Chapter 13 - Trip Home

Day 92 – Wednesday 4 September 2024 – Mitchell to St George - 212 km

A chilly start of 7 degrees meant that the diesel heater was started - for the first time in over two months - at 6.45 am. There was not a cloud in the sky. A few birds heralded the start of the day.

We took our time and headed out from Mitchell around 8:30 am. A short time later we stopped for two photos of sculptures at "Arrest Creek" that depicted the arrest of Australia's last bushrangers - the Kenniff brothers.

Statues depicting the arrest of the Kenniff brothers.

The road was quite good quality but narrow such that I had to get off 6 or 7 times for road trains. That approach reduces the chance of stone damage to our car & caravan. We stopped for a coffee on the side the road. We did not pass through any towns.

Mitchell to St George Road
Above - Closer to Mitchell

Below - Closer to St George

We reached St George (pop. 3130) and crossed over the 'Andrew Nixon Bridge' which doubles as the bank for the Jack Taylor weir, on the Balonne River. The bridge in the photo below has been under flood water more than once. In one flood the Balonne River was 25 km wide.

Andrew Nixon Bridge over the Balonne River

During one of the floods the Murray Cod below got caught in the flood debris.

Murray Cod Sculpture

After setting up camp we went for a drive around town, took a photo of some art and had an iced coffee and a milkshake. It was time to relax.

We stocked up on diesel and were bemused to notice that we paid $1.76 less than two days ago in Roma and now BP in St George are asking $2.18. We opted out and found a place that charged $1.99.

We cooked outdoors and dined indoors after watching the sun set through the magnificent trees along the Balonne River.

From where I write this blog we are 1400 km from home, via the shortest route. However the navigator has again rejected the shortest route - so stay tuned.

Day 93 – Thursday 5 September 2024 – "Smelling the Roses"
St George to Mungindi (NSW) - 223 km

The sun rose on another magnificent Queensland day, without a cloud to be seen. 

Although we travelled 223 km today we are only 130 km closer to home. That was because we stopped to "smell the roses".

Phase 1. Our departure was around 9:30 - very late for us. No reason, we just did. Our first stop was Dirranbandi, 96 km south of St George. 

The flat road south

We noted the art, drank the great coffee, chatted to a couple of locals and bought a Russian cake (a speciality of the cafe where we had coffee.

Above left - The Dirranbandi Dandy

Above right - Tom Dancey, winner of the Stawell Gift in 1910

Below - The old railway station and some art

Russian Pryanik
(Honey spiced cookie)

Phase 2. From Dirranbandi we headed 65 km due east, retracing 20 km of the phase 1 leg, to Thallon. Some country was lush, some was not. Most was flat.

Our first photo was of the art silos that featured last year in our travels.

Then we went hunting for the sculptures that were dotted all over town.

Above - Northern Hairy Nose Wombat is close to extinction
Below - Sculptures around Thallon

It took us a while but we found the murals under the railway bridge, which were found at the end of a 900 metre walk along a track. It was worth the effort.

Above - Railway Bridge over the Moonie River
Below - Murals under the bridge

Lunch then happened at Thallon.

Phase 3. From Thallon we headed 40 km south to Mungindi (pronounced "mung-in-die"). Population - 487 people in New South Wales and 124 people in Queensland. Again we were impressed with the quality of the grain crops that we have seen a lot of in recent days - mostly barley. Many are irrigated.

Mungindi is unique in that the town sits both sides of the NSW/Queensland border. So you can program your GPS for Mungindi in NSW or Mungindi in Queensland.

Barley crop

Mungindi soon appeared and we stopped for a coffee beside the Barwon River. A kingfisher and I had a tussle over a photo opportunity. I think he won. He/she looked superbly colourful in flight.

The Kingfisher and the spot across the river where it sat for the photo

A local identity (Tony 'Nicko' McMillan), who died tragically at 54, has had 11 of his sculptures installed around the town. The following is what we saw.

Black Cockatoo & Pterodactyl

Antman, Kangaroo, Turkey

Razorback, Turtle

Today's Route

Our day ended at the Mungindi Caravan Park after an enjoyable but busy day. 

We went to bed in NSW after 82 nights in Queensland. We rarely return to Queensland after crossing in NSW near the end of a long trip.

From where I write this blog we are 1282 km from home, via the shortest route. However the driver & navigator have agreed that the route home is still dynamic. Discussions are continuing.

Day 94 – Friday 6 September 2024 – Mungindi to Moree 123 km

The caravan was away from the main road and any railway lines, but not away from restless local dogs, local drivers, the resident rooster and other country town noises. So I was out of the shower by 7 am and Shirley was in it soon after.

It was 11 degrees at 7 am. The van moved off the site at 8:30.

Our first stop was to see the last two sculptures that we had missed late yesterday. Both were impressive.

Red & Blue Brolgas and Chinaman

In a contrast to yesterday the rest of the day did not involve much at all. We drove 123 km to Moree (pop. 7700) via a mostly very poor road, saw lots of crops and had alternatively head and tail winds. We are now 123 km closer to home.

Moree did not really impress, although some of the street art was very good.

The lure of an artesian spa made the decision for us, so we booked into the Moree G'Day park, had lunch, relaxed and had a 41-degree spa. That was our day.

Day 95 – Saturday 7 September 2024 – Moree to Gilgandra - 315 km

A big day was not planned so a late start heralded the format for the day. It was the second time this trip that Shirley beat me to the shower. Around 9:30 we departed Moree after filling up with diesel and getting a 10 c/l discount.

The first leg was 99 km to Narrabri (pop. 5500) and for around 95% of the journey we discussed the various types of crops that were a constant beside the road - barley, beans, wheat and canola - maybe others. The views generally had mountains in the distance.

Typical Moree to Narrabri view, looking east

A coffee was had at Narrabri, then on we pressed. This 118 km leg to Coonabarabran was more forest than crop, and much of it damaged by fire in recent times. We crossed a mountain range.

Fifteen km before Coonabarabran (pop. 2387) we caught up with a huge & slow load that took up both lanes of the road, allowing nothing to pass either way. They turned off just before Coonabarabran .

Typical Narrabri to Coonabarabran view, looking south

Lunch and a short walk gave us a break.

The third leg to Gilgandra (pop. 3126) was 93 km. Soon after leaving Coonabarabran we caught the wide load again. Fortunately for us they soon pulled over and let traffic pass. The load was pulled by two prime movers.

This leg of the day's trip was a combination of the first two - flat, hilly, forest, crops. Most of the road for the day was of a good quality.

Our journey for the day ended behind the Gilgandra Railway Hotel in a free camp (for patrons). We checked out the counter-tea menu then went for a walk. It was 28 degrees. There were eight motorbikes outside the pub - an indication that the beer was good.

Gilgandra Railway Hotel

We later dined at the 'Railway' and enjoyed the drinks in the sunshine under the front verandah (behind the above white car) and the chicken parma inside. We both struggled and failed to finish the salad.

Parma & Beer at the Gilgandra Railway Hotel 

The pub was doing a roaring trade with thirsty customers (mostly outside), meal patrons (mostly inside) and many take away pizzas. The pub had Ned Kelly & farm implements themes.

Day 96 – Sunday 8 September 2024 – Gilgandra  to West Wyalong - 321 km

An early sprinkle of rain got me moving earlier than was expected. Shirley followed suit. The day was again split into three segments.

An impressive Gilgandra mural

Part 1 was 135 km via Dubbo to Peak Hill (pop. 768) where we had a great muffin and an ordinary coffee. The countryside was undulating with crops still prevalent.

A view that we saw often throughout the day

Part 2 took us through Parkes to Forbes (pop. 9300) where we found a great discount store coupled with fresh food. Shirley found some wool and I found some fruit. Somehow we also walked out of there with a box of hot chips.

On our way out of Forbes we spotted the Forbes Wetlands - a superb habitat for birds and other native fauna. The area has sculptures to add to the appeal.

Above & Below - Two views of the wetlands

Shirley and her Lizard Bodyguard

Two residents of the wetlands

The final leg of 105 km got us to the West Wyalong Showgrounds, where grey nomads were continually arriving. West Wyalong has a population of 3326.

It had been a pleasant day's drive through mostly rich pasture and crop land - some sheep, few cattle. The early sprinkle turned into a sunny afternoon around 20 degrees.

We relaxed for the remainder of the afternoon.

The following two photos show how the sky colours can change from pre to post sunset.

Above - Pre-sunset at 5:36 pm

Below - Post sunset at 5:58 pm

We are 595 km from home.

Day 97 – Monday 9 September 2024 – West Wyalong to Benalla - 383 km

A chilly night forced the heater to be switched on as soon as I got out of bed. Again the day's journey started around 8:30 am, and again the trip had three legs.

The first leg was 135 km to Narrandera where we were impressed by the three murals on the water tower, which is visible from most parts of the town. There is a story about the three individual murals. Click here to learn more.

Narrandera Water Tower

A coffee was had then on we ventured onto the second leg of 161 km. A strong headwind chewed into the diesel as we lost count of the canola crops.

Canola on the left, clouds above

Sculptures at Urana gave us a smile and caused a few photos.

Above - A grazier, his sheep flock and his horse

Below - The horse

Tower and Spider at Urana

The town of Daysdale also had their sculptures.

The State School at Lowesdale added a shearer to the mix, with the school children each donating a part of the 'fleece'. The sculptor also created the above spider.

Two views of the life size Lowesdale shearer

We bought a pie at Corowa and moved into the third leg. That took us to Benalla where we camped for the night. It was to be our first night in Victoria since 4th June.

Day 98 – Tuesday 10 September 2024 – Benalla to Home

A pleasant start to the day in Benalla, a visit to Woolworths, and a pleasant drive down the Hume. We were parked at home by 12:30 pm.

Another great trip.

Trip Summary and Wrap-Up:

• We were away for 97 nights and 98 days, just on 14 weeks.
  Last year it was 102 days.
• We travelled 10300 km, around 105 per day.
  Last year we did 11607 km an average of 113 per day.
• We used around 1340 litres of diesel at an average cost of $1.88.
  Last year the average cost of 2007 litres was $1.95. 
• The range of prices was $1.63 to $2.10 per litre.
• We stopped at 30 venues - at an average cost of $43.80 per day - $10 more than last year. Sixteen of those stops were for one night - which means that we were probably in transit from one spot to another.
• We had a lot of beach walks.
• We had less campfires and campfire dinners than last year, but the quantity was OK.
• We saw an enormous amount of art in metal and mural and other formats. We did not love it all, but most of it was appreciated for what it was, and the effort involved.
• We had a hell of a lot of fun, while seeing some of the great parts of our great country.
• Our mishaps were minor and did not define our holiday.
• We caught up with family in Townsville and the Gold Coast.

This chapter and the trip are complete. I hope you enjoyed the journey. 

If you have enjoyed the story maybe ring someone who is overdue for a phone call, or give someone deserving a hug, or grab a glass of your favourite drink and ponder how big and how great this country is.

This chapter is now complete (apart from some minor edits).

Last updated at 9:30 pm Wednesday 11 September 2024

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