Lake Chaffey to Dunedoo

 Cloudy and cool today so very pleasant but no use for solar panels. Have paid for another 2 nights. Drinks outside my van – only place out of the cold wind. Fresh Yellow Belly for dinner from neighbours - very nice. Downloaded 8GB of books off a USB stick. 37,000 books apparently. All in author order. Dan Brown – Digital Frontier – read it until after midnight! . Some very loud bangs during the evening. Apparently they are firework bombs – people over the other side in the skiers camp letting them off I think.

11/11

Quiet day – put more books off the Element drive to the Kindle. Read Tim Allen’s ‘Don’t stand near a naked man’ - funny. 

12/11

Packed up the van, said goodbye to the neighbours and left about 11 intending to work my way slowly along the back roads across to Gunnedah then down to Dubbo.

Got to Quirindi, saw the road to Gunnedah and a heap of big trucks coming and going on that road so headed south on the England highway instead. Also decided it would be nice not having to drive on the ‘minor’ road with one eye always on the broken seal edges in case I had to get out of the way! Followed an oversized load that had come off that road until we got to a very long passing lane up a hill. Chatted to the truckies – was going to stay back but they said it was a very long way to the top and he had to go slow down the other side as well.  Lovely drive.

Murrurundi – reminded me of Matamata – stud horse farms with immaculate fences, lawns etc. just not green! I wonder if this area was called New England before or after they planted all the lovely English tree?

Decided to get a scone in Scone and stay the night. Got fuel and then drove straight past the Caravan Park – sign hidden in trees. Didn’t look very inviting anyway! Did a right at the Tourist Drive sign and realised that I was heading on the Dubbo Road. Caravan Park at Merriwa she thinks! Right! – pokey little place right on the main road, and no one there until 4.30 to ask if I could park sideways so I didn’t have to unhitch. Had a very late lunch and headed to Dunedoo instead. Really nice sealed large free camp on the top of a hill near Cassilis but not a soul in sight (4pm) so kept going. Am now tucked up at a $15 per night Caravan Park at Dunedoo.

Then – drove around in a big circle so I could pull up beside the concrete pad – and ran the van wheels up on to it!  Around for another go – am now a couple of feet away – room to put the step on the ground then step on to the pad. How hard can it be!!!!!

10 ducklings down to 3 by Monday. Eaten - scared away?

So have driven nearly 6 hours – but enjoyed the scenery and the good roads most of the way. Seemed like a lot of long hills that got me down into 3^rd and 4^th gear though. Nice to off the vast flood plains. If I got the urge to buy a farm again then the area south of Tamworth would be ideal – if only it had green(ish) grass in the summer.  

Will stay another night night I have decided - washing etc.

Lake Chaffey, Nundle

On to Tamworth – drizzly day. Decided the place was way too big so fuelled up and kept going towards Nundle.

GREEN – lucerne paddocks, dairy farms. A much smaller valley along this winding road and very pretty. Through a couple of tiny villages.
Found Lake Chaffey and stopped there for the night. Dam has only been open since 2004. About 20 lots camped here. Was only staying the night so didn’t bother trying to get down to the water’s edge. Drinks with 3 lots of neighbours (1 kiwi!). Talked me in to staying here and doing the trip to Nundle tomorrow – only 10km. Glorious sunset. Dairy heifers grazing the area. Toilets and coin shower up the hill. there are so many places to camp around this lake - even on the other side - a 5km drive in there on dirt further up the road.

10/11

Off to Nundle – took the dirt road along the Peel River. More like NZ – good metal rather than dirt or sand, and a river with a stony bottom. Would be Ok for the van if not in a hurry - some sharp bends.
Cute little town and the most amazing tumble-down hardware shop full of old-fashioned  enamel basins, pie dishes and jugs, wooden pegs, tea boxes full of loose tea, real feather dusters – metal spinning tops, the old tins with garden string (REAL string too), jams, honey, vinegars, 'made in NZ' wood and bristle brushes with the metal scraper  (the ones our shearers use) .…. What a little treasure. Got a billy that I thought would fit inside the thermal cooker ( too big!). Lemon butter, lavender soap, trivet. I thought by the outside appearance that it was just an old building about to fall down so the inside was a delightful surprise. In hind-sight I dont think there was anything made of plastic in the whole shop! Chatting to a 'new' local for a while about the district.They love the place.

Then to the grocery shop - where I found  fresh and smoked trout from the breeding place – got some smoked. The fresh trout were very small – would have to throw them back at home.

Back to the lake and turned the generator on to charge up computer- and the neighbours one. Cloudy and cool today so very pleasant but dont think the solar would do much. Have paid to stay a couple more days.

Finally - free camping!!! I find the truck rest areas on the side of the highways are not really places I want to stay so this place is  perfect.

Lake Keepit, Tamworth

Very heavy rain for a while last night at Coonabarabran. Glad I stayed another night.

A very pleasant drive today via Gunnadah to Lake Keepit. Rolling hills, and tree lined roads. Still lots of Cypress among the gums. Not much traffic but lots of new seal.
Out of the hills with a great view over flat arable land but for a change the road stayed off the plains. Maybe it means they dont get so flood damaged. Rich dark soil here - loam I presume.
Gunnedah is in a pretty spot tucked up the side of the hills but didnt stop. The road by-passed the town so no cup of coffee easy to find - just kept going.

 Good sealed road in to Lake Keepit. I thought there was a 'free camp' here but it costs $15 and there are a few km of dirt road to get to that area (eek MUD!)- or $24 for powered site - so here I am again.
Heavy rain and thunder this afternoon so I think the Caravan park was a good idea. Dont really want to deal with the mud or to get bogged in a 'bush camp'. Solar wont work in the rain - and I am just a sissy anyway!
BUT - it has rained twice in 2 days!!! I think since I left Perth in April I have had 3 days rain up until now! Eat your hearts out Kiwis :)

What a great spot. Loads of room, huge areas of mown grass, good facilities and I gather there are boats for hire further down. The head of the dam is very near here.  The lake edge is dirt that has been bulldozed by the look of it. Man-made lake I guess.

Nearly squashed a little tortoise (turtle?) crossing the road - good thing they move slowly!

Baradine, Coonabarabran, Warrumbungle

Easy drive from Pilliga today. Roads are not wide  but with so little traffic it is easy to stay away from the broken edges. Stayed at a CP in Coonamble - needed to do washing. Pretty town - so many Silky Oaks in full flower, and the Jacarandas of course. Very heady perfume in the evening - not sure what tree it was from.

Headed off to Baradine Monday. Lots of cypress forest here – grows like a weed I think. Heaps of young trees along the road verges and very thick. Still very dry everywhere. More grain. Road ok but rather broken on the edges and not very wide but very little traffic. Heading towards those ‘misty mountains’.

Had lunch and a long chat with a lovely Kiwi couple from the Grey Nomad site who live in Baradine.  They plan on being on the road again in March.  Left about 2.30 and down to Coonabarabran. Roads still narrow and started going up in to the hills. More bush here. Saw an observatory high on a hill.

Once again in a Caravan Park - $25 per night x2  but want to go to the observatory. (I will make up for all these CP stays when I get to Greens Lake or sooner when I find somewhere I feel good about that is not a truck rest area on the side of a highway!) Really tidy park, and I am in heaven - lovely Lombardi Poplars. Planes trees, grass, CLOVER and BEES! First time I have seen that in 4 years in Australia! Then couldn’t get to sleep – so many trucks passing all night it seemed.

6/11

Went for a scenic tour to Warrumbungle National Park to see the Siding Spring observatory. Lovely drive winding through the ranges. A couple of very pretty picnic spots beside a stream only a few km out of town but no camping.  There must be a competition for the best letter boxes down Timor Road – and why did I not stop and take photos – didn’t come back this way!!!! Rocket, emu, truck wheel with chrome wheel arch, tree trunk, ….. there is obviously an artist in the area as there were more sculptures at the observatory as well. Wound up a steep hill expecting to have a magnificent view but trees everywhere and of course they don’t build these observatories to study the countryside below so nowhere to get a view once up in the top – what a shame. Even a viewing platform around the outside would have made the trip more worthwhile. Interesting display and information there though.

Decided to carry on and do the tourist loop back to Coonabarabran. Another lovely drive through forest with lots of cypress trees. Turned left and down to Tooraweenah then back on Newell Hwy – so many big trucks!!!! Good road but I don’t think I want to go that way – those guys are in a hurry!

There is something so attractive about rolling farmland with scattered trees. Another place that would be very picturesque when it is green. They do more controlled grazing on this land as well it seems – much smaller paddocks and better fences.


 Wednesday
 Had to go for a drive to photograph those letter boxes today.  Had a play with Photoshop.
Decided to stay another day - weather forcast was not so good and it is raining this evening.

Pilliga, Coonamble

Wandered down via Narrabri to Pilliga yesterday. Passed a very pretty paddock with stips of green and gold - young maize? and grain being harvested. Misty mountains in the back-ground. Roads were pretty good although you can see where the water has scoured ruts out along the verges - glad I didnt have to get off the road for anyone. The soil is a very different colour here although I suspect it is silt from flooding. Interesting to see levies surrounding houses and sheds on many of the rural properties.
Stopped at the Pilliga Bore overnight. What a great asset to the town. People seem to come from all over to soak in the baths. One old guy has driven down from Wee Waa every morning for the last month for a swim. He drives with his cruise control set on 60km!
There are good toilets, a shower, rainwater tank, free BBQ and several tables.  Very large area to camp although I dont think I would be there if it was going to rain judging by the ruts in the ground. Friendly white horse over the fence who likes carrots and apples but wont quite let you get a hand on him!    Moved to Coonamble today.

Moree

Have driven every day since I left Longreach so I have decided to stay a whole week in one spot!!!! At Moree Showgrounds - $99 power & water for a week. Meet 3 other Kiwis here also. It is cool today - such a pleasant change from the heat I have been encountering up until now.
Have actually put up the awning, got all the proper bits to tie it down, now know how to use the Flap stopper things, and then spent the night with it shaking the van in the very strong wind! BUT - still there and still tied down tight in the morning. A good chance to do maintenance - like resealing around the toilet/shower. Not sure if it is old age or the heat - or maybe all the rough roads but the sealant seems to have come adrift!!!!
I think I will get the TV out now ....Wonder if there is anything worth watching. 6 months without it so far.
Bought one of those thermo cookers - delicious neck chops and veg for dinner last night after 5 hours. I think I am going to enjoy using it. Will do corn beef tomorrow. A nice change from BBQ/fast food cooking. Much cheaper here at the camping shop than any others I have seen. Also has 12v and 240v plugs so can use as a powered slow cooker.
I am impressed with the NSW roads so far. Wide enough to get out of the way without falling down a bank, and no where near as rough.
The trees are beautiful now - stunning Jacarandas and Silky Oaks in flower. Such pretty towns as I go further south. Even the rivers are starting to look more inviting.

Augathella to St George

Augathella. Long chat  to the neighbours  from Inverell. Said to come see them if over that way – that was nice. Didn’t leave the park until 11 – washed the bird poo off the windscreen some more. The park doesn’t seem worried about water – all their taps spray water all over – need new washers!

Drove to Charleville – very warm today. This country would be so pretty if it was green – and there is a faint tinge of green among all this strange grass. I guess it just comes up from the bottom through all the matted stuff. Lots of yellow and purple flowers on the verges now.

Found the Bailey Bar CP and was parked right beside the amenities. Turned the aircon on and hid inside all afternoon, although did manage to get the bedding washed. Very warm night as well. Got up at one stage and shut everything as there was very gusty winds – I was worried about a storm in the night.

Drove via Morven to Neville Turner Weir just out of Mitchell. Several emu with 3-8 young at foot. Haven’t seen any for ages. Mulga trees – grey things maybe – also some grand trees with black trunk with grey leaves (Desert Oak?) – very striking. Lots of water in the river. Inverell couple here along with quite a few others. SO HOT – I miss the aircon! Have dropped the back down just to get more ventilation.

That only lasted an hour when I decided it might rain so packed it up again. Chatted to an old guy and his grandson who was fishing, then over to several others when we heard thunder. Just back to the van in time to shut everything before we had wild wind gusts and heavy rain – lasted about 20 minutes!  Spent a lot of time before getting to sleep pening and shutting windows – just get comfy and I would hear drips on the roof so shut the window then hot so open again….. Good thing I did shut them finally  – a heavy fall late in the evening apparently.

Was going to stay another day but was dripping by 10.30 so packed up and drove to Roma to a CP for the night! Went 10km down the back road the neighbours use to St George and decided it was too narrow – too hard  even though it was sealed - so turned around, went back and  took the Roma route instead. Good thing I think as there is a lot of smoke down that way from fires started last night in the storm. Lucky!

Very humpy road to Roma – stopped several times to let trucks pass me – didn’t want to hurry today – and had the aircon on most of the way. Back into grain country once I left Mitchell. Most looks ready to harvest now.

Went to the showgrounds - $27 for the night but I was the only one there and no shelter anywhere so went to Big Rig – it was full. Back to Villa CP - $32! But a drive through site so that is good.

I really think I need to head east to the mountains – might be cooler there or it will cost a fortune in camp fees.  Would love to find a cool spot by a lake/river where I can sit for a few days. Also need to get a little 12v fan – didn’t know they made them!

Went for a walk. Chatting to an ex-army guy full of help. Relocated from flood somewhere. Now a council worker. The showground dongas are where council workers and flood victims are living. The river overflowed and came through this park 1m high! His family – Prattens have fruit wines at Kilcoy.

Another thunderstorm wind and heavy rain! Restless night trying to get to sleep, but no apparent leaks.

Fuelled up then headed to St George. Road was pretty good really. Lots of ripe grain and lovely gentle rolling country with the ‘grey’ grass still, although a little bit of green near St George.

Stopped at Fisherman’s free camp beside the river at Surat but decided not to stay there so in to town for sandwich and  coffee (yuk – drowned ‘short black’ – I don’t think she had ever been asked for that before). Then through the Cobb & Co museum. Good – not too cluttered. Interesting ‘spring ‘ on the old coach – looked like leather straps wound around many times and tightened. A town worth coming back to stay in I think when I am in a 'fishin' mood. Nearly bought a hand line.....

Nice drive to St George. Stunning Jacarandas here.  At a tourist park = again! Don’t really want to be out in the sticks with these thunderstorms and lightening fires! Checked the internet this morning - there are hundreds of fires listed in QLD and NSW. Most of them are grass ones it seems. Still very gusty winds but not quite so hot here.