I've just spent the last 4 days down at the free camp at Texas on the Dumaresq river with 8 or 9 of the grandkids and what a great place. You camp right on the river or further back if you desire with plenty of room. Lots of firewood within walking distance, skip bins at the entrance and a free camper friendly town to boot. Must have been at least 70 or so campers there and room for heaps more. The grandkids had a ball in the river which was running freely - they even caught a 1.5kg cod plus yabbies and shrimps. Non stop fun and new experiences.
The town itself acknowledges the value free campers bring to it and provide spotlessly clean toilets and hot showers free of charge in the main street. A council cleaner (lady) was cleaning them when we visited and I commended her about how clean they were. Shop owners are not out to gouge us either - we went into a cafe and selected a flavoured milk each (9 kids +4 adults) plus hot chips - the shop lady said that this would cost a lot and maybe she could add some flavouring to 2 @ 2 litre milk containers for much less money!....would this ever happen in the big smoke???....we bought the flavoured milks anyway.
2 op shops as well plus a certain magic this town has. I know others possess it as well but this trip just captivated all of us.
I lived near there a long time ago. Sounds as though it's very different now. Wouldn't have supported even 1 Op-shop back then, let alone 2. No such thing as a free-camp area then either. I'll have to go back and check it out again one of these days.
Sounds great ... We have not bothered with Texas in the past other than a quick lunch stop at the pub as we were not until now travelling in a self contained motorhome. How far from the town to the free camp? ... Much easier if walking distance. Many thanks
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
You both look slim and fit but it's a fair hike for motorhome people. I reckon at least 2Km walk each way.
The town itself is very RV friendly, great service, coffee & cakes in the little café down the hill.
A lady comes around in a small chiller van selling properly processed meat that is very good quality but the meat from the butcher in town was very disappointing, grocery shopping was quite good.
We spent a week there and enjoyed every day. Friendly other campers, which is usually more the case at these places than in CP's. I don't know why this is. Maybe CP's residents are unhappy because of the over the top cost.
Sounds a great place indeed Denis and Joy. I have never been there (yet) as my auto pilot always seems to be heading no where near there. One day it will happen for sure. Keep Safe.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Thanks TommyG - and thanks also for the "Slim and Fit" compliment ....... will have to do the 2klm both way trek now to live up to your post ........... alternatively may just have to send Charlie and I'll stay put and admire the scenery!!!
Cheers
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
Texas has received many good reviews in the past. It is on our travel list this year.
Sounds like the town will live up to its comments by other G/N.
Jay&Dee
You both look slim and fit but it's a fair hike for motorhome people. I reckon at least 2Km walk each way. The town itself is very RV friendly, great service, coffee & cakes in the little café down the hill. A lady comes around in a small chiller van selling properly processed meat that is very good quality but the meat from the butcher in town was very disappointing, grocery shopping was quite good. We spent a week there and enjoyed every day. Friendly other campers, which is usually more the case at these places than in CP's. I don't know why this is. Maybe CP's residents are unhappy because of the over the top cost.
We regularly stay at Texas on the Qld border - sometimes 3 times a year
It's 1,6km from the site to the 1st supermarket on the main street corner ... so 2km up to the PO & other supermarket would be "pretty right"
We have walked it - it's okay but there's no footpath & you're walking along the painted fog-line
Heaps of local shops, none of the big 'n boring brand-name shops, a dump point at the council yards and the council-owned caravan park provides the town laundromat
Great little town newsletter called the MacIntyre Gazette printed by one of the shops also
Several good eateries, pub lunches, a very fine restaurant opposite the pub ... all good stuff
We spend quite a bit of time in Texas , usually start and finish our trips there
Another interesting building to look through is the old rabbit works .
The history of the place is amazing and the town is in the process of renovating
all the machinery back to working order . Really worth a look
Cheers
I've actually been lurking on here for a fair bit of time. I got a laugh out of this post because I'm actually from Texas...Houston, Texas and have been in Oz for 30 years now. Believe me that Texas isn't as great as you might think (the other Texas that is)! Lots of illiterate rednecks and mosquitos in the US Texas
I've been getting my finances right now that I'm single and retired. I've decided to buy a farm in the Lower Hunter valley of NSW after I sell my home in Sydney. My home is huge and totally too big for one person so I'm selling and buying a farm. I plan to offer my new place to GN's as a stop for any that might be passing through.
Mrs shonky and I spend about 5 weeks per year in Texas - probably one of our favourite three towns.
FYI it's one km to the first supermarket from the free camp, and the local op shop provided free chocolate bunnies to all the campers in residence on Good Friday. We counted about 80 rigs present.
Had to buy a new awning while on the way to Texas - asked the supplier to send it c/- the local hardware shop. I then called the hardware shop to let them know what was happening. Got a call two days later, collected the awning and they almost didn't accept a six pack of Peroni heavy in appreciation. Great people, great town.
