Star Date Nov 2024

Posted on by trekswalkabout

Back home and some last thoughts. Being in a whizzbanger is very different to a wobble box and anything else we have ever had. It will still take us a while to adjust and work through the pros and cons of a small van. We are used to getting to camp, setting up, unhooking the van and then free to drive off, head into town or go exploring. It was the same with the Aussie Swag Camping Trailer and even in tent camping.

Sun setting on the gum trees

With Trek we are learning to do what we need to do before we get to camp, going someplace after camp involves packing up. Of course there is also plus’s with that, if we don’t like a spot or prefer one “just over there” it’s a lot easier to move. Moving every day is also a lot easier, setup and pack-up is very quick.

We have been travelling and exploring Australia together for nearly 40 years. We have had several different types of accommodation in that time but a camper van is something new to us.

It will all take some adjusting and a different mind set. Getting use to the limitations but also appreciating the ease, lower fuel cost, simplicity and quick setup.

Us at Donnellys Castle

We thoroughly enjoyed this trip, we came home relaxed, uplifted, optimistic that if Chris kept being as well as he has been over this 4 1/2 weeks that we still could still have some more great adventures together and we could do it in our little Trek.

Trek went awesome, very nice and easy to drive. Comfortable, fuel economy was great. Our setup of the van was outstanding, we could not think of anything we would have done differently or regretted. Very happy with it, and soooooo looking forward to exploring more of our undiscovered country.

Stephen’s Creek camping

Chris has done most of the driving in the past, so this was a real test for Kate as the sole driver. Have to say, you go girl, you did awesome.

Live Long and Prosper 

Bingara

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Now this is what we were saving those extra days for. We love this place, a real favourite. For Chris it was especially nice and something he really wanted to do again. With his health situation we didn’t know if we would ever get the chance to stay here again together so wanted to do it while we could, putting aside as many days as possible.

There are approximately 5 free or donation camps in the Bingara area along the river. The town is lovely with lots of murals, shops, great parks, dump point and water filling.

We were fortunate to get a really good spot to ourselves for many days right on the river bank. Jess enjoyed a dip every day as did we. The water was a little cool, let’s say refreshing. We really enjoyed ourselves here, it was a time for us, especially for me driving those long km’s days at times to really unwind and relax. Dips in the refreshing water and campfires at night.

Beautiful spot overlooking the river

A double rainbow

After 6 nights we reluctantly moved on. Stopping the night at Jennings Rest Area just inside NSW from Qld. There really isn’t much here but a good spot and popular spot one we have stayed at several times. The old train station and NSW/QLD border is only a short walk.

The station was a bit over run with grass and the trains were obviously not running. Talking to the visitor info centre at Stanthorpe we know this was due to a bridge issue from recent bush fires. Plans are in place to restore it and the have trains running again.

From here it was only 50 odd kms to our next destination. Again one Chris was particularly looking forward to.

Live Long and Prosper 

Artesian Bore Baths

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Heading north through Gundagai, home of the dog on the Tucker box. To Young where we stopped and got a bag of cherries and a cherry pie. Cherrie pie I found way too sweet so poor Chris had to eat all that himself, a challenge he told me he was up too.

We stopped for the night at Wheogo Park Rest Area at Forbes a 48hr limit. This has been a favourite spot to stop when passing through Forbes. It’s a great spot that was pretty busy. Being small we were very easily able to find an out of the way spot. Lots of walking in the area not far from town.

Wheogo Park Rest Area at Forbes, NSW

Dragon Boat practice

Continuing north through Dubbo home of the great Dubbo Zoo. Gligandra, Coonamble and onto Pilliga. Some of these roads we had not been on before.

Pilliga has a council run Artesian Bore Spa Baths with a camping area. Hot pool is free but there is a $5 fee per night for camping which you must book via the Narrabri Council website. They call it a primitive campground with basic facilities, which do include toilets and a bore water shower, table and chairs and a cover over the hot spa. So it didn’t sound too primitive to us.

Our camp spot

This is where we had our 39th wedding anniversary with bit of special meal, well as special as it gets in a camper van. We spent 2 nights here, hot pools are a concrete pool but very much artesian water with that smell of sulphur. Our skin was soooo smooth and very much needed after the dryness of the Murray. It would be great to come back and spend a few days here in cooler weather. 35 degrees day time temperature was a bit warm really. Soaking in the thermal water on a cool day warming them bones would be lovely.

Artesian Bore

Sunset at Pilliga

The GPS and Google Maps in there wisdom sent us on a “short cut” which was shorter but a dirt road for many many km’s. I was not so keen to do a long distance stint on a dirt road but Trek coped with it surprisingly well with no dust ingress inside, so we were very happy.

Next stop was Moree staying at the Gwydir Caravan Park and Thermal Pools. Now we have stayed here before in 2018 in the camper trailer. The big draw card is those hot pools, 4 pools of varying temperatures and a cold pool. Since we were last here in 2018 the caravan park side of it has deteriorated, we have heard stories from other travelers about where the money goes that I won’t speculate here. But it sure was not going back into maintenance of the park.

Amenities were filthy, cleaning did not get done every day, they were old and run down, tiles and pavers missing. On my last day I could not get any hot water for a shower. The grounds were not well maintained, the pools are the big draw card were also dirty. Many people were complaining. Some of the reception staff (not all) were rude and abrupt, many also mentioned that, it was hit and miss who you got on checkin. We had heard the caravan park could not get enough staff. We were given a small dirt site because we were “small”. We paid the same amount though as bigger vans on the bigger sites. Mind you many of them were also tight with people unable to put their awnings up.

In rained one night with over 40mm and our site was flooded as were many others. As I said we have stayed here before and we came back because of the hot pools. We were solely disappointed to the point we have no plans to ever go back unless there is a big change in the management/ownership of the place and we can not recommend it.

Live Long and Prosper 

 

Murray Region

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We left Broken Hill late arvo heading towards Menindee stopping for the night. At Stephen’s Creek, we were able to get right back off the road and were the only ones there for the night.

The creek was totally dry when we were there, a lovely peaceful spot on the river bank with the gum trees. It was relaxing until the flies came and boy were they bad. All 3 of us had to have our fly nets on for some relief, it stayed warm and the flies hung around until it was dark.

Jess was not terribly impressed with the fly net

Relaxing spot before the flies

Last time we were at Menindee in 2009 the Lake Menindee was dry. It was great to see it full of water, we called into Lake Menindee lookout and had a bit of a walk around.

Sunset strip Menindee

Lake Panamaroo did have water in it last time so it did this time. Last time we camped in the Main Weir area, paddled on Lake Wetherill in the Kayak. It was our intention to stay here for several days but it was so dry and dusty, no grass in sight from over use being so popular.

We decided to move on into Menindee and have a look around. There is a free riverside camping in Menindee that goes for several km’s. We were very surprised to find no one camping here, so we did for several days. Very relaxing camped along the river, thanks Menindee.

Free camp at Menindee

From there we headed towards Wentworth going through Pooncarrie, a road we had not been on. Pooncarrie had a lovely little park with lots of thick lush green grass where we stopped for a cuppa. There are toilets and also showers.

At Wentworth we drove out to Perry Sand Hills, we had been here previously and walked all over the sand dunes. You could also drive around most of it. You can’t do that now, walking on sand dunes is a bit hard for Chris so we drove back into town to Junction Park. Where the 2 rivers the Darling and The Murray meet.

Where the Darling and Murray Rivers join

Our intentions were to drive out of town and find a camp along the Murray River. We tried several spots driving most of the way to Mildura but all with the same result. Very full and very very dusty. We didn’t realize at first why the area was so busy, then we realized it was the Melbourne Cup weekend. So we drove back to Wentworth and stayed at the free Wentworth Sports Complex, which also has a dump point. This was a temporary free camp we believe. Camping was on an old carpark, bit slopey but bitumen so no dust, next to big grassed area to walk Jess. Was nice and quiet with several others camped there.

Dust free campsite with a sunset

With camp areas along the Murray so dry and dusty and with a bit of a heatwave, we decided to stay at a caravan park in Mildura with a pool for a few days. Glad we did with 38 degrees it was great to be able to jump in and out of the pool.

Mildura has a great big lovely park area along the Murray with a very nice coffee shop that we visited a few times while we were there. Last time we were here we stayed at the caravan park across the river, right on the river, it was closed due to renovations and restoration after flooding. We remember our time here where we paddled the kayak down the river with the paddle boats.

We also went to Orange World and did the tour which was interesting, Jess could also go on the little tractor train. Everyone was given a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. Which was a very good marketing ploy as no one left there without buying at least one bottle of fresh juice, it was the nicest sweetest orange juice we have ever had.

Live Long and Prosper 

Broken Hill

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It was 2009 the last time we were in this area, how time flies. We were excited to spend a few days here looking at things we didn’t do last time. We found it a lot more RV friendly this time around with water taps for filling the van and some lower cost camp sites.

We spent our first night at a place right on the edge of town, it was not a good experience so won’t go there.

Our first destination was straight out to Silverton. We were here in 2009 and the place had changed a little bit with a extra attractions like the Mad Max Museum. What is now the bakery was a newly build shed that photographed beautifully in the new dawn. We like most of the people that visit Silverton had a coffee and something to eat there.

Silverton sign, new from our last visit

It was pretty warm so we appreciated any air condition places we found. The Mad Max 2 Museum was one of those and also dog friendly so Jess was able to keep cool as well.

Mad Max

The Museum was great very interesting and if you are a Mad Max fan then definitely well worth doing. We are not real fans of the films but still found it interesting and could definitely appreciate all the work, information and the collections that had gone into the place.

We also went and looked at the Old Goal Museum which again was dog friendly. Loads of information and history on the area, also worth checking out.

We drove out to Mundi Mundi lookout where you look over the Mundi Mundi plains; this is where Mad Max 2 was filmed. And I now believe where the Mundi Mundi Bash is.

After this we headed back into Broken Hill to the visitor information centre. From there we booked a free town tour the next day and had lunch at the local cafe.

Where Pricilla Queen of the Desert was made

From here we went to the Pro Hart Gallery, again dog friendly. We loved it, we are not arty people but loved his story and you can’t help appreciate his incredible work. Highly recommend visiting this place. We bought a couple of things including a puzzle of one of his painting that we put together once home and glue it onto a backing board and hung on our wall. Our own bit of Pro Hart painting and the only one we could afford.

There is a huge wall painting in one of the rooms that is incredible, we were in awe of his talent. His collection of Rolls Royce’s out the front.

This was very impressive

One of his Rolls Royce’s painted

We picked up a few supermarket items then headed to our camping spot for the night at the racecourse. We thought it was a pretty good spot.

Next day we did the town tour with a retired miner. Very informative, Jess was also welcomed, tour took a couple of hours and is well worth doing.

After a bite to eat and with our discounted ticket from the walking tour we went to the Silver City Mint and Arts Centre. This is the home of The Big Picture the world’s largest acrylic painting by one artist at 100m long. It is the backdrop in a room with an outback display of animals, trees and bushes. Also worth considering seeing on a trip to Broken Hill.

You walk onto a board walk into the room

We enjoyed our time in Broken Hill, pleased it was far more RV friendly and also pleasantly surprised how dog friendly the area was.

Just one section of the painting

Live Long and Prosper 

 

Trekking Down The Murray

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We have done a few more short local trips, with Chris’s health taking a turn around for the better. With some good MRI reports and his improved health we wanted to go away for our Wedding Anniversary his medical team encourage us to take a descent break.

Feeling confident in our setup we had the opportunity between chemo rounds to go away for 4 1/2 weeks. We do look at life and travel a bit differently these days, treating each trip as possibly our last together and wanting to make the most of it especially for our anniversary.

Chris wanted to soak in some hot pools, head south along the Murray, get some apple pie at Stanthorpe and chill and relax at Bingara. So we planned a route.

We headed off the day after my birthday and family celebrations the night before. First stop was a couple of nights at Boomi Hot Springs and caravan park just into NSW.

Boomi Hot Pools, also a large cold pool

Next stop south was Collarenebri, staying a night at Barwon River Camp, a free camp just across the bridge walking distance from town. There are several free camps in this great little town. And a new highlight is the new Collarenebri Artesian Pool, a real credit to the town and a must stop for a relaxing dip. Very well set up, free, hot showers, toilets table and chairs and some shelter. Well done Collarenebri.

Collarenebri hot pools

As relaxing as the hot pools were, it was time to keep moving south. We stopped for the night at Gunderbooka Rest Area between Bourke and Cobar in NSW. We were able to get well off the road hidden behind some trees surrounded by red dirt. It was a wee bit warm, we sat inside the van with the aircon running watching some YouTube’s. Our only company was some wild goats.

Gunderbooka Rest Area

Cobar was a brief stop on our way through, we were pushing south to get to Broken Hill for a few days. Not a lot to see along the way except loads of goats. Goats very close to the roads, one had to stay very focussed watching out for them. Luckily they had the sense to run away not across the road.

Cobar

Next was Broken Hill for a few days ……

Live Long and Prosper 

Mid North Coast

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We have done a few short trips for shake downs with Trek, mostly local. A few little tweaks here and there mostly with where we put things. Overall we were very happy with how Trek went, how comfortable it was and how everything was working. In fact better than we had expected. Chris’s health had gotten worst and he decided he wanted to head south and see his family while he still could. So we decided to make a bit of a trip of it and use it as another shakedown, squeezing it in between medical appointments. It was a little bit of a trip down memory lane. We stopped in at Evan’s Head for a few days, which is where we met at a church camp nearly 40 years ago. We stayed at the same caravan park with an ensuite site. Which worked out well as it was a little wet with recent heavy rain. We called into Nambucca Heads for a few nights which was really lovely. A place we had driven past on the hwy many times but never called into together but Chris had stayed here several times with his family when he was younger.

The breakwall at Nambucca with loads of amazing art work.

Chris’s brother and sister live in the Port Macquarie area, we stayed at the NRMA Caravan Park near the break wall. A great location to walk into town, explore the area and visit his family. After a few really nice days at Port, which was a little emotional for Chris, we continued south stopping at Old Bar for the night. Chris used to stay here with his family and was reminiscing of all the things he and his siblings would do. Again a great time and special to have Chris share those memories with me. Then onto Newcastle where the memories, wonderful memories came flooding back. We were married at King Edward Park in Newcastle, we visited the place and said “I do” again to each other. Drove around the Nobby’s Breakwall area. Visited Chris’s older sister and my family. The time with Chris’s sister was very special. Also gave an opportunity to explore this area where he grew up and went to school. Drove past our first home together, where our first son was born. We did a day trip to Caves Beach, again a place Chris often went with his family. For me it was a first time and a place I would like to go back to and spend some time.

You really could spend hours exploring here.

Such an incredible place.

After a few days in Newcastle the weather was getting a bit cool and rain was forecast, so we had to change plans deciding heading home on the inland route was going to be a bit too cold. Poor Jess was feeling the cold, we didn’t come prepared for the cooler weather. Even though we had lived the first few years of our married life in the Newcastle area we hadn’t really explored the place together or looked at it from a visitor perspective. We were impressed. Chris was starting to feel a bit poorly so we decided to head back up the coast calling into a few other places along the way. Another stop at Port Macquarie for a few days. The weather had really turned cold, wet and windy. This is when we discovered sitting in the front seats of the van watching some YouTube videos or catchup TV on a tablet worked really well. This is also where the idea of sewing some walls for the awning came from. We called into South West Rocks for the day and thought it was a really nice place we would like to come back and stay a few days. But not this time. Moving on we called into Yamba and stayed a night and then Iluka for a day trip. Again both places we had driven past on the hwy but not called into.

Our CP at Yamba right on the water.

From there we cut out trip short and headed back home. A lot was learnt with the van, we needed some more weather protection outside so we could sit out there in wet or cold weather and still be able to get to the rear pull out kitchen. Juices were flowing for ideas for awning walls. I needed to get some warmer jackets and bits for Jess our Qld dog.

Jess feeling the cold and not impressed

We were also pleasantly surprised how comfy it was sitting inside at night watching video’s. Mmm maybe this whizzbang van was going to work out ok.

Live Long and Prosper