It’s Day 43 on the Whoop Whoop Walkabout calendar, and let me tell you, folks—it was a corker! From Glenrowan to the mighty bushlands around Echuca, this day had it all. We're not just talking the usual gum leaves and kangaroo sightings, oh no. Today was filled with bush medicine, boomerang bloopers, and a few personal stories that’ll stay with me longer than Barry’s ever-returning boomerang. Let’s dive in.
8:00 AM – Kicking Off at Glenrowan
The morning tour? The Wonnamutta Tour, starting bright and early as the kookaburras were still laughing at Barry’s attempt to be the next WHOOP WHOOP. Walk About tour guide. We set off from Glenrown—yes, folks, a nice 45-minute drive, which gave me enough time to regale the group with stories of Aboriginal history, land wisdom, and the occasional facepalm-worthy moment from previous tours (I see you, Barry). Glenrowan’s rugged beauty never gets old, and with the great Ned Kelly looming large in the area, there’s always a story to tell.
9:30 AM – Bush Medicine Meets Boomerang Mayhem
We dived straight into bush medicine—Warby Ovens style. You know Nikki, the girls a legend around here, sharing stories of eco system and land of the Kwat Kwat people being settled by the swatters like no one else. We had a few newbies today who’d never tried our bush remedies, so it was the perfect time to introduce them to the wonders of tree sap for the skin—nature’s original sunscreen. But Barry our new guide… well, Barry thought the sap was a snack. The look on his face as I explained its actual use was priceless.
Cue the resin session. Now, you’d think it was designed to be fool proof, but leave it to Barry to find a way to burn his fingers and stick them onto the only tree for miles. I swear, watching that man wrestling a tree was like seeing a wombat trying to salsa.
11:00 AM – Didgeridoos and Disco Moves
On to the Great Wet land Tour in the afternoon, where we tried our hands (and lungs) at the didgeridoo. There’s always one in the group who thinks they’ve got the magic breath control…It was more like a disco remix than a didgeridoo.
1:00 PM – Lunch by the Murray River
The crew sat down for lunch by the serene banks of the Murray River. We had our classic bush tukka spread—smoked eel dip, green ant cheese cake, and even a crunchy fried yam or two for the brave souls.
3:00 PM – Fire-Starting Fails and Scar Trees
As always, the fire-starting demo is the highlight, especially when you’ve got a character like Barry around. He had this wild idea that rocks would be his key to survival. Well, after 15 minutes and zero sparks, he conceded to the flint I gave him, and we finally got the fire roaring. We then ventured to the scar trees, where we shared more about the local people’s history. It’s moments like these that remind you how sacred this land really is.
4:30 PM – The Four Pole Challenge
We finished the day with the infamous Four Pole Challenge. If you’ve never seen a group of people try to jump over moving poles like skipping rope, you’re missing out. Barry, true to form, gave us the best comedy of the day—his wobbly knees making it halfway across before, well, let’s just say he didn’t win any awards for agility.
6:00 PM – Corroboree at Sunset
As the day drew to a close, we gathered for a corroboree, led by your truly, who shared personal stories from my clan. The beauty of Glenrowan’s twilight, mixed with the rhythmic beats of the dance, brought a serenity that even Barry’s antics couldn’t overshadow.
Reflections on Day 43
Today was another reminder of why we do what we do at Whoop Whoop Walkabout. It’s about the laughs, the learning, and connecting with country in a way that feels both humbling and awe-inspiring. Even if you’re like Barry and can’t quite master the art of the boomerang, there’s always something magical to take away from this experience.
For those looking to join the next round of adventures, you can book our tours straight through the website or call us at 0402606481. Whether it’s the Wana Walk or Warby Ovens meets Wet Lands, we’ve got tours twice a day (except Sundays—gotta rest, mate).
Join us, and who knows? Maybe you’ll be the next Barry.
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