We departed the Rally ground and travelled about 40 kms out towards Wee Waa to Yarrie Lake, a very pleasant place, about a mile around the lake, we decided to go around the other side from the main amenities to a lovely secluded sandy beach with a shelter and were to stay for one night but stayed three nights, just lovely with beautiful sunsets, very relaxing,

From here we went further west to Burren Junction where there is an Artesian Bore Pool we have previously not reached, so went for a look, looks OK with a few motorhomes camped, the council are doing some work in the area so perhaps in a few years it will be a nicer area, we then took a corrugated sandy road south through to Pilliga, this was 38kms and saved us going 118kms round the sealed road, it was quite slow but that was OK.  Spent the night at Pilliga where there is also an Artesian Pool, we did have a dip but the pool was a bit ordinary. 

Next morning we travelled over dry, flat country sighting some emus in a paddock, flowering cactus, think it is has to be quite old to flower as not all of it flowering, dry creeks and dams and birds feeding on road kill.  The next small town was Coonamble with a population of 3,000 and a lovely old Catholic Church with a flowering Jacaranda tree, they are so beautiful at this time of the year and plenty around.  We then took a minor road through the Warrumbungle’s NP, up and over the ranges, some unsealed.  For miles and miles we drove through blackened bush showing some signs of regeneration where bushfires had ravaged in January this year, pleased to see that lots of repair work is being done.  We have fond memories of lots of bushwalking in this beautiful area in 2008.  Luckily a big observatory up the top had been saved.  As we came down the range there were a number of private observatories and lots of novelty mail boxes at properties on the roadside.

We came through Cootamundra and on to Binnaway – nice camp spot along the river, facilities, even power, volunteers do cleaning etc, and we were happy to leave a donation in appreciation.  This small town had an unusual old silo with a large roof area, lots of facilities, showground, bowling club, swimming pool, saleyards, a few closed shops.  Since the railway line had closed the town have preserved the railway signs and put them into a garden in the centre of town, nice.

On towards Coolah, at the T intersection of the road we found a Drover’s camp with hundreds of head of lovely red cattle around a waterhole, a beautiful sight. We don’t come across too many of these in our travels, but they certainly are still around. 

Just out of Coolah is  the “Black Stump’, yes there are about 3 of these around Oz, think we have checked them all out, we thought there was a Hotel at this one but only a Rest Area with a black stump and plaque telling the story. 

At Coolah we booked into the Home Base Caravan Park which was bought a couple of years ago by Janet Kelly a friend of ours and her partner Graeme to develop into a base for RVers, the idea is to purchase shares in the place, build a little cabin or cottage and have a slab on which you can park your RV, travel around with somewhere to come back to.  Your cabin can be let out while you are away if you wish.  The concept is going very well, a lovely park with nice trees, gardens and neat cabins etc.  A great camp kitchen with facilities used daily for Happy Hours.  We enjoyed ourselves so much that we decided to stay 4 nights instead of 1.  Caught up with some friends we had met in the Solos who live there permanently, had a really fun time.  The Sunday night was celebrated by 19 of us at the local Sports Club for an amazing Chinese Meal.  Tuesday was Melbourne Cup Day, a luncheon had been booked for about 15 at ‘The Top Pub’ this had TAB and organized Sweeps, a TV in the dining room also, we had another lovely meal and a fun day.  Some of us wore a head dress to add to the festivities!  We didn’t win on the day but Emma (granddaughter) won on the sweep I put her in.

We reluctantly left Coolah, what a great time we had with lots of lovely people, thanks all for your company.  On through nice farmland, again taking minor roads, we are trying to travel on roads we have not travelled previously, not always easy without going on unsealed ones, quite dry.  Gulgong was our next town to visit ‘Stacks’ an amazing old type store with everything imaginable, I spent some time there!!  On to Mudgee where there are some nice horse properties and lovely vineyards and wineries.  We checked out Windamere Dam on the way which is the domestic water supply for Mudgee and Gulgong.