Road Trip 2016 - Day 5 (12th July) - Gundabooka National Park

Our first morning at Gundabooka was cold and a heavy dew have made everything damp. 

A breakfast of porridge helped us to get moving and it wasn't long before the sun was on our campsite and warming us.

We decide to unhitch the ute and take a drive to the Yapa (Mulgowan) Art Site Walk. This is a 40 minute walk from the car park to a lovely little gorge with the flowing waters of Mulareeya Creek.

There is now running creek water and rockpools after the rains they have had in recent months ---- 

------  and the aboriginal art site under a large rock overhang. It is not a particularly large art site but interesting all the same. It's easy to see why this gorge would have add a great spot for a wandering tribe to live for a while - it has lots of summer shade, along with the running waters and good protection from the elements at various times of the year.

We were back for a late lunch and after setting the fire for tonight we set off on a 4km afternoon walk.

Back at camp we enjoyed the remainder of the sun whilst relaxing and reading.

Later around our campfire we enjoyed a few red wines and then another great campsite meal - cooked by our camp "chef" - Moores.

A chandelier of stars spread out above us as we enjoyed the campfire - but eventually the cold drove us into an early bedtime.

We loved this campsite at Dry Tank - but I must say we were quite surprised that we saw no wildlife at all whilst camping here - even though we had seen lots of tracks around the area of the campsite. We believe these tracks to be kangaroo, goats, feral cats, emu and possibly pigs tracks - but we saw not a one.

We did see some lovely little birds ---- adorned with bright red colouring that made them hard to miss - but they were of the "never stay still" type - so we have no photos to record our sightings. We believe they are the scarlet or red-capped robin.

Road Trip 2016 - Day 4 (11th July) - Gundabooka National Park

This morning the early risers were again treated to a gorgeous outback sunrise - at our campsite near Mt Oxley.

Once all were up we had a nice fire going again in the Shearers quarters kitchen and enjoyed a warm breakfast together.

Like Ruths's new hat!!!!

And the breakfast scene --

This morning we said our goodbyes - we heading off for the rest of our holidays - to "slightly unsure" destination at this stage - owing to further rains a bit south and a cold front forecast to soon hit Victoria and move up into Central NSW - bringing very cold weather and high winds.

Mark and Kerrie,with Cindy and Russ, were making their way back to Walgett today.

We headed back into Bourke - to grab some milk - and go the the National Parks and Wildlife office.

Of course whilst there we just had to boost the economy by having a coffee.

The girl at NP advise us that the road out to Gundabooka NP was fine to travel now - so we headed out on the highway (to Cobar) - turning off about 50km S onto the red dirt (Ben Lomond Rd).

Shortly after turning off (before reaching the entrance to the NP) we stopped to collect firewood - and were lucky enough to find a nice lot of "gidgee" - great firewood - as it produces very good coals and heat from small amounts of wood.

Dry Tank Campground (Gundabooka National Park) is approx 22 km from the main entrance to the park. It has picnic tables, composting toilets and generous sized camping sites easily accessible for our tvan camper.

The road in from the highway was pretty good - there were some rough spots and mucky bits - and a washout that they had carved out a sidetrack to avoid - but taking it easy we encountered no difficulties with the drive.

Dry Tank campground is a lovely spot in amongst the Mulga and we decided this would be our campsite for the next 2x nights ($6/adult/ night).

It was lunch time when we arrived - so after set up we settled into sorting lunch - and then we were visited by a couple of lovely ladies (nurses!!!) - other campers who were on for a lengthy chat.

We were getting some light drizzly rain - but it wasn't too cold - so we decided to head off with the umbrellas/raincoat for a walk from the campsite to nearby Little Mountain. It was just an easy 4.2km (return) walk through the pretty mulga woodlands to the summit of Little Mountain - with a view out to the north west escarpment of the Gundabooka Range.

We had been invited over to the nurses campsite, along with other campers, for an evening around the big campfire they were having - but it was still drizzling rain and we were really tired - so we ended up turning in for the night as soon as the dinner dishes were done.

Road Trip 2016 - Day 3 (10th July) - Food and Huts by Mt Oxley!

This morning here at Kidman Camp at Bourke some of us were up early (in the cold) - and lucky to witness a stunning sunrise.

We all wished the Gibbos safe travels home to Newcastle at about 7.30am - and then enjoyed a nice warm breakfast, of bacon and eggs, in the "Guccis" overnight cabin (very swish - with aircon).

It was then back into Bourke for a coffee and purchase a roast to cook in the camp oven tonight. 

Then out to a farm stay called "Food and Huts by Mount Oxley" - just East of Bourke-  heading back toward Brewarrina.

Tonight it was to be just us, the McElhones and the Guccis. The Guccis were in the shearer a accomodation and the rest of us camped outdoors beside the building.

The main attraction here was being able to go to the top of Mt Oxley (the highest point in this very flat region around Bourke).

Mt Oxley can be seen in the background here - 

We had a chat with the owner of the property - Big Bill - the curly white headed typical bushie. 

Then with his wife Denise - as we were heading up the mountain track.

The view from the top was stunning - as all around this "rock" was flat lands spreading out as far as the eye could see.

And on top - building the rock cairn - 

There is also a Telstra Tower atop this "rock" and we did a bit of "skylarking" and a photo shoot on a metal tower with a ladder to the top.

We set up camp and enjoyed lunch again in the beautiful winter sunshine - with more "bubbles"to wash down lunch (--seems to be a pattern here doesn't there??). 

The fire was built outside - courtesy of our wonderful wood collectors and fire builders - Mark and Russ. We would be needing lots of coals for  the camp oven roast pork dinner tonight.

With sunset approaching we were back drove back to the top of Mt Oxley (with cameras and red wine)  - hoping for a gorgeous sunset - and we were not disappointed!!!

The drive down on the arrow potholed road in the dark was a bit "hairy/scary"!!

Because Kerrie and Mark were enjoying the accomodation of the Shearers Hut - we had the run of the building - hot showers, kitchen and dining facilities with a great little word fire. The accomodation and kitchen had everything you could need for self-catering - we were very impressed see by it.

Our Roast Pork and vegetable dinner was beautiful (great job cooking the roast Russ) - and was enjoyed in the warmth of the Shearers Accomodation - with a nice warm fire.

Cleaning up all done - we had a great fun night of 6-handed euchre - with lots of red wine, port and chocolates.

Thanx guys for a great day and night - again great food and great company - washed down with nice "drinkies".

Road Trip 2016 - Day 2 (9th July) - Our Convoy to Bourke!!

We enjoyed a great nights sleep - camped on Cindy/Russ front yard in our tvan.

All the crew were up about 6.30am - breakfasting and getting packed up to go to Bourke for the night.

We stopped off in Brewarrina for a late morning tea down by the park where the weir and the aboriginal fish traps are located.

Thanx Cindy for the "selfie" at the fish traps ---

 These are amazing historic aboriginal fish traps - that they estimate were built by local aborigines 40000 years ago to trap fish for food.

Heading off now to Bourke - we are starting to see our first emus in the wild along the road.

Plus this one in town on the verandah of a gorgeous old guest house - 

We stopped in Bourke to check out the replica of the old wharf in the centre of town.

It was surprising to see how much water is in the Darling River and he fast it was running - all thanx to the early winter rains they have been getting further north.

A few of us topped up with caffeine and we headed out to Kidmans Camp - our campsite for the evening.

We enjoyed lunch in the sunshine - along with quick fix of champagne bubbles.

Moores and I elected to stay in camp whilst the rest of the crew visited the "Back of Bourke" centre - a great place showcasing the history of this area.

We had visited this exhibit on our previous stay in Bourke a couple of years back and opted to take a walk down to the river (the Darling) and enjoy the serenity whilst waiting to see the tourist paddle steamer come back into the wharf.

Dinner was a BBQ and salad - followed up by marshmallows on the fire and entertained ourselves playing chinese whispers with the kids around our little fire. Of course we did have a few "reds" to keep us well and truly warm.

The cold did force us to bed at a reasonable hour - so no hangovers the next day.

Also the Gibbos (Neil, Lisa, Lachie, Conner and Haley) would be getting up and on the road early tomorrow to head home to Newcastle - a big day ahead for them.

Road Trip 2016 - Day 1 (8th July) - Walgett here we come!!!

We we all packed up and hitched ready to head off first thing this morning. 

The plan was a 5.00am departure - BUT - a glass decided to jump out f the cupboard and smashed on the kitchen bench - sending splinters of glass all over the kitchen floor. 

Cleaning this up did slow proceedings - but we did make a 5.22am departure. Not too shabby after all!!!

We are heading direct to Walgett today - and our route takes us west over Cunnnghams Gap to Warwick for a breakfast stop. The sun coming up behind us as we climbed up the Great Divding Range at Cunnighams Gap was spectacular - with the peaks being lit by the gorgeous early morning sunlight.

From here we headed further west to Goondiwindi (on the NSW /Qld border) and from then crossing in to NSW down the Newell Highway to Moree. Sadly there was a huge  amount of road encountered along the stretch from Inglewood to Goondiwindi.

A lunch stop at the roadside just out of Moree - on the Colley/Moree road (Gwyder Highway) - gave us another good break and stretch of the legs.

We travelled through Collarenebri ("Colley") to Walgett - with lots of water laying everywhere around this country and passing large fields of cattle and sheep - all looking in great condition with all the feed available from the recent rains of last couple months.

Of course some of them had to be on the road as we passed through.

We hit the "Wild Wonders of Walgett" by 3.30pm - having enjoyed a great first day of travelling and easy drive really.

We are in Walgett to visit with my niece Cindy (and Hubble Russ) now living in Walgett for 3 years -  along with my nephew Neil.

A great night was enjoyed at this excellent "free camp" - with great company and good wine around the campfire in Russ / Cindy massive backyard in Walgett.

The night was finished off with another great slow cooker stew (thanx to Cindy) and a game of Euchre. 

Couldn't get a better night!!!

We even had an impromptu visit from one of Cindy's new friends at around 9pm - a local Walgett farmer - who currently teaches part-time at the primary school in town - for extra funds in the drought years they have just come through.

A lovely fun  - very down to earth woman.