[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” custom_padding=”0px|||” transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px|||” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” locked=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_post_title title=”off” meta=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_color=”light” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(28,28,28,0.9)” _builder_version=”3.0.87″ title_font_size=”35px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” parallax_effect=”off” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” locked=”off”][/et_pb_post_title][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″]
Mandurama (Bakers Shaft) Trip 23-25 March 2018
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Trip Report Text 1″ _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” module_alignment=”left” border_style=”solid”]
Participants
David and Margo Wade (trip leaders) Land Rover Defender and camper trailer,
Andrew and Jan Lockley Land Rover Discovery and camper trailer,
Eric and Paulette Rigter Toyota Prado and camper trailer,
Robert and Zydre Pember Range Rover and camper trailer,
Bob and Gemma Zeitlhofer Land Rover Discovery and off-road van and
Matt Bolton Toyota HiLux and tent.
Day 1
We all met at Hall, with some having time to buy a coffee. The convoy left at 9:10 am and proceeded along the Barton and Hume Highways to Yass, turning off at the Yass roadhouse. The pace became more leisurely along Wargeila Road, especially further north on some gravel. We then took the Dalton Road to Rye Park, where we avoided annoying the wasps at the showground and had a pleasant morning tea.
Still heading north on back roads, we were treated to magnificent views of Wyangala Dam; we had lunch in a park in front of the dam wall. After a quick close-up look at the dam, we continued our trek north to Mandurama. A vote was taken on the radio determining that we should stop for an ice cream at the local servo; we also received advice on the local social scene, including the best places in the district to eat. After ice creams, we headed onwards for another 14km to our campsite at Bakers Shaft Reserve on the banks of the Belubula River for a mid-afternoon setup. With only two other vehicles at the site, also owned by Canberrans, we almost had the place to ourselves.
After setup, we seamlessly moved on to wine and nibbles. Dinner was at the Royal Hotel at Mandurama.
Day 2
Saturday was a free day. Bob and Zydre left early for Blayney to get a gas line repaired. Most others travelled to Carcoar, Lake Carcoar and eventually Blayney. David and Margo relaxed around the campsite. Matt walked through some of the Reserve and later looked at Carcoar and Lake Carcoar.
We were all back at camp by mid-afternoon, where Gemma and Paulette did some camp-oven cooking. Storms were threatening, but only one was serious enough for us to seek shelter.
The group enjoyed this campsite very much.
Day 3
We had a slow morning with enough time to capture the White-winged Choughs celebrating a meal of centipede.
We broke camp and departed circa 10:10 am. The convoy passed though Mandurama and Neville, variously on tar and gravel roads, with morning tea at the Trunkey Creek showgrounds.
Rain set in soon after on our southward journey on the blacktop, with Andrew and Jan leaving the convoy at Crookwell and Bob and Gemma at Gunning. The rest of us had lunch at the Merino Café at Gunning and proceeded to make our way home separately after that. The rain around Crookwell didn’t seem to reach Canberra, despite the forecast.
Matt Bolton
Photos by Margo Wade and Matt Bolton
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”13391,13389,13392,13390,13386,13387,13393,13388″ posts_number=”10″ show_pagination=”off” zoom_icon_color=”#05572d” admin_label=”image gallery” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ pagination_font_size_tablet=”51″ pagination_line_height_tablet=”2″][/et_pb_gallery][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]