Entry 14 – October/November – 2025 Brisbane to Adelaide drive – part 2
Departing Pilliga Hot Artesian Pool we reversed our normal procedure. Usually, when travelling, we aim to set camp by around 3pm in the afternoon. We found it hard to depart Pilliga, soaking up its provided benefits for as long as possible. In this instance we were waiting for the latest weather forecast to be announced, usually around 4pm. With confirmation of predicted rain overnight, we headed for a safe location in case the predicted 30 millimetres of hazardous rain did eventuate.
We departed Pilliga around 4.10pm. There was a sense of nervousness driving around this time of day. We were on alert, watching for kangaroos coming out to feed. Within the first minute of commencing driving we encountered our first hazard.
Down the road a bit we set camp for the night at an unpublicized locale. For us it was a great location and we were even happier to have access to potable water.
At locations like this we like to minimise embarrassment to ourselves and others. We had parked up after all the nearby workers had departed for the day. Our alarm was set for a wake up at 6.30 am, and we departed very early in the morning.
We had deliberated over several alternate routes to continue our journey to Adelaide.
There was a need of consideration for the forecasted wet weather conditions and its effects in off road locations. We chose to travel along paved roads, heading south to the town of Parkes and then west to nearby the township of Condobolin. It was another route not previously travelled by us.
Heading south through the town of Dubbo, we experienced busy traffic conditions. When we endured a heavy period of rain it elevated the hazardous driving conditions.
There was no need for us to endure these types of driving conditions. We turned off the main highway, heading for the Parkes Observatory. It was a good location to wait for the rain to pass. There was a bonus of a large bitumized carpark.
We stretched out our legs with a look around the facility. There was a great shop full of science related products. We obtained some different Christmas presents for our grandchildren.
After dishing out unexpected money, Steve ushered Mary back to the caravan where he appeased her with a hot chocolate drink and some tucker. This was followed by a little siesta, to outwit the psychological effect of the early morning start.
Once the rain had subsided, we continued our driving. It wasn’t long before we left the main highway and headed west. It was good to get away from the main highway, and we appreciated the drop in the volume of traffic about.
We set camp at Gum Bend Lake camping area, nearby the town of Condoblin. It was a nice setting.
Early morning, prior the sun’s appearance above the horizon, we were woken each morning by the loud chorus of kookaburras around us.
Once the kookaburra’s rested up, the local crows would start up, making sure we stayed awake.
It was a great setting and very annoying at the same time!
With Steve wide awake, he set off to inform the kookaburras and crows, of our annoyance. Thus, providing an opportunity to obtain the above short videos. There were a couple of hares bounding about. The reflections on the still lake surface did look good.
There was an easy walking path around the lake. At about 4 kilometres in length, it provided a satisfying work out. At one stage during one of our circuits walking, we came across a crow teasing a brown snake. We stayed back quite the distance, only proceeding when the snake escaped down the embankment.
Condoblin had a great modern information centre. The nearby paddock was full of “utes,” all with a different artistic touch.
With warm weather forecast, we decided to depart Gum Bend Lake on a Friday morning, avoiding the weekend crowds and the noise of speed boats circumnavigating the lake.
Our next stop down the road a bit was at Lake Cargelligo, setting camp at Dead Mans Point. It was a nicely grassed area with lovely views.
Lake Cargelligo was another nice little town with some art about.
Dead Mans Point felt better with the passing of each day. Initially the warm weather and the presence of plenty of pelicans nearby on the lake provided a feel-good setting. Many other campers were pleasurable chatting with.
From the comfort of our bed, we enjoyed many different sunrises.
After a few lovely days at Dead Mans Point the weather forecast changed, with a prediction of two days rain. We researched various points of interest down the road along our planned route. The nicely grassed surface at Dead Mans Point seemed to be a more favourable surface to camp up on during a period of wet.
Thus, we extended our time at Dead Mans Point another two days. It was a good decision as the predicted rain did eventuate and we avoided probable embarrassment of sticky, boggy clay surfaces not only coming in contact with our vehicle’s wheels, but also its effects on our footwear and clothing.
The ambient air temperature was still quite warm, prior to the arrival of the cold front. Steve gave the caravan and tow tug a quick wash down with a bucket of water. About a half hour later the rain arrived, and he was happy with the final rinse off provided by the fresh rain water.
The rain helped to provide a milder temperature where we could comfortably exercise with a walk towards town. Some of the locals came out to greet us.
Leaving Lake Cargelligo we stopped at the town of Hillston. It was a nice looking, cared for town with some art work about. There didn’t seem to be much “human,” activity along the main street. We looked at a free camp on the outskirts of town located next to a seemingly stagnate river. It was a bit noisy with the turn off for the heavy vehicles bypass road nearby. Hillston seemed to lack the charisma, which didn’t attract us to stay.
We decided to head onwards down the road, setting camp for a couple of nights at one of our favourite campgrounds, Sandy Point in the township of Hay. There is a nice walking track alongside of the Murrumbidgee River which is always a joyful experience. We even walked to the other side of town where we enjoyed a lunch out, at the services club.
Down the road a bit, around 100 kilometres, our next stop was at Yanga Conservation Park, where we set camp in the Willows Campground.
The campground is just far enough away from the main highway where we couldn’t hear any road noise. It had a satisfying, isolated feel about it. There was an old shearing shed, from a bygone era when sheep roamed this area around a 100 years ago. We did enjoy the experience of this location all to ourselves for a couple of nights.
Our next stop was back in our home state of South Australia. Over the last week we hadn’t stocked up with any fresh food. We had concentrated on using up all our existing fresh food produce.
Entering South Australia, you are required to stop at a quarantine station for inspection. The inspection officer opened the rear passengers side car door and the rear hatch door inspecting the inside of our vehicle for any fruit and vegetables. They entered the caravan, inspecting the fridge contents, the pantry and overhead cupboards. It certainly was a thorough inspection for any sign of fruit or vegetables which are banned from entering South Australia.
We were entering the South Australian Riverland region, quite a large fruit bowl producing location. They are very proactive for maintaining a healthy biodiversity, including banning the entry of fresh produce from outside areas.
We set camp at Crooked Straight camping area, located on the banks of the River Murray. With our fridge bare of any fresh food, we had a can of baked beans on toast for our evening meal. It was satisfying in a way, though we do become complacent, opening the fridge door where we would normally have many fresh food options available for selection.
This was our first experience at Crooked Straight Camping Area. We had previously experienced many other locations around this area, most being quite enjoyable.
At Crooked Straight camping area, there was great viewing of the river with majestic river red gum trees all around us. We were able to obtain our daily required solar intake. There was a constant background noise of chirping birds. It was an all-round satisfying location. We thought this might be our new favourite location on the River Murray.
We spent a few days at long-time friends, John and Kathy, parking up at their home in the South Australian Riverland. We enjoyed time at their local bowls club getting accustomed to some bowls.
It was time to head home. It was just under 300 kilometres down the road a bit. Over the last week we had been busy, arranging medical appointments, ordering various items for the caravan, the tow tug and a couple for ourselves. The tow tug was booked for stage one of an assessment of its engine injector issues. Annoyingly the Toyota representatives had refused to enlighten us of procedure each time we had asked.
As it transpired, we were required to leave the tow tug with the dealer for the day. At days end they advised the diagnostic assessment had confirmed there were issues with the engine injectors.
Next, the dealer would submit a report to Toyota Australia and await a response. The response time line could take 2 to 10 days.
No, the dealer wouldn't book our tow tug repairs to commence in about 2 weeks’ time. Reason provided, they don’t know of the time lines for obtaining the required parts. When we questioned further, there was a hint the dealer would need to make a special allocation for the required work and they would require the tow tug for a week with a few extra days to clear various fault codes, spasmodically appearing. Some of the drawbacks of our modern, computer-controlled vehicles.
It was a wait and see. We were hopeful the issue would be rectified by no later than early in the new year, having written off our hope of a December fix.
To be continued.
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