Lake Cargelligo

30 October – 1 November

We set off from Eumungerie and drove through Narromine then on to Condobolin where we had lunch in a park by the Lachlan River. From there we continued on to Lake Cargelligo. We headed to the caravan park where we found the office closed, but a sign inviting guests to choose a site and return to check in later in the day. We found a nice unpowered spot with some shade, but enough open space to set up the solar panels, and just across the way from our friends.

We arranged to meet for drinks later in the afternoon and went for a drive to a bird hide near the lake. There were lots of photo opportunities so we ended up spending quite a bit of time there, and also made a return visit.

Back at the caravan park, we had drinks with Rob and Cheryl and were also joined by some other travellers who were camped just near us. We hung around in the morning until our friends had left, and set off for another local birding spot along the road near the lake. That one wasn’t as successful as we had hoped. 

We decided that we’d only stay for two nights so made a plan to attempt an early morning run out to another “hot spot” known locally as “chat alley”. We were confident we could get out and back in plenty of time to pack up and check out of the caravan park at the required time. The plan was a good one, but the birding wasn’t so great. We did, however, have a close encounter with a fox that showed an unusual interest in the car, and then followed Mick around for quite a while.

We didn't expect to see a curious fox
while we were out birding

When we returned to town we drove down to the lake for a look before gooing back to the caravan park, packing up and setting off once again.

Eumungerie

29 – 30 October 2024

We left Inverell and travelled through Bingara, Narrabri and Coonabarabran before stopping to look again at our options for an overnight stop. We called into one small town and had a quick look, but decided to keep on going for a bit longer. By the time we reached Eumungerie we were ready to stop and the community campground at the recreation ground seemed to have everything we needed – power, showers and toilets, as well as a pub with walking distance.

Eumungerie was a good "low cost" camp

We don’t often eat out and the opportunity to walk to the pub - The Drover's Dog -  for a meal is always appealing. We found a cosy hotel with very friendly locals and a decent menu. The meals were good so the walk was worth it. We wandered home and settled in for a quiet night.

While we were at Eumungerie we received at text message from Ravenshoe friends Rob and Cheryl, checking in on us. By some amazing coincidence they were at Lake Cargelligo. They hadn’t planned on going there and had no idea we were headed there the next day. The stayed an extra night so we could meet up and share our travellers tales.

Cowra

3 - 4 March 2015

Our plan had been to visit the Japanese Gardens before leaving Cowra, but Mick had been so unwell during the night we went in search of the medical centre first thing. With stitches removed and a prescription for lots of water and rest (yes, some dehydration and a bit of a bug) we thought it best to head for Queanbeyan and some rest at the home of an old friend. Cowra, unfortunately turned into just an overnight stop, but we will visit again. When we came through in 2006 we very much enjoyed the gardens so it is still on the list.