Half MARAthon In A Van

Finally hit the road north for some sun. We had intended to leave a month earlier. We applied for our pension 12 months ago, and endless back and forth with Services Australia, and having to re-apply after our initial rejection, we were finally give the thumbs up at the end of June. Oh joy of …

Back in November last year at Eddie’s 70th birthday celebration, a group of St Elizabeth’s parishioners and primary school  parents forged a friendship that is growing stronger today. Many of us have caravans and some have been traveling our wide brown land for many years in a variety of vans. As the night unfolded, we …

  Made tracks for the final leg back home. First stop for a break is Holbrook. Formerly known as Germantown, after a German immigrant became the first publican during the 1850’s. During WWl, the town was deemed unpatriotic, and was re-named Holbrook, after Norman Holbrook, a decorated submarine captain and VC winner. Now bypassed, it …

Leaving Gosford, we quickly link up to the Newcastle Expressway. Nice traveling on multi-lane roads, very easy  and driving is more relaxing, especially on busy routes. This motorway enables us to bypass Sydney’s busy suburbs. This is the first time we have used the new tunnel which enables us to link up with all the …

After a lovely few days in Tamworth, time to hit the road 0n our way to Gosford. My brother Tim, who also has a van, has lived hear for many years since his retirement after a working lifetime in the RAAF. Stopped at Lake Liddell for a snack, which is just south of Muswellbrook. Big …

We really enjoyed our time in this part of the Northern Tablelands. Head south towards Tamworth, via Uralla, a small town with characteristic buildings, early settlement history from the 1840’s, discovery of gold and the infamous bushranger Captain Thunderbolt. Other towns are Bendemeer, before a steep descent from a 1000mtr to 400 mtrs in the …

From Tenterfield, we head south on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. The elevation along this section is 1000mtr plus above sea level. The first major town after leaving is Glenn Innes at a 1062 m, with a population of 6000. Original owners of theis region are the Ngarabal people. The region, Gindaaydjin, meaning “plenty of …

After a pleasant stay at the Goondiwindi race track, we head south crossing the Macintyre River into NSW. We follow the Bruxner Hwy, via, Boggabilla, Yetman, Texas, Bonshaw, fill up with fuel and onto our final destination for the day, Tenterfield. A warm day, passing through winding valleys and rolling hills. Bonshaw is a small …

Morven Head east towards Roma 270klm away. Morven is one of the nearest rural towns with a population of over 200. The only hotel in town was burned down in 2016. At the time of early settlers, water was at the top of the list. There is a waterhole here, named after the first arrivals, …

Left CharlottePlains towards Cunumulla, then north towards Wyandra. Just over 200klm, so an easy drive today in beautiful sunshine. First stop was in Wyandra, a rural town dating from the 1860’s when Frederick Weaver formed the Claverton Downs pastoral run on the Warrego River. Wool and grazing was the main industry during this period, with …