Armidale

 3 - 5 March 2025

Having studied the weather forecasts associated with Cyclone Alfred we felt the best thing to do was to head inland. We chose Armidale because there wasn't much rain to come and it would allow us to return to the coast easily if the weather system petered out. We drove towards Port Macquarie - another spot we would have like to stay at - and then headed up into the hills through Wauchope and Walcha and on to the New England Tableland.

We stopped in Walcha to book ahead in Armidale and saw that the forecast had changed and that there was the possibility of some serious rain there too. We'd just have to deal with it when it happened. We arrived at the caravan park and were able to select our own site. We chose one adjacent to amentities and camp kitchen. We spent some time trying to locate a repairer for the broken zip, and in desperation Mick phoned Janke, in Victoria, who replaced the zip for us last time. As luck would have it, her former boss is located near Coffs Harbour. She made contact with him and we arranged to take the trailer down to him on Wednesday morning so he could replace the slider. 

There was a bit of rain in the evening and also through the night, and the new forecast had us very nervous about driving down the Waterfall Way the next day. We called Ray and arranged to go down straight away so packed up and headed off for the 2½ hour drive.

Limited visibility on Waterfall Way

There was quite a bit of rain on the way and we resigned ourselves to having to deal with wet canvas if it meant we could use the zip again. We arrived at Ray's around 1:00pm and set up the trailer while the rain held off. We didn't set up the awning but held it up when the rain started again, while Ray worked on replacing the slider. Once the job was done we packed up ready to head off back up the hill to Armidale.

Before we had left in the morning we had asked about booking into a cabin on our return as we knew we  would be worn out, and it could be quite late. Before heading back we called to confirm that we would like the cabin, and were very glad we did. We arrived back in Armidale at around 5:00pm after a  huge day and relaxed for the night without worrying about wind, rain or wet canvas.

Once again we consulted the BoM before deciding that we needed to continue our journey inland, perhaps to Goondiwindi. The cyclone was looking like it might actually cross the coast in South East Queensland, a very rare occurrence, and that would cause flooding on the New South Wales north coast. Reluctantly, we had to abandon our plans to spend time in that part of the country. 

Tenterfield

20 – 23 October 2024

We left O’Reillys and drove back through Canungra, Beaudesert and Boonah, then back onto the Cunningham Highway. We collected the camper trailer from the caravan park in Warwick and then stopped at a small free campground at Dalveen to have a quick lunch. While we were there we decided to make Tenterfield our next stop so we called to book a site at the caravan park we have stayed at a couple of times before. 

We then continued on towards the New South Wales Border where we crossed into a daylight savings time zone. Queensland steadfastly refuses to adopt daylight savings which makes it very difficult for those living and working near and across the borders.

We arrived in Tenterfield and set up on a very nice spot with some bushes and trees around, and easy access to the amenities. We stay in Tenterfield when we can because Mick has been given access to a great birding spot on private property which is looked after by a local group. Staying fairly close by allows him to get out there early in the morning and go back again for a late afternoon session as well. We had intended to stay for two nights but extended to three. It’s good that we have the flexibility to do this.

While we were in Tenterfield we restocked again – we can’t really carry too much – and started to plan our next destination – Girraween National Park.

There are a couple of nice drives
which give great views of the area

On the road again - Inverell and Barraba

Inverell

6 – 9 November

On our way from Girraween National Park and the markets at Wallangara, we stopped for a cuppa in a park in Tenterfield and then realised that the contact Mick was hoping to go birdwatching with lived in Inverell not Glen Innes as he had first thought. Oh well, on to Inverell it was. We stopped at a nice rest area by a river at Swan Vale (I think). There was a toilet and picnic tables so suited us well. We made our way on the Inverell and settled into a caravan park.

Lots of birdlife around this park. Musk Lorikeet.

Australian Wood Duck in the campground

We ventured into town for some supplies and settled down for another very cold night. Mick had to be up early to meet Ian and it was a bit of a shock to the system to get out of bed in 8 degrees. Mick went out to photograph birds while I did some housekeeping and then ventured into town for a look around. After a good morning out, Mick returned before lunch and then we went back into town for a look at the op-shops using a list and map we had picked up at the Visitor Information Centre. After drinks at Ian’s we settled in for another cold night.

Fuscous Honeyeater

Mick and Ian went out again in the morning while I pottered around the camp. We spent the rest of the day doing some chores and having the local caravan repairer look at the problem we were having with the main zip on the canvas. During the evening a big storm rolled in, with thunder and lightening. We were glad to be able to retreat to the shelter and comfort of the camp kitchen during the worst of it.

About six fox cubs trotted toward Ian's car as it pulled up. We were unable to work out why these very secretive animals would behave in such a way. As they got closer, I moved to adjust my camera settings and they fled at top speed!

Fortunately the rain did not persist through the night so with clear skies the canvas was dry by the time we packed up to leave. We had intended to go out to Kwiambal National Park, but with more storms forecast we decided to move on to Barraba where Mick had read there are a number of bird trails.

Barraba

9 – 10 November 2016

We had a coffee before leaving Inverell and heading for Barraba. It wasn’t a very long drive so we arrived around lunch time. After setting up the camper trailer and having lunch we drove the short distance into town for a look around and to get some information about the bird trails – and to visit the couple of op-shops. There is no official visitor information centre in Barraba, but a sign outside the coffee shop indicates tourist information is available there so that’s where we started. They had a few brochures but nothing on the bird trails although the Tamworth booklet mentioned them and that information was available at the bakery or greengrocer, so over the road we went. The lady in the bakery said she was all out of the bird trails brochure so she checked next door with the greengrocer and he didn’t have any either. She rang the shire office and located some so we drove up there to collect one. It really shouldn’t be that hard.

A storm had been building and it started to rain so we spent some time in the camp kitchen before deciding to go to the local Bowling Club for dinner. What a bargain it was - $15 all you could eat Chinese and seafood buffet. The food was good and plentiful, and this Wednesday special was very popular.

We packed up in the morning with the canvas still damp and headed off in search of the possible location of the Turquoise Parrot. That’s when the trouble started.

Tenterfield

28 February - 1 March 2015

We left O'Reilly's and drove (slowly) back down the mountain. The 30km takes up to an hour - depending on conditions. A short stop in Canungra for morning tea and a look at the markets (not much there) and then on through Beaudesert and Boonah and on to Stanthorpe where we stopped at the visitor centre and also picked up supplies. 

Queensland National Parks require that you book your campsite in advance so we checked the weather forecast and the rain radar, and rang to book. We then headed off towards Tenterfield. As we drove we could see a storm - presumably the very small one we had seen on the radar - and drove into torrential rain. We decided to go into Girraween NP anyway in the hope that the rain would have passed by the time we arrived but it wasn't to be. By the time we reached the park, the ground was muddy, with rivulets running through the campground. There was no way we could stay and camp so we moved on.

The rain persisted as we drove south, so we found a cabin at a nice caravan park in Tenterfield for the night. The rain kept up for a few hours, so we felt we had made the right decision.