Well we are back from our long and heartbreaking trip. Heartbreaking in one way as we learnt the hard way but non the less we made it a great trip anyway...
We were all packed and ready too set off for my beloved Jindabyne to do some trout fishing and free camping .... On the 23rd of April we set off to the Snowy Mountains, cameras charged, bait, food, everything nice and ready. Was sooo exicted we havent done trout fishing for over 10 years and now is the time they stike. So excied happy despite the cold weather and rain we didnt care we were rearing to go.
So along the hume we set off then stopped for some brekky just outside of albury and to tank up. Then it was back on the hwy and heading towards Tumut. The views and sights were just gorgeous... from leaving home at 4am we finally got to Tumut and stopped to take some photos stretch the legs and just embrace the scenery. Off we went on our climb up the mountains and came to the Black Perry lookout which we got a chance to see all the mountains we had already trekked and were yet to treck to get to Jindy.
We decided to stop to see Lake Eucumbene but there was only one entrance and that was via the caravan park. With signs that only designated areas for camping were allowed... meaning the caravan park. We U turned and kept back on the Snowy Mt hwy towards Jindy. Both dad and I started to get a bad feeling.... and larn behold once we got to Jindy we were shattered!!!!
I dont think i have ever cried so much (pretty much all the way to ACT) and was not only shattered but heartbroken that they didnt stipulate on their websites where we have looked so many times. We stopped at East Jindabyne to fuel up and passed so many RV's and campers looking for somwhere to camp. The chap at the servo told dad that free camping is not allowed anymore around Jindabyne you can only go to the designated areas caravan parks or cabins etc they have. We are completely set up for free camping and want to fish by a fire and infront of our RV NOT at a caravan park. No offense to caravan parks but this was not what we spent so much money on. The other thing was trying to find a spot last minute was near impossible they were booked out everywhere and ppl were sleeping by the side of the roads in little car parking spots....
The road that dad wanted to go to has all been marked as rangers come around daily and book people who set up camps. You can sleep in a caravan park but cannot set up camp near the lake anymore. Apprently they only put this rule in a year or so and they are strict on it too. The chap said we can risk it but gauranteed we will not only get fined but asked to p**ss off from the spot if we set up camp. Both of us crushed and with so many people looking where to go to sleep for the night we had no chance with a trailer also to find somewhere for the night. We decided to head back towards the murray where we know we wont be bothered.
I am extremely disappointed that such a popular place has NOT announced anywhere that free camping is no longer allowed. My uncle went 2 years ago and free camped and didnt have a problem. Now laws have changed. So free camping on the Jindy lake crushed my spirit and we just wanted to get out of there! Both of us extremely upset spend hundreds of dollars preparing for this trip only to have to blink and it's gone......
We didnt want to cross the mountains again as it was getting very late and took up over 6 hours to get through it the first time... we headed towards Camberra down the Monaro Hwy.
Arrived towards Camberra we drove until we got back on track to Yass and would sleep there. We stopped at the Yass service Centre with the trucks and ate the yummiest KFC and crashed. After nearly 12 hours of driving and both of us devostated from the Jindy experience we needed to find somewhere to get the right rods for Murray fishing. And try to make the most of a holiday that went so wrong.
Had the best sleep woke up before sunrise we head off towards Mathoura. We got to Mulwala and there brought a new fishing rod and off we went to our draling Murray river where we had the best few days. The trip was awesome i love the road but my heart never sank so low before. I have been wanting to fish at Jindabyne since 2008 when i went passed it, and now again we just passed it!.. It all went out the window. We will go back but have different plans next time. It all would of been ok if we knew this we wouldn't of taken the RV but booked somwhere and stayed, however how we set up and planned for it never worked out.
Non the less tomorrow we are back on the road to the Murray again for some serious Cod fishing! I thought i would share our experience and also a couple of photos (until i return and have time to do the rest)
Happy travelling my dear Nomads and I know this trip will be better than out last one.
A few photos of the trip
The map where we travelled....
Adaminaby NSW
Old Tumut Train station
Our Rig
On the Snowy Mountain Hwy
Black Perry Lookout
We crossed from Left to Right and still over 180kms to Cooma to go eek
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Hugs from the Road Tourers Frank, Liz, Maxx & Steve
Our Fur kids (Pippa, Sash & of course Lara)
"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends.... The mind can never break off from the journey". - Pat Conroy
Thanks Douge
We spoke to a few people who were like us and we're also shattered.
Their website needs to stipulate this so people do go round and round in circles
Nothing worse than getting your hopes up only to be cut down so fast
I don't blame them changing the rules, but inform people it saves money and so many heart breaks
Non the less we ready for our new trip back to the Murray I will post more when we return
We leave tomorrow late afternoon after my partner finishes work and hitting the road
Hoping to catch a nice metre cod so I can have some pictures with and release
You too mate stay safe!!!
Xox
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Hugs from the Road Tourers Frank, Liz, Maxx & Steve
Our Fur kids (Pippa, Sash & of course Lara)
"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends.... The mind can never break off from the journey". - Pat Conroy
Typical of what is happening everywhere. More & more retirees hitting the road every day all looking for free camping. It's unsustainable in the long term. Unfortunately the ''good old days'' are a thing of the past.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
We still have plenty of free and low cost camps I am having no problems finding places to stay , But you can't expect to stay free in the top tourist area were tourist are paying big money to stay there , we stay out from these places and travel in for the day to have a look and than more home to a free or low cost camp works for us .
Thanks Brikies we heading off to the Murray River again up in Mathoura tonight for a nice 8/9 day holiday.
Desert Dweller - I am hearing more and more of people talking about places that are harder for free camps. Shame that certain places are doing this but if they do it should be notified somewhere. Nothing worse to plan for a trip only to have to be disappointed by it. I dont blame places for doing this as it's a $$ based issue but there a lot of people who like to take a trip somewhere, it's only fair to put that information on their website.
We will go back one day but plan it diferently it's worth seeing as it's seriously is a gorgeous place but we wont b taking the RV next time.
johnno48 - :) Fishing made up for it on the Murray but yes it was a downer for a short time.
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Hugs from the Road Tourers Frank, Liz, Maxx & Steve
Our Fur kids (Pippa, Sash & of course Lara)
"Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends.... The mind can never break off from the journey". - Pat Conroy
No offense meant but you really need to do your homework before heading off - it will save meany a heartache. We've been caught a few times arriving at a free camp to find it's closed but now always check with websites like Badgers plus of course this great forum. However it looks like you made up for it - great pictures too.
Good Luck
When free camping you need plan A&B and extra time to travel to B if A is not available , Camps book will show you camps you can stop at in that area of the snowy but they are not free . But lots of free camps along the Murray
