We managed to link a few days together across the back end of Easter. We had been discussing the Dubbo Zoo and various surrounding attractions for quite a while, and with our limited time available we decided it was time.
Day 1
We picked up Ellie and did our normal run down to Sydney to join Les & Helen. No fancy pictures, just a dual lane highway and cruise control, with probably a Bluey movie in the background 🙂
Day 2
Ellie’s day out with the grandparents. Loryn & I just get invited because we bring the child 🙂 In all seriousness we try to go somewhere for Easter and have lunch in different places. This year we headed up to the Hawkesbury. First stop was Yarrmundi Reserve.
We continued up the hill to the Hawkesbury Lookout for lunch
After lunch we wandered through Springwood to the back of Glenbrook, where we turned down Mitchells Pass. Lennox Bridge opened in 1883 and is the older surviving stone arch bridge on the Australian ‘mainland’ 🙂
Wandering back down the hill we stopped at the Nepean Naval Maritime Museum. Unfortunately they were closed, so it’ll be a return trip in the future. However this didn’t stop Ellie from having some fun 🙂
In all a very enjoyable day touring around some areas I haven’t visited for quite a few years.
Day 3
Sydney to Wellington via Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange. Minimum of 19 metres elevation and a high of 1,410 metres. Throughout the day we climbed 5,233 metres and dropped 5,029 metres – as you can imagine the vehicle had a work out.
The run across Bells Line was fairly uneventful other than the usual idiots that can’t corner, but sure can floor it on straights and overtaking opportunities. A quick stop at Lithgow to stretch the legs was certainly a welcome.
We continued on to Bathurst where it was a quick shopping trip then a play at the Adventure Park. I only just realised that the only picture I have of Bathurst is of lunch, but then again we’ve down a few trips now and it was just a quick lunch stop.
Another hour in the car saw us stopping at the Adventure Park in Orange. Like the one in Bathurst it is bloody amazing – hopefully one day Port Macquarie can catch up to the rural communities.
A quick diversion up Mt Canobolas was good to open up the lungs
Dropped down the hill and decided to walk up to Towac Pinnacle Lookout
Stopped at Molong to grab some food for dinner, and took the opportunity to have a quick look.
The entrance to Wellington Caves was worth a stop
We finished the day off with a wander around the caravan park and cooking dinner. All in all quite a busy day for a relatively short distance.
Day 4
A relatively short day only travelling 80km’s for the day, but quite full in content. Huge difference in elevation today – minimum of 272 metres and maximum of 438 metres. We started the day off looking through the information centre.
We took the opportunity to do a cave tour – kinda seemed silly not to, considering we were there. The guide was really good, and had all (kids and adults) involved.
After the tour we went for a wander through the Japenese Gardens
We stopped in Wellington for a wander around town
Mount Arthur looked like a good option on the map, however upon arrival we decided nup, not doing that walk. The Oxley Lookout wasn’t too bad though.
Across to Dubbo with surprise, a stop at an Adventure Park, although we managed to convince Ellie to walk through the gardens with us after lunch.
We headed across to the Old Dubbo Gaol
We finished off the night with dinner at The Vietnamese House – if you haven’t been, put it on your list.
Day 5
No travelling, but a bit of walking – it was off to the zoo for us. Pictures are going to tell the story – the words in short = amazing
Nicely tired out after looking at only 1/2 of the zoo, we retired to the RFDS Visitor Centre out at the airport
We finished the day off at Okami Japanese – again bloody beautiful food. Ellie had a good go at using chopsticks, and as the photo shows – we might have had some fun with icecream 🙂
