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Post by JBJ on Dec 1, 2011 15:36:26 GMT 10
Hi All
I think its time something definite was done about getting definitely organised for this trip. So I worked what is a reasonably simple 4 day trip, staying in big towns, & at pet friendly parks.
This is what Boots & I will travel, so anyone that wants can join in, or if anyone wants to go another way, please put it on the Forum under its own thread. Then people can decide what they want to do.
Firstly I think much over 300km is too much for a days travel.
The overall on this trip is 1127Km from Brisbane, & 1031 from Alstonville
So I propose first night at Glen Innes. 270 Km from Alstonville, 366 Km from Brisbane. 3 pet friendly parks on first glance.
Second night go to Gunnedah. 285Km. Pet friendly park there.
3rd night Dubbo. 264 KM . Several pet friendly parks. Maybe a rest day to tour the zoo if interest is there.
Next day to Cowra. 212Km. Nice easy trip.
So lets see if any are interested in doing this as a group, & I'll then look at making some preliminary bookings.
Remember, most of the fun in travelling is being part of a group. You dont need to travel indian file, but its more enjoyable to stay loosely together. Lots of towns to look at, craft & antique shops, food, & we can arrange specific visits to feature sites as we are going, if anyone knows of good places to look at.
I didnt want to go right out west to Moree on this trip, as I've been there a few times. Thats the reason I suggest Gunnedah, to get away from main highways.
I havent looked at the trip home yet, but I'm thinking of a different route, heading closer to the coast, taking in some areas most dont travel, but still on good roads. The hilly bits can be a bit hard to sort out on return trip. But I thought I would organise one way at a time.
JBJ
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Post by JBJ on Dec 3, 2011 18:43:40 GMT 10
Hi Rod,
Its not a problem Rod. I've got in pretty early, & most probably havent put a lot of thought into the finer points of getting to Cowra & back.
Whether anyone else travels with us or not, we will still have a ball. 2 hot rod pickups towing old vans on a couple of thousand Km round trip, so why wouldnt it be fun. At least with your sicks cylinder Chebby with us, Boots wont be nagging me about travelling too fast. That will be a nice change.
I think as time progresses people will start to think about how they are going to get to Cowra. Caravan parks dont have to be booked too far in advance, & if theres no one with us with dogs, we get a bigger choice of where we stay.
Not that I have any problem with people travelling with their loved pooches. They are great company for a lot of people, & its certainly better taking them with you than paying big bikkies for kennels, like we have to do with Boots cat.
JBJ
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Jellybean
Full Member
Any weekend away is a good weekend!!!
Posts: 392
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Post by Jellybean on Dec 3, 2011 19:52:14 GMT 10
Looks good Dennis. As we haven't been that far south we are looking forward to seeing as much as we can on the road trip. We aren't sure how much time we can take off yet but we want to spread the journey over a few days so it is more relaxing. It's always good traveling in an old car knowing there are mates along the way with you. John
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Post by JBJ on Dec 3, 2011 20:51:33 GMT 10
hi John,
By the time you travel down over 4 days, or 5, stay at Cowra 5 days, & come home, you are looking at just over 2 weeks. Its a relatively short time, but it definitely can be hard to organise time from your own business.
I had that same problem on previous Nationals trips to South Australia, but after the first trip I realised that the travelling both ways was nearly as much fun as being at the destination.
So now I just force myself to close up my business for a while, & enjoy the time off. You only get one go at enjoying every day.
JBJ
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Post by humpyboy on Dec 4, 2011 7:55:27 GMT 10
Hey Hey Hey Rod, it's called living within our means ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D only kidding Dennis if you didn't buy all them old vans you'll have more dosh to put towards a nice car, can't win can ya
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Post by JBJ on Dec 4, 2011 8:05:58 GMT 10
Hi Doug
I used to have Chevs, but then got smart & changed to Fords.
I guess its what you like to drive, & are happy with. They all can be fantastic, or 10 seconds later rotten mongrels.
Still better than J** J**k & 4 wheel drives. Only 4 wheel Drives I ever drove( from memory) were the WW2 Willys LHD Jeep I learned to drive in, & a real old stripped Landy on a farm used as a shooting buggy, again when I was a kid.
JBJ
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Post by humpyboy on Dec 4, 2011 8:26:11 GMT 10
Hey Dennis as I've said in the past it don't really matter what breed they are they're all good and as you say it's what the owner likes (to put up with) to each their own, be a boring world if we were all the same would'nt it
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Post by humpyboy on Dec 4, 2011 15:53:46 GMT 10
Wod,Wod,Wod, I hope you're not refering to me when you ask "Humpty, are you joining us on this section of the tour to the nationals Hope so" I'd rather not drive all the way North only to turn around and come back South again Cheers Derk.
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Post by 1954homemade on Dec 4, 2011 18:35:24 GMT 10
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for starting up the pre-nationals tour thread.
I expect that I will do the tour in one direction only, as I expect that I will spend some time down in Sydney before or after the Nationals whilst I am down south.
But I won't know if i am a definate on the tour until closer to the time as it will be work dependant.
Hope you and Boots have a great Christmas.
Luv Di xx
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Post by humpyboy on Dec 4, 2011 19:27:34 GMT 10
Humpy, after I posted that post, I rushed off and found that Gippsland is your place of abode. Lest you might think that I am a bit dumb , I quickly made another post to correct my previous post and then it would seem that I didn't press the post button to post my latest post Still with me Guess that means that I will have to wait a little longer and be content with meeting you at Cowra. ;D Rod I guess so.
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Post by humpty2 on Dec 5, 2011 18:38:58 GMT 10
I haven't made any plans yet ;D ;D ;D
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Post by philouise on Dec 7, 2011 15:57:27 GMT 10
Sounds good to us.
Main item would be which day you leave, of course, but the route is the one we (and where is ) would take.
We will probably return via Pennant Hills and up Higway 1. (about 40km shorter - where is))
JBJ - which is best - Casino to Tenterfield to Glen Innes or Casino to Grafton to Glen Innes.
Cheers Phil&Louise
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Post by JBJ on Dec 7, 2011 16:56:53 GMT 10
Hi Phil,
I've towed both directions from Casino to Tenterfield, both up & down the mountain, but only towed down the Gibraltar range between Grafton & Glen Innes.
Casino to Grafton via the Summerland Way is a pretty good road.
I think the road surfaces are OK on the Casino to Tenterfield trip. Its a slow trip, a bit bumpy & quite steep & windey in spots.
From memory the Grafton to Glen Innes road is pretty good, but steep on the Gibraltar Range. The scenery was fantastic on that trip in spots.
I really dont think there will be much in it between either.My thoughts are probably the Grafton way at this stage.
I just wanted to stay off the Pacific Highway as much as possible to avoid the endless stream of B doubles. from what I've seen, very few big trucks will be on the roads I've selected. They certainly shake Deejay around when they overtake me.
With departure date, I guess it depends on who indicates that they are travelling in the group , & whether the group want a day in Dubbo to go to the zoo while we are there. We personally have never been there, but as always the majority should rule the decisions.
At this stage everything is still flexible, and I think we should be able to work out an agreeable timetable for most.
I also think that after the trip down, & the week at Cowra, most people will want to do their own thing on the way home. We probably will go to Newcastle & see family on way back.
The two "organised" trips to the Nationals ( Morgan, then Mt Gambier) that we went on ended with everyone doing their own home rum, to see family, etc. I see no reason to want to change that, at this stage at least. JBJ
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Post by 1954homemade on Dec 8, 2011 8:01:16 GMT 10
Hi JBJ,
Whilst on this cruise to Cowra - I would like to spend a whole day (if not 2 days) at the zoo in Dubbo.
The zoo was discussed whilst some of us were at Canungra and quite a few people mentioned they would like to go as well.
Regards Di
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Post by JBJ on Dec 8, 2011 9:50:22 GMT 10
Hi Dianne,
One of the reasons I started this thread early was to get people talking about what they want to do on the trip down, And it looks like its starting to work.
Some early committements would be nice regarding who is likely to tag along, and what you would like to visit during the trip
Names can be kept off the Forum if desired, to avoid the dirty unwashed knowing you will be away (if thats what you wish)
It will be a pretty informal thing, but I think that if it goes like all the other tours in groups we've been on over the last 5 years, it will be a great experience.
JBJ
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Post by smiles on Dec 11, 2011 22:19:38 GMT 10
Hi Denis
Great you've resurrected the topic of our SEQ run to the Nats. We've been meaning to post here but distractions you know....
There've been varying discussions about the run & everyone who's talked about it over the last 6 months seems to be pretty keen. But you're right, we have to get cracking on some details. Especially for wage slaves like me, I'll have to know some dates to put in for leave.
Some time back I did a scan through the Nats thread & there seems at the last count to be 21 possible starter vans for the SEQ run. There are 3 van people who want to go to Cowra for 10 days, but for the majority of people who mentioned it in the thread the most popular stay was to arrive Sunday 29/4 & leave either Sat 5/5 or Sunday 6/5. So that possibly means starting the run on Wed 25/4, Pub Hol for Anzac day & getting to G Innes, then Gunnedah Thurs nite, Dubbo Frid & Sat nights, then cruuuuuisin in to Cowra Sun morn.
Most people have said they'd like to spend a day at least at Dubbo zoo. I think the ticket entitles you to 2 days entry. So I guess there may be people who want to "do the zoo" in a day then choof off to Cowra. If everyone wants to stay 2 full days in Dubbo, then we'd be starting the run on Tues 24/4.
Originally I suggested starting the run at Tenterfield to make the first day a little easier on the far flung folk from Sunshine areas, & I had contacted the caretaker at Tents Showground. He got pretty excited about a bunch of vintage vans & said he would "open the pavilion for cocktails"...whoo hooo. So how about we mark that one on the calendar for easter 2013, possibly for Oracles of the Bush?
Otherwise, we're happy! Most likely we'll come home roughly same way but with possible stops at Gulgong or Nundle or Bendemeer.
Cheers
smiles
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Post by smiles on Dec 11, 2011 22:27:24 GMT 10
ps Rodnet
We're interested to know what the Grafton to Armidale road via Ebor is like?
We haven't been that way since 1990, so have they completely tar sealed it yet?
Those duelin banjoes still twangin away in the background?
Cheers
smiles
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Post by JBJ on Jan 10, 2012 7:14:51 GMT 10
Hi All,
Well christmas/new year is over, so I'm starting to get serious about booking the parks Boots & I have been looking at.
AFTER LOOKING AT FIREFIGHTERS POST, & READING SMILES POST, I'M REVISING THIS POST.
We want to be in Cowra Saturday,
Starting date will be (for us) Sunday 22nd April, leaving from Alstonville , thru Casino to tenterfield for Sunday night. About 180 Km travel. I guess this could be a good joining point for Queenslanders, unless any want to start at Alstonville. We've got space for an overnight stay on Saturday night for a few vans if thats wanted by any. We have made a tentative booking at Tenterfield Lodge, pet friendly
Monday 23rd April leave to travel to Uralla. About 210 Km travel, for Monday night. Discussing with caravan Parks still.
Tuesday 24th April leave to travel to Gunnedah. About 165 Km. Arrive Gunnedah that afternoon to stay Tuesday night.
Wednesday 25th April, leave Gunnedah for Dubbo. About 265 Km travel. Arrive Dubbo that Afternoon. Stay 3 nights, to allow 2 full days at zoo & surrounding attractions in Dubbo.
Saturday28 April, leave Dubbo for Cowra. About 210 Km. arrive that afternoon for the Nationals.
We've found that when travelling in a group or singly, we dont achieve a lot more than 70kmh when you consider antique shop stops, coffee breaks, petrol stops, sightseeing roadside features, etc.
So I've tried to keep actual driving times to a maximum of 4 hours each day. I know any more than that makes the long term travelling a lot less enjoyeable, & reduces the motivation to stop, get out of car, & look at interesting things as you see them.
Most of us dont get out into these parts of Australia often, so I reckon its pointless rushing thru. ( May as well fly there if you are in a hurry)
So what I'm doing is booking into a van park at each of the stops, & hopefully making a tentative group booking space for anyone that wants to travel with us. It will be booked under "Vintage Caravan Group". Most van parks will require deposits to be paid in advance I've found. If I do it this way we should have a good chance of remaining in a group each night.
I will post the park details as they are booked. I think I can get all Dog Friendly parks at this stage.
If anyone books into this group, please let me know by PM if you dont want others to know what you are doing over this period. Or you can post your intentions on this thread. Privacy is always a worry when leaving your house unattended for a while. Low lifes can read computers as well as normal people.
This isn't meant to be the only way to travel to Cowra, just something we want to do, & we would love to have anyone join us that wants to. But by all means do your own thing if what we plan isnt for you.
If you want to do your own thing & travel in a different way, thats cool.
It will be all fun(if nothing breaks)
JBJ
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Post by firefighter on Jan 10, 2012 10:07:45 GMT 10
G'day Dennis You have posted this a little bit quick for me ........Our contact in Cowra had another meeting last night with the Council/tourist info people ......once I receive the latest info the team should be able to put the complete itinerary for the nats on the forum Cowra council has organised for us on Sunday 29th april (day before the Nats start) They have moved the Cowra farmers market from a saturday to the sunday and also moved it from the showgrounds to the reserve /park next to our caravan park( Cowra van park) and are also puting on for us a band .....car show for the locals and for any of our members to display there vehicles ....locals are going to be asked to bring any vintage or classic vans along to display in this reserve /park Any member not stopping in the ( Cowra van park) next to the reserve /park ( members are now booking into the other caravan park in Cowra) are invited to bring along their van to display (council has approved this ) there will also be food venders selling hot food Then in the afternoon local will be invited to vist the caravan park and view our vans and collectables ......maybe we could pick up some clues for vintage /classic vans /parts /Memorabillia etc Dennis could you change your trip around to arrive on the saturday ........and the team would like all other members that are booked for the nats to have a big think about arriving in time to support the local people and the sunday in the park.......this might mean ringing the caravan park and changing your booking NOTE ....I will also paste this posting over in the nats thread .....in case other members don't read this posting ( cruise to Cowra from northern nsw ) cheers Geoff ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by smiles on Jan 10, 2012 12:04:20 GMT 10
Hi all Just did a posting but the gremlins got in there & lost it all as I went “post reply”, so here goes again! Great job of trying to work out a trip there Dennis, but sounds as though we’ll have to make changes re Firefighters news about Sat arrival etc for big day Sun. Suits us, we’re happy to get there Sat morn or arvo. After our little foray down thru Cowra recently, we have a few thoughts for the melting pot. We went UP the Grafton-Glen Innes road & boy is it a challenging road…156km with no passing lanes, climb up to 1100m in about 30km, then up to 1410m in next 30km, & THAT was only with a car trailer. Lovely scenery reminded me of Lucille ball in Long Long Trailer, but with more trees between you & the valley WAY down below! We’ve decided to go Casino-Tenterfield, shorter, not as steep or as pretty but plenty of passing lanes for other traffic. Checked out 3 caravan parks at Glen Innes…all out of town, pretty ho-hum & very forgettable. Bendemeer is Ok but Uralla is great little town with C/park right in centre of town with lovely old shops with collectibles etc etc. Brilliant old pub on corner up walking distance from C/park for feed. Gulgong of course is fantastic…time machine to the late 1800’s. However we went Scone-Gulgong, windy & some hills, especially round Sofala which took the breath away. Does anyone know the Mullaley to Gulgong road off the Newell hway? I’d still like us to start the run from closer to Qld, say either Tenterfield or Warwick, to give the SEQers a bit of time to make it to the starting line, then maybe Uralla as next stop. Possibly the 3 day Dubbo zoo people could go straight there with a stop at ??, & 1-2 day Dubbo zoo people could divert through Gulgong, Wellington (sounds like a good C/park at Wellington Caves) to Dubbo then arrive at Cowra all together on Sat. Of course another option is to come down the good old Pacific h’way, some possible stops, South Ballina, Yamba, Sth West Rocks, Nambucca , Valla etc etc then pick up Reddo’s mob (what are you lot doing?) then turn right at Port Macquarie & head up to Bendemeer (don’t know this road at all) & continue along as above. Anyway, these are MY Thoughts of the Day. What about the rest of youse?
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Post by bobandjacqui on Jan 10, 2012 16:35:01 GMT 10
G'day Cathie, We'll be raring to go probably Sunday so Tenterfield sounds like a good starting point ;D ;D ;D In our group there will be four vans at this stage. We stayed in Tenterfield on the way to Mildura nice town with a fair bit of history. We stayed in the showgrounds which are right in town, plenty of space plus power. The amenities were pretty average and there is a dump point. We intend to arrive in Cowra on the Friday so we don't miss out on all the festivities so we're happy to fall in with any suggestions. A day or two in Dubbo sounds good too. Cheers Bob and Jacqui
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Post by smiles on Jan 10, 2012 20:26:53 GMT 10
Hi Dennis Sounds like you've really cracked the itinerary now. Good one! 3 nites in Dubbo means if people want to go to zoo for 2 days they can, or can drive to Wellington Caves & Gulgong for a day trip. The nice C/park in centre of Uralla is Uralla Caravan Park www.urallacaravanpark.com.auTenterfield Showground is at 72 Miles St. Caretakers ph no is 02 6736 1464 or 026736 3666. Think he may be there 8.00am-10.30am. Looks like there's only 1 C'park in Gunnedah so that's an easy choice! Pet friendly too!
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Post by JBJ on Jan 11, 2012 6:37:54 GMT 10
TENTERFIELD CARAVAN PARK
The Caravan Park we have booked for Sunday night 22nd April is "Tenterfield Lodge" 0267361477. It is near the Railway Museum, but I guess that will be closed for the night by the time we get there. Manager is Julie, who said she could fit around 15 vans together near the Camp Kitchen. If you ring to book, mention "Vintage Caravan Group" to get sites near one another. I think camp kitchens are desireable at overnight stops, if only to provide cover for a sit around area if it happens to rain. Its dog friendly & $25 per night powered site. Bookings are required, & they only charge a cancellation fee if cancelled within 14 days of staying date.
There are at least 2 other parks, & the showgrounds as Cathy mentioned.
JBJ
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Post by JBJ on Jan 11, 2012 6:42:03 GMT 10
Hi Rod,
Once we get to Dubbo, it will probably end up that everyone does their own thing.
I know someone posted advice about an "ordinary" caravan park in Dubbo some time back. If that person could PM me with details, I'll make sure I dont book into that one.
The 3 night stay may be too long for some (including me), but for those that want to visit the Zoo & use the 2 day entry ticket fully, there needs to be time.
JBJ
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Post by JBJ on Jan 11, 2012 9:32:03 GMT 10
URALLA CARAVAN PARK
I've booked in here for night of Monday 23rd April. Phone 67784763
No booking fees, seniors card rate for powered site $22, normal $25. Only 20 sites in entire park, so it could get booked out on the day. No camp kitchen, but has an open fire area according to manager.
JBJ
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