At first, quietly flows the Loddon

Located near the diminutive central Victoria town of Lyonville, 102 kilometres/63 miles north west of Melbourne is the headwaters of the Loddon River, which flows northwards for a distance of 361 kilometres/224 miles as a tributary of Australia's longest River, the Murray (2,375 kilometres/1,476 miles). The Loddon River is Victoria's second longest River behind the 654 kilometre/406 mile Goulburn River and has a catchment area of 15,320 sq kms/5,915 sq miles that includes the principal townships of Daylesford, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Bendigo and Kerang with a combined population in excess of 135,000.

Rising near Lyonville (population 156) named after an early European settler in the 1860s, James Lyons, at an altitude of 638 metres/2,093 feet, the River drops by over 567 metres/1,860 feet to its junction with the mighty Murray near the large rural city of Swan Hill some 338 kilometres/210 miles to the north-west of Melbourne. The Murray River forms the border between the Australian States of New South Wales and Victoria and to the chagrin of Victorians is considered, geographically a New South Wales River as the border is set at the reach of the River's (or Victorian side) southern bank. Technically, when it floods, the 'border' can often be 'extended' by tens of kilometres into Victoria itself! Near the Loddon's rise is found Lyonville Springs, a natural freshwater elixir of volcanic origins rich with minerals and tannins that is popular amongst locals and visitors for its reputed therapeutic powers. To me, it has a delicious, if a tad naturally carbonated, savour much more exquisite than the fluoride treated water of Melbourne (not that Melbourne's water is bad either) If I were an 'engine' (bear with my imagination here folks - drinking such waters, because of the minerals, I reckon would cause me to rust - well I creak as much as a rustic engine these days as my bones will attest).

Normally, the Loddon flows reliably at a variety of irregular levels, depending on the season and is influenced by its 19 tributaries. Though, of recent years, its flow has been juried by prolonged Drought. However, following recent late winter and early spring drenchings the River has assumed a vibrant flow to the point of flooding in places, glad tidings to many and bringing a smile to the wizened faces of Old Timers witnessing once again a turn of Nature.

There are integers of delightful and robust walks in the Wombat State Forest which surrounds the Springs and through which the Loddon River interdicts. Not far from the Springs, which are located 4 kilometres/2 miles to the north of Lyonville you can determine the headwaters of Loddon - a confluence of small unnamed Creeks - as depicted in the photo. I always seem to take delight in finding the headwaters of any River and then discovering its length over the years. Duly, I was thrilled to tramp to where the Loddon quietly flows as part of my Spa Country sojourn.