt of a prizewinning racehorse that had escaped from its paddock, drawn to the mountain’s wild horses, better known as Brumbies.  During the chase the Brumbies charge down an impossibly steep slope and the pursuing riders give up the chase except for our hero Jack Riley who continues the pursuit, successfully turning the horses.

Our scenic drive through the Snowys

This well-known poem is commemorated on the Australian $10 bill and also became a Hollywood rendition.

Wild Brumbies were to feature later in the day after the scenic, winding drive through the Snowy Mountains and a stop at Murray One, one of seven powerhouses and sixteen dams that make up the Snowy Mountain Scheme, an incredible complex that took 25 years to build. 

Set in dramatic scenery, the project was designed to provide farm irrigation, household water and hydroelectric power.  Amazingly only 2% of the entire construction is visible above ground.

Murray One Powerhouse

The Australian Alps and Murray River

Sadly, the Snowy Mountains’ highest peak - Mount Kosciuszko - was shrouded in cloud.  We were in no position to argue Roger’s claim that “Kossy” rivals anything in the Canadian Rockies, although facts are facts Roger.  We’ll gladly trade a peak or two for a couple of glorious Aussie beaches though.

The mountain highway took us through the Snowy Mountains ski resorts, notably Thredbo. Before long we found ourselves in a beautiful valley and the most unlikely stop - The Wild Brumby Schnapps Distillery and its magnificent lunch time offerings of German sausage and sauerkraut.  

Lunch at Wild Brumby

After a hearty lunch, it was time for Schnapps tasting.  

From Devil’s Tongue (chillies, herbs and apples) to Sour Apple (Granny Smith apples and pickled lemons) to Butterscotch (caramelized apples) the experience was a positive blast of flavour. 

The tasting table

The selection on offer

We really enjoyed the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Wild Brumby, but that could have had something to do with the Schnapps.

While Banjo Paterson is famous in Australia for his poem "The Man from Snowy River",  it isn't widely known that he also wrote "The Drover and the Drop Bear".