Outback Adventures

I do apologise ... it has been such a long time since I've updated this blog!! I have one excuse after another, but will not bore you with that now but give you a little run down of our latest trip to Outback NSW.In August we (being my Mum & Dad, Stephen and our four children) set off for a relaxing three week trip. We decided this trip was to relax and chill out for a while, rather than accomplish mega kilometers and see many places. We began at Bourke - the third time we've stayed in Bourke. We stay at Kidmans Camp in North Bourke. My two favourite places are the Back O' Bourke Art Gallery and Mt Oxley. The girls and I did a pastel art class at the gallery and amazed ourselves again at what Jen can accomplish through us. We also spent a lazy, late afternoon on top of Mt Oxley. The family cooked a yummy, slow cooked stew in the camp oven while I took some solitary time out to photograph the sun setting on this gorgeous mountain.

After four days in Bourke we drove 70km to Byrock. We set up camp at the Mulga Creek Hotel. They have a great, spacious camp ground out the back - well away from the pub with full amenities. Here we met up with friends who were joining us for the remainder of the trip. There is a 10 minute walk from the pub to a rock - hole that holds water for long times and was a meeting place for Aboriginals. This was quite a treat to find. We had driven past Byrock a few times and were so glad this time we made the time to stop and stay. The pub served generous meals and was a great place for the kids too, with a great playground and even ferrets for the kids to see.

We definitely could have stayed at Byrock longer, but we needed to get to our next destination to meet up with another family who were joining us for the remaining two weeks. We meet on the side of the Barrier Highway at the Emmdale Roadhouse. Along the way we saw our first Major Mitchells (Pink Cockatoos) for the trip.Mt Gipps Station was our choice of places to stay at Broken Hill. None of us wanted to be in town and this places was about 30 minutes from town. It is roughly 100,000 acre property with much geological interest and plenty of history. Our campsite was lovely and peaceful ... there was no one else around, probably because it was 7km from the toilets and showers! After I got over the initial shock we managed quite well - which I will spare you the details of. Lets say we have since been offered a camp portaloo and have greatfully accepted for our next trip.On the property, side of the road heading to town and in Silverton we found Sturt Desert Pea's. Such a magnificent plant that brings such delight to see growing in the dry red dirt. There was dry, red dirt on this trip ... but there was also so much grass and green. The outback has had incredible rains this year and have made the area so lush with vegetation. We were commenting that many fields looked like golf courses! As beautiful as it was it took away from that real dry, outback look that is stunning in its own way.

After four nights at Mt Gipps Station (which could have been longer!) we travelled 100km to Menindee Lakes and camped in Kinchega National Park at Lake Cawndilla for the next three nights. It was hard to remember that we were in the outback. There was so much water as the lakes were full and with water comes abundant bird life. This place kept our bird watcher friend very busy. While the kids tried a spot of fishing in the Darling River with no luck, a few of us went to investigate the old sheering shed and quarters. This took us right around the National Park. There was an abundance of kangaroos and emus to be seen.The kids were rarely seen at this stay. They were mostly down on the sand building homes, fortes, tours etc. It was a great place to stay, although the camp area wasn't very spacious and in busy times I think you could find yourself travelling to the other side of the National Park only to find it is full. The pit toilets weren't pleasant, but the surrounding beauty and wildlife made up for the facilities. Although, I'm not sure if it would be quite the same if the lakes were empty.

The whole trip was planned around one date. We wanted to be in Mungo National Park at the Walls of China at full moon! We made it. We did the loop around the National Park to just get back in time at for the moon rising over the wall.The closest station that has campers to the National Park is Turlee Station. It had great, clean facilities of hot showers, flush toilets and even a washing machine. It was great to clean up and relax. One of our crew had car problems that needed parts. Dad drove Stuart and Stephen to Mildura to get the part, Dad some petrol and Stephen a hair cut. On the way back about 20km from town they had an accident. The car rolled and hit the embankment at about 100km/h. It was quite a hit and thank God they all walked out. Dad's shoulder was badly hurt and Stuart had a cut on his head. Both were taken to Mildura hospital and were discharged that night. Stuart came back to camp and Dad stayed in town with Mum for a few nights and then flew home. He was in quite a lot of pain and travelling by car was out of the question.

This was quite a shake up for all of us. Turlee Station where great. There is absolutely no phone coverage at the station and they allowed us to make as many calls as needed up at the house. We are looking forward to returning to Turlee one day to have a good look around the place. After the accident it rained and we just took things slowly, therefore we didn't see what we planned to.Once the roads become drivable we drove to Lake Cargelligo. Our plans were to stay at the caravan park on the lake, but as we stayed an extra night at Turlee we decided to find a motel for the night. Next night was near Lithgow in a cabin, had a great pub meal then headed home in the morning after a quick stop at the local cafe and lolly shop.

The dramas didn't stop there as we were almost home when we received the phone call our house had been broken into over night. Computers, TV, work ute etc all gone. It was quite a blow after everything else that had happened. Thankfully our ute was found with a few small things in it that were taken from the kids rooms. Our main computer was all packed up neatly in a box and left on the floor. Lesson learned (thankfully not the hard way) - do adequate back ups and have them off site!!!Overall it was a fabulous trip. The company was great. Every place was interesting and enjoyable. And the main thing we are so grateful - we all returned, maybe not how we planned, but at least we're all here to tell our stories. Cars, TV's, laptops ... they're all replaceable sooner or later, but people aren't! Good reminder that spending good quality time with family and friends is far more important than any amount of money, successful business or anything we own.

Helpful Websites:
Kidmans Camp: www.kidmanscamp.com.au
Back O' Bourke Art Gallery: www.backobourkegallery.com
Mt Gipps Station: www.mountgippsstation.com.au
Turlee Station: www.turleestationstay.com.au

Easter camping .... will it rain?

All camper trailers are now booked for Easter. It is always a very popular time to go camping. We never camp then as we have no camper trailers available but we do try to take a break over the school holiday period.

Hopefully this year will be a dry Easter, as most Easters since we have owned this business have been WET! Rain never seemed to bother us 4 years ago, but now we are very conscious of the weather, where it is raining and when. I think I have learnt to stop stressing when I hear the rain pour down as most customers return with their trailer and let us know that it actually didn't rain where they were or it wasn't much or better still that it did rain and they stayed dry!!!

We have unfortunately had the odd customer get wet. This annoys us as we try to keep the tents water proof and in good condition. We have learnt that cleaning the tents seems to affect the water proofing, so now if we have had to bleach a tent we also water proof it afterwards. Occasionally it is user error. It is important to keep the run off sections of the tent at a good angle to stop water pooling on the tent roof or awning roof. If the water pools it will definitely start to seep in eventually.

Some people like to do the tarp thing of the tent. This guarantees a dry tent and can also make the tent cooler. We have never put a tarp over the trailers and have unfortunately been in torrential rain. We have remained mostly dry with only the odd drip after a few days of constant rain - which I feel is too be expected under any form of canvas. The only thing is that after a few days everything starts to feel quite damp... this can't be helped and is inevitable.

Camping in the rain is never much fun, but sometimes it can't be helped and you try to make the most of it and hope and pray the rain will stop before pack up time!

Barrington Focus

Last weekend we visited our favourite camping place at Barrington - Camp Cobark. We took photographer, Glenn McKimmin with us. The purpose of the weekend was to find great photography locations for a photography workshop.... and that we did! There were so many great locations - too many to fit into one workshop! We scampered down the scrub, explored private properties, stood in the middle of rivers, jumped fences, got up at 5am all in the name of art!

Glenn had a great eye for detail and picking a great location - many of which I have driven past many a time and never noticed as a great photo opportunity. It was such a blast taking photos alongside someone of such experience and knowledge - thankfully he is a very patient man.

What are some of the things I learned?

Make sure your alarm doesn't turn off when you place it under your pillow so not too wake the kids at 5am! (I've never bounced out of bed so fast - I was standing in a paddock taking photos - 10 minutes ago I was fast asleep in bed)

Carry a compass in your camera bag - it is very handy to know where the sun will rise or set

Splash the exposed rocks in the river so they aren't so "bright" in your photo

Not all "pretty" locations will make a great shot... there is SO much more to consider - light, back ground, fore ground, lines etc

I'm really looking forward to the workshop we have planned in March. Glenn has a wealth of knowledge and I think we have put together a fantastic itinerary that will ensure every participant will get loads of great shots, heaps of new and relevant hands on experience, tuition and perhaps a touch of exhaustion - but it will be way worth it!!

Big Yengo Camping

In early November we took a weekend out and went to Yengo National Park for a family camping weekend. We camped at Mountain Arm camp ground in the Big Yengo area.

This area is behind locked gates and is beautiful. There is a house you can book through National Parks or bush camping with toilets provided. We were the only campers there and enjoyed the ease of not having to keep our children quiet! The highlight was WE SAW WOMBATS!! It was such a joy to see these gorgeous animals in the bush. We found them just outside their burrows at about 4:30pm. We were able to walk close enough to see them well at about 15 metres and then they would hide back in their burrows. There were of course many kangaroos, birds, butterflies and various insects that kept us amused too.
There was a 4WD track that circled right around Mount Yengo. It was a very pretty drive and took roughly 2 hours. There was nothing difficult about it but 4WD was definitely necessary.

You can have fires, providing you use the existing fire pits and bring your own wood. Water is also essential as there is none available. The toilets are pits that didn't smell and were very clean. Bookings are essential and you need to book two weeks in advance as keys are necessary to access the camp area. You can phone National Parks on 02 4320 4203.

We will definitely return and explore some of the walks when our children are bigger. Autumn or Spring would be the best times to camp here to avoid the extremes in weather.

Sunset - Sunrise

I am really enjoying photography at the moment! It has always given me a huge buzz to take a great shot and over the years the time I've spent enjoying the hobby has dwindled. I've continued to take photos - mainly of the kids, but my real passion has always been landscapes and nature. I completed a course with Ken Duncan earlier this month and well it could be an understatement to say my passion has returned!

In the early years of our marriage Stephen began his love of four wheel driving and camping. I thought it was great because for me it meant taking me to great locations to take photos. The two go great together. It is really quite neat that we can go on the same trip, both love it and get a great buzz for two totally different reasons.

Here are a couple of photos from Mt Oxley, Outback NSW. This was the one rare time Stephen took a photo. I did the sunset and Stephen the sunrise (I was about 8 months pregnant and wasn't getting out of bed early for anything!)

Yengo National Park

We had a wonderful day last month exploring Yengo National Park and surrounds. It was a National Parks Discovery 4WD tour. They have fantastic guides, who are volunteers and are passionate about the area and its history. We saw Aboriginal artwork, rare plants, spectacular views and found out some real interesting facts and history.

It is an all day event. We started around Kulnura at 8:15am and finished near Mangrove Mountain just after 5pm. The kids enjoyed hanging out with our friends kids and swapping places in the cars. It kept all the driving time enjoyable when they had buddies from other families. There were also heaps of stops and plenty of opportunities to get out of the vehicles for an explore, including the time we had to move a fallen tree from the middle of the track.

Our location on the Central Coast we so often take for granted, but it was a reminder of how terrific our own back yard is. There are also a few camping places around Yengo and we hope to visit one in the next few weekends..... so stay posted for a report.

Removing Tree from Track

Lily pulled out a tooth!

Flannel Flower

Dirty Gear Bag

Well the long awaited Dirty Gear Bag has arrived! Stephen was promised the bag months ago when he renewed his 4WD magazine subscription. Even the courier started to duck his head every time he passed our house as Stephen would stop him in the street just to see if maybe he had forgotten to deliver a parcel to our house.

What is a Dirty Gear Bag... some of you may ask? It is a strong canvas bag that hangs off the spare wheel on the back of our 4WD for all your dirty gear - rubbish or recovery gear that has fallen in the mud etc.

We have always pondered the idea of getting one of these and wished we had actually gone and got one during every trip. Carrying your rubbish from a camping trip in the car, especially when it consists of dirty nappies is no joy! Lugging the muddy snatch strap on the floor of the 4WD and sighing each time a child treads on it and spreads the filth takes away from the fun. Now it can all be carried OUTSIDE the vehicle in our new bag.

All we need now is a trip to use it.... photos to come!!