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Doug’s Toad and Roaches Tour Adventure!
Well, the ute was packed … about a week before the tour was due to start
So … decided to make use of the time I had off before kick off to do some solo touring.
Day one was to Goomeri, it was a late get away as I had to get the club newsletter picked up from the printers, but got that organised and hit the road! About half an hour later … hit the traffic jam! Lucked in though, saw the traffic at a dead stop just as I was at the Corbould Park exit, so grabbed it and pulled in for an early lunch. Had a chat with the locals but they were a bit camera shy …
After about an hour the traffic started moving again, so hit the road, it was great drive out once off the highway everything was nice and green, cruised in to Goomeri mid arvo so took my time setting up. Park was OK, if a bit noisy and amenities weren’t great but it was set on a creek bank and had lots of grass.
As I was cooking up some dinner, I realised that I needed some milk and eggs so popped down to the roadhouse to gab some, and who was in the shop but OB! Passing through and on a break so had a chat for a while before he had to keep on truckin’.
Checked out Goomeri, it’s a nice little town but has been hit hard by the recent floods, with some businesses still yet to reopen … did find this classy establishment though:
Not many of the older buildings left in Goomeri, but the town clock has been there a while:
Checked out a couple of the small towns around the place, and did some car / van hunting but came up empty handed, so did a bit of a winery tour, including this place:
Stocked up on some yummy Ports and Liqueurs for a “Doug’s tasting night” on the tour.
Checked out the park at Bjelkie-Petersen Dam, and I reckon it’s a goer for a future VV run, right on the dam that is stocked with Cod and Yellowtail, and with the wineries on its doorstep. Couple of second hand shops in Murgon, it could be a good base for the Goomeri Pumpkin festival next year (only 16km from Goomeri).
While talking to one of the locals he suggested that I check out a place called Boat Mountain – supposedly the mountain looks like the keel of an upturned boat but I couldn’t see it… Was worth the trek up though, the views across the valleys are quite amazing.
Next stop was a town called Bell, packed up the van and headed off, stopping at the second hand stores along the way and checking out Murgon and Wondai, liked Wondai but forgot to take any pics! As I was leaving Wondai, I noticed a slight scraping noise coming from the back left of the car, put it down to the brake drum lightly scraping on the backing plate. No vibrations at that time, but just the other side of Kingaroy coming into Kumbria the dreaded bearing rumble came on real quick, even though I did bearings less than two years ago (and the car was off the road for 12 months of that). Limped it into Kumbria, and sure enough, when I pulled over there was diff oil coming from the back left side, and smoke … it was plenty hot. Never experienced a bearing failing so quickly.
Option 1 was call the RACQ, but I figured they would just tow me back to Kingaroy and leave me at the mercy of some workshop – eventually. I had the tools with me so I just got stuck in and pulled the axle out, ball bearings and bearing race bits just dropped out of it as it came out, totally collapsed. Turns out the scraping noise was the axle shaft on the bearing retainer! I had rung in to Kingaroy and the local Repco had two bearings in stock, so just had to get back there. As I was getting the axle out, the local publican, Paul, pulled in to see if I needed a hand. Turns out he was heading in to Kingaroy to get a haircut and grab a couple of things, leaving in about an hour if I wanted a lift … yes please! So while I was waiting got cleaned up, grabbed a bite to eat, and had a cuppa. Paul was brilliant, took me straight to Repco where I grabbed both bearings (I figured I would change the other side when I got home), then to the Repco approved repairer in town to have the bearing pressed on. Checked out Kingaroy while Paul went about his business, then we headed back to the car. Only lost a few hours for the whole deal … Dropped the axle in, and made Bell about 4pm – just enough time to set up camp.
Bell Caravan Park is a lovely little park, very shady and good clean amenities.
Another possibility for a future VV run, there is a bit to do around the township with Jimbour station just up the road – one of the first pioneering stations and the starting point for one of Leichardt’s treks, to the Northern Territory.
The water tower at Jimbour Station:
The main house:
Unfortunately, you can only walk the grounds of the house and the outbuildings as it is still a private residence, but still worthwhile to stroll around the gardens and outbuildings. Checked out Dalby and although nothing wrong with it, it is just like suburbia so didn’t stay too long! Went up to Bunya Mountains via Kainkillenbun and spotted a cousin to the ute at the local pub, so had to stop by for a beer – Bud the publican is a bit of a car nut and is involved in the organisation of the Hot Rod run to Maidenwell, he also got out his Monaro for me to check out …
Bunya Mountains is well worth the drive, and a walk through the rainforests especially when the water falls are running, simply stunning.
Feeding the birds is always a bit of fun …
Next stop was Lake Coolmunda, easy drive over via Dalby, Cecil’s Plains, and Millmerran – although the road made you feel a bit like you were sailing a boat at times!
The ute was copping a bit of bug flak …
Had to go and have a chat with my neighbour …
Tony and Petina and their friends Lee and Kay turned out to be great company and we ended up having a good happy hour into the night around the camp fire just shooting the breeze. Did a great deal of not much at all after the ANZAC Day ceremony, checked out the dam, the place is just relaxation central. Only down side to the park is its proximity to the rail line, but there was only one train each night I stayed…
Net stop was Tenterfield and the kick off to the tour proper, so upped stumps and headed south, stopped in at Stanthorpe for a morning cuppa. Road was quite good but it was a bit disconcerting seeing the number of dead, BIG, roos on the side of the road, there must have been 1 every couple of kilometres. Then when I got on to the Texas / Stanthorpe road there were big signs saying that the roos were BAD on this road!
While at Stanthorpe a friend of Mark and Glenda’s stopped by and introduced himself, Peter, and we chatted for a while about his stuff … I ended up following him back to his place to check it out and he is quite a collector!
Rolled into Tenterfield just after lunch and got set up, spent the arvo and night just chillin’ with me mates! Was great to get back together again and catch up with whats been going on about the place.
Went with Reddo and Rob up to the railway museum it is worth the time, had some very interesting stuff there to check out.
This was in the waiting room, from back in the days where there was a level of service!
This old tractor looked to have the sump integrated between the chassis rails, with the engine bolted directly to the chassis, and a pan under …
Went up to Mt McKenzie for a look, and the vista was pretty good
Spent a bit of time getting arty with the car …
At one stage we were treated to a rain shower of golden leaves … photo doesn’t do it justice but it was a sight to see!
Went for a trek up to Bald Rock with Rob and Cathie, and her sister Marg, well worth the effort the reward was some stunning rock formations and magnificent views, as well as a bit of a workout.
They left me holding these two rocks apart so they could get back, said they wouldn’t be long but they were gone for ages!
Felt like we were being watched in this spot …
And when you got up near the top …
So after a great walk, heading back towards camp in and around Tenterfield we were doing some spotting when eagle eye Cathie spotted this (while driving!!):
That’s Rob doing a hasty retreat when the dogs started up!
So had a chat with the lady of the house, but she was a bit busy wrangling the kids but sent us up to speak to her husband, Kim, who was still at work, about his collectable caravan. So off we trot and had a yarn for quite a while about all things old and collectable, and made arrangements for a viewing later that evening when he got home from work. Turns out he is quite the collector of “stuff” with some really good gear about the place.
The photos are a bit ordinary, sorry, but the van was a little ripper – will need re-skinning but it seems quite unique.
This is the best shot of the coupling, still not good; we will have to wait for some better ones from Rob and Cathie when they recover it…
And some of the other gear around the place … The truck is a runner (but not for sale)
The Carapark was gutted, and had been modified into a toy hauler arrangement at the back, but the body seemed pretty good.
The Wayfarer would actually make a great project starter, it is big though at 14 ft by 8ft …
Coupling shot for Cobber:
And this is the little van that Cathie actually spotted:
Looks to still have its icebox …
Coupling shot for Cobber:
And the shed …
Back at camp and this guy turned up … I didn’t know him but he girls and Clyde seemed to ….
After a great weekend at Tenterfield it was time to pack up and “go west young man”, so we hitched the wagons and did just that, setting the sights on Bingara for the first free camp of the trip. I went the long way round going via Copeton dam, a really nice drive through the ranges. Stopped at the dam for some tucker …
Bingara is a top spot, and it somehow feels extra special to get outside the caravan parks and “rough it” for a night or two.
The camp ovens got a work out!
Bubble and squeak for brekky …yum!
Load ‘em up, roll ‘em out, yeeeee haarrrrr!!!!! Next stop, Pilliga Bore.
Checked out the Roxy and the café in Bingara …
On the way through Kaputar National Park had a stop at Sawn Rocks, quite amazing rock formations here, known geologically as “Organ pipes” I believe, wonder how they got that name???
Not a stack of wood!
Arrived at Pilliga and circled up the wagons for another night …
Scud and Rattcliffe did some training for the big Nundle dog day, although Scud might have been a little to clever (she nicked Rattcliffe’s treat!!)
Another night on the camp ovens …
And the party got started (and the grey nomads moved away!!)
From there things went up a gear, dragged the port and liqueurs’ out for a tasting session … Macadamia Liqueur and Chocolate port seemed to win the favourites awards. Didn’t take any photos as I was the barkeeper!
Next stop was Tooraweenah, a change on the run to the tour and a good call, the town is off the highway and much more interesting than the planned stop I thought …
Jam and scones on arrival was a nice touch by the park’s owners, they really went the extra yards to make our stop enjoyable … If you find yourself on the Newell between Coonabarabran and Gilgandra keep it in mind it’s a ripper.
Spent some time wandering about, great stopover and had a good yarn with some of the locals.
Next stop was to be Premer, but another change on the run and another good call, by now we were looking for a day off the road so we pressed on to Quirindi for a two day stop. Went by the Warrumbungle’s which have been devastated by the fires, but they will recover over the years with some regrowth happening …
Quirindi park is another great little park, and we took up a couple of rows which looked great …
While at Quirindi, checked out “Bob’s Shed” what a collection and a Peter Brock tragic – has to be one of the best collections of Brock memorabilia I have ever seen …
This one had history from brand new, and had never been restored:
Checked out the lookout, some nice views over Quirindi and surrounds from there:
Doing the right thing by Reddo’s mate the Bear, spotted a potential girlfriend in Quirindi – she was a bit shy though …
Before packing up on the Saturday, went out to the machinery show and swap, came out empty handed but a good morning out, with lots to see:
Time to hitch up and head off to the final stop of the tour itself at Nundle for the big Dog Day!
Just a short skip over (60km) so was a real easy day.
Reddo let his mate the Bear take the bike for a spin …
There were some nice bikes around town too …
Settled in for the night around the camp fire – Brendo and I had a go at making a damper, but let’s just say we will just have to leave that to the experts …
Finally, the big day arrived, the Nundle dog day! Scud showed some early promise …
But was a little outclassed in the race:
And the Great Nundle Dog Race itself, geez these dogs can cover some ground!
The Armidale car club put on a little display:
Went for a cruise up to Hanging Rock, more stunning views …
The day all over, we settled back to the camp fire and were treated to some nice easy listening music and singing by Gordon who happened to be staying in the park …
So we said our farewells to Rob and Cathie, Reddo, and John and Pam, but the remainder of the group still had some time up our sleeves so some decided to head to Bellingen (and then Yamba) to see Rod and Jeanette, on the way my left rear wheel bearing decided to give me some trouble … again!
To be continued ... (max post length exceeded!
and like the place, don't miss a visit to Hanging Rock and the Sheba Dams reserve ( free camping) after the dog races 
