Go Go Kerrs in Oz: 25th

A very special day in the Australian calendar started as a very special day weatherwise. Clear blue skies and a minimum temp of 11 degrees greeted our waking eyes. We left Tamworth after a leisurely start and travelled through very quiet streets heading out along the Oxley Highway. We had a plan as far as direction to go but no real sense of how far we would get. The temperature climbed quickly to a very pleasant 23 – 25 degrees. The country west of Tamworth is very flat grain growing country for the whole distance to Gunnedah. Ian’s concern regarding heavy transports being on the road today was soon dismissed. It really was very quiet traffic wise.

After Gunnedah the road became less friendly climbing slowly to 650 metres and uneven in surface and alignment – not so friendly for driving. Farmland gave way to bushland apart for small areas of Milo cultivation. We stopped for lunch at a beautiful creek side park in Coonabarabran. It was full of local families enjoying the holiday and beautiful weather. It made us think longingly for our own grandchildren and wish they were here.

Then off along a greatly improved road through Gilgandra to our destination for the night. Our final stop for the day was true bliss in the bush.

We have stopped at Terramungamine Reserve, a council reserve honouring a significant aboriginal site approx 14 klms north of Dubbo. It is on the banks of the Macquarie River. There are about 20 campers (caravans & tents) here tonight and it is one of the most beautiful free stops we have experienced. We arrived at 3:00pm and since then have enjoyed walks through the surrounding park and sat sipping coffee looking out over the tree lined river banks as the sun set. In the park we saw aboriginal relics -axe sharpening rocks where they sharpened axes & spears in worn grooves in large boulders next to the river. An abundance of birds fill the area. Other campers set up camp fires and sat around together. The temperature was a mild 23 degrees at 4pm so one might possibly get a glimpse of the peaceful setting, - so relaxing. God’s creation is simply awesome!!

This stop was so good we have stayed on for a second night.