Crossing to Queensland 2015

We didn't have time to swim in the Artesian pools, we were just to busy washing and drying clothes as the plan was to leave before lunch. The fee for the washing machine was $5 and the dryer $3 all up with our nights stay was $26, the most we've spent so far.

Saying goodbye to Boomi with a cupboard full of clean dry winter clothes, we are back on the road that takes us across the border at the Macintyre River. Locals tell me this river is the Barwon, the bridge sign says otherwise so think they are splitting hairs. Shortly after crossing the bridge the road narrows to a single land road .....we are now in Queensland. 

 

Making our way to Talwood Sports ground on Saturday, only 36kl away with power, water, hot showers and toilets for a donation that's to be left at the general store. Stayed 3 nights and left a fare bit of money in town. Firstly, 2 women travellers camped near us offered to sell me their motor home truck solar window covers as they have no use for them since buying a caravan. I offered $100 knowing that they are worth near $400 on ebay, they accepted my offer and I am very pleased with the purchase. The temperature difference is amazing in the cabin and Ruby has taken up residence there in the drivers seat, that gets her out from under my feet in the small space of the motor home.



Tea and Scones in the post office, goodies bought at the food store and a stroll down the street we found a store filled with nuts, bolts and possibly anything you can think of. Nicki wanted graph paper and/or a ruler that couldn't be bought in the local food store so we asked sheepishly if the owner of this store could help and sure enough he had both, given to Nicki for free. 

I figure it wouldn't hurt asking if he does small fix it jobs and sure enough he was willing to come out to the park to take a look. As I noted earlier, I had a small problem with my awning arm and it turns out that he has been an engineer in his time and has a lathe in the back of his store.  He shows up at camp after lunch bringing with him a calibrator and many tools in the back of his troopie truck.  An Irish fellow and wife camped beside me also had a problem with his awning so that one was fixed first, then onto mine which needed special attention having two parts made up back at the shop. It wasn't long before he was back and with a few hits with the hammer for extra adjustment, making all the difference. That darned arm on the awning will never come off again. 

The word was! that the pub was serving Sunday roast on Saturday night for $15 followed by a lemon squash. There were 6 women and 1 Irish husband in our group from the camp that enjoyed the meal. Footy was on telly when we arrived and the woman among us were commenting that they didn't like the rough and tumble of football, I piped up and said "bring back the biff I say" you should have seen the grins on the locals sitting at the bar...so funny.

 

Heading north 2015

Nicki and I headed off on our 8+ week trip north on Wednesday 27 May, our plans have changed a few times from our original planned trip to 'Burke and Wills Dig Tree' Innaminicka, all up in the air now, will just wing it. Also Nicki has realised she has to be back by August 1st to register her car and van but that's ok I can continue on if I want.

Our first overnight stop was at Jerrys Plains, not too far from home just yet.This camp spot was recommended to me by a friend (Solo Steve) it is a cleared mostly level area with clean toilets nearby.
Luckily there were a couple of caravans already here that were visable from the main road as I would have (as usual) sailed by without noticing the camp site. We enjoyed a very quiet night considering the highway is a short distance away. The morning bought Kangaroo's grazing near by, I spotted a large buck near the back of the motor home and got Ruby a bit excited wanting to get outside quickly to give chase, I think she would have turned tail though, if I let her out.

There were a few hills to climb on the Golden Hyw with the motor home struggling a bit but the advice I'd been given from Rod, a neighbour and x truck driver, to drive the m/h as a truck and change gears earlier before loosing the revs worked most of the time. Continuing on the Golden Hwy we turned off after Cassillis to Coolah toward Binnaway, our next camp. The road flattened out considerably and the scenery opened up with plenty of ploughing work in progress on properties.

Binnaway is a great camp spot, allowing 3 day stays, coin op electricity at 3 hours by $2 and hot shower 5 min by $2 which is plenty of time for a lovely shower. The main drag is a short walk away. Unfortunately the weather turned colder and overcast the next day so we hunkered down with power in early evenings, warm as toast with the air conditioner running. The rain was continual over the next few days so we ended up staying for 4 days till the sun came out, well! we are in no hurry.

Nicki had a problem with her gas hot water, the gas wont stay on so we will be looking for a gas fitter shortly also her door wont lock from the inside, that's a safety factor so a lock smith is what we also want. The waterproof plastic lining of her awning separated from the material underneath at the top left corner. Cutting the damaged part off before it gets worse and gluing the edges down might help stop any more damage. I can understand her frustration and disappointment when these things are breaking down so early into our trip.
On folding up my awning, one of the arms jumped out of its fitting and was difficult to get back into position. A camper inspected the awning for me and gave the arm a good push into position, I later found this hasn't fixed the problem. Something to repair when back home.

So we left Binnaway on Monday, stopped in at Coonabarabran for a quick look around and found a park for the dogs while we had a cuppa in the motor home. I had picked up a 2kg gas bottle ($29) at a Masters store at Rutherford for back up incase the fridge ran out of gas while free camping, I had it filled at the mitre 10 store for $9 and had already bought the top converter/adaptor thing for $11 before I left home so was a little expensive but, I think worth the peace of mind. 

Continued on to Narrabri showground in the early afternoon and happily paid the caretaker $8 per night for our powered sites per single person, that also included a discount for being CMCA members. The cold weather has really set in and being the weaklings that we are, looked forward to the heating to ward off the cold. The motor home has used most of the first tank of fuel, down to 1/4 tank and made 500 kl so I'm very happy with that consumption.

Nicki has to wait for mail that needed to be returned directly so we stayed here for a few days, getting colder (-2deg) but not raining. Also the gas fitter comes out to the showground to repair the gas hot water, and wouldn't you know it, it worked straight away for him.
 We planed on leaving Thursday but..... Nicki's hot water overflow leaked all the hot water out of the overflow pipe, she had campers coming over to help/give advice so she called the gas man again, who couldn't come out till Friday.  Well! would you know it, in the afternoon she gave the gas heater another go and it worked ok, possibly was just a frozen pipe. No more early morning showers for Nicki. Cancelled the gas man and the door lock is repaired at the local lock smith and we are on our way on Friday.



To cold for Ruby 

Burren Juction is no longer in sight for us after being told it would be very windy and cold on the open plains. We have decided to try a more direct route over the border toward St George to get away from the cold wind but I am a bit worried that the long weekend is upon us and that it could impact on the availability of camp spots.

Heading for Moree, figuring we will stay at its showground but we find the fee is $19.50 for a site, bugger that's a sting in the tail. Don't believe all you read on Wikicamps, stating it being $9 per single person, not true. The power outlets are in a terrible state here, looks like some have melted burn marks. I don't think the caretaker took kindly to my reporting of the condition of the outlets, maybe that's why he wouldn't give us a single fee, we also didn't park in the right direction to his liking, anyway I think we were spoilt at Narribri showground, a much nicer place.

We are into mid afternoon and I'm not comfortable driving much later in the day, don't want to contribute to more road kill but we push on another 90 odd kl to a small town called Boomi, a camp ground beside Artesian pools and directly opposite the police station. We are welcomed to share a fire in a choofer, we are grateful for the lovely amber glow and the company that turn out to be near neighbours of the Newcastle/Port Stephens districts. It seems to be a small world out here....what's the chances! that 4 separate couples and us come from close proximity of each other.

Another 36kl will take us to the Barwon Hwy finally crossing the border into Queensland. 

Tomorrows another day, will we take the plunge into the Artesian pools? Will we leave here before lunch? and head for Talwood Sports ground or Nindigully hotel where they make to biggest hamburger ever! 

Catch up to 2015

A lot of water under the bridge since my last post.

I haven't writen anything about my 2 week camp on my brothers property. I made a decision to spend some time with Jim last August/September, to give him a bit of company while his wife travelled for 6 weeks in America.  My camp set up worked a treat, giving Jim and I some space to do our own usual thing, then meeting during the day for cuppa's on his veranda overlooking the Grose Valley or Jim giving me the guided tours of the Hawksbury and surounds visiting some of the historic sites, joining his bush walking group and driving thru some of the back roads of Richmond.
Nearing the end of the 2 week period, the weather closed in and I wasn't able to charge the battery with the solar so I took myself home. I think Jim appreciated me hanging with him, though I did have him doing a few alterations to the caravan front and rear storage boxes.

Not long after, I took a really big step in buying a Motor Home, Nicki had bought herself one about 6 weeks earlier and seemed really pleased with her purchase. So was getting an itch to have one too. I figured time was quickly closing in on me regarding coupling, uncoupling, reversing the caravan as well as the safty factor being a solo traveler.  So...I was following an advertisment for a 2002 Mazda Freeway Winebago in Randwick for some weeks, agonising over should or shouldn't I take the plunge, quering was it the right time to change and secretly hoping it would be sold and that would be that....but no.......it didn't sell so Nicki offered to drive me down (cash in bag) to take a look. I bought it there and then, but not before checking with rev's and doing all the right things that go with buying an expensive item.
I really think it was the right thing to do although it felt uncomfortable for some time driving a manual and a truck to boot... but I have finally learnt to drive it as a truck and not a car, am getting the best out of the motor now. See the rig below.

Nicki and I took a few days away in the Hunter Valey to give the motor homes a shake down, to find any problems that needed repair and to generally sort out what was needed and what wasn't. The weather began to warm up after that so our next planed trip was to possibly end up in Tassie in the New Year after the school holidays.

Well that didn't happen as money wasn't available, though it is still on the cards for next Christmas or there abouts.

So we went north instead, almost reaching the border via the Summerland Way thru Kyogle and Woodenbong and then returning via Urbenville, Bonalbo. We wanted to do the loop bypassing Casino on the return and so continuing on secondary and dirt roads thru Baryulgil and Camira coming out at Whiporie back on Summerland Way.  We drove 20 Kls in on the dirt road and found the best camp spot right on the upper Clarence river. A place called Alice but it dosnt show that name on map. Spending many hours there (a few days) relaxing and taking in the peaceful sounds of the river while catching up on reading, the decision was made to continue on but my petrol gauge showed I didn't have enough petrol to reach civilation so returing the way we came and on through Casino and Grafton, we headed off on Waterfall Way toward Ebor,of course, to see the waterfalls. I wasn't keen on that windy road though, we stayed in a free camp at Wollomombi later that afternoon. Our next camp was at Bendemere, anothe free camp then onto Tamworth. Our last free camp was at Broke in the Hunter Valley.

So now this takes me to the end of May 2015 and the planed trip to outback Queensland in a week or so's time.

 

 

14: Mount York 2014

A bit mores to be said about Gooloogong and surrounding areas before I pack up to leave today.   The shire is known to be called  
'The food bowl of Australia'  and during WW2 the Australian Women's Land Army worked the land, replacing the men who were sent overseas from 1942 to 1945. Ending with 2,382 permanent female members and 1,039 auxiliary members, starting with only 300 woman in 1942. These women held our country together during the hardest times.

The country is so beautiful, I was taking my time driving toward Cowra, everywhere I look its so green.

A local told me the weather had not been kind to them this summer, the whole area was brown and parched, until now. Some rain fell not to long ago, what a difference a shower makes!

Cowra Prisoner of War Camp 1944

The largest prisoner of war breakout in modern military history occurred. 1104 Japanese prisoners launched a mass escaped with crude weapons, throwing themselves onto barbed wire fences and into the firing line of machine guns with only blankets, coats and baseball mitts to protect them.

Australian soldiers were stabbed and bludgeoned to death during the attack.

235 Japanese soldiers and 3 Australians soldiers died on the faithful morning.

334 Japanese war prisoners escaped into the Cowra country side.

This new tower replicates the original guard house.

 

View of the landscape where part of the camp once stood, although the area was much larger than what is fenced today. My local friend says the parameter was shaped like a 50 cent coin and the distant tree line in the left of the picture was one part of the boundary. 

 

 Now driving toward Lithgow

 

After climbing Victoria Pass, wow!!! what a drive up the mountain from the valley below towing the caravan, phew!!! but the Xtrail did very well, I turned left to Mount York.
Camping areas are available, I see 3 tents and one caravan. I did consider camping for the night but as I'd already advised family of my arrival in a few hours it was not to be this time.

The view is spectacular, here looking N.E.

 

 

 I'd like to walk part of the track but not on my own. Looks pretty scary down there.

I remember attending an Abseiling course nearby mmm...about 15 years ago, not on the escarpment where the real dare devils hang but nearby on an outcrop of rock with about a 20 meter drop, that was scary enough for our group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

13: Forbes and Eugowra 2014

Left the caravan at Gooloogong this morning and headed off to do a loop of Forbes and Eugowra, about a 100k round trip. Following part of the Lachlan River that starts its long trek near Gunning and joins with the Murrumbidgee River between Hay and Balranald.

Lake Forbes is a natural lake very near the town with a 4.8kl walking / cycling track with abundant bird life.

Spotted these drums (musical) in a shop, is this how the drums are Scooted....around ?   hahahaha

The old railway station is now the Information Centre.  
Ned Kelly's sister Kate is buried near Ben Hall also, Captain Cooks great Niece is buried in the same cemetery.

I'm told the best time to visit the area is in September/October for the colourful blossoms and roses.

Onto Eugowra via Escort Way.  A small town with big murals, this one below depicts the Bail up of the Gold Escort from Forbes by Gardiner and his gang. The gold has never been found, they say its hidden somewhere in the Weddin mountains.

                                     The Gang named here

Escort Rock, where the hold up took place. There are old markings of coach wheel ruts that can still be seen in the granite on the old road. 

                          An imagined gang portrait         "Bail up! Bail up!"

Arrived back at the caravan in Gooloogong about 2pm. It was a hot day and I ended my drive with a severe headache so I stretched out on a blanket under the breezy trees.  Tonight I'll try photographing startrails.

 

 

 

 

 

12: Gooloogong 2014

A rainy night, thunder claps and a bit of wind and summer has disappeared.  After hearing gun shots the previous morning, learning it was the beginning of Victoria's duck hunting season and this morning being overcast and cold I packed up and heading north. But for some reason the GPS took me back into Victoria and toward Wadonga instead of north to Culcairn.

 

Heading up the Hume then onto Olympic Way, I had decided to try for Wilks Park at Wagga Wagga, another free camp spot beside the Murrumbidgee River with a good walk into town from there.



Not quite a full moon but a beauty anyway.



I stayed one night and continued on after doing some business in town.  I am amazed at the variety of shops in Wagga Wagga.



Bypassed Junee to Temora then onto Bramedman to the camp by the mineral pools, camp by donation but states $10 per night.
I was impressed with the pool, green grass, large pool but a rough as anything camp area and no one was around, not a sole....so off I went.
 


Bypassing West Wyalong toward Marsden on Goldfields Way, another bum steer by GPS, taking me via Forbes, I back tracked a bit then turned onto the Great Western to Grenfell. 

Just me......the road.......and big sky's.

 

Found a lovely camp at Gooloogong with hot showers and power for a donation, not that I need power. There are 4 other campers here and a lovely pub is across the road.  I might spurge on dinner tomorrow night if I'm still here.  



There is a memorial of people passed in the park. I was struck by this one, of no relation of course, but very interesting. I'll stop in at Mount York to see Cox's road and possibly take a look at Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth's tree stump at Katoomba on the way down see the kids.

 

 

 

 

 

11: Few days off the road 2014





 





I thought we were camped on the Murray river but after speaking to a local fellow, he set me straight.  This is a subsidiary creek that flows into the Murray.  Never the less, a bloody big creek, its a perfect place to recoup for a few days as we have been pushing it for the last 10 because of the time factor.

 

Slingshot set off for another of her daughters' place south of Sydney at about 8.30 this morning, her plan is to travel over 300ks today and arrive at Gunning about 2 this afternoon.  A long trip for her but there is a free hot shower waiting when she arrives, then its a matter of possibly 2 hours on Friday and she is where she wants to be.

 





Now here is Ruby checking out the 'Bloody Big Creek'

  











 

What a great night for sleeping soundly, snuggled up under the doona.

 

After Slingshot left I spied campers leaving further up from me so made a quick pack up and moved into their spot, its now location! location! with views of steadily flowing water.

 

 

I was fully set up in my new spot, sorting my washing and looking forward to a few days here. And what a beautiful day it turned out to be with few people about, just some noise occasionally from trucks crossing the bridge and kind of chasing the sun with the solar panels.  

 



The local fellow tells me to expect rain on Saturday but it will be still warm.  I should possibly head north then.  No fun camping in the rain.

 

Ran out of Gas this morning, gosh!!!! the Icecream !!!Swap and go at the local garage cost $36.  When I was in town, I see many jeep vehicles arriving and found they were going to the Corowa jeep festival so I called 'John the Jeep man' to thank him for his help the other day while I had phone access, he is on his return home to Queensland for family business.