GLEBE WEIR at TAROOM Qld

  I had my first set back today. On arrival I discovered that the Solar Panel Charger had stopped working. Only 2 months old and already failed. I have been more than happy with the performance of the Solar System to date as it has provided plenty of power and allows for indefinite Free Camping. Fortunately I have brought the suppliers details with me and so called them. It appears that there is an internal fuse that may have failed or if not they will refund my money if I send the charger back to them. Its a big job to check the fuse as I have to remove the unit from the system which will take quite a while. I will do that when we stop for more than just overnight and continue on without Solar Power.
  Glebe Weir is a recommended place that although not free is only $7 per night with power, quite reasonable, with an honesty box for fee collection. I wonder how many sneak off without paying even though it is so cheap. A fairly small site, it does offer a quiet interlude for the dozen or so that have stopped on their northern trek. There is no phone or Internet service so I am posting at a later date.

(8/9th July 2013)

 A nice sunset is always a plus wherever I am  

MILES Qld and GILL WEIR

  Another Free Camp for the night about 180 kms from Bowenville. We are travelling the inland route until we reach Calliope from where we will cross to the coast.
  A small and dusty place beside a small River where the now 5 of us enjoyed  a camp fire chat and some laughs. Warren and Roslyn will split off tomorrow to continue their journey to NT. We aim to reach Taroom Qld and Glebe Weir. a place that Billy and Jules have been previously. For me this is all new so I am gladly tagging along.
 

BOWENVILLE RESERVE Qld

  Our first stopover after leaving Boonah on our epic voyage. We intend to travel no more that 100 to 200 kms per day so there will be many more places to visit before Townsville, a long way off.
  The Reserve at Bowenville is a Free Camp and is huge, I guess about 100 acres or so in size. Although there are about a dozen Rigs here today they are dwarfed by the shear expansiveness.  Other than grass there is not much to describe here.
  We have met up with another couple that Billy and Jules met in Tasmania, they will travel with us for a day or so before moving on towards Darwin.

BOO!! I'M BACK

  Yes I am still breathing! Internet connectivity has been atrocious for quite a while, either non existent or woefully slow preventing any Blog posting. I will try to bring you up to date.
  After revisiting Tooloom Falls and spending a pleasant couple of days I moved on to Boonah in Qld. The plan was to meet up with my fellow "Grey Nomad Forum" friends Billy and Jules. As they were delayed in Brisbane on family business I waited almost 2 weeks at Boonah Showgrounds. I enjoyed my time there just relaxing. it's a nice little town so didn't mind at all.
   My original plan for this trip was to explore as much of Qld as possible before the wet season. Billy and Jules however have asked me to accompany them on a trek to Alice Springs and Uluru. I jumped at the chance as I would prefer not to go that way alone. Plans are fluid out here and we now have agreed to travel to Townsville on the Far North Queensland coast and hopefully meet up with other "Grey Nomads". From there the idea is to travel west to Mt Isa and the into NT and the Alice. Jules has a family occasion to attend in Alice at the end of August so we will be taking our time. I will post as we go so you too may enjoy the trip with me. Beware though I have no idea when Internet connections will be available so please check the Blog for updates regularly. Bring on the NBN!

DORRIGO to GRAFTON via BLAXLANDS CREEK NSW

  Travel 35kms west of Dorrigo and then turn right at the Grafton sign and you will continue the adventure. Similar to the Bellingen road in parts yet different in others this Armidale Road also follows the ranges. With steep curves both ascending and descending and a narrow and at times very rough surface you will again work hard at the wheel. I would caution those towing a large Caravan that this by necessity will be a slow trip. I must say that I really enjoy this type of country and the roads that traverse it. At times I had great fun, even in the Hiace, as I worked my way up and down the gears and negotiated the hairpin bends without a lot of speed but still in a way exciting.
  My thoughts of where to stay overnight were interrupted when in the middle of nowhere, I sped across a tiny bridge and spied in the corner of my eye a grassy clearing next to a creek. A few hundred metres on I pulled over, why not go back and have a look? This place is not marked on the map and turned out to be a Riverside Reserve as described by a small sign. There was no prohibition of camping thereon so this became my stopover for tonight. I was glad I did as traffic was light and all was quiet except for the chatter of birds. The wild creek with it's rocky bed and dense bush lined banks was a delight as well.
  After a peaceful night by myself at my unexpected venue I continued 45 kms to Grafton for breakfast and then a further 200 kms to revisit Tooloom Falls where I had enjoyed a couple of days during Trip#1.

BELLINGEN to DANGAR FALLS via DORRIGO NSW

    If you travel this way then you will be rewarded with an amazing drive. Only 45 kms but feels a lot further since I had to work hard at the wheel. Climbing the range with sharp and narrow bends I gave the gearbox a good workout while managing still to take in the wonderful scenery. To arrive at little Dorrigo and take a deep breath and reflect was indeed welcome though.
 I needed to contemplate the next part of the journey. Should I continue west and the expected bitter cold of Armidale or turn north where it would be minor roads through the mountains until Grafton. I reserved a decision until I had a look at Dangar Falls, only 2 kms from Dorrigo's main street.
  The falls could be viewed in the near distance from an observation platform and picnic area (no camping allowed). A worthwhile interlude here without being outstanding I thought.
  As I mused over my options for the rest of the day I struck up a conversation with two Ladies travelling in a nice Motorhome. I was concerned that the back road to Grafton would be a bit of a risk as it passed through some wild country so asked their opinion. Luckily they had travelled that way a few times and assured that I would be fine, if not a bit cold. My decision was therefore made and that is the direction that I will go.

ROSES PARK BELLINGEN NSW

  I have spent the last 4 nights at Coopernook Forest Park, a free camp that I had stayed at on Trip #1. I wanted to wait until my Pension payment today and to test out the new Solar Panel. I was very happy with it's performance with no hint of running out of power even though I played the Stereo for 8 or more hours a day. I'm happy to move on though as it was freezing last night with just a Sleeping Bag. Today I bought a quilt so hopefully it will be a bit warmer tonight.
I have settled on a Rest Area on the Waterfall Way, west of Bellingen, at the foot of the Ranges on the way to Dorrigo, known as Roses Park. A nice scenic drive through country that I really enjoy. Plenty of forest trees, interspersed with farmland and mountain views in the distance that remind of what is to come. The site would accommodate around 12 Vans comfortably, is grassy with some shade trees and basic facilities of Toilet, Tables, Fireplaces and one BBQ.
 I will share this place with 5 others for an overnight stay before moving on to Grafton via Dorrigo and if time alloys then north along the Summerland Way to Tooloom Falls at Urbenville, which I enjoyed last trip.