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.






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.




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