From Sydney to Roma

Got a late start on Monday, 30th May due to some water tank issues. I hit the M1 at Wahroonga at midday so only made it to Murrurundi.



Stayed at the Murrurundi Caravan Park for $10. Beautiful spot.

For the $10 you don’t get to connect to power and water but you do get use of toilets. You also have the security of being in a caravan park. Another advantage is that because you are in a town, as opposed to a free camp out of town, you usually get TV reception.

The owners there are nice folk and they promote a happy hour. So they lit up the fire and I got to meet some nice people and had a couple of laughs which is great when you are travelling alone (Linda is flying up to QLD to meet me in a couple of weeks). Following happy hour I walked into town and had an awesome beef shank pie.

The view from Murrurundi Hill.

Had to stop when I saw a cattle sale at Gunnedah. Love these iconic Aussie shots.

Tuesday I was wanting to make up for the late start so did a bit over 500 km and stayed at The Nindigully Pub. It is famous for its huge hamburgers, the biggest in the country. All the meals there are huge. It is also where the movie, ‘Paperback Hero’ was filmed and was the sight of the ‘Boomerang Café’ in the movie. The Nindigully Pub has the oldest, continuous licence in the state, commencing in 1846. The pub has been faithfully restored by its owner, Steve Burns. I have actually met Steve who is a mate of my brother-n-law Alan, and he attended his wedding. I saw a mention of the pub when I was researching the area on the caravaners forum so that is why I decided to stay there. There had to be at least 50 caravans and motorhomes there which are all allowed to free camp on the large grounds of the pub. I had a good chat to a fellow who was staying at the pub for a few weeks while working at nearby St George.

Wednesday I stopped in at St George and checked out the Balonne River. Nearby three or four other rivers combine with it and eventually flows into the Barwon Darling River system in NSW. Topped up with water there at the info centre and continued on to Roma. I was planning to move on to Injune and stay there and watch the State of Origin at a club or pub. I received a phone call and I was held up by having to arrange for a place for papers to be mailed to me along my route, so that I could sign and return them. So instead I stayed at a free camp a little out of town. I was able to get TV reception and watched the game. I am glad I wasn’t in a club or pub with a bunch of Queenslanders now.

Got a late start the next day as I had to get a gas tank filled which ran out that morning. Had to do a little shopping and go to the dump point. Then hit the road for Carnarvon Gorge, where the next post will pick up from.