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Rose Isle Station Winter Break 4-13 June 2021
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Participants
Trip leaders Ann & David Darke
Paulette & Eric Rigter
Chris Hopkin
All in Prados
Friday 4th June
Due to low starting numbers the departure point was moved back to Hall where we headed off at a leisurely 10am. Travelling via the Lachlan Valley Way and turning off before Boorowa we headed west via Young for a first stop at Grenfell. After first taking in the beautifully painted silos on our route into town we then found RV suitable parking as near the main street as possible to facilitate Paulette’s impaired mobility due to recent foot surgery. Mikes Bakery with tables, local pies and coffees fitted the bill.
We then set off to our destination of Trundle “one of the Great Cities of the World” and home of the annual ABBA festival via Forbes. The weather was still overcast with light rain intermittent. Arriving late afternoon we first checked out the showground facilities, spoke briefly to some travellers already there then drove into town to find the hardware store and make payment for the camping $15 – 10 with or without power per night. Then back to set up camp, ample camping options on level ground with grass, power and water available. There was a near new looking amenities block with individual toilets and showers very welcoming.
We opted for a dine-in experience at the historic Trundle Hotel (under new management) in the main street. The hotel boasts the longest wooden veranda in NSW (87.6m) and it is situated on the widest main street in NSW (wide enough to turn a bullock train) refer:- www.trundlehotel.com.au
Very welcoming and warming in the dining area with blazing log fire and a nice meal made it was hard to leave and head back to camp, but we must. It was quite a cold night in Trundle, too cold for any mice to appear though. We made good use of our diesel heaters and had a good night sleep.
Saturday 5th June
We awoke to a good morning frost and after thawing out with hot showers etc. we made plans for the day. A visit to town found the usual essential shops for a small country town and we found a lovely little cafe which we made good use of. The shop owner told us tales of woe about the mouse plague, eating the shops plumbing etc.
With limited local options to entertain we decided a day trip to Parkes (60klm) was worth while. The information centre, heritage museum and lookout, followed by a visit to the CSIRO radio telescope (including lunch) filled our time. We returned to Trundle via the Old Peak Hill mine lookout and back roads to conclude a good day out. Tonight to share the love we dined at the Services club, the Chinese restaurant came highly recommended by locals we had spoken with, we were not disappointed.
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Sunday 6th June (a) Trundle to Rose Isle
We delayed morning pack up as long as practical to allow some drying of canvas due to heavy dew. We departed around 10am, heading via Nyngan, Bourke toward Louth. We had a morning tea stop at Tottenham (centre of NSW) (interested to see an Action bus parked in a side street?), cake and coffees yum.
There are limited places to stop before Bourke until Byrock, where we stopped for a late but nice counter lunch. After a slight delay to resecure a loose gravel tray it was on to Bourke to refuel. We pushed onto Rose Isle to renew acquaintances with Chris and host Samantha, we quickly erected camps in diminishing daylight, and then we adjourned to the camp kitchen to keep the camp fire (lit in preparation by Chris) warm. Greetings continued with Chris and other campers with food and refreshments.
Sunday 6th June (b) Dubbo to Rose Isle
Chris glamped in Dubbo then visited Bourke weir on the way to Rose Isle en route from Newcastle area, meeting the owner, Samantha just after 3pm. There were still some wet spots around from recent rainfalls last week and some black soil mud was a hazard to be avoided. The Darling River seems to be slowly flowing. There is almost always water in the river here due to a weir about half way down-river towards Louth and the river gradient very, very flat. The others arrived after 5pm from Trundle and quickly set up camp, the fire was lit in camp kitchen fireplace and nibbles followed around 6pm. Some of the other guests are helping the owners Samantha and Garry Mooring to maintain the campground and facilities while staying for extended periods.
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Monday 7th June
A beautiful crisp morning was spent adjusting camper trailer set-ups and taking the odd photo or two. Ann had booked us in for morning tea at 10:30am at $10 per head. We enjoyed fresh scones, jam and cream along with a selection of slices. Hot tea was served with these. At 12.30 we headed out to Gundabooka N.P. and State Conservation Area. Chris went with Eric as Paulette rested her healing foot. Some sections of the spoon drains were still full next to pavement on Louth Rd. We visited Yanda campground about 25km towards Bourke and 3 km in off the Louth road, on the Darling River. It has some basic facilities and includes a free BBQ. A heavy coating of black soil covered the grass towards the rivers edge making walking progress impossible. We then headed a small distance further north towards Bourke and took the Yanda track to the east. We parked at the Dry Tank camping area and started out on the Little Mtn walk (4.8km return) the walk was an easy stroll through the mulga and then a moderate slope up to Little Mtn. Beautifully constructed stone steps defined the steeper section. At the top, a lookout offered scenic views to Mt Gundabooka, about 5 km to the SW at 495m elevation. The trek to the top reserved for another trip. The walk took about 1.5hrs return. We drove back to Louth Rd via Ben Lomond Rd and Gundabooka Mulgaroon Rd, arriving at Rose Isle on dusk. T’was beverage o’clock again followed by meals at the camp kitchen’s fire place. A couple of field mice added to the entertainment later in the evening.
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Tuesday 8th June
After another dewy morning we all left at 10am, forgoing morning tea, travelling via Louth and crossing the Darling river we then headed north on Toorale Road to Toorale N.P. and State Conservation Area. We first visited Mt Talowla lookout, 114m in height, where the boys walked up to the top. It has a very flat plateau summit, having a rocky moonscape appearance with vast views across the flood plains. Next we proceeded north to the Warrego Floodplain Drive, approx. 34km return trip in from Toorale Rd. Here we discovered signs of an old livestock property. We continued north to the Darling River Drive where we visited the Many Big Rocks picnic area. The nearby Darling River campground was closed after the flooding. We then decided to head back to Louth due to threatening skies in case rain fell on the black soiled Toorale road. We later found rain had missed the Louth area, however Cobar received a drenching (a lucky miss). We called into Toorale homestead for a quick look (NPWS guided tours during school hols only). We voted to stop at Shindys Inn for a snack and drink before returning to camp. We had travelled about 240km today, but were not more than 15km from camp at our destination! Later while back at the camp kitchen we were hit by a brief storm as a cold front moved through with gusty winds. There was not much rain and the calm returned soon after for a peaceful nights sleep.
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Wednesday 9th June
Chris left at 8:30am to travel to Broken Hill via Cobar on his way to Adelaide. An excursion via Tilpa / Wilcannia was abandoned due to suspect road conditions /closures.
Paulette & Eric had decided to pack up as well and head toward home due to pending family matters and the threatening weather locally and in Canberra. Leaving after morning tea and stopping off in Forbes for a night before heading home.
So with Ann and me now remaining we headed into Bourke for a few supplies, lunch at the bakery and a visit to the Back O’ Bourke visitor info centre filled our time. It was interesting to see the graders had been out in recent days to undo some damage to local roads. The weather back at camp progressively worsened with winds gusting to gale force at times combined with horizontal rain becoming a good test for the camper. With extra canvas and a doubling of guy ropes added, we headed for the camp kitchen and the fire. Catching up on our reading and relaxing, we prepared meals here and caught up with other travellers, some marooned after some temp road closures south.
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Thursday 10th & Friday 11th June
With these two days spent around camp relaxing, Thursdays morning tea venue was in the homestead due to the poor weather. We had no plans to escape camp today as the weather and roads dictated.
Saturday 12th June
Ann and I cancelled our planned Willandra Homestead camp, electing to travel home via Condobolin and motel it for the night instead. Some of the dirt road between Nymagee and Condobolin had had some water damage and we needed to rescue a young fellow’s car stuck fast in mud trying to drive around one wash out. A quick snatch strap recovery did the job. Luckily he had only been there about 15 mins on not a busy road. We continued on to our motel to settle in and had a nice meal at the Hotel bistro opposite.
Sunday 13th June
In the morning we had a look around town before taking in Utes in the Park and getting morning tea before leaving. We stopped at the many amazing roadside art displays on route to Forbes.
A market in the park at Gooloogong provided a worthwhile stop off and lunch break followed by a leisurely drive home via Boorowa completing a big loop.
All in all a good break away exploring with friends and relaxing, certainly more to see around Louth on another visit. Thanks to Chris, Paulette & Eric for sharing the experience with us.
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