About twenty K's South of Coonabarabran Left side Heading North are the Hinkley Falls. Rest Area. I've stopped there a few times and it's an OK overnight stop if you freecamp. Just off the road. I am always hopeful that it has been raining and actually has a waterfall. Not as yet. Then the Australian Telescope at Narrabri. A little out of town and a couple of floodways to slow down for but well worth a look. I have been told that the Movie "The Dish" used one of the radio telescopes there as The Dish instead of the one at Parkes for some reason. Never knew if that was true as I haven't seen the movie. I think there are Five dishes on Rail lines so they can use them as one Giant dish 

I've been told the Hot Spa's are worth a visit. 

Peak Hill seventy K's or so South of Dubbo on the Newell has a cheap and cheerful CP. I think it was $29 for two on a powered site. Toilet block has heated floors which are great on a cold morning. A walk up to the opencast mine is worth a look.

-- Edited by Yuglamron on Sunday 23rd of September 2018 07:29:41 PM

Free camp Forbes near the waterholes.

Wellington Ponto Falls free camp. One here Wellington, not stayed there myself, on good tip, caravan park on the river at low cost rates.

Premer donation camp

Casslis showground, bowls club, good value.

Gunnedah showground caravan park best this side of Australia.

Willowtree sports ground donation.

Molong, Canowindra, cheap as with free washing machine.

We do cheap things look for lookouts, picnic along side streams/rivers and go for drives.

Central NSW is gold field for cheap caravaning we lov it. Start your journey with a camp at Broke or Jerrys plains then stop for morning tea in Denmam or Merriwa both rate high on our list for a treat.

Binnaway has great low cost camp right in town, if you are a little adventurous Bylong good for an overnighter.

There you go that should see you on your way.

Hook up to wiki camps for more. Throw a dart at a map of the area 90% chance of a very low cost camp.

Peake Hill CP is tops (but it has limited caravan spaces)- free pancakes at happy hour!

To see - the CSIRO radio telescope at Parkes; I've always wanted to have more time to case out the scope at Coonabarabran but haven't yet. The Warrumbungles are worth a look too. And if you can watch "The Dish".

wow, thanks so much everyone for the input.
That's going to keep me googling for sometime.

I won't be going to forbes now but was planning on starting at parkes and heading north-ish. I may not have to get to gunnedah yet but will know before then.
A mate and his missus have suggested they might be interested.
I am looking forward to the trip solo though, so if they don't work out, its no biggie.
I wish I could take the dog with me but I wouldnt be happy leaving him for long periods inside the van etc.
Since my little buddy won't be keeping me company, I'll have to settle for a fire (if allowed) . What do you do for firewood out that way ? I'd prefer not to have to carry any if I don't have to.

It sounds like Peekhill and gunnedah both need to be at the top of the list.
As an try hard amateur astronomer, I'd like to take in the dish (seen the movie) and it was also recommended to me to go to slippery spring observatory, plus the others.
I'm also considering taking a telescope or 2 along.


Yug, I'd love a waterfall but unless something special happens rain wise, I think my experience there will be much the same as yours. Still I'll pray for some rain and might get lucky. If I do , I'll grab you a pic :)
*thanks for the tips Pete

Radar, anything cheap will be right up my ally. I've love for at least one night to be river side for a camp.


I've never been to the zoo doug, but seems the rest of australia has. So its the main priority for getting out there.
A friend said he and the wife didnt like it and did it in 20 minutes. Even if I have to sit and watch the ants, I'll be making a day of it.

W&P the scopes are second on my list with the zoo. I would like to do parkes and coona. I think I can make that work.

Stew, I'll see if I can track it down.

My apologies.

Firstly Hickey Falls not Hinkley Falls and I cannot make the photos smaller.

Ponto Falls at Wellington [ near Dubbo ] is a really nice free camp. Highly recommend it. Rod.