Some of my travels, some of the time
Following the Kidman Way north through central NSW. Only as far as Cobar because of time constraints.
Distance: 301 km
Fuel: 31 L
Was home about 1pm after travelling mainly on the Hume Hwy as Boorowa is only about 45km north of the Hume.
Total distance travelled was just over 2000km – averaging about 290km each day. I find about 300km a comfortable maximum distance to travel each day taking about three and a half hours driving time which leaves plenty of time for stops and visits each day.
Distance: 247 km
Fuel: 29 L
The temperature dropped sharply during the night. That is not to say it was cold but by morning it was no longer a heatwave but still pleasant enough wearing a T shirt.
Today’s journey was through well travelled territory – Young, Cowra, Canowindra, Forbes etc are all interesting towns in their own right but it was not that long ago that I visited.
Click here to have a look at last years’ visit to the area.
Made a brief stop at the Parkes Radio Telescope just for old times sake.
The scenery became more undulating as I neared Boorowa – probably why they describe themselves as “Hilltops”.
Boorowa Caravan Park was well sign posted, I was instructed to find a site and someone would see me later. I chose one with a reasonable amount of shade.
With the much cooler weather it was easier to walk about the town and explore than on the previous few days.
Did you notice the clock hands are missing from the Town Clock on the War Memorial?
Distance: 334 km
Fuel: 31 L
It had been my intention to stay at Narromine tonight but as I drove it was obvious that I was going to arrive far too early – ie before noon – so I decided to press on an extra 55km to Peak Hill.
Nevertire is somewhere I never tire of stopping just to stretch my legs (and photograph the sign).
According to BOM the temperature in Peak Hill is going to be 40’C but as I drove not only did the temperature rise but also did the wind. It was a hot dry wind, I doubt the humidity was over 15% but the wind didn’t relent once. where ever there was a bare paddock there was a dust cloud visible for miles. I drove with my sidelights on the whole way. I am hoping that as the wind was behind me it resulted in better fuel consumption.
Peak Hills was hot… After checking in – when I was given a handout of local attractions – my set up was very quick because the park even provided a TV connector. The site was shady but it was the wind that was hot so the shade didn’t provide much relief; anyway it was time to look around.
The first port of call had to be the Peak Hill Gold Experience only a couple of blocks from the caravan park.
Then I drove out to the Bogan River Weir a few kms out of town.
I had a look at the local attractions including St Josephs Church designed and built by its first priest.
By now the day had reached its predicted 40’C so it was time to seek air conditioned comfort and where better than the local Ex Services Club where I spent an enjoyable couple of hours. I decided against waiting there until the dining room opened at 6pm as there was the danger that by then I would be incapable of ordering a meal so I returned to the caravan park to start writing this (and recharge my phone).
.
The meal at the club was not bad I had a Char Kuey Teow, if I had a complaint it was that it wasn’t spicy enough.
Distance: 294 km
Fuel: 32 L
Left Hillston at just after 9am as is becoming a habit. The weather forecast was for a heat wave all over the state this weekend.
I had intended to stop at the old mining town of Mount Hope but it seemed very disappointing. There was the pub and a few modern metal sheds but no sign at all of the old township so I moved on.
The land was very dry and I saw lots of wild life at the side of the road as I drove; kangaroos resting in the shade of a tree, many goats scuttling across the road ahead and the occasional emu.
I stopped at a rest area about 50km outside Cobar which was once a gold mining area. The rest area had some mementos of that time.
When I arrived in Cobar itself it was only midday so there was plenty of time to find the caravan park ($38 for a site – by far the most expensive place I have stayed at) and then find the tourist office.
Visited a couple of mine lookouts in the area. Everywhere there was old workings and deeps shafts.
I also visited a local reservoir; a Mecca for bird watchers – nothing better illustrates the town’s desperate need for water. The islands in the map are high and dry.
It was a very hot day fortunately humidity was only about 15% but even after the sun went down the temperature didn’t drop much.
Distance: 254 km
Fuel: 29 L
Another leisurely start… I was awake at 7am ready for a shower but from then on it was slow progress having a breakfast of my usual cereal and coffee before taking down the TV aerial and packing up the camper.
Just after 9am I was on the road heading up the Kidman Hwy toward Hillston. Soon I was in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) where the first stop was Coleambally to have a look at the massive old dragline that was imported from America in the 1930s to dig the irrigation channels in the Riverina. Had a brief drive round town but nothing too exciting about it, just a typical small Australian town. (pop 600)
Onward and northward; by-passing Griffith where Tom Tom knew a shortcut and soon back on the highway toward Hillston.
A short detour to visit Merriwagga – I have been going to visit this town for 50 years. A school mate worked here for a few years as part of the ‘Big Brother’ scheme straight from school. The town has slowly declined over the years to the point where it is now a pub a few houses, massive grain storage and not much else. I had to have a beer at the tallest bar in the southern hemisphere didn’t I?
Naturally there is the obligatory placard making something out of nothing.
Arrived in Hillston at about 1pm and easily found the caravan park. I saw the owner as I arrived, she told me to help myself to a site and she would see me later as she had cleaning to do!
Once I was set up I drove back into town (half a km away) for fuel and a bite to eat. The tourist bureau didn’t have much info about walks or tours other than to warn me about snakes because there is no doctor in town so I just wandered about looking at the Lachlan River and Lake Woorabinda (created by pumping water from the river).
During my walk I noticed the Hillston Ex Serviceman and Citizens Club almost next door to the caravan park so I called in for a couple of beers and the air conditioning.
When I finally returned to the caravan park the owner was in her office and I was immediately offered a 10% discount for being a pensioner. Can’t complain about that!
Distance: 267 km
Fuel: 65L
After a fairly hot day the temperature got down to the mid teens during the night I woke up cold and had to get under my summer doona.
Woke at about 7am just as the the sun was rising, Put on a cardigan which was adequate while I had a breakfast of cereal and coffee followed by a hot shower.
No rush to leave so I went for a walk along the banks of a very dry creek, then into town again followed by a look at “Captains Walk” – Don Bradman was born in Cootamundra.
Set off after 9am for a fairly leisurely drive to Jerilderie. The land is very dry and desperately needs rain.
Didn’t stop in Junee as it was not that long ago that I last visited the town nor did I stop at Lockhart for the same reason however I did go into Unara where I had intended to have a coffee but it seemed to be a struggling town with only a grocery store, a pub, a garage and a land agent open. That might not be true, just my observation.
Arrived in Jerilderie about 1pm where I immediately booked into the Caravan Park and set up.
It was still not 2pm when I found the local Tourist Information Office and obtained self guided walks around local beauty spots and following the adventures of Ned Kelly when he raided the town in 1879. After a coffee and a snack at the local bakery I set off to see the sights of Jerilderie.
I had originally intended to spend a couple of nights here but I think that by 5pm I had exhausted the tourist delights of the town. A very nice little Australian country town which has made the most of Ned Kelly’s raid and sign posted it well.
Distance: 355km
Have decided to take a few days away from the dreary coast with its grey skies and humidity.
Driving along the Hume Hwy it was cloudy until I passed the Federal Hwy turn off then the sun came out and from then on it just got brighter and warmer until I arrived in Coota when it was about 30’C.
Along the way my satnav took me via Jugiong rather than the more normal route via Harden but I don’t mind these variations. Certainly there is little traffic and you get to see a lot of farmland or bush but, despite the satnavs ideas, they are not quicker routes because they are usually narrower and winding so you rarely can stay on the speed limit. However I enjoy the variety.
Set up the camper and went for a walk down the main street which was only a short walk from the caravan park. The Ex Services Club looked inviting so I called in for a beer.
OZ Camper Travels 