Northern NSW – Trip to The Ridge

Getting There

First night at our old faithful – Gunning Showgrounds. It turned out to be a nice cold night and the early morning sun was most welcome. Warmed up with a hot breakfast.
From here we were headed up to Molong to the start of the Paddock Art Trail through Yeoval and onto Dubbo via Wellington, the scenic route.
The Ridge will be the cherry on top this trip, but the icing getting there is also very nice.

Turning off the highway at Molong towards Yeoval and Cumnock, the amazing creations soon began to appear. Just look at some of the funny and very clever sculptures that line the road. We couldn’t stop and take pictures at all the great sculptures, the road is quite narrow, and our convoy was not really little.

Stopped to snap only a few. These very beautiful and imaginative animals were made by the local farmers as a distraction from the hard times during the recent drought.

Follow Link to website for Further Info animalsonbikes.com.au – Paddock Sculptures NSW Central West
Next Night Camp – Terramungamine Reserve

Dubbo to Piliga

Dubbo wasn’t far, and we wanted to get a camp spot before they all fill up at Terramungamine Reserve. Swam here many times as a young girl, never thought it would ever be this popular.
Alas most of my favorite swimming holes along the Macquarie River are now over crowded by grey nomads on the road full time :(
Now I’m just a touro too ;( bugger

Tomorrow we will head north from Dubbo along the Castlereagh to Gilgandra, Gulargambone and Coonamble was like stepping back in-time 40+yrs, to school holidays accompanying Dad on his District rounds.

Next camp – Piliga Bore Baths

Lunch at Piliga Pub then out to the bore baths to set up camp and have a float in the hot springs.
Another very busy camp, and full of big rigs set up for more than just a night. We were set up at the far end of the reserve, which was quiet and along the boundary fence.

Piliga to The Ridge

Next morning, after leaving the very busy Piliga Bore Camping ground we had one must-do-stop on our way to the Ridge, Come By Chance.

Not much happens here these days.

Very tiny locality, lots of old junk and trucks rusting slowly away in the weeds.

Lunch stop under these huge river red gums. The river was fairly full and flowing. What a glorious day to be having lunch out in the great Aussie outdoors. Not many flies either, such a pretty spot just outside Walgett.


Next Camp – Ligtning Ridge

FINALLY HERE!!
After a very long detour, and through some really shitty back roads. We pulled up here only to find we had blown a shock on the camper, oh well time for a new set anyway.

The Ridge – worth the drive?

It was very busy at the Pub in the Scrub at Grawin today. Way too many people for us, so onward we go. There’s lots to see in the scrub out here.
Love this sculpture – lots of recycling and re-purposing.

Lots of Recycling going on out here.
I don’t think any of these would pass
council inspection.

Great to see Aussie ingenuity
building something out of nothing.










I very much doubt this will ever be finished.
Just another great quirky Lightning Ridge thing.





When the sun goes down everyone is sitting on the hill taking photos. Great way to end the day.

Whilst you sit sipping your favorite tipple, the kids can have a play on the maze.

Hebel QLD

Taking a day trip to Hebel on the Qld border was well worth the drive.
Stopping on the way to admire the Narran River at New Angledoon, what a wonderful water crossing, now by-passed with a bridge.
This spot would be a wonderful place to camp for a night or two.
Great waterhole, full to the brim – See happy snaps below



The General Store had great food, in a lovely dinning area complete with wonderful 1897 floor boards.
Better still you can camp there, as out the back is a caravan park.
Stay a few






The Pub was quiet and after lunch we headed across for a quick beer. Surprisingly the lawn in the beer garden outside was lush and green.
But the highlight was the ARTWORK – LEGENDARY
What a TOP PUB

Just a few extra happy snaps

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Part 2 – :( heading home