We pack up camp after breakfast and head back the way we came yesterday, as we don’t wish to encounter any more trees across the track by heading further west. Deb grabs some orchid photos on the way out and we inspect a farmers rubbish pile for any collectables.

As we didn’t find much in the rubbish dump we jump back in the Triton and head back to Moorumbine Road then turn south. Along this road we find our next stop, the Horne Nature Reserve. Weirdly the only access to the reserve is a sealed road which leads to a Telstra tower. So we park up at the tower and go exploring. We find some orchids, however more excitedly, we come across an Echidna.

It’s now after 11.30 in the morning, so we make tracks toward Pingelly. On the Aldersyde Pingelly Road we pull over on the side of the road, at the strangely named Goodenough Nature Reserve. We explore for orchids and are not disappointed.

Goodenough Nature Reserve

Feeling a bit peckish, we decide to head off and check out Pingelly for lunch. Whilst waiting for our counter meal, Deb relives our time at Las Vegas.

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After enjoying an amazing lunch, we head south down the Great Southern Hwy. We only just leave the townsite when we pull over to check out some promising woodland. This proved to be a great decision.

Just South of Pingelly

Was very happy to have found a red coloured spider orchid, however we must move on. Our next stop is along Langes Road in the Hotham River Nature Reserve. We go exploring this wonderful woodland (Featured Image) and find a few orchids, which is a bonus.

After a wonderful exploration of the woodland we make tracks further south, reaching Yornaning a small town on the highway. It is here we stop for a walk around the dam.

Yornaning Dam

It’s now after 3.30pm so we need to think about where we will camp the night. We travel west to the Montague State Forest. Taking a track in, we slowly drive along looking for a suitable place to camp. We come across some orchids and finally reach a large fence with a gate that is locked. There is a cleared area close by so we set up camp for the night.

Montague State Forest

What a wonderful day orchid hunting today has been. We settle in for a secluded night under the stars in the middle of the forest.