29/1/23
We decided we needed a bit of a getaway so we took a look at the gaps in our Australian travels and decided to take a look at the Barrington Tops. Just a few klms inland from Taree it's a spot we've always driven around and never stopped at before.
Coraki was our first stop. Just a couple of hundred klms away from home.
The camp spot is right on the riverbank and offers lots of space as well as power and water.
A quick setup and we took Bruce for a walk along the riverbank. On the way back we walked along the esplanade and came across the Club Hotel. It was closed some years ago, but it's still standing and looking impressive until you look at the doors on the side of the building.
Yep - everything seems to have slipped somehow and the building has sagged, but they just rehung the doors.
Further along on our way back we stumbled into the one pub that is open and checked out the menu for tonight’s dinner and sampled the beer and cider.
We returned there at around 6:30 and enjoyed a good feed and some great country hospitality.
30/1/23
Wauhope was tonight’s destination. We planned to stay at the Showgrounds but they were limited to 20 rigs and had no more space so we drove on to the Timbertops campground where, for $15 a night, we found a temporary home. Water was provided, so we had no issues there, but not power. Still, we are self-sufficient in that area so it wasn't a problem.
Spacious and flat it wasn’t a bad choice at all.
We’d driven through rain and it followed us here but it stopped soon enough and we were able to sit out and chat.
31/1/23
Today we reached the area we were aiming for and we selected a camp on the Cobark River as our next stop. In the foothills of the Barrington Tops it is an idyllic farm stay and we had the place to ourselves.
We parked up on the high bank of the river (safer than the low bank with all the rain that’s around) and just kicked back and absorbed the views.
Here are a couple of pictures of the view from under our awning. Just beautiful and peaceful!
1/2/23
We didn’t have enough cash to pay for the camp fee and they didn’t take cards (there was no mobile reception so card machines would not work), so we drove back to Gloucester to remedy that and to check out a delightful little town.
People seem really friendly and helpful and we picked up some tasty looking things at the butcher.
The information centre told us that the old state forest had been absorbed into the Nat park
A couple towing a camper trailer pulled in and parked up a respectable 100 metres away. Nice people.
Bruce was walked along the river again and we had a relaxing and pleasant evening.
2/2/23
We found that the hoped for State Forests had recently been taken over by the National Parks people so our hopes for being able to take the dog into some beautiful areas were dashed.
Given that we were unable to actually see or do much as a result we decided to move on and we trundled off from the campsite at about 9am and headed up the steep road up, and through, the beautiful Barrington Tops. The road included about 50km of unsealed road and we came across a grader maintaining it.
It is a truly stunning part of the world and watching the flora change as we ascended was intriguing.
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The road was a bit rocky in many places but it was solid and we just drove it slowly.
It was pretty straight once we got to the top too.
The flora also changed as we dropped down the other side. This time into much drier areas.
The small towns we passed through had some quirky elements. A pub called the Linga Longa was one.
Eventually we reached Scone and filled up at the public water point.
We made our way to the rest area but it was so hot, around 35 degrees, that Karen was just melting so we moved on to the local caravan park to get some power for the air conditioning.
Scone is a nice little town. Well kept and tidy and with a decent pub. Below are a couple of pictures of the main street through town. This was taken on an early morning dog walk so it was pretty quiet.
3/2/23
Barraba was decided as our next night's stop.
It was not what we thought - we expected a town that we had stopped in before, but we had mis-remembered and that town (not too far away from here) was Bundarra.
Never mind, the caravan park (it was still hot so we wanted air conditioning) was quirkily pretty good and the town had a decent enough Pub although we had to sit outside with the smokers.
There was a Chinese restaurant at the bowlo across the road from the van park, but it didn't appeal so we cooked at home and sat and chatted.
4/2/23
The next morning we packed up and headed off again. The weather seemed cooler so we thought we'd fine a free camp for the night.
The journey took us through Inverell (where we shopped for supplies and had a coffee) and then Glen Innes before we reached the Bluff Rock rest area. This wasn't much more than a bit of car park a little away from the road, but there was a toilet and shade and views of the eponymous rock so we parked up and settled in for the afternoon and night.
This is a picture of the Bluff rock itself, together with the toilet and a shelter shed:
Some Victorians joined us there but they weren't overly chatty.
5/2/23
There was nothing keeping us at Bluff rock so we saddled up and headed for Foxbar Falls (near stanthorpe) with the drive taking us through Tenterfield and then Stanthorpe before we arrived at Foxbar Falls.
It's a beautiful place and we set up for the next couple of nights at Jack's Corner.
This is our camp site.
6/2/23
The next day we decided to head into town and have a look round. It hasn't changed much although there is more water around than there used to be - thank you La Nina :)
Bruce took the opportunity to take a swim and cool off.
We couldn't visit the area without calling into the local Brewery. We enjoyed a drink and I bought a six pack to take home.
Tasty!
7/2/23
Time to head home today so off we went to unpack and wash the van and 4WD and settle in back at home.
It's been a good trip.
