15th November 2025
Distance: 314 Km
Fuel: 33 L
Wollongong to Harden
Have long decided that I am going to aim for drives of about 300km with over 400km the exception rather than the rule and the drive to Harden is about 310km so didn’t need to leave Wollongong until about 11am.
Most of the drive was on the Hume Hwy so easy and fast. There is one sign on the highway that I have never understood. It says that it is the end of the Motorway yet the road continues exactly the same as before.
Harden itself is one of those small towns that has grown and merged with the neighbouring town of Murrumburrah. Have visited many times before just passing through, I recall that the local cafe does an excellent fish and chips.
Arrived at the caravan park at about 2.30pm and rang the number indicated on the empty office, the lady said she was at the show but to select a site and pay in the morning. The park is right next to the main road and a block from the railway line though I can’t say that I have ever found traffic noise a problem, it dies down once it gets dark anyway. BTW won’t be staying here again far too expensive for very average facilities
There seem to be a lot of permanent residents here with children presumably, working in the local area, some in caravans some in cabins. The park is definitely not full the busy times of the Covid era seem to be over.
Once I had set up drove further into town to buy fuel. It was a very overcast afternoon with the skies constantly threatening to rain which it did overnight
16th November 2025
Distance: 289 km
Fuel: 32 L
Harden to Goolgowi
Once again only just over 300km to drive today so didn’t leave until after 9.30. so went for a walk just for the exercise.
Murrumburrah actually looked more prosperous than Harden and it looks like that is where businesses are congregating.
Stopped briefly at Barellan to see the Big Tennis Racket, a tribute to Evonne Goolagong who came from the town.
Only made one stop at a rest area on the way and arrived in Goolgowi sometime between 1 and 2pm. There was a sign on the facilities block giving the council phone number but saying that on weekends fees were taken at the Ex services Club which opened at 4pm.
Set up the camper, drove down the road for fuel, then went for a bit of a walk to explore the delights of Goolgowi.
It is a small town used many by truckers to stop and refresh, The town appears to have a General Store, a pub and a club as the only retail outlets. There was one other caravan in the caravan park owned by someone who worked locally.
Goolgowi seems a major rest area for road trains.
OZ Camper Travels 