Week 13 Sun 13 May – Sat 19 May

Lake Keepit 13 May
After a lazy start we had a look around the camp site which is quite big (around 10 kms) overall. After lunch we drove back into Gunnedah – and as it was a Sunday and Mother’s Day not a lot was opened.  Most shops (if they opened) shut at 12.00 pm.  The only shops open were Coles and Woolworths and the Cheap shops – of which we made the most of before heading back to the Lake.  Unfortunately, today the wind was much worse than yesterday and it was just too windy to sit out for too long – especially at night.  But we still managed to have a fire and cook our Corn Meat and roast vegetables (which by the way were absolutely delicious).

Bingara 14 May

Today we headed to a free camp on the Bingara River.  It was a lovely day bright and sunny with hardly any wind – so we said goodbye to Lake Keepit (saying we would be back) and headed for Bingara.  We arrived around 3.00 pm and as you enter they have now sectioned off a no camping zone to a camping zone.  From the bridge you cannot camp less than 350m – so you have to come down the river a bit.  After the floods, the ground is now pebbly and sandy and has lots of horrible weeds.  A pack of horses were grazing in this paddock and they were covered in burrs – all over the manes and tails and feet.  This must really annoy them and will be horrible to get out. But we managed a lovely fire but it just got too cold to stay outdoors.  That night the temperature got down to -3 degrees – the coldest night on the whole of our trip.  We felt it too – brrrrr!!!

Glendon Camping Ground, Thane  15-16 May

Today we headed to Glendon camp ground (Thane) via Warialda and Texas.  Lots of caravans at the Texas border free camping as we drove through.  We have wanted to go to Glendon Camp Ground for a while but never got around to it – so our time was now.  We drove in the long dusty driveway and checked in – there was only 1 other couple in – so very quiet.  

As there were not many around, the birds decided to move in – so many varieties, and at 6.30 am the next morning we were attacked, by all of them.  They were on the roof, the tables, under the van, around the van – we were surrounded. Help!!! After deciding that we had no food to offer they all eventually left. Yeh!!

We went for a drive through the 4WD tracks, to the Gold Mine area and then later the Picnic Area.  They have not had any rain out here for a while and wow – it is dusty.  The car now looks like an unwashed potato – very dirty, inside and out.  Not looking forward to the clean up when we get home.

Esk 17-18 May

We decided to spend our last two days of our mammoth trip relaxing at Esk.   Esk is one of those places you just have to keep stopping at, even if for a cuppa or to look at the shops.  Every time we pass through this place, we have to stop.  We both love Esk as a destination and it is nice to see that it has fully recovered after all the floods.  Esk has grown over the past year with a number of new art and craft type shops and cafes popping up. We spent Friday just walking around town, looking at all the shops and walking down to the river on the rail trail.  The park has been really well laid out and the one thing that impressed was the fact that there were several water bubblers scattered around the park – normally you struggle to find one anywhere.

Before heading off Saturday, we treated ourselves to a nice Devonshire Tea from the Bakery and then started our short drive home – the realization that this was our last day of our trip. We arrived home and did the ritual unpack of clothes and food leftovers and then went to pick up the dog – who has probably forgotten us.

The trip now seems a distant memory as we settle into the normality of being home, but we will shortly plan our next adventure for next year – but maybe not as long next time around.

Hope you have enjoyed our 3 month adventure as much as we have done travelling it.

Great Ocean Rd

Tracey & Tony