Day 10 – Sunday 7 June – Dubbo to Coonabarabran - 214 km
Today was a repeat of yesterday. A cold and frosty 3 degree start followed by a magnificent sunny day. We departed at 9:45 am - late for us - and headed north.
We had a coffee at Gilgandra - "mural town" - but no mural photos (that was covered two years ago). However we did take a photo of the giant 'return services' badge.
Camp was soon established at the golf club.
Around 3:45 we wandered down to the golf club and found out that we had just missed the monthly $15 fund-raising feast. From the looks of some of the members they had stuck to a liquid diet rather than the hot-pot smorgasbord.
Jeff - the courtesy bus driver - asked if he could have a chat to us. We said yes, and we learned Jeff's life history - most of it in and around Coonabarabran. Jeff had been a cattle man and we were informed of the woes of that industry - most of which I knew and was sympathetic of - thanks to big corporations and governments.
We enjoyed his company and found out that he was a better lawn bowler than a golfer (I was sympathetic there as well), although his bowling days have stopped since the loss of a great bowling mate.
Eventually Jeff took his wife home and we wandered back to camp. I think he was one of the few men to drive home. Hopefully.
The Coonabarabran golf club is a great social venue, run by volunteers.
Shirley cooked chicken and noodle stir fry for dinner.
Day 11 – Monday 8 June – Coonabarabran to Warrumbungle NP - 42 km
The King's birthday holiday Monday made it three in a row - cold start, no wind, then a lovely sunny day. The caravan heater was on earlier than usual.
We were in no rush as we had a mere 38 km to travel. We mucked around and extended that to 42 km.
The sun had set and the cool evening encouraged us to dine in-doors.
Day 12 – Tuesday 9 June – Warrumbungle NP
The weather had changed. It was a mild night and an overcast day and somewhat hazy. It was a slow start because we could.
A local kookaburra called in to say hello and catch a worm.
Our first activity was to complete a walk. The walk planner selected 3.6 km "Fays Horizon" - named after local Fanny Gould who lived to be 102 and loved this view.
The planner did not take into account the words "approximately 1000 steps" so we paid the price. However we completed the walk as well as a alternative track that made the walk 4.3 km - 2.5 hours. We did not count the steps but there were a lot.
The following are some of the views.
We returned to camp and relaxed & relaxed & relaxed.
After a while we decided that we needed to do something, so we went for a drive and admired the views.
Dessert was leftover Apple and Date Damper.
While we were having a pre-dinner drink around the campfire a neighbouring couple - with guitar - serenaded us. When they stopped we asked for an encore and they obliged. This happens in the bush.
Day 13 – Wednesday 10 June – Warrumbungle NP
The weather was a carbon copy of yesterday - mild, overcast and no wind.
Although the forecast indicated that we could get wet we were encouraged by a neighbour who indicated that the "Breadknife" walk was worth the effort. The rock formation gets its name from the jagged top that resembles a bread-knife.
We set off and were not disappointed. Yesterday the walk was 4.3 km over 2.5 hours, today the walk was 6.4 km over 2.2 hours. Most of the walk was like a walk in the park although the last 150 metres to the lookout was similar to the worst of yesterday. Until we got to that last 150 metres we had not encountered one step.
There were a few drops of rain as we got back inside the car.
After lunch our four legs got together and decided that NP walks were out for the rest of the day. So we went for a drive to the nearby "Siding Springs Observatory" - a good spot to visit if you are an astronomer.
We were too late to do an organised tour but we were able to see the history of the installation and see the telescope through the visitors observation window. The whole complex was nearly destroyed in the bushfires of a few years ago.
We were also encouraged to minimise 'upwards' light both here and at home to help astronomers work in a place that is as dark as possible. Places such as Europe have virtually no 'dark' areas where astronomers can work effectively.
Click here if you wish to know more.
As we got back to camp and made a coffee the rain started, albeit lightly.
Tomorrow we leave this wonderful part of the world and move further north.
Day 14 – Thursday 11 June – Warrumbungle NP to Narrabri - 165 km
The light rain started around 4pm yesterday, gradually got a bit heavier and rained non stop until around lunch time today.
By then we had said goodbye to the 'Bungles and driven into Coonabarabran, stocked up on a couple of provisions and driven 50 km towards to Narrabri. We also had time to have a welding repair job done to the caravan spare wheel bracket. All good, it was found and fixed in time.
At our lunch stop I took the following photo. To celebrate the 'dark sky' nature of this region there are similar signs around the area for each of the planets in our solar system.
We called into the Visitor Centre to get paper for the camp fires ("Seniors" newspaper) and some local information. The photo below shows an informative display of some locally grown grains.
The rain had restarted around 2:30 so local walks were put on hold.
Day 15 – Friday 12 June – Narrabri to Cranky Rock - 181 km
The day started mild, overcast and foggy - then developed into a superb sunny and warm day. We reached a top temperature around 22 degrees and no wind.
It was a geology day.
First we drove the 35 km to "Sawn Rocks", a spectacular 'pipe' rock formation.
Then we drove to "Glacial Rocks", so called because the rock formations are a result of glacial activity well before Carlton won their first premiership. They were also very impressive.
The imposing views along the drive included the following.........
Next we stopped at the memorial to the "Myall Creek Massacre" where, in 1838 twenty eight innocent aboriginal people were murdered by an unsavoury group of stockmen. The stockman were apparently brought to justice - over time.
We travelled through Bingara (pop. 128) and Delungra (pop. 687) and ended up camping at the "Cranky Rock Recreation Reserve" - an impressive geology location. Cranky Rock gets it name from a (and I quote) 'an old Cranky Chinaman' who allegedly leapt to his death from the said rock after allegedly murdering the lady for whom he worked as a cook.
However, no one seems to be able to explain why his body was found 30 miles away two weeks later.
The rock formations were again impressive. The camp site was excellent.
We had a steak sandwich with pumpkin chips for dinner.
Click here to see more photos of our geology day.
Day 16 – Saturday 13 June – Cranky Rock to Moree - 102 km
A chilly night, the heater on early and a sunny start to the day.
The day got better and better reaching about 22 degrees. No wind. No cloud. Perfect driving conditions - again.
Unfortunately our day of travel was over by 10am (and we did not get the benefit of great driving conditions), but not before we took a couple of photos of a quirky memorial to a lost daughter.
Day 17 – Sunday 14 June – Moree
After a mild night two loads of washing were on the line by 9am. While on a theme the rear (kitchen) window scored a wash as did the curtains. It seems to be a caravan dust-collection spot. Now we can see the neighbours. Not really sure if that is a good thing.
😀
After lunch we went for a drive around the mural trail. The most impressive is the mural below. Click here to see all of the photos that I took.
Above: ANZAC Memorial
We then bought diesel at $1.86 per litre - the cheapest of the trip to date.
The artesian pool was again utilized mid afternoon after our drive.
For dinner we had Murray Cod - from Griffith two weeks ago - and vegetables. It was excellent.
Day 18 – Monday 15 June – Moree
The start of our last full day in NSW (for a while) started mild & sunny with a slight breeze. Shirley decided on a sleep in while I showered & dressed.
The first 90 minutes after breakfast were spent on the phone to the bank and writing a subsequent email - thanks to being a club Treasurer. All productive.
We had a wander around the town before having lunch back at camp and a soak in the artesian pool(s).
Not much was achieved for the day, apart from our readiness to move into Queensland tomorrow.
Our stats after 18 days: 2083 km, 116 km/day, diesel $34 per day, accommodation $24 per day, time in car 2.8 hrs/day.
*** This chapter is now complete ***
Last updated at 4:30 pm on Monday 15 June 2026
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