ARMIDALE NSW AND DUMARESQ DAM

I travelled about 50k today (Wed 20th Feb) from Uralla to Armidale along the New England Hwy and stopped for some shopping. Then on to Dumaresq (pronounced Du-mar-eck) Dam,  to camp at the Recreational Reserve right beside it.
Armidale was like any medium sized town with most facilities, a Mall, Coles, Woolworths, KMart, Big W etc. Not very friendly or picturesque in any meaningful way though. Armidale has a population of 26,000 and is 980 metres above sea level and is now mainly a University Town (University of New England).
The Dam and Recreational Reserve is14k North of Town with a day picnic area and large campground where a collection of 15 or so Caravans and Motorhomes are set up. Some look as though they have been here for a while, I believe there is no time limit for staying. It is overcast and drizzling now and then so I found a spot beside a tree and some bushes out of the wind, it's quiet and private as I like it to be. The Campground is well set up with flushing toilets ( a flush is a luxury sometimes) and a reasonably size Camp kitchen with 2 electric BBQ's and a fireplace for winter. I understand that it gets pretty cold and miserable here. The Dam once was the drinking water supply for Armidale and a sign says all water activities except fishing are prohibited, although I saw about 30 army blokes out on canoes today! Talking to some others, there are fish to be caught with some trout brought home so they say. The views are pleasant without being spectacular with a vista over the dam, bush country and hills in the background. I'm not in a hurry to move again soon so might stay tomorrow, mainly to see how long my auxiliary batteries last, to date the discharge rate appears to be approx 20% per day. After that on to Gurya and The Mother Ducks Lagoon which sounds interesting.
Cheers!

The following Photos were taken at Dumarsq Dam

 





 

 

 

 

 

 













 



 

 

 

 





 

 

 



URALLA NSW

Uralla is about 45k North West of Walcha along Thunderbolts Way, a narrow rough and ready alternative to the New England Hwy which would be a trip of about 95k. Scenery was uninspired sheep grazing country. Uralla Town is also a bit boring with nothing but a short main street of ordinary shops and a couple of Pubs. I wanted to stay at the Fossicking Reserve about 6k from Town (Camps 6 N163). The road in was rough corrugated gravel and the Campsite was tiny with nothing but a Bush Toilet. I think I am spoilt after Aspley Falls Campground. Consequently I've decided to stay at the Uralla caravan Park for $22.00 with power, again nothing too exciting with clean but old amenities. Moving on tomorrow to Dumaresq Dam Recreation Area, 14k out of Armidale for something better I hope.

The Old Wool Store Museum Uralla NSW



APSLEY FALLS AND GORGE

A wonderful place just off the Oxley Hwy, 25k East of Walcha. The falls are about 80mtrs high and tip into an impressive steep granite Gorge that carves it's way into the Apsley River valley. It was possible to drive on bitumen all the way to the Lookouts. The area is in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park in the New England Tablelands and is truly worth the visit. I was the only person there, though it was a Monday.
I stayed overnight in the campsite for $5.00. A lovely peaceful spot with all the basic amenities, water ; electric BBQ's, and picnic tables with a fireplace alongside. There are 8 Vans here at the moment, all middle aged, about half Solo's and the rest couples so it is very quiet and peaceful.
Met the ranger today, a rough and ready bloke, cross eyed as well but really friendly, We had a mag for 5 mins or so before he moved on.
I really like this place and highly recommend a stop over or even just a look at the falls. It's well away from the usual tourist route so no crowds or kids. I will definitely be back here one day.
The Tia Falls are also close by but it has been wet and the road in is 7k of dirt so I might miss that one on this trip. tomorrow is a short 70k trip to Uralla along Thunderbolt's Way (for those reading from outside Australia, Captain Thunderbolt was a famous Bushranger or robber who plundered this district in the 19th century).
Tomorrow I'm off to Uralla looking for free Camps along the way.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

WALCHA NSW

Walcha is a small Town on the Oxley Hwy at the junction to Thuderbolts Way that leads to Armidale via Uralla. A nice looking main street although not much stands out as I drive through. Walcha is 408k from Sydney, 529k from Brisbane and is 1060M above see level. The shire population is 3187 and it looks like about 500 live in or around the Town centre. Average temperature is 25c in summer and 11c in winter. I stayed at the Caravan park last night and tonight, a lovely clean and friendly park with modern Immaculate facilities.
I had a scare this morning though, started the Van but could not get any gears, the gearstick wouldn't budge. Turned off and on again and it was OK, now it is fine, very puzzling. I will take it to a mechanic in the morning to check if anything is wrong as I don't want to continue the journey until i'm sure.

 

 



ELLENBOROUGH TO STOCKYARD CREEK NSW

I highly recommend this drive across the Great Dividing Range along the Oxley Hwy towards Walcha NSW. The road climbs and winds through forest with some great views of the valleys below and 310 corners along a 40k stretch. Its fabulous for Motorcycles and there were dozens, probably because it's the weekend. I stopped at Stockyard Creek Rest Area for a breather. A nice spot with a great view of a hairpin bend flanked by bush. I watched for ages the many Bikes negotiate the corner, mostly Harleys in twos and threes with the odd Jap Bike. I think I will have to get my riders licence back, it reminds me of my younger days.
Towards the end of the bends there was the quirky Gingers Creek Store, sitting on a bend in the middle of nowhere. It was also a place to stop for the Bikes as they sold grog! I bet they make a fortune as it is about 70k from the last shop and 80k to the next. Proceed the on to Walcha where I will book into the Caravan Park (highly rated by fellow Grey nomads) for a couple of nights to wash some clothes and check out the Town.

Stockyard Creek Rest Area on a Hairpin Bend at the end of a stretch of 310 corners.



MY FIRST NIGHT IN A FREE CAMP

I left my freinds, Mark & Cathy at Port Macquarie today after staying 5 nights with a home cooked meal everynight.They were my neighbours back in Nelson Bay before moving up here about 9 months ago to take over as Managers of  a Motel.Today I headed West on the Oxley Hwy for about 84k via Wauchope (a small Town) stopping here at Ellenborough Reserve Free Camp for the night. The Camp is large, grassy and beside a river. It only has drop toilet and no other amenities. There are about 20 Caravans 2 or 3 Vans and a Bus here at the moment. The river is about 50mtrs wide and shallow with a few gentle rapids near the Camp where the depth is only a mtr or so. Canoeing is possible..saw a couple. There doesn't appear to be a Town although there is a sign "Police" on a side road so may be a small hamlet nearby. The Van is great, very comfortable and I have been able to sleep welI . Everything is working as it should and it drives really well . So far fuel usage has been only 8 ltrs/100k so very economical seeing it weighs about 2.1 Tonne loaded. I will probably move on tomorrow to Tia falls or the Apsley Gorge Campground both in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park about another 80k west near the town of Walcha. Note this day as it really the fist true day of my new life permanently on the road.

 

 

 



 

 

 



HITTING THE ROAD AT LONG LAST

After much preparation and some unexpected repairs to the Van (a new radiator and starter battery), I finally left on schedule today. Travelled from home Nelson Bay NSW to Port Macquarie NSW, about a 3 hour trip,where I am staying for a couple of days with dear friends Mark and Cathy Robson. They manage the Waterview Apartments Motel in the centre of town. The Van is parked in a grassy spot within the grounds where I will sleep free of charge. Kathy served up a home cooked meal for me tonight so not doing it too rough yet. Will look around town tomorrow as I have only been here once many years ago.