Going to be travelling out towards Bourke

[dullbird]

So if you see a Keswick defender 130 pulling camper give us a wave

Leave in the morning.

Heading out through Hill end and will be going through places such as Tilpa, Wilcannia etc and then dropping down and following the fringe of Vic to Echuca and then back to Sydeny.

Been long time since camping (last trip was the cape on 2012)

Hope the wheels don't fall off!! :D

Everyone keep an eye on the break down section hahahha

[Bundalene]

If you do get to Bourke, check out the Pie shop on the Main Street. Lamb pies are their speciality. They may just make a good Vanilla Slice as well. Enjoy your holiday.

[incisor]

ENJOY!!!!!!

[dullbird]

Mmmm Vanilla slice!!!

[Redback]

Good camping near Echuca Lou, Gunbower state forest/NP, camp right on the river, head for Torumbarry Weir.

NAME: Gunbower National Park
LOCATION (nearest road/crossroads): Broken River Bend - 2.6 kms West of the Torrumbarry Weir Road
CLOSEST TOWN: Torrumbarry
CO-ORDINATES: -35.932579, 144.445210
MAPS USED: Gunbower National Park Google Map
ACCESSIBILITY: 2wd dry/4wd and a lot of luck when wet
SIZE (how many camps would fit):lots and lots
FACILITIES:BYO Shovel
PHONE RECEPTION: Telstra
PERMIT REQUIRED: no
PET FRIENDLY: Yes
BOOKING REQUIRED: no
CAMPING COSTS: $0





Dogs are allowed:BigThumb:

Great spot Lou.

[Xtreme]

If you do get to Bourke, check out the Pie shop on the Main Street. Lamb pies are their speciality. They may just make a good Vanilla Slice as well. Enjoy your holiday.

They also have great 'beestings'
Here 'tis
https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Morrall's+Bakery/@-30.0887575,145.935954,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x6b00441e59b706e7:0x4a745 df533c820fb

Have a good safe trip Lou.

[Scouse]

Have a great trip :).

[V8Ian]

Thanks for the warning, I'll avoid the area. :p

Enjoy and stay safe. :)

[dullbird]

Good camping near Echuca Lou, Gunbower state forest/NP, camp right on the river, head for Torumbarry Weir.

NAME: Gunbower National Park
LOCATION (nearest road/crossroads): Broken River Bend - 2.6 kms West of the Torrumbarry Weir Road
CLOSEST TOWN: Torrumbarry
CO-ORDINATES: -35.932579, 144.445210
MAPS USED: Gunbower National Park Google Map
ACCESSIBILITY: 2wd dry/4wd and a lot of luck when wet
SIZE (how many camps would fit):lots and lots
FACILITIES:BYO Shovel
PHONE RECEPTION: Telstra
PERMIT REQUIRED: no
PET FRIENDLY: Yes
BOOKING REQUIRED: no
CAMPING COSTS: $0





Dogs are allowed:BigThumb:

Great spot Lou.


Thanks Baz

I don't actually think we have set on a place down there to camp so this will be awesome. And I know any camp you put us in to will be a good one

[Timj]

Hi Lou,

We went out to Bourke just recently (we had a week to get from Brisbane to Glenreagh so we went via Bourke :)) and we stayed at a place called Rossmore Station, just this side of Bourke and it was a great place to camp. May not be as much water in the creek now but should still be worth it. Would be starting to get pretty hot out that way now though. The information centre in Bourke has a really interesting walk through three seperate buildings with lots of history stuff.

Cheers,

TimJ.

[dullbird]

Thanks Tim unfortunately we are going to be very limited with what we can do as we have decided to bring the dogs, probably the old girls last camping trip so the route has pretty much been planned around them not site seeing [emoji53] still I'm hoping I will get two things out of the trip, some much needed relaxation and some photography[emoji106]

[PAT303]

dullbird,be very vigilant out there and keep your dogs close,if you don't you'll be raided. Pat

[dullbird]

Out there in terms of where Pat. I know not to stop in the town of Wilcannia and to camp out of town is there somewhere specific your thinking of.

[roversmith]

Dullbird google coach and horses campground, nice spot, even has mobile reception on a good day.

[dullbird]

Looks awesome but it's a national park so can't take the dogs in. We were going to visit white cliffs.

[ramblingboy42]

Wondering why you can't stop in Wilcannia.......

[67hardtop]

Wondering why you can't stop in Wilcannia.......

Stop there and you'll find out.!!!
Not a nice place imho.

Sent from my GT-P5110 using AULRO mobile app

[dullbird]

I have a friend that had a car stolen while visiting had all his gear ripped off and car burnt to the ground. He was there for work. And he works around the area a lot so if he tells me not to stop I'm sure as hell not going to :)

[ramblingboy42]

I know Wilcannia better than most of you , hence my question.

So 67hardtop , you've stopped there?

[PAT303]

Out there in terms of where Pat. I know not to stop in the town of Wilcannia and to camp out of town is there somewhere specific your thinking of.

Within 5k's of town,NEVER leave your vehicle unattended in town. Pat

[PAT303]

I know Wilcannia better than most of you , hence my question.

So 67hardtop , you've stopped there?

I also know the place,I culled roo's out there for a while,I only drive through it now. Pat

[Timj]

Thanks Tim unfortunately we are going to be very limited with what we can do as we have decided to bring the dogs, probably the old girls last camping trip so the route has pretty much been planned around them not site seeing [emoji53] still I'm hoping I will get two things out of the trip, some much needed relaxation and some photography[emoji106]

We had our two dogs with us as well (Male is boxer/mastiff and the female is boxer so big dogs), Rossmore allows them and the information centre has a couple of kennels in the shade that you can leave your dogs in while you look around. It does get a bit restrictive with them along but worth the effort for us. We used Wikicamps with filters for allowing dogs to find good places to stay.

Tim.

[The ho har's]

Lou enjoy your trip.

As for Wilcannia, we always stop for a coffee, petrol etc. not overnight though. last time was coming back from S.A. last April. It's nice town, we have never had any trouble there and the locals are friendly.

Mrs hh:angel:

[dullbird]

Thanks Guys,

And thanks Pat we have no intention of leaving the car. By the way you described I was concerned that we were going to get raided in our sleep and murdered or something.

Spoke to my mate too he filled me with a bit more confidence.

[Xtreme]

Lou enjoy your trip.

As for Wilcannia, we always stop for a coffee, petrol etc. not overnight though. last time was coming back from S.A. last April. It's nice town, we have never had any trouble there and the locals are friendly.

Mrs hh:angel:

I'm not sure if he's still there but the guy (Paul IIRC) who owned/ran the Wilcannia Motel was a member of the LROC (Sydney Bch). We dropped in on him last time we were through there (quite a few years ago) and had a good chat about the local area over a coffee.

Could be worth a visit.

[Fluids]

Enjoy the trip Lou! Take a look in the "Follow me" section for my 3 weeks bliss trip blog. Covered some of the ground you will be traveling in September just gone.

We stopped and stayed in Wilcannia (Warrawong on the Darling). Had no issues, but we didn't take any risks either :p

We thoroughly enjoyed the stretch from Bourke south to Wilcannia.
Have a great time !

EDIT - ??? Look in the NSW & ACT Trip reports ... For who knows what reason it's been moved from Follow Me ... so if a day by day posting of our trip doesn't fit into the follow me section ... ??? I'm confused ?? :(

"Follow Me - A section for those touring overland and wishing to update people about their progress as the trip develops"

Thought that's what I was doing ??

Anyway, enjoy your trip! :)

[dullbird]

Thanks Fluids, follow me section is for people who are on a trip long or short and update regularly for people to follow them. Once the trip is complete its goes in to trip reports as that's ultimately what it is :)

[67hardtop]

I know Wilcannia better than most of you , hence my question.

So 67hardtop , you've stopped there?

Yes once around 4pm. Too many of our indiginous friends taking a great interest in my vehicle at the time (VL CALAIS), so we left in a bit of a hurry, just missed a bloody great eagle that took of from the side of the road just after the bridge. Had to hit the brakes real hard. Its talons were mm from the windscreen on my side. I reckon i could see the scaly skin on its feet. Scared the bejesus out of me and my partner.

I also knew a mates son who was living there thats why i stopped. Was trying to locate him.
We were on our way to beanleigh to meet up with my father and my sis travelling on the back roads. Was a good trip from memory

Cheers Rod

Sent from my GT-I9507 using AULRO mobile app

[67hardtop]

Within 5k's of town,NEVER leave your vehicle unattended in town. Pat

What pat said as well...:thumbdown::thumbdown::thumbdown:

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[Xtreme]

I'm not sure if he's still there but the guy (Paul IIRC) who owned/ran the Wilcannia Motel was a member of the LROC (Sydney Bch). We dropped in on him last time we were through there (quite a few years ago) and had a good chat about the local area over a coffee.

Could be worth a visit.

After reading many of the foregoing posts, I might add that Paul got on very well with the local indigenous people at Wilcannia. He was actually working with them and promoting their art and crafts. We (a group of 10 travelling in 5 Landies) met and spoke to a few locals and had no trouble at all when we stopped there.

Unfortunately there are many places in numerous parts of Australia where it is unwise to frequent but I prefer to form my opinions from first hand experience, being careful at the same time, and not rely on 'stories', especially from people who "heard from ..........who knew a guy who ......... ".

I'm not saying that the experiences and resultant reactions expressed in some previous post are not real but just wanted to share a different experience.

[The ho har's]

After reading many of the foregoing posts, I might add that Paul got on very well with the local indigenous people at Wilcannia. He was actually working with them and promoting their art and crafts. We (a group of 10 travelling in 5 Landies) met and spoke to a few locals and had no trouble at all when we stopped there.

Unfortunately there are many places in numerous parts of Australia where it is unwise to frequent but I prefer to form my opinions from first hand experience, being careful at the same time, and not rely on 'stories', especially from people who "heard from ..........who knew a guy who ......... ".

I'm not saying that the experiences and resultant reactions expressed in some previous post are not real but just wanted to share a different experience.

Exactly.. we have stoped many times with no threat at all. Have left the vehicle and walked the main street and the had a coffee. no problems what so ever. BTW the old Post Office, that terrific sandstone building on the corner near the bridge has reopened:D

Mrs hh:angel:

[dullbird]

Well we are actually now thinking that we might miss Wilcannia out anyway now and drop down to Cobar instead. Only because the journey from Tilpa to Menindee which was going to take in Wilcannia is going to be a big one.

This way we are looking at stopping at rossmore station just outside of Bourke for bush camping before we drop down there, Have any of you guys ever stopped at that camp stop before?

[PAT303]

After reading many of the foregoing posts, I might add that Paul got on very well with the local indigenous people at Wilcannia. He was actually working with them and promoting their art and crafts. We (a group of 10 travelling in 5 Landies) met and spoke to a few locals and had no trouble at all when we stopped there.

Unfortunately there are many places in numerous parts of Australia where it is unwise to frequent but I prefer to form my opinions from first hand experience, being careful at the same time, and not rely on 'stories', especially from people who "heard from ..........who knew a guy who ......... ".

I'm not saying that the experiences and resultant reactions expressed in some previous post are not real but just wanted to share a different experience.

Don't take what I said the wrong way,I would not leave my car unattended in area's of Perth and Sydney either,I have traveled enough to know it's better not to invite trouble,in saying all this negative stuff,the positive is the colour the sun throws over that area first thing in the morning is beautiful. Pat

[PAT303]

Well we are actually now thinking that we might miss Wilcannia out anyway now and drop down to Cobar instead. Only because the journey from Tilpa to Menindee which was going to take in Wilcannia is going to be a big one.

This way we are looking at stopping at rossmore station just outside of Bourke for bush camping before we drop down there, Have any of you guys ever stopped at that camp stop before?

The bakery in Cobar makes a killer chicken ceaser salad. Pat

[jon3950]

Well we are actually now thinking that we might miss Wilcannia out anyway now and drop down to Cobar instead. Only because the journey from Tilpa to Menindee which was going to take in Wilcannia is going to be a big one.

This way we are looking at stopping at rossmore station just outside of Bourke for bush camping before we drop down there, Have any of you guys ever stopped at that camp stop before?

Camped at Rossmore last year. Small spot on the river with no facilities. Although its on the Kamilaroi Hwy its very secluded.

We had it to ourselves and really liked it. Definately recommend it for a stopover.

Cheers,
Jon

[DiscoMick]

I'm sure there are good things about Wilcannia, but we haven't seen them when passing through.
All we've seen are a servo with groups of kids hanging around the pumps looking to steal stuff from our vehicle, the servo barred up to keep the kids out, a noticeable number of empty and barred shops and tall fences around the caravan park and other places.
I notice there are well-equipped rest stops far enough out of town to avoid walkers from town. We've travelled a lot, here and overseas, so our warning radar is pretty well tuned and Wilcannia was a place that definitely set our alarms ringing.
I see Wilcannia is listed as one of the most socially-disadvantaged places in NSW.
That said, I'm sure it isn't all bad. The town's history as a river port is interesting.

[Chenz]

If you go to Tilpa head on down the Darling to Louth and have a beer at Shindy's Inn. Very nice folks and great spot to camp down by the river - nice and quiet. race weekend in August sees 5,000 there.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/903/TybiZi.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/p3TybiZij)
[URL=https://imageshack.com/i/p7AaMEh3j]https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/11/518.jpg[/URL

[dullbird]

I unfortunately we have the dogs and that has prevented us going to many places including the club in the scrub so i doubt we can take them to this Inn either

[Fluids]

We camped over the river from Shindys Inn. Easy walk across the bridge back to the Inn. Dogs are OK here.

Stayed at Trilby station for a few nights (20km sth of Louth on the Western Side). Highly reccomended. Great self-drive mud map tour of the station. If I remember correctly, again, dogs are OK for the camp sites along the river here.

If you cross the bridge at Louth to the western side, and turn right at the intersection (left turn to Trilby) drive about 1km, then turn left and drive out across the plains for a while and climb the rise on the far side, there's a great view back across the plains.

Hope your travelling well !

Cheers

[ramblingboy42]

You won't see that much water there now Chenz.

It's pretty bad when I went through in September.

I used to dive , swim, play, fish in the Darling as a child.

It's really time to look at saving these great rivers.

While the Murray is low and not flowing so too will the Darling be as the Murray acts as a buffer to the Darling......and we know why the Murray is low.

[Redback]

I unfortunately we have the dogs and that has prevented us going to many places including the club in the scrub so i doubt we can take them to this Inn either

We stopped for lunch at Shindys Inn with our dogs Lou, you can camp at Tilpa weir and Menindee lakes with the dogs, just about most of the Darling and Murray out that way is dog friendly all the way to Echuca, we did the Darling river run with the dogs, Mays Bend just out of Bourke is dog friendly also, we also stopped at Wilcannia for fuel and a coffee.

[dullbird]

Well Jon your not wrong about his campsite. It's really nice and nice stretch of river to camp beside too.

[jon3950]

Glad you're enjoying it. Always a bit wary of recommending campsites as conditions can change so much.

The only downside we found was the rude shock we got heading in to Bourke the following day - couldn't get out of there quick enough.

From there we headed up the Dowling Track to Kilcowera, near Thargomindah, which I can highly recommend. Unfortunately they close for summer.

Cheers,
Jon

[dullbird]

We stopped for lunch at Shindys Inn with our dogs Lou, you can camp at Tilpa weir and Menindee lakes with the dogs, just about most of the Darling and Murray out that way is dog friendly all the way to Echuca, we did the Darling river run with the dogs, Mays Bend just out of Bourke is dog friendly also, we also stopped at Wilcannia for fuel and a coffee.


Yeah thanks Baz

I know we can camp out at Tilpa and Menindee that's where we were heading originally. The only reason we decided not to go that way is the sheer distance of Tilpa to Menindee it's a long drive when you have been making journeys no longer than 350k each day.

We decided that we only wanted to do couple of hours driving before stopping.

We have done trips where you bang out 600 to 1000k in a day to get to a nice place. But this trip was more about casual driving and taking our time keeping long drives to a minimum and having camp set up roughly around 3/4pm stopping at looking at the odd thing on the way. :)

[dullbird]

Ok then thanks guys change of plan now we going to go through Bourke and head to trilby station for over night stop. Stopping at shindys inn for lunch (assuming they do lunch) on the way there. We will then cut back down to Cobar and then down to Mt hope for next camp. That should work out quite well. Thanks for input guys [emoji4][emoji106]

[Disco Muppet]

Cobar hey...

:D

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[dullbird]

Oh that's right your there aren't you! You still around? We won't be staying in Cobar only passing through but if your around we can meet up if you like

[Disco Muppet]

I was there yesterday, just for a quick pick up at Endeavour Mine.
Did Nyngan back to Orange today, got in about 5:30 :)
Next time :D

[Fluids]

We did Wilcannia to Menindee, but took two days, and overnighted at Pooncarrie. Nice spot.

[Xtreme]

We did Wilcannia to Menindee, but took two days, and overnighted at Pooncarrie. Nice spot.

:confused: :confused: But Pooncarie is south of Menindee???

Did you mean that you did Wilcannia to Pooncarie and overnighted at Menindee?

[dullbird]

Yes we had pooncarrie on the list too on the way down to ecucha. But that's not happening either now we will likely make out way down to Hay then on to Echuca

[Redback]

Ok then thanks guys change of plan now we going to go through Bourke and head to trilby station for over night stop. Stopping at shindys inn for lunch (assuming they do lunch) on the way there. We will then cut back down to Cobar and then down to Mt hope for next camp. That should work out quite well. Thanks for input guys [emoji4][emoji106]

Have a look at the museum, there's a park next too it to have lunch or morning tea where you can look after the dogs.

By the way, if you go Tilpa or Trilby Station to Wilcania, then Wilcannia to Menindee via the Wilcannia to Menindee Road, it's only 4hrs;)

Just to add some extra info lou, we stopped every 2 to 2.5hrs because of the dogs, basically this is our trip plans, up early, leave by 8.00 at the latest, stop for morning tea, stop for lunch and stop for afternoon tea, then on to camp for the night, a nice relaxing drive, usually we make camp at the latest 4.00pm, and for that day Tilpa to Menindee was 290ks, we got to camp that day by 3.15pm, that included to extra stop at Wilcannia for fuel and a coffee.

[dullbird]

We don't leave camp until 9, sometimes 10 if the journey we are about to do is short, we also stop often to let the dogs out for water and leg stretch.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

gees Baz,, is the sun even up at 8??

All dogs are different Lou, as soon as Guiness climbs onto his seat he curls up and goes to sleep:D

[Redback]

gees Baz,, is the sun even up at 8??

All dogs are different Lou, as soon as Guiness climbs onto his seat he curls up and goes to sleep:D

Sometimes 8 is not attainable though:D

[Carzee]

While in that district/western NSW, read about one impressive individual who made a fortune in Bourke etc, developing land would you believe (amongst a ton of other things). If you read the whole yarn you'll think you haven't had a life at all in comparison. I did. Perhaps we were all born 100 years too late.

Blog 3 Supplement – The Story of T.A. Mathews & The Monument of Louth, NSW ? Brolga Healing Journeys (http://www.brolgahealingjourneys.com/?p=63)

[Fluids]

:confused: :confused: But Pooncarie is south of Menindee???

Did you mean that you did Wilcannia to Pooncarie and overnighted at Menindee?

Whoops !! :p ... seniors moment !

What he said ^^^^

[Xtreme]

While in that district/western NSW, read about one impressive individual who made a fortune in Bourke etc, developing land would you believe (amongst a ton of other things). If you read the whole yarn you'll think you haven't had a life at all in comparison. I did. Perhaps we were all born 100 years too late.

Blog 3 Supplement ? The Story of T.A. Mathews & The Monument of Louth, NSW ? Brolga Healing Journeys (http://www.brolgahealingjourneys.com/?p=63)

A very interesting read, having the knowledge of those early years of the area makes the area come alive when travelling through it.

Thanks for sharing the link Carzee.

[Fluids]

I found that link whilst researching our trip earlier this year. A great read for sure ... and the "handbook" that they give you at Trilby station has more in it about TA and those times as well. Life was hard.

Knowing the history before you travel there makes the visit have so much more meaning.

We don't know the meaning of the word tuff !

[dullbird]

We'll have to say it's lovely here at Trilby station I have too say sat near trees with about 50 retailed cockatoos, But sadly we are going to have to cut the holiday short and head home. The temps out west are pushing up above the 40s for next couple of days and I just don't think the dogs are going to cope and really it would be unfair for me to expect them too. So we are going to be heading back inland we will sadly miss out on some places we would have liked to visit but the temp does not drop to max temps of 30s until we get back to wards Oberon/Hill end, so that's where we will be heading. Echuca will have to wait another day. :)

[Xtreme]

I hope you don't follow with the 'front' and experience hot weather all the way east. Saturday's temp in Sydney predicted to be 40
Friday's temp at Echuca not much different to Oberon and following three days at Echuca are predicted to be at or below 27.

Your call of course Lou but I know which way I'd be heading.

[dullbird]

Roger it's the temperature getting down to Echuca is what concerns me we would struggle to get to Echuca in a day and all the places down to Echuca are above 40 also I have checked the entire radius the only place I could find with temps in the low 30s was heading to the mountains. At least I'm only 2.5hrs from home on the second big heat day so I think home bound is best :)

It will be hot at home but at least I have some control over the environment and can get the dogs in aircon etc.

[Fluids]

Sorry to hear your going to have to cut your trip short .... It's going to get bloody hot out there !!

Trilby is worth a 2-3 day stay ... next time. :)

Now, go sit in the shade !! :p

[p38arover]

Why take dogs with you if they impact so much on your trip?

I was going to suggest a visit to the National Holden Museum at Echuca but....

[dullbird]

Because we wanted too Ron. The trip was planned around them unfortunately we can't control the weather

[dullbird]

Sorry to hear your going to have to cut your trip short .... It's going to get bloody hot out there !!

Trilby is worth a 2-3 day stay ... next time. :)

Now, go sit in the shade !! :p


We are definitely going to go back there and spend a few more days talked about taking a week or so off next year maybe around April time see if a few friends want to go back up with us