Author: Oz Camper Travels

I retired many years ago and in my dotage I like to travel fairly regularly, usually with my teardrop trailer but also overseas. I love traveling Australia, the country is so beautiful and always changing, I prefer the outback to the coast.

Mitchell

16th September 2024

Distance: 461 Km

The blustery winds that I feared would keep me awake last night subsided by 8pm so while it was a cold night it was a quiet night. I made a hot water bottle because it was so cold. It is not that my bed is too cold but the hot water bottle warms it up quickly.

This morning had my shower at 6am and my porridge just after 7am, it doesn’t take long to pack up so I was on the road by a few minutes after 8am.

I had planned to stop several times on the way but some times plans just don’t work out, for example in St George every vacant spot seemed to have a caravan parked in it.

Moree to St GeorgeMoree to St GeorgeMoree to St GeorgeMoree to St George

Did stop at Thallon for a decent break and chance to look at their Silo Mural.

Thallon Silo MuralThallon

The road between St George is a “B” road and rest areas are few and far between, it wasn’t a bad road for probably three quarters of its length but toward the Mitchell end there were a lot of single lane sections where passing traffic has to put near side wheels in the dirt.

St George to MitchellSt George to Mitchell

The Major Mitchell Caravan Park was easy to find on the outskirts of town and I soon had my spot, initially she offered me a ensuite site which I knocked back, it retrospect I should have taken it as it was only $5 more than an ordinary site.

Major Mitchell Caravan Park

Once set up I wandered down to the river.

Major Mitchell Caravan ParkMajor Mitchell Caravan Park

As it was still only mid afternoon drove into town, noticed a tyre place so went in and asked if they could balance the front wheels today as it happened they could so I left the car and walked down to the spa centre for coffee and cake. These hot spas are common over the Great Artesian Basin.

Mitchell

Back at the caravan park  tried to plan my next move, was somewhat shocked to find that parks in Cunnamulla are charging $61 a night, I think that is ridiculous so am still not sure where to go next.

I read my book for a while before making myself some dinner, might watch a movie tonight, still haven’t bothered to set up the aerial so TV News is out.

Moree

15th September 2024

Distance: 390 Km

Fuel: 32 L

It was a cold night, it got down to about 4°, something I am not used to even though my bed was perfectly warm, I warmed the place up with my little heater,  it is only 400 watts but it soon heats up such a small space. Had a beautiful hot shower before making hot porridge for breakfast.

Didn’t rush to get away and left after 8.30, in retrospect should have left earlier and had more breaks.

A fairly long drive, stopped a few times including a longer stop in Coonabarabran just to get some exercise – not much traffic, it is Sunday.

Coonababran

Gulgong to MoreeGulgong to Moree

Arrived in Moree about 2.30pm and found the caravan park, it even has a hot spa – Moree gets hot water from the Great Artesian Basin, it’s supposed to be full of healthy minerals. The park is on the banks of a river where, I am told, the fishing is good.

Moree Tourist ParkMoree Tourist ParkMoree Tourist ParkMoree Tourist ParkMoree Tourist Park

Apart from getting fuel and wandering down to the Railway Station I didn’t really go anywhere, the weather is cold and windy, I doubt the temperature today got to 20°. I sat in the car to drink a cup of coffee it was so cold. According to BOM this is a burst of cold air straight from Antarctica.

Moree Station

The wind is buffeting the  camper about, it might wake me up tonight. I don’t sleep so well for the first couple of nights anyway, getting used to the “strange” bed.

Gulgong

14th September 2024

Distance: 376 Km
Fuel: 41L

No Plans

Have set off with no destination in mind other than a short visit to Queensland and warm weather. I just felt like a few days travelling away from home.

Set Off

Left Wollongong about 8.30, having decided that there shouldn’t be too much traffic on the F6 as it is a Saturday. Up Mount Ousley, Picton Road and headed north on the Hume Highway.

I think I have seen more police today than I have seen in my entire life. There was a gaggle of them on two occasions parked on the centre reservation. I say a gaggle there must have been a dozen cars at each. Further north I saw a similar crowd, perhaps not quite as many but by only a few. On both occasions they seemed more interested in the southbound lanes. Later I saw several police cars and a dozen police motor bikes escorting what could have been a motorcycle rally of  over a hundred bikes (that’s a guess)

Apart from that the journey was uneventful. Driving through the Blue Mountains was the usual hell on wheels but there were no delays just heavy traffic.

Blue Mountains TrafficBlue Mountains Traffic

At Lithgow I turned north and thereafter traffic was fine, just the occasional car or truck.

Between Lithgow and GulgongBetween Lithgow and Gulgong

Gulgong

Arrived in Gulgong about 2pm, fond the caravan park and soon had myself set up.

Gulgong Tourist Park

When I stayed here before the park was pretty run down and seemed to cater for local workers but now it is full of cabins and new facilities.

Drove into Gulgong town centre to see if anything had changed since my last visit. Nope, it looks exactly the same, the only difference was that the Chinese restaurant where I ate had changed into a Thai restaurant.

GulgongGulgongGulgongGulgongGulgongGulgongGulgongGulgong

It is pleasantly warm here 23/5° but I suspect it will be quite cool tonight, we shall see.

BTW it has taken me a while to remember some of  the things about the camper that were second nature to me, getting older I suppose.

Home Sweet Home

1st June 2024

Distance: 382.6 Km

I had intended to leave early but in the event didn’t get going until about 7.30am, it was a cold, damp morning so I had a long hot shower before breakfast.  I made a coffee to have in the car as I drove.

Cowra Holiday Park

When I set off from Cowra it was very foggy but the fog suddenly disappeared almost instantly as I left the town.

Cowra FogCowra Fog

In spite of the forecast it didn’t actually rain on my way home though it remained grey and overcast the whole time. An easy drive, most of it being on the Hume Highway and being a Saturday morning there was little traffic. I arrived home about midday.

Cowra to WollongongCowra to WollongongCowra to WollongongCowra to Wollongong

Jobs

Got stuck straight into the task of emptying the car and camper of bedding, clothes etc that needed washing which will probably get done on Monday when a sunny day is predicted. Will empty the car of equipment on Sunday.

There are few minor jobs that need doing on the camper and I have a few ideas for improvements. I have ordered an awning for the side of the car even though I did enjoy the cover provided by my gazebo. The battery in the camper is suspect, I might replace it with an AGM battery – the one in the car is still going strong after 8 years of use.

The car is way overdue for a service!

I suspect that is probably the last long trip I undertake, in future will look at shorter trips of perhaps a few days or a maximum of  a week to ten days. I like southern Queensland and there is a lot to explore in Victoria.

Trip Statistics

Distance travelled: 12,400 km

Fuel used: 1330 litres

Total accommodation: $1441

Total fuel: $2910

Average fuel price: $2.21/l

Fuel economy: 10.9 litres per 100km

Suddenly it’s Cold and Wet!

31st May 2024

Distance:  486 Km

Fuel: 57 L

Was woken at something like 3.30am by the sound of rain on the roof of the camper. Quickly got up and put my chair in the back of the car and closed the glass part of the outer door, once back inside the camper turned on the fans that drag air in from the kitchen part of the camper before going back to sleep.

In the morning it was still raining though not very heavily so went for my shower and slowly got ready to leave. A relatively long drive as I hoped to make Cowra by early/mid afternoon. Because of the rain I did look at making a beeline to home but it really was too far especially in such bad weather. Pulled up the plastic sheeting I keep under the mattress to protect against water getting past the door seals.

I don’t think it stopped raining entirely all day and the sky remained grey the whole time.

Byrock to CowraByrock to CowraByrock to CowraByrock to CowraByrock to CowraByrock to Cowra

A couple of creeks/rivers that I crossed looked as if they were nearly at flood level but I didn’t actually encounter any flash floods at all.

Byrock to CowraByrock to CowraByrock to Cowra

Topped up with fuel at Nyngan where it was a surprising $1.91 a litre.

The caravan park, about 3 or 4 km outside Cowra, was very soggy but I suppose it doesn’t matter any more I should be home tomorrow. To be fair when I went to get fuel later there was a slight touch of blue sky in the distance (the forecast said that it won’t last – more rain tomorrow).

Cowra

Back to NSW

30th May 2024

Distance: 457 Km

Fuel: 56 L

Was up at my usual 6am for a shower, breakfast etc. Slowly packed up my stuff, as always there was no rush and I ended up setting off just before 9am.

Wyandra to ByrockWyandra to Byrock

Pretty typical drive until Cunnamulla, as I was leaving the township I noticed the sign…

Leaving Cunnamulla

Did a quick mental calculation and realised that I would be cutting it a bit fine as I had already done about 300 km on this tank full. Did a quick U turn and drove back into the town to fill up with fuel.

The next landmark was leaving Queensland and entering NSW again.

Entering NSW

Stopped again in Bourke for fuel (gave the Outback Centre etc a miss this time).Bourke Water Tower

Funny thing was that for the first time on this trip actually felt tired while driving even though this was not an exceptionally long drive so stopped in a rest area and walked around for a bit to wake myself up.

Finally arrived at the small town of Byrock where the local pub has a caravan park in its back yard so booked a site for the night. Very much a bush setting with power points!

Byrock Hotel Mulga Caravan Park

Looks like rain over the next couple of days, I must remember to check my waterproofing in the camper in the morning as BOM reckons it could be heavy.

Wyandra

29th May 2024

Distance: 409 Km

Fuel: 26 L

Another slow start to the day though  I was up at 6am for my shower but just took my time getting ready to leave. The trip is really coming to an end with only a few days before I get home.

Just to see if it improves my fuel economy I decided not to exceed 100kph today.

My first stop was in Augathella I don’t know why but I always call in. This time I bought a coffee and some fuel.

AugathellaAugathellaAugathellaAugathella

My only other stop was at the Angellala Bridge Explosion site. Unfortunately today the sun was just too bright and badly positioned to take decent photos.

Angellala Bridge Explosion SiteAngellala Bridge Explosion Site

Angellala Bridge Explosion Site

The rest of the drive was through a variety of countryside if a little flat (but that is Central Queensland).

Blackall to WyandraBlackall to WyandraBlackall to WyandraBlackall to Wyandra

I did also pass through the Dog Fence.

The Dog FenceThe Dog Fence

Arrived at Wyandra at about 1.30pm, just a small caravan park behind the local PO/store but nice enough.

Wyandra Caravan Park

Blackall

28th May 2024

Distance: 415 Km

Fuel: 50 L

After breakfast I drove into Winton to get bread from the local bakery, they had fresh sliced wholemeal loaves which looked very nice and cost only a little more than Woollies own brand so I was pleased with that.

Set off about 8am for a reasonable drive to Blackall.

Winton to BlackallWinton to BlackallWinton to BlackallWinton to Blackall

Stopped briefly in Longreach for a short rest at the Qantas Museum, didn’t go in,  have been a couple of times before and the display never changes so took a photo of the planes outside (no better than HARS in Shellharbour.

Qantas Museum LongreachQantas Museum Longreach

Next stop was Ilfracombe and their Machinery Mile, they keep the display nicely painted – no rusting hulks.

Machinery Mile IlfracombeMachinery Mile IlfracombeMachinery Mile IlfracombeMachinery Mile IlfracombeMachinery Mile IlfracombeMachinery Mile Ilfracombe

Drove through Barcaldine but drew a line at the seeing the Tree of Knowledge, the founding place of the Australian Labor Party, the road south turned off before you got there.

Arrived in Blackall about 1.30pm, soon found the caravan park and checked in before going on a tour of the town and buying fuel. Another town I had forgotten I have stayed at in the past.

Blackall The Black StumpBlackall The Black StumpBlackall The Black StumpBlackall The Black StumpBlackallBlackallBlackallBlackallBlackall Historic BoreBlackall Historic Bore

Winton

27th May 2024

Distance: 362 Km

Fuel: 41 L

Woke up late this morning, didn’t matter it was still dark until after 7am. Had my usual shower and breakfast then at about 7.30am drove to the local IGA to get bread and milk. Got the last lite milk in the fridge but there was no wholemeal bread so gave it a miss.

No big rush to leave as Winton is less than four hours drive away. Notice that the road to Julia Creek is still labelled “Caution” fortunately we are not going that way.

Road Sign just outside Cloncurry

Pleasant enough drive, not much traffic, most of it going the other way.

Cloncurry to WintonCloncurry to WintonCloncurry to WintonCloncurry to Winton

Disturbed a Wedgetail Eagle on the road. They’re a big bird.

Wedgetail gets airbourneWedgetail gets airbourne

Made a couple of stops on the way to stretch my legs.

Between Cloncurry and WintonBetween Cloncurry and Winton

Arrived at the caravan park just before 1pm.

Winton Wanderers Caravan ParkWinton Wanderers Caravan Park

After setting up drove into Winton for fuel and a walk around, walked past a grog shop so bought a six pack.

WintonWintonWintonWintonWinton Qantas MemorialWinton Qantas MemorialWintonWintonWintonWintonWinton Cracker Sisters HouseWinton Cracker Sisters House

I have always liked the Queenslander house on stilts, even the modern ones

Winton

Cloncurry

26th May 2024

Distance: 331 Km

Fuel: 40 L

Was up at 6am as usual but after a shower got back in the camper until it got light about an hour later.

Today’s drive was through quite hilly country and involved a lot of getting stuck behind road trains on winding roads. It didn’t really matter as it was a relatively short drive anyway but the hills played havoc with my fuel economy.

Camoweal to CloncurryCamoweal to CloncurryCamoweal to CloncurryCamoweal to CloncurryCamoweal to CloncurryCamoweal to CloncurryCamoweal to CloncurryCamoweal to Cloncurry

Arrived in Cloncurry just after midday and checked into the caravan park, every site is a drive through.

Cloncurry Caravan ParkCloncurry Caravan Park

Went for a drive after setting up, Chinaman’s Dam sounded promising, just outside town and for families and the fishing and boating crowd it probably was. It even had a large children’s playground. Unfortunately it also had lice!

Chinamans Dam CloncurryChinamans Dam CloncurryChinamans Dam CloncurryChinamans Dam Cloncurry

Had a quick look round town, it was very quiet (after all it is Sunday) but I did fill up with fuel.

CloncurryCloncurryCloncurryCloncurry

When I got back to the caravan park I discovered that my chair had broken – basically a bolt had fallen out, I searched the ground carefully and found all the bits except the nut. In a stroke of luck I later found the nut inside the back of the car and was able to repair the chair completely – so lucky.