I moved on from camping at Gum Bend Lake, near Condobolin, yesterday after a couple of excellent nights of fine weather - chilly mornings but lovely sunny days.
I usually stay away from the major highways but the best way to Dubbo was through Parkes (to refuel) up the Newell and I was astounded just how many vans there were heading south. They must have outnumbered trucks by four to one. It was almost a constant procession.
Often they were travelling in threes and fours, with just enough gap between them. The poor truckies caught behind me at 90kph could not get a clear road ahead to pass. I was almost constantly on the CB letting them know I was going to pull over for them to come around me. They were very appreciative.
Called into the awning repairer at Dubbo, and got the quote and everything sent off to insurer. Camped last night at Terramungamine Reserve about 10km outside Dubbo which is in Camps 6 - showing as no limit, but in CAW website updates it shows 72 hours limit had been imposed last April. When I arrived there it had a large red sign with bold white writing stating "One night stay ONLY". I will put up a report and some photos of Terramungamine in "Campspots" sub-forum soon.
I understand the council has closed the Dubbo Showgrounds for camping, so this is probably a bit further pressure from the Dubbo CPs.
Tonight, and for the coming week, I have decided to luxuriate in the Narromine Tourist Park, 40km west of Dubbo, while I wait for the awning fabric to be delivered. I am one camper of only three as I write this - a good clean park - $25/night - allowing pets.
Cheers - John
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Many Victorians are also deeply religious and they need to get back for their main annual religious festival. I think it's called "grandfinal" or some name like that.
But its still cold down south! I thought they all went north for the winter?
We were in a huge caravan park in Charters towers in September a few years ago, the weather was beautiful, and the park was amost empty. "The season is over" the manager said, and we thought that everybody had gone south much too early.
Many Southerners head home from the warmer climates during September to get chores around their homes competed before the start of the Lawn Bowls Pennant season at the beginning of October.
But its still cold down south! I thought they all went north for the winter?
We were in a huge caravan park in Charters towers in September a few years ago, the weather was beautiful, and the park was amost empty. "The season is over" the manager said, and we thought that everybody had gone south much too early.
Same in WA Gerty, you need to be north of Carnarvon for the fine weather from about April to mid/late September, they call it the granny season over here, oldies going north for their arthritis or just to keep warm etc.
A lot are moving down from the north now for the wild flower season, but those already arriving down south are copping all the crappy weather like in any southern state in Oz.
PS: I always knew Jimricho was a "religious" man, lol !
The Victorian southern mass exodus was very evident on the Landsborough and Mitchell Highways yesterday was we lunbered north to Emerald. Thousands of Vic registered vans tolerated the poor quality of the highway to get home. I'm parked at Lake Maraboon for the night to catch up with rest, washing, showering etc, as well as my computer commitments. By the way, they are catching red claw by the hundreds here in the lake using potato, pumpkin and manderin as bait. The birds are very busy feasting on the flowering trees and shrubs. The sun is warm, but the nights are still a bit cool and dewy. Heading home tomorrow.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
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