We have a great mix of wonderful people we have met on the road and also some great places we have visited. Fisrt stop is an amazing little town in central NSW. Bingara on the banks of the Gwydir River. Just a note make sure when you enter this fantastic free camp you check weather conditions, this river floods. Before we stayed we heard of a car and van washed away in flood water, so take care.
Bingara, known as the “Gem on the Gwydir”, is a great place to visit. Bingara has clean air, clear skies and a great climate. A great little town blessed with natural beauty. Surrounded by hills, the town rests in a natural amphitheatre. The spectacular Gwydir River, the life blood of the town, pulses through Bingara’s heart. Its beauty is indeed priceless.
Whilst here we camped along the river, through on entry read the signs carefully as at times this river can rise rapidly and has been known to take a van or two that get caught. We parked on the higher side and the view was lovely, can be a little chilly. You may even be lucky to see the odd horse or three roaming around. Speaking of horses we met John Wade.
Wade Horses Bingara (formerly Gwydir River Trail Rides) have been offering guided trail rides along the banks of the Gwydir River for more than 20 years. Locals, visitors, learner riders wanting riding lessons and anyone else smitten by a love of horses and horse riding have come, and keep coming back, to enjoy the ride of their life in one of the most beautiful areas of the region.
Locally owned and operated Wade Horses Bingara boast an excellent team of horses which includes gentle, heavy horse breeds able to carry the largest and smallest riders. From 6 years of age up, all riding abilities can be accommodated as the experienced staff match the mount to the rider’s ability. First time riders through to experienced riders who enjoy a canter or gallop in a safe environment are guaranteed a great time! https://www.bingara.com.au/things-to-do/bush-activities/horses/
Phill and John
Gwydir River Bingara
Uralla, What a lovely country town in the New England Region. Phill talks us through some of the things to see and do in the area. Also this town is famous for Captain Thunderbolt.
Uralla is a town on the Northern Tablelands, New South Wales, Australia. The town is located at the intersection of the New England Highway and Thunderbolts Way, 465 kilometres (289 mi) north of Sydney and about 23 kilometres (14 mi) south west of the city of Armidale.
At more than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level, Uralla’s high altitude makes for cool to cold winters and mild summers.
Boasting a rich history, Uralla has more than 50 buildings and sites of heritage significance which can be easily explored on foot or by vehicle.[2]
The community collectively bought and restored McCrossins Mill in the 1980s and 1990s, and this is now a multi-award-winning museum, gallery and function centre still run by volunteers.[3] This is also the starting point for the heritage walk.
The legend of Thunderbolt is exhibited at McCrossin’s Mill Museum in Uralla and includes the series of nine paintings by Phillip Pomroy of the events that led to Fred Ward’s death.
Thunderbolts Way is a road that extends from Gloucester to Inverell, following much of his original route between the Hunter Valley and the North West slopes and plains. “Thunderbolt’s Trail” is a 4WD fire trail located in the Barrington Tops State Forest which follows part of his original route.
Phill chats with Kent Mayo the curator of the museum as he tells us a little of what can been seen here, take the time to wander the wonderful exhibits, admire the old building that as been restored and view the fabulous painting depicting the last days of Thunderbolts life.
Check out the website for more information and what to see in this wonderful museum. https://uhs.org.au/
Phill outside McCrossin’s Mill Museum
Phill chats with Kent
We make a stop at Emmaville, of the New England Highway this little town has an amazing museum. Phill chats to Bill who is the Vice President of the Emmaville Mining Museum.
The historic village of Emmaville in the Glen Innes Highlands is home to the Emmaville Mining Museum, the dream of Mr and Mrs Jack Curnow who ran the Emmaville bakery.
After closing the bakery in 1969, they used the shop to display their vast collection of minerals and photographs.
Their collection was bequeathed to the community in the hope that the town could start a museum.
The local council purchased the old Foley’s Store in Emmaville and volunteers began remodelling the building to house the Curnow collection.
Today, the Museum that houses the renowned Curnow mineral collection is also home to the Jillet, Gilbey, Ellis, Schumacher, Trethewey, Hermann and Maskey collections. In all, there are over 4,000 mineral and gem specimens.
As the collection grew, the Museum expanded. Out back is Foley’s General Store Museum, a replica blacksmith’s shop, an old wood-fired bakery, and a machinery shed filled with old mining equipment.
There’s the interior of a hessian-lined miner’s hut, a collection of over 400 photographs of the old mines, miners, and the Emmaville community, and a beautiful 1,500 bottle collection. Its a great place to visit and spend an hour or two pocking around the museum. https://emmavilleminingmuseum.com/
The museum
Phill and Bill chatting
We make a stop into the Ingenia Caravan Park at Mannering Park. A nice park on Lake Maquarie. Sites are nice and flat and the ammenities were great. There is a jumping castle for the kids as well as a great camp kitchen and pool. Plenty of day trips at this central location to Newcastle, The Hunter and the Central Coast. We stopped into Caves Beach and Phill had a chat with James and Alex, local surf lifeguards and spoke about the dangers and things to look out for when entering the surf. https://www.cavesslsc.com.au
Phill with James and Alex
