{"id":5121,"date":"2020-08-22T20:28:15","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T10:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/?p=5121"},"modified":"2020-08-22T23:17:17","modified_gmt":"2020-08-22T13:17:17","slug":"aug-2020-western-nsw-part-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/cewilson.offroader.com.au\/?p=5121","title":{"rendered":"Aug 2020 – Western NSW – Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After an interesting fire season, we planned to travel across to Port Lincoln to visit Keith (Loryn’s brother). The idea was to go via Broken Hill and then come back via the Hay plains. COVID-19 restrictions resulted in border closures, necessitating a cancellation of our plans. Indications initially hinted at the border reopening from the start of August, so we tentatively pencilled in mid-August as an available date. Unfortunately the border opening did not eventuate, so again the plans went out the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternative options were explored, for example Tasmania or Queensland, but again border restrictions came into play and negated these ideas. We then looked at completing a Darling River run instead, which is what we based this trip on. You will get a laugh as you read through the trip report, as rain changed our plans through the middle portion of the trip – although I will say the rain is great news for those out that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, please grab a drink and enjoy at least the pictures of a pretty good 12 days away from normal life \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Departing home at lunchtime after finalising loading the vehicle, we headed west along the Oxley Highway. The weather was wet and windy, so we weren’t setting any land speed records along the way, but it was quite enjoyable because the road was relatively empty of traffic. Driving through Long Flat, Mount Seaview and over the range was quite uneventful other than an occasional reaction to a branch on the road due to the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We dropped into Aspley Falls, just short of Walcha, to have a break. We were also hoping that the recent rain would result in some water flowing, as recent trips during the drought has been heartbreaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Aspley Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Continuing along the Oxley Highway, we travelled through Walcha to the intersection with the New England Highway. Turning south we headed to Moonbi Lookout with the weather just being clear enough to get some photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      Moonbi Lookout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Arriving in Tamworth, we headed up the hill to the Oxley Scenic Lookout before checking in to our accommodation for the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Oxley Scenic Lookout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        We finished the day with a nice quiet dinner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Day 2:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        First night on holidays, great plans to relax\/rest and enjoy ourselves – and a certain 2 year old little girl decided it was the perfect night to be a little cow!!! Thankfully we had a short day planned as we wanted to look around Tamworth before heading up the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          Big Golden Guitar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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          Heading over to the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame, it was disappointing that it was closed due to COVID restrictions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n