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Skipworth Reserve Trip 2019
  • Rob and Pam T
  • Rob and Pam T

Skipworth Reserve Trip 2019

This trip will take us from home to near Jameison, Vic to Canberra, Sydney and back home. We intend to travel the western roads after a week stopover in Brisbane. Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 12, 2019
    Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Heading off.

    March 12, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    After a busy few weeks getting the camper trailer ready for this trip we are ready to depart. Final departure time was just before 3pm. Our rough plan is to head to Boynedale bush camp for the night, rather than the previously planned Wongi waterholes camp.

    Originally this trip was going to be a quick run via Brisbane to visit relatives in Canberra. Simple and easy? Well Canberra is not actually far from Melbourne, and we also have relatives. So an additional bit was extended in the end. Not too much extra, drive down, drive back after a visit.

    Might as well head back via the high country as that is not much longer.

    Soon we had an interesting trip planned for Brisbane, Melbourne, high country, Canberra and back home. This info passed on to camp Melbourne. Seems that the Melbourne crew felt they would like to have a week or so camping somewhere a couple of hours out. A place has been chosen and all the previous plans adjusted.

    We won't go to Melbourne now, and the high country is out for now. There's just the matter of fitting in a music festival at St Albans and a few days in Sydney to catch up with relatives there.

    Turns out the dates for Sydney coincide with a special deal in a van park near Narabeen. That happens to be close to where we want to be so that is now booked in. $144 for 4 nights is a great deal for us. One advantage of being able to travel in the off season now we are retired.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Wongi Waterholes Camp.

    March 13, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C

    This place was spectacular. Stunning waterholes with quite a lot of birds.

    We arrived early for the 2pm set up so went for a walk and had lunch. Then we set up our camp.

    Lunch was interesting. I was serving out and was suddenly swooped by a kookaburra who took all my ham from the plate. He and a few of his mates ate the spoils before retreating to the tree in case I was careless. Several attempted swoops were fruitless.Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Logbridge Creek

    March 14, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    The road we had driven in from Howard was the shortest way from Gympie. It was not the easiest way. Typical non maintained forestry roads with no sign age. We went the wrong way a couple of times but with help from Google we managed to get to the camp.

    The way out was much better and we made good time back to the highway. Just on from the camp was another of so many scenic spots. The shallow water here was home to many wadi g birds.

    Next trip to one of the two camps here we will avoid the poor forestry tracks and go on the better road in.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Camping in a van park.

    March 15, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    My old mate Luigi had a novel description of rain like this. I won't repeat that here but it is certainly bucketing down and Luigi's descriptive saying come to mind.

    We arrived at about 2:30 and commenced a full Monty set up. As we were halfway through I observed what looked like an approaching storm.
    It bucketed down. The kind of shower we had in the bush when there was lots of water. Then it blew and huffed until the pegs began to yield. Luckily only one let go.

    Fortunately we had everything set with the waterproof tarp over the sleeping area. Not having any side walls in was probably a good thing, as later the wind tried hard to blow it all apart.

    Water was soon pooling everywhere and the nice square neat rigout had to be lowered at each corner til the pools of water drained. It was like a fire hose held by a demented fireman letting us have the full force.

    The FX department threw in some lightning and thunder. Great bolts of million volt flashes constantly firing at mother earth. Then sheets of fiery light racing across above us with the sound right on top of us. This happened several times and pretty much scared the bajeesus out of us each time. After nearly an hour it eased of to a bit of spitting.

    Then the rain started again. Steady soaking rain. The kind you just can't get dry in. We will be heading to bed with the patter of rain on our tarp. Hope it does not leak too much. Everything is getting wet.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    A very wet couple of days.

    March 18, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    It has now fined up. The sun is out and the batteries are being charged at last.

    We endured several more quite heavy storms. The only thankful aspect was there was very little wind. As the ground got more and more soaked the pegs all started to yield. Larger pegs replaced standard ones and finally some had to be replaced with huge soft ground pegs. Remains to be seen if they will be easily removed or not. They did take a bit of effort to drive in.

    Family has visited and we managed to have lunch before another shower of rain. That was also quite heavy for a while. Later in the afternoon the annexe and fly tarp were adjusted for the night ahead. This time only a little very light rain. By this afternoon everything should be fully dry again.

    Trouble is though, more storms are predicted for most of the time we are here.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Eating out in Brisbane

    March 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    During our time in Brisbane, we only dined out a couple of times. The most memorable will be a "Gastro Pub" in West End. For anyone wondering a Gastro pub is a place that serves high end beers and food. These guys had 18 different beers on tap. This place is a revamp of a very old factory building. Apparently the part that is now the bar and restaurant is was the main storage for a shoe company many years past.

    The shoes were actually made next door. Since the building does not look like a typical storage building I suspect it was something else before that. The place is called London Fields. Big thanks to family who arranged the evening as a gift to us.

    Yesterday, dining of a quite different kind. We were visiting good friends and conversation drifted as we reminisced about the dining we recalled in our younger days. Chip sandwiches were mentioned and my friend said he had not had that experience for a long time. For me it had been many years. We remembered the white slices of bread, way too much butter to be healthy and a huge stack of chips from the shop. This delight has to be firmly squished down before tucking in.

    The new tiger bread worked well and we enjoyed a trip down memory lane. Our wifes were not so enthusiastic, preferring to chip dip in Mayo and naked chip chomp.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Packing up after a week in one place.

    March 24, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    One of the downsides to camping in one place for 10 days is the inevitable packing up. One tends to spread out a little and that all has to go back into containers and suitcases. Today is wash day and a bit of packing up of the items we won't require before we head off.

    This after we will shop for a few items but since we are not off the main areas this trip we can buy food and any other needs along the way. Most small towns are fairly well stocked with many IGA supermarkets to shop at. Prices are usually a little more than major cities but don't ever seem excessive. Fresh fruit and veggies is sometimes more scarce though. We can easily carry enough water for a week or two.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Near Goondiwindi Airport.

    March 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    On the way in to Goondiwindi, just opposite the airport were interesting sculptures made from welded scrap metal. A huge sculptured crest included the words, Goondiwindi, resting place of the birds".

    Over on the corner was a very nice area highly decorated with plants and sculptures. I particularly liked the way old spark plugs were used for the dog, s teeth.

    Beyond all this and before the river was a large lagoon recently topped up by the recent rains.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Aboriginal Rock Wells at Weengallon

    March 26, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Aboriginal Wells are found in many places across some of the most inhospitable lands of the Australian continent.

    The Wells at Weengallon are filled from seepage of artesian water from great distances underground. The levels of water are higher than some of the surrounding terrain.

    These Wells were culturally significant and allowed tribes to traverse seemingly impossible areas.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Thallon Silo Art and Wombat

    March 26, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Another example of Silo Art. We have seen this art first a year or two ago at Patchewollock VIC. This one was very well done and worth a look. Only thing is that you can't get really close.

    The giant wombat statue is the hairy nosed wombat. This structure is interestingly designed to be claimed on.Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Dirranbandi

    March 26, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Dirranbandi is a very small town. Supermarket, hotel and bakery. They have managed to create a very nice park and appear to be constructing a significant Anzac memorial.

    We enjoyed the park for a short lunch break.Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler
    1

    Hebel. Last camp in Queensland.

    March 26, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Hebel is very close to the Queensland border. A camp on the river here is quite good but as one finds in sheep country the flies are epic.

    Every activity is hampered by swarms that seek out bodily moisture in eyes, nose, mouth and anywhere else they can. Today I have resorted to a fly veil.

    Event hough the day was overcast there was a spectacular sunset. Rich deep reds that painted a full panorama, this is one of the most spectacular sights so far on this trip.

    Pictured is our camper at night as it was at our Hebel Camp. The second picture is an unexpected sunset from the camp-site.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Lightning Ridge, NSW

    March 27, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Many hopeful miners have ventured to this area in search of the black opals. Some made it rich, some busted and others just hung around.

    Once the kind of town you would expect to feature in a movie script, Lightning Ridge has a colourful past. Today the mining is large highly mechanised big money operations. The rules are strict and compliance is out of reach of most small operators.

    Tourism is the new vogue and there are the cafes, accommodation and high end galleries to prove it. It is still worth a visit if you are heading past.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    The Big Emu

    March 27, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Stanley was meant to go to Birdsville. The tyranny of distance and lack of people to bring him to life there meant he ended up residing at Lightning Ridge. He looks towards Birdsville, his ancestral home.

    If you look close you will see that Stanley's body is actually a Volkswagen Beetle. The sculpture must have been a mammoth task.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Box Cowal, Nygan, NSW

    March 28, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    As we drove along towards Nyngan, our destination for the day, we saw an interesting water body. There were some tracks winding down to the water so we drove over to check it out.

    Later research found the water to be called Bix Cowal. Suspecting Cowal to be descriptive we found that a cowal is a shallow lake or depression that supports vegetation. Fairly recent rain has the water in a magnificent state.

    There are a few birds here but as usual after rain they tend to spread out. At the moment there are grebes, little fly catchers and honey eaters. As the day gets later there may be other visitors.

    When we arrived there was a crab shell on the ground. These freshwater species are common in the inland rivers and billabong. They survive up to six years drought by digging up to a meter into the muddy banks. The burrow is sealed and they remain dormant until the water returns to the waterholes.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Cobar, NSW

    March 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 28 °C

    We arrived at Cobar in the mid afternoon. Right at the start of the town was a huge wall to let us know where we were. Since we had not yet had lunch we decided we would make use of the picnic tables. We set up and were just about to eat when the rain started.

    Not just a puny little shower but the kind that can wet you to the core on 30 seconds. We had to move back to the second table to avoid getting very wet. The rain lasted around 20 minutes, lunch was done so we went for a quick look around.

    The first stop was the mining and heritage display by the side of the road. Cobar was, and still is a copper mining town. The display shows the old shaft head frame and the winder system. A little away are some other interesting displays and information. Later on our way we went to the lookout to check out a view of one of the current mines.    Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Devil Rock, Cobar NSW

    March 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    A short drive out of town past the old reservoir, is Devil Rock. This place is considered evil by aboriginals. The burnt out commodore seems to support this feeling.

    On the way back to town we took a look at the reservoir. As is the case in many of the areas we have travelled on this trip, water supplies are very low.Read more

  • Rob and Pam TSkipworth Reserve Trip 2019Traveler

    Cobar, NSW Open Cut Mine

    March 29, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    On the way out of Cobar driving south we decidsd to take a short detour to the lookout. It was a fairly easy drive up a bit of a hill.

    At the top we parked the car and walked up a little further to a viewing platform. It was completely fenced and fully enclosed by wire mesh.

    We soon found out why. This structure was perched right on the very edge of the huge open cut pit. Around a hundred or so meters sheer drop to the bottom. It offered an unbeatable view of the mine.

    Over the years many tunnels had been dug in the area in the search for copper ore. Eventually big mining companies dug a huge hole taking the copper rich ore away for processing. The old tunnels from the past can be seen in the faces of the huge open cut pit.

    Eventually the huge plug of ore was all mined out so the mine has followed the seam with a new underground shaft. We watched as a huge haul truck emerged from the drift tunnel. He stopped for a moment to tag out and began the long haul up to the top. The diesel engine growled and protested all the way.

    In a few minutes he had dumped his load of ore and ground his way back down. He tagged in and quickly disappeared down the tunnel.    Read more

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