As the heading states, we're heading off on our first big trip in a week or so. We're going to Moulamein nsw to visit Russell's mum, Mildura to see his brother and then Melbourne to see our sisters.
We've decided to head down the NE hwy and back to Brisbane via the Newell hwy. We used to live down south so we've got the Riverina and northern Vic covered. We've travelled the Newell numerous times, but we've never seen anything, just passed it all. So we're keen to hear about great places to visit and free-camps for our home trip (Feb sometime). . Most importantly though, we've never been on the NE hwy. Considering it'll be mid January and school holidays, we really need some advice on where to go (where to avoid) , what to see (cheap /free) and awesome free camps, especially where we can swim if it's stupidly hot.
Reading back it seems a lot to ask for Lol, but if anyone can help, I'm sure you guys can.
Thanks in advance.
Julie
ps: We're leaving mid January, and coming back mid to end Feb.
Be very wary if you choose to stay at Dubbo, we were in a camper trailer there and during the night while we slept, we were robbed. It wasn't the first incident there, we found out there was a robbery the night before we arrived and a week previous. There have been more since. The crime rate there is so high, it is such a shame as there is so much to see there.
Enjoy your trip
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Blessed is the cracked for it is they who let in the light.
Get your map out and check out the free/budget campsites section on this site - some really good spots, off the main roads, if you want free or low cost camps.
Rough out your trip on the map, then see what is nearby where you will be!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
On your way back up there is a great free spot at Forbes, on the edge of the lake full of pelicans. Walking distance to town. Has toilets and dump point in the first part of the park. No camping allowed there. You need to go past that to the second part of the park.
Terramungamine is another great free camp beside a river just north of Dubbo I think. Very safe at both. Both on the Newell.
Another great spot is at Ardlethon just of the Newell, about. Kilometre. Small historic town. Overnight parking behind the public toilets next door to the bowling club. Coin in slot for power. Half way between Nerranderah and West Wyalong.
Leaving Brisbane to go down the New England Highway (great choice) Deepwater (4.5 hrs) is always good and I like on my first day out to make it a short one to help you settle into the drive or go wee bit further to the Duck Ponds just before Glen Innes (5 hrs) has running water. There is a cheap caravan park in Uralla (6.5 hrs) have not used it for a few years off to the right going in to town. My next thoughts would be Bendemeer (40 min further on) now this is a top spot.
Now I have dropped the time bit. My next thoughts would be Chaffey Dam near Tamworth (I have not stay there). I would imagine that from Tamworth you would be heading over to the Newell Highway at Coonabarabran where I have stayed at the caravan park on your left near the showground going in and found it low cost.
Coming home from down south when you get back to say Narrabri swing to the right about 10 ks out towards Bingara via Sawn Rocks (google it) all tared road most map show it as unsealed but I was on it few weeks back it's good. Bingara head towards Yetman a small place with a grassed caravan park, have not stayed but in the back of my mind. A long to Texas Free camping along the banks of the river looks good. Then head towards Warwick. Taking your time to enjoy this off highway drive is great, no traffic, very little trucks if you do find them they great drivers. Hope this helps in your planning.
If you have the luxury of a portable computer (we use a Tablet) have Wiki Camps put on it to run when off internet. has some good advice at your finger tips for camp sites along with user friendly maps. Cheers
As OldBob mentioned Tamworth holds there Country Music Festival around Australia Day and things become premin priced around that time and you had stated that you were traveling soon, you may find a few campers in the overnight areas on the way down towards Tamworth but that's part of the travel game.
With you traveling further a field should not bother you to much.
Enjoy the scenery and the experience. Cheers
-- Edited by Radar on Monday 6th of January 2014 08:58:47 AM
