Day 64: Mon 28 Aug 23 - Lightning Ridge to Molong

Mon 28 Aug 23 - Lightning Ridge to Molong (Towed 472km)

Weather: 13 feeling like 8 Deg at 5am at Lightning Ridge, reaching 24 at Marthaguy Rest Area (12pm) and 13 Deg on arrival at Molong (3.30pm).

We were awake early, so we packed and drove away earlier than planned at 7.20am. There was almost no traffic in either direction, but the road for the first 200km to Coonamble was simply terrible, with lots of roadkill. We drove straight through Walgett, then stopped at a gravel pit for mornos at about the 150km mark, and then continued through Coonamble as well. As we approached Coonamble, the countryside transitioned from dry and arid to more green pasture and evidence of recent rain along the road side. We stopped at Gulargambone (240km from Lightning Ridge) to check out the artwork around town. It's a very quiet town with not much here, I only saw one store open. We stopped here two years ago, and a walk around the small town was just as enjoyable today. John Murray has invested a lot of his time in artwork around town. After about 45 minutes, we continued towards Dubbo, still unsure of our destination today. At 12:15pm, the worms started biting, so we pulled over at the Marthaguy Rest Area for lunch, then continued on our way. At this time, we thought we might stop overnight at Eumungerie Recreation Area, but I still felt OK, and we agreed it was too early to stop so we aimed for Molong, 155km further.

The aim was to head for Molong, bypassing Dubbo via Guerie and Wellington, but stupid Google Maps took us through Dubbo along the Banjo Paterson Way, which I have always avoided, simply because it didn't look like a decent road on the map. It had lovely scenery in places along the way (with a few nice riverside free camping options along the way), but the road was very narrow in places (single lane), and very rough and bumpy. It was as bad as any road we’ve driven across this trip - and 119kms of it. Eventually we arrived at Molong, looking for the Showground campground, but Google Maps once again took us on another jolly, this time to what appeared to be a cemetery! We eventually found the intended campground, the Molong Showground and Golf Course campground, on the opposite side of town more than 5 km away. After 472km of driving mostly over very ordinary road, we were glad to stop for the day. On arrival at about 3.30pm, we found a lush green open space, with plenty of room, and a surprising amount of vans already setup for the night, unfortunately most sites are a little uneven, but it's a very quiet location, with fabulous new facilities outside of town. Staying hooked up, we were soon parked on our site and set up for the night, sitting outside enjoying a cup of tea in the warm afternoon sun, but the air was already starting to feel a little fresh. After my brew, I went for a walk towards town and back along the roadside to stretch the legs. Afterwards, we joined other campers around the fire for a drink and a chat which was nice for a change, until the wind picked up and the temperature dropped, forcing us indoors for a hot shower and dinner. Tomorrow, we have 272km remaining to take us home.

Gulargambone - Corner Store

Gulargambone - Bus Shelter with iconic John Murray artwork

Gulargambone - Historic Shopfronts with a touch of colour

Gulargambone - Street Art by John Murray (The sewing shop)

Gulargambone - Historic Shopfronts with a touch of colour

Gulargambone - Old Building with a touch of colour

Gulargambone - Street Art by John Murray

Gulargambone - Lots of old buildings - some in not so good condition

Gulargambone - Street Art by John Murray

Gulargambone - "Ghosts of Bullocks Past" comprising six bullocks made of steel rod and recycled wire netting, taking six months was created by local artist Alison Dent.
The sign reads: "Working bullocks provided the muscle needed for our infant colony. While Australia rode on the sheep's back, the wool that brought prosperity rode the dusty miles from outback stations and properties to the port on lumbering bullock wagons"