The Journey South

March 9 - 11

Departure for our  journey south to Jindabyne in the Snowy Mts, was 8.30 am. A journey of roughly 1400km, we broke it up into 2 and 1/2 days of travel.

We soon realised we had left the hustle and bustle of city life behind us, once we had climbed the Great Dividing Range at Toowoomba and began to travel the open spaces of the west. Undulating, open, rural  countryside and little traffic. Yes, there were many semi and doubles, but they weren't the villians of the city freeways.

Day 1 - roughly 6 1/2 hours travelling time for 593 kilometres.

Please note the majoirity of these photos were taken with an iphone from a car, usually travelling at speeds of 100 - 110 k/h.

Morning tea was enjoyed in a lovely park in Pittsworth. My thrill of seeing rose blossoms during this trip, began here.

Autumn fields.

 

Millmerran - I can't discover why the lizard welcomed us.

A series of thunderstorms had passed through this area in the preceding few days. 

 The Macintyre River at Goondiwindi.

[In the past few days it has been in full flood.]

This photo was taken by resident Jayne Reithmuller, the daughter of a friend.

We crossed the border into New South Wales, soon after Goondiwindi. 

The Wobbly Boot Hotel at Boggabilla, amused us.

Hopefully there are some very happy farmers.

 

First flooded road, but quite safe to enter.

Second flooded road. It was reassuring to have another vehicle in front of us.

The top photo below has a huge water storage tank. [middle, on horizon]

Below - Mehi River

Crossing the plains to the south of Moree, I was captivated by the clouds hovering over the Kaputar National Park. It has been added to my list of parks to explore.

 

Approaching our destination of Narrabri, a storm cloud filled the horizon. We were fortunate not cross its path.

Thankfully, this brochure clearly informed us of the agricultural use of the area.

Sunflower escapees were often seen on the road edges.

The Namoi River at Narrabri.

Day 2 - 7 hours, 590 kilometres.

Much further south, near Coonabarrabran, the Warrumbungle Range and National Park, beckoned.

It was not to be on this occasion. We had our destination and our car kept cruising across the rolling plains.

The view from the back of our motel at Yass.

Autumn tones of poplar trees in a local park.

We explored Yass before dining at the local RSL. Driving home at 8pm, the sun was beginning to set in the distance. Back at the motel, it was a mad dash for the camera, before it sank. To my delight, even though I was freezing cold, it took over half an hour to dramatically sink in the west.

Day 3 - 3 hours, 250 km.

And the road kept rolling across the plains.

A sign outside Canberra. We were getting closer!

Rain welcomed us to Jinabyne. A quick check of the local forecast, reassurred me that the following day would be clear, for day one of my Ten Peaks hiking.

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