Six Months On The Road

Wow, on 30 April, I’ve been living on the road six months — doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun.

In that time, I’ve travelled 3,723 kilometres, 1,285 of those in April 2025 and I’ve still a couple days left in the month.

These six months sure have been a massive learning curve.

Do you remember when I hit the road for the first time, how terrified I was of towing? Because I sure do! Fun fact — my last travel day was Thursday, 24 April, and it was the first time towing that I wasn’t white-knuckling the steering wheel and my shoulders where further away from my ears than any other trip.

Six months and finally my fear is starting to dissipate. Am I still scared? Definitely, but I’m hoping that’ll eventually quieten down into a healthy respect of the task.

I’ve seen some awesome places in my time on the road and even a couple of places I’d not bother to return to, if I ever had the inkling to back track into past adventures.

So, what have I been up to since my last update?

Well, that was only a week ago, when I pulled up at Manilla, setting up in a pretty caravan park, on the Namoi River, on Easter Saturday.

My first Easter totally alone! That’ll take some time to get used to.

After setting up I explored the banks of the Namoi River, relaxed and had an early night.

Easter Sunday, I drove the 45 kilometres into Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia.

Tamworth was bigger than I anticipated and on arrival, I went in search of breakfast. I found an upmarket restaurant open and decided to shout myself something a little more classy, to celebrate Easter.

I was seated by a waitress dressed smartly in black trousers and a black shirt, who incidentally, pulled my chair out and placed my pristine white serviette, material not paper, on my lap.

Breakfast was delightful, as was the coffee.

After breakfast I wandered the Main Street. All the shops were closed but I discovered, with delight, they were holding the Sunday markets, with stalls strategically placed along both sides of the street.

I had to be extremely strict while constantly reminding myself that I live in a caravan now and cannot buy all the exquisite handmade delights that were offered for sale. I thoroughly enjoyed meandering my way through for about 1.5 hours.

I also found myself in Bicentennial Park, which was full of head and shoulder sculptures of some of the local legends, that called Tamworth home.

From the markets, I drove out to the Tourist Information Centre to see the giant golden guitar and as the centre was open, I spent a good half an hour reading about the history of the area.

At the Tourist Information Centre I enjoyed the warm sunshine while taking a pleasant call from my son. A call wishing me Happy Easter.

I followed the golden guitar with a drive out to Oxley Scenic Lookout, which allowed me to see the true size of the Tamworth.

By this time I was ready to head back to Manilla, but as I was in no hurry, I decided to take an alternate route home to see a little more of the countryside.

Turns out I found more than I thought as Apple Maps took me exploring the back country and gravel roads again. One such gravel road was uncomfortable to travel, so I backtracked to a turnoff I remembered seeing and found a much smoother road — although gravel all the same.

Apple Maps, you are causing layers of dust to accumulate on my car. I’ll have to think about finding a car wash pretty soon.

With only one more day planned for Manilla, I took that day to relax and find my peace alongside the pretty river. I didn’t even have the energy to wet a line, preferring a day of rest instead.

From Manilla, I travelled to the town of Gunnedah. Only stopping here for two nights, as I’m currently on annual leave from my employment, meaning I don’t need to stay the normal compulsory week; thankfully.

I discovered that a lot of the locals in Gunnedah were a little rougher around the edges so not overly disappointed to only spend a couple of nights in town.

Therefore, Wednesday was my only day for exploring the area but I found some great local places to check out.

First was the Gunnedah Museum. As I’m not a museum person as a rule, I didn’t go inside, but enjoyed the creative murals on the outside of the building.

Talking of murals, the Gunnedah Silo Art was my next stop. This was on my bucket list because the mural on the silo was of a famous Australian poet, and included some of the words of her most famous poem that all Aussies were raised hearing.

I then spent a few hours wandering the grounds of Pioneer Hill Lookout, enjoying the view of the town, the native plant life and the rock carvings.

Thursday saw me hit the road again, hoping to beat the Anzac Day long weekend traffic and this was the day I was pleasantly surprised to realise my fear was slowly coming under my control.

As I left Gunnedah, I realised that this part of the country was obviously cotton country, going by the white tuffs that highlighted the edges of the road.

Learn something new every day!

The end destination saw me setting up in a caravan park in the town of Narrabri.

Once set up and unpacked, I headed into town to see if I could find somewhere for a late lunch, being that it was 2 pm. I was keeping my fingers tightly crossed.

I was over the moon to discover a cafe tucked away on the Main Street and not only could I order coffee, but they did an all day breakfast too. Bonus!

I thoroughly enjoyed my serving of zucchini and corn fritters, eggs, bacon and mushrooms — not to mention the delicious coffee.

As Friday was a public holiday and I knew nothing would be open, I headed out of town to explore the local scenery.

First port of call was Sawn Rock, or as the locals call it, the organ pipes. After travelling 30 odd minutes from town, I took a small trek along the walking track and took pleasure in Sawn Rock, a stunning rock formation.

I have to wonder — who took this first walk through virgin bush, in the middle of nowhere to discover this monumental rock? Well whoever it was, I’m thankful they did.

From Sawn Rock, I drove back to town and out the other side for approximately 35 kilometres, until I come to the turnoff of the tourist attraction, known as the scenic drive of Mount Kaputar National Park.

I drove up this mountain (Pictures are of the same mountain, but taken from different sides).

They’ve got to stop calling these drives “Scenic Drives” as it sounds like a nice, leisurely Sunday drive. This was not that type of drive……no, it was “heart in mouth, corrugated gravel single lane road, up a steep mountain, with a drop off right next to the road of hundreds of feet,” type of drive!

AND that single lane is NOT one way — so I nearly had a heart attack as I rounded one corner and come across a vehicle descending — we were inches, mere inches, from swapping paint jobs!

I had to pass a few vehicles coming in the opposite direction but thankfully they were easier than that first one!

It sure was a bumpy ride on the corrugated gravel as my tyre pressure was too high. The right pressure for towing but not for bumpy gravel roads.

It took me approximately 5 kilometres to find a lay out that I could pull into safely, and quickly air-down my tyres. Made for a less bumpy ride and stopped the slight sliding I’d been experiencing as I climbed the steep hills.

I found a couple of walking trail pull-ups as I ascended the mountain and to be honest, each time I was tempted to quit the drive, turn around and head home, due to the scariness of the track — but I’ve never been a quitter and I wasn’t about to start now.

So, upwards and onwards!

Until I arrived at the lookout that was my original destination. This is called Euglah Rock Lookout and the view was worth the drive; although I was conscious of the fact that I needed to get back down that mountain.

It was here at the lookout, which is also a designated campground, that I discovered at least two strangers that obviously had nerves of steel!

Why, you ask?

Because there they were set up for camping in style as they’d ballsily (is that even a word?) towed their camper trailers up that bloody mountain.

They are my heroes!

I found the trek down the mountain a little easier, because I didn’t have the hundreds of feet drop off on my side of the road. I felt a little safer.

And make it down I did — obviously, or I wouldn’t be writing this article.

All up it was a 80 kilometre drive back to Narrabri and my van.

I took one look at my car on return and promised her a car wash was a definite plan for the next day.

And that takes me to today.

A casual day as I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, took the time to vote, visited the promised car wash and stocked up on food.

The rest of the day I spent relaxing, waiting for the forecast rain to arrive.

So avid readers, until next time, and I hope you enjoyed coming along for the ride.