After a memorable week at the Canowindra International Balloon Challenge we had a relaxed and late departure, on Monday, from the showgrounds, our home for the past 10 days. We headed north finding our way back onto familiar roads arriving at Wellington for lunch. We lunched at a familiar coffee shop we had patronised last time we were here. It did not disappoint and although we had previously decided to pull up at Pronto Falls that day we pushed on and made our way to Dubbo, to reduce the driving time to our next planned stop; Moree.
After setting up and visiting the Information Centre we decided to stay an extra day to do some washing and visit some of the local sights, we had not included in previous visits here. So after completing our domestic duties Tuesday morning we visited the Dubbo Cultural Centre & Museum. After a pie for lunch we headed out to the Shoyoen Japanese Gardens. Tuesday evening we packed up the annex and associated items to give us an early start in the morning.
Wednesday we got away by 9:30am and knocked over the 360klm run to Moree without issue. This is our 3rd stay at the Gwydir Carapark and they did not disappoint. We were rewarded with a huge grassy site in the western section. Camp was set up and we were in the hot pools by 2:30pm. We spent most of Thursday and Friday soaking in the pools, taking time out each afternoon to visit their 25m indoor pool at their other property, just around the corner, known as the Hot Spring. Friday evening we again packed up the exterior of the van for an early get away next day.
Saturday was an even bigger day. We normally drive Moree to Miles but whilst having lunch at Moodie we decided to push onto Taroom, as it is a little closer to home and would get us home earlier the following day. It ended up a 458klm drive when we pulled up at the recently reopened Taroom Caravan & Tourist Park. It is still very much a work in progress but should end up a good waypoint, in the future.
Sunday we bounced along the Dawson Highway, down through Mount Morgan arriving back at home base just in time for lunch. We spent the afternoon kickstarting the house. I was pleasantly surprised, the septic, water pumps, hot water, power and internet all came back to life with no dramas. Now just have to empty, clean and winterise the caravan.
Metrics for this leg of the Adventure before Dementia Tour, including Tasmania, are as follows:
Away from home = 280 days
Number of waypoints = 72 places
Total kilometres travelled = 23,472 km
Kilometres towing van = 10,826 km. (46% of klm travelled)
Amount of diesel consumed = 3,352.5 ltr
Cost of diesel consumed = $4,451.05
Average cost of diesel/ltr = 132.8 cpl
Average fuel consumption = 14.35ltr/100km
Best ltr/100 km = 10.23 ltr
Highest ltr/100km = 18.92 ltr.
Nights Free/Low Cost Camping = 76 nights
Nights in Caravan Parks = 198 nights
Additional summary data on route and places visited can be found on the following link https://trackmytour.com/HjlJg