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.
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.
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.
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
