Ned Kelly tagalong 1st March 2026

 Let's get Away! 50 + Solo camping group Tag a Long organized by Velma Faulkner.

This unusual rock formation is on the right a bit before Dubbo. Had to stop for a photo since my last one is over 10years ago.

Arrived at Panai Ave rest area just north of Dubbo, to stay for the night, there was only one other camper parked up nearby. 

Perfect sun rise this morning.

Velma arrived around 11am at Panai Ave rest area at Tomingley and after our meet and greet and a cuppa we followed to Newell Hwy south. She was driving a holden station wagon and towing a trailer with her camping gear. 

While I was waiting for her, I just so happened to be National cleanup day. the local people did an excellent job picking up all the rubbish.

On the way to Parks, we caught up at the Dish.

Continued on to Forbes to park up for the night. 

It was painful to me to watch how Velma unpack her camping gear. An awning off the side of the car, privacy covers on the internal window, a shower room, table and chair, cooking items unpacked, all being taken out of individual packages, and then in the morning, watch her repack into those individual bags once again. Was this going to happen every night?

Forbes is a lovely town. 

Forbes to Barmedman to check out the Mineral pool and have a shower. It was raining when we arrived, the $1 hot shower was the coldest hot shower I've ever had.

Drive thru Ariah Park, Ardlethan, Grong Grong, Narandera, Gillenibah, 

Tocomwal sits on the Murray River. very busy here.

We stayed the night at Jerilderie to meet up with Kerry who is traveling from Tasmania.

Finley, we stayed there 1 night. The girls went on to Glenrowan, I had been there before, so I continued on thru to Tocumwal then Shepperton. Had a haircut there and lunch then onto Benalla. Stayed 2 nights Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th, in a lovely RV friendly camp near the library.   

The girls arrived back here on the second night.

The girls continued on to Euroa, I headed back to Shepparton where Velma was looking for a place to camp the night. Kerry went on her way to Canberra where she had a house sit.   

Velma couldn't find a decent place to park up for the nigh at Shepparton so she texts me that she had booked into a motel for the next 4 nights. 

So, I thought that was a bit rude, considering she was the organizer of the tagalong. I figure I'd continue on to Greens Lake for 2 nights Thursday and Friday. I had earlier told Velma about Greens Lake, hot showers, flushing loo's, lovely lake not for off the hwy. 

Full Moon shining over the water was beautiful.

It got rather busy by Saturday, I didn't realize it was a long weekend in Victoria. Maybe that's the reason Velma chose to book into a motel for 4 days?

Was her loss, anyway I was a bit disgruntled with her change of plan. I had paid for her and my ticket on the Paddle Steamer for Monday. I didn't now want to wait till Monday as it was only Thursday and why should I hang around after she changed the itinerary. So....

I left my phone in the car by mistake so no photos of the Paddle Steamer.

Saturday 7th, I left for Echuca for the Paddle Streamer on the Murray River. It was an interesting cruise up the river. there were so many people kayaking, paddleboarding, jet ski's, boating and sitting by the river swimming and relaxing.

I wanted to follow the Murray on the NSW side to Corawa and stayed 1 night. It was a great camp spot, many campers there. I found a quiet spot near the bush and had a very good night.

Howlong Camp Sunday, one night, a relaxing time on the Murray river, an old stomping ground for me. It was a long weekend in Victoria so there were many local families enjoying a river swim and a few boats about too. later in the day I seem people camping under the bridge and I see a caravan pull up further along the river. I wasn't alone but I feels like it, I had the river and the night to myself. 

Back to Forbes to overnight, it's a lovely town to stay in.

Tuesday 10th I needed a shower so headed to The Rock, on the way to Wagga Wagga, beautiful free hot shower. Good looking town too.

Jerrys Plains 10th Wednesday night.  I was home on Thursday.