18th May 2019–Charleville

Distance: 426km
Fuel: 42L

Wasn’t sure which way to go today but in the end decided to go west, initially thought I might stay at Mitchell but once I arrived at that town it was still early so decided to push on to Charleville.

I didn’t stop in Roma because it is not long since I was last there. Click here to see that visit.

Passed through various scenery, some open paddocks others more wooded. The weather so far on this trip has been perfect.

Stopped a couple of times once at Muckadilla – somewhere I have stopped before, it is a tiny town, little more than a service station and a few buildings but let’s face it who would not want to stop somewhere called Muckadilla? The name just appeals, even better they even offer free camp sites behind the community hall.

At Charleville found a caravan park that I had stayed at before which was pleasant enough and set up before going for a walk. Charleville is also a place I have visited a couple of times before, the last time not that long ago, I have seen the Bilbys before and it was closed while a show was in progress so I didn’t stop. Click here to see the last visit.

There must have been a rodeo in town because the commentary could be heard all afternoon and evening from the caravan park the activities were followed by a band which was quite enjoyable.

Had a bit of a scare in the evening when I hurt my back and could hardly walk but fortunately by the morning it was back to normal.

17th May 2019–Miles, Qld

Distance: 365km
Fuel: 40L

Good sleep, only down to 15C in the camper during the night so the summer doona was fine. As usual up about 6.30am and straight into the shower before having breakfast.

Reasonable drive to Miles stopped a couple times as before the stretch my legs and use the composting loo much like yesterday.

Arrive in Miles just before 1pm not that pleased with the caravan park I thought it was a bit pricey even though it has brand new unisex toilets/showers. It is crammed between the highway and a railway track so noise might be an issue.

After setting up went across the road to the Miles Historical Museum. It is one of those community museums full of nic nacs and junk, always quite interesting though some rooms were a bit like visiting my grandmother.

16th May 2019–Moree

Distance: 419Km
Fuel: 44L

It was quite a cold night, temperature in the camper got down to 8C but I was warm under my winter doona. Up early at 6.30am for a hot shower which warmed me up no end. Didn’t leave the camp site until nearly 9am after packing up very leisurely.

Still heading north toward Queensland, travelled via Coonabarabran and Narrabri, stopped a few times on the way including one stop at Pluto. This is the outer limit of the scale model of the solar system using the dome at Siding Springs observatory as the sun.

Arrived at Moree just after 2pm, found a caravan park and checked in. Had a drive through site, naturally drove through with the kitchen facing the sun so had to turn the camper around! but once I was satisfied unhitched and set up the camper (takes about 5 minutes because there is nothing on TV so I didn’t want to set up the Tv aerial).

Drove to a Puma service station and filled up with fuel and, after returning to the camp, parked the car and went for a walk into the town. I have been to Moree before.

It still has one of the old playground Rockets but it is unfortunately sealed shut however next to it is a much larger, more modern and presumably safer version.

Returned to the caravan park just as it got dark, had a bite to eat and a couple of beers. Nice day.

15 May 2019 North to Mudgee

Distance: 347.5km
Fuel: 32L

The journey I hate. Decided to head north toward Sydney and then west through the Blue Mountains. Set off at about 8.30 and immediately was stalled in the Wollongong workers rush but it was OK once I hit Picton Road and headed north on the Hume Highway. Then the Sydney traffic, as always, was hell followed by the inevitable road works in the Blue Mountains, such a relief to reach Lithgow and know that you are back to sane traffic conditions.

From then on it was easy, I only stopped once just to stretch my legs before reaching Mudgee just after 1pm. Found the Caravan Park and checked in – reasonable price at $25 for a powered site.

After setting up I had a cup of tea, drove to get fuel before returning and going for a walk into the town. It is a pretty town.

There is even a decent looking club within a few minutes walk of the caravan park though I didn’t go, ended up watching ‘The Weekly’’ and reading my book.