Where to Next

1st -3rd October

Departing Lightning Ridge heading south we decided to follow rural roads and not main roads. We are quite surprised at how green everything is up here. They have obviously had regular rains and now that there is plenty of growth. We have also seen more emus around here than we’ve seen anywhere. Lots of young ones as well. Must be a good breeding season.

We pass through some good grain areas where crops are looking good, large grain storage facilities, cotton storage facilities, small towns, some thriving some only just surviving, saw painted silos, murals and some relics of old homesteads. The drive has been very enjoyable with great views around every corner.

(P:-As we drive over the next hill and around the corner we go from what appear to be good grain crops to poor, with some not making the harvest and being cut for hay. I was amazed how variable it has been, district to district.).

A short stop in Condobolin to view the “Utes in the Paddock”, a very quirky tourist stop. Local residents nominated members of Condobolins youth services to represent their artwork and culture in this quirky exhibition. (P:- A line up of Holden Utes that people have let their Imagination run loose on- if ya are gunna have art well this type of art is for me! I have seen a few similar installations in our travels – the “Cadillac Car” row in Texas and the “John Deere” tractor row in Kentucky.

Along the way Philip spots a large old timber Woolshed off in the distance. We pullover and park and he gets out to take some photos from the fence line/gateway. Then just as he is about to get back into the truck a guy in a Ute with his kelpie on the front seat pulls up and asks what he’s doing. Philip explains the we love old Woolsheds and he was just taking some photos. The guy told him to drive in and have a good look. “The rear door is unlocked, feel free to have a look inside and enjoy”. We find out that this is the Naradhan Woolshed on Morwell Station and although it is not used anymore it has been kept in great condition. What a treat to be able to wander around. The smell or sheep and lanolin still clings to the timber and if we stand still we can almost hear the sheep, the Shearers and the rouse abouts echoing through the stalls. This has been a highlight for this part of our trip. (P:- Naradhan Wool Shed built Circa 1888 and is in beautiful condition, originally a 30 stand hand shear shed ( Imagine the “Click Goes the Shears” sound! When shearing was mechanised it was converted to a 14 stand shed, (all the old chutes and pens from the original days are still all in place) machines driven by an overhead belt system, originally by steam engine then later a Stationary gas engine. 4 generations of wool presses still onsite along with a fantastic amount of old shearing equipment still in the shed ( some in place, some stored, which tells the story of the evolution of shearing Merino sheep in Australia. How kind of the owner to allow us to explore!

We continue on the Barellan where we are just one of about 1000 vans/campers that are on site for the Barellan Clydesdale Horse festival which officially starts tomorrow (Friday).

Friday dawns chilly but clear and we are ready to see what this show has to offer. First stop is to watch a lady talking about riding side saddle, very interesting and very etiquette based, from clothing to saddlery to mounting the horse. Then we wander around the stalls selling all things horsey, stock whips, saddlery, garden art etc. At 10.30 we walk the short distance into town for the Grand Parade. The highway is closed off and the horses, camels, mules and oxen make their way down the Main Street towing carriages, carts and wagons, along with cattlemen and women on horseback. A wonderful display of times gone by. (P:-This is the second time I have been to this festival -one not to be missed if you like “Rural History”. I can only just remember “Beauty and Topsy” the last two draught Horses on our South Road Family Farm. This festival is loaded with dedicated friendly historians who just love to show their animals and share their knowledge. Old horse drawn implements demonstrated, Drays, Traps and Carriages, Wool Wagons, Paddock Rollers to Cobb and Co Coaches were all there being demonstrated. A hi-light of the festival was the Grand Parade of all of the above down the Main Street of Barellan. The traffic stopped, the Road trains waited ( the main st is also the Highway thru the area) as the four legged spectacle took ownership of the main street. The sight and sounds of 28 Bullocks pulling a wagon and 32 Draught Horses pulling another followed by the Cobb and Co Coach harnessed to beautiful heavy horses will leave a lasting memory! A highlight of the festival was the harnessing of 62 Heavy Horses to a loaded wool wagon all controlled from the wagon ( that’s a long set of reigns to the lead 4 horses) Evidently 62 Horses harnessed and used is a world record!)

Back to the Showgrounds where we watch the Outback Stockman show and then later in the evening James Blundel and Lockie Cossar perform for several hours.

Barellan is also the birthplace of Evonne Goolagong. She was ranked as world Number 1 women’s tennis player during the 1970-80s.

Saturday we have an early start heading to Geelong to catch our “cruise” back to Tasmania. We have a 700klm drive plus a bit of visiting to do on the way. With a stop in Bendigo to see Kevin and Isabel. Touristing has stopped and it’s a straight run through. We stop just before the Spirit Terminal to have some dinner and a stretch of the legs, then on to boarding.

After a smooth sailing we arrive back in Tasmania and head for home.

We have travelled just under 17,000 kilometres. Showed some Aussie highlights to three of our grandchildren, caught up with friends and family along the way. Drove some of the worst roads we have ever travelled and enjoyed every minute.

(P:- been great to do a “Half Lap of Aussie” as diverse and distant as it is! As I often say “ ya just Gotta love Aussie”!)