We stopped at Balranald in the free camp at the back of the information centre.
Visited the Southern cross museum where a local gave a very long talk about this plane and went for a walk over the swing bridge and along the Murrumbidgee river.
Day 2 Balranald to Leeton
We looked through the discovery centre in Balranald before leaving, which showed local history and information on the Yanga national park and the Mungo national park.
Then across the Hay plains seeing crops mostly cotton, cattle. sheep and emus.
We left the highway at Darlington Point and moved to the road north and across to Leeton.
Day 3 Leeton
A half day of shopping and washing followed bu a look around town at the art deco architecture including roxy theatre war memorial , water towers , Hydro Hotel (1919)which had a lovely interior including stain glass windows and the Government offices (1938) now the museum which we explored learning about the water systems and Murrumbidgee irrigation systems to this area which grows cotton and a large variety of fruit much of which is used for canning.
Day 4 Leeton to Griffith
A short drive to Griffith and we set up camp at Lake Wyangan 10 kms out of town.
We spent time at the info centre reading about irrigation system and crops and industry in the area and saw the canals of the irrigation system running through the fields and town .
This was followed by a great Italian meal in town at Il Corso Cafe. Prawn risotto and Gnocchi.
This area has a large Italian community that set up in the area after Ww2 and responsible for all the farming of crops etc.
A walk around town buying some lovely focaccia bread and bits and pieces from the Italian deli, La Piccola Grosseria and purchased some Murray cod from Aquina seafood.
Day 5 Griffith
We started with a drive around the lake , then in to town for morning tea and trying some of the italian cannolis at Bertoldos Bakery, then down to Zecca for homemade pasta where we got some Tagetalli and bought John a jumper at a local shop.
We went out to De Bortoli wines for a few tastings and bought two bottles of wine.
Lunch was a pasta and gnocchi at Little Italy.
We then went to Catania fruit salad farm for a interesting farm tour and lots of relish , mustard, jams. nuts and fruit tastings followed by purchases of oranges , jam and mustard. the tour was run in a metal bus…very quaint.
Our plans to see some outdoors of Griffith foiled by the drizzling rain today.
Day 6 Griffith.
The day started with fog over the lake but later the sun came out.
We went to Hermits cave lookout and walked to the cave where Valerio Ricetti an italian immigrate who was jilted became a hermit in a cave building walls between the rocks and gardens to sustain himself.
This was followed by The pioneer village which was old building and junk but an interesting section on the wine makers of the area and an Italian section.
Another italian lunch pizza at Belvedere restaurant then viewed the seven stone sculptures made to celebrate 100 years in Griffiths history. Our favourite the one by Germany.
Our final stop Calabria wines, and another small purchase, then home to the van for a fire .
Day 7 Griffith to Goulburn
We left Griffith and went through Ardenthan known as the town of the Kelpie
and after a walk along the statues it was past all the canola fields to Temora for the night.
A free camp at the old railway station now a museum which was closed. Previously a gold town then a railway town it is mostly wheat and canola framing area now.
Day 8 Temora to Goulburn
We headed east through small towns Harden , Binalong then south to Yass . Here we didnt like the free camp so headed to Goulburn for a very cold and windy night.
Day 9 Marulan and visiting Rob and Fiona
A lovely lunch dinner and breakfast and nice to catch up with my old podiatry friend and his wife.
Day 10 Marulan scenic drive through to Crookwell and back to Goulburn
Marulan is the only town on the 150 th meridan, and after we looked at the small township we followed Brayton road from Marulan which turned into a dirt track called Swallow Tail track. We passed great scenery and went over a small bridge covered in a small amount of water before arriving at Barnaby. A echina a surprise see along the way.
Then across to Taralga , Laggan and onto Crookwell where we saw woollen socks being made and we bought some, had lunch at the pub and visited the archieve section of the memorial hall getting info on Rexs family tree who came from Crookwell and Bigga.
Harden silos and Binalong murals
countryside near Crookwell and mural , church at Taralga
Day 11 Goulburn
A morning washing then a drive through Goulburn a photo of the Merrino ram and visited their expensive shop and a visited to the Rocky hill war museum and Memorial with great views over
Goulburn.
Day 12
Today we undertook a scenic drive south east then north of Goulburn.
The drive went to Bungonia first then onto Tallong first going out to the longpoint lookout over looking bungonia np and the shoal haven river.
Next was Tallong township , it is known as the big apple as the area used to farm apples pears and cherries now only Jims apple orchard is here. We had lunch in a cafe here.
We drove up to Badgerys lookout which is 6 kms from town. A similiar view to longpoint lookout.
Then crossed the highway onto Inverary rd which turned into dirt going over a small bridge where flooding had damaged the road recently and then through farm gates to towards Towang. The road into Towang was closed and we didnt bother going around another exit so stayed on highway and back to Goulburn.
Some lovely scenery , lots of farms and dead wombats on the road everywhere.
Day 13 Goulburn to Brooklyn
Lunch and dinner at the Mooney Mooney club and free camping in their car park.
Our last day of travel, back to my daughters , time in Brisbane with my son and all the grandkids, then home.
SUMMARY
A great trip , approx 9000 kms and over $3500 in fuel. Approx 50/ 50 perc free camps to caravan parks, parks were generally when we stayed longer in one spot and washing was done.
Highlights were the Flinders ranges, Oodnadatta track and Griffith.
