Goobang National Park
Long weekend 1st – 3rd October 2005

Written by Ian Cort.

Saturday we all met at Lucknow at 10 am, on one of those magical mountain days. Leaving about 11, we travelled through Orange, then along the Dubbo road. We went through the picturesque village of Cumnock after turning off the highway at Molong .The whole place was so green and lush, it looked like a town from New Zealand. We stopped for lunch by Buckinbah Creek bang on 12 midday, (just as Bryce had planned it); the creek was flowing extremely fast from recent heavy rains in the area.

We then headed for the Goobang National Park, trying to find a different way through some farm properties. Unfortunately a farmer who had locked his gates on the through track stopped our exploration. After meeting him on a corner, he still didn’t offer to unlock them after we talked to him, he explained the closure due to previous problems with a 4x4 rally in the past. Over 100 cars passed through his property in one day and many over the weekend upsetting him, he was a nice chap though. So, with tears in our eyes, we drove off to enter another way, talking on the radio about the legalities off locking these gates with an obvious through road to somewhere else, as these were marked as such but not marked on the map closed.

We entered the National Park from the northern end, meandering along tracks of various standards, & doing a bit of a recce as we went for future reference. Old eagle eyes Bryce spotted a pair of Shingle Back lizards and he jumped out and picked them up for the big photo shoot, it was good to these creatures up close. We turned left up passed a No Through Road sign, and it probably was, to anything not wearing a Land Rover badge. We all scrambled up the rocky crag, missiles flying everywhere as the loose rocks were thrown from under our tyres grabbing for whatever grip could be found on the steep ascent.

Up top was a beaut vista to the west looking out over flat plains as far as the eye could see.

Driving another 15 km or so, we found a greener than green campsite, with a Breeza Loo. It worked really well, not like some" near death experiences" I've been in over the years.

Also in the camping area were tables and later in the afternoon a visit from friendly wallaby’s and parrots. Firewood was aplenty, so a great campfire was enjoyed by all. Bryce exceptionally happy as Clive had the port.

Sunday came and we were woken by the beautiful sounds of plentiful bird life, and the not so beautiful of Bryce's voice calling us to rise as the sun was up, it was 7.00am. We crawled out of our tents to another glorious day of sunshine. One of us got the urge to be civilised to the laughter from others, they were only jealous of my inverter I’m sure.

We left the Goobang campsite at 9.00am after driving through the rest of the southern section and a recce of a few more unknown tracks, one in particular that went nowhere thanks to National Parks putting logs and bulldozing mounds across the tracks.

We hit the blacktop after an hour or so and a bit further down we searched for the elusive entrance to the third section of Goobang NP. We found no way through, but a lovely hidden lunch spot deep in the thickets, then an unusual exit onto the highway. We then motored to the town of Eugowra by-passing the bigger town of Parkes.

There was a vintage motor bike rally in full swing at the village green, so we had a quick captain cook at these magnificent old machines. In a pavilion was a war memorial that showed Bryce’s grandfather’s name on the Honour Roll, as a participant of the Great War 1914 – 1918, he was a teacher here at the outbreak of war.

We then motored on to the Nangar National Park some 25km further on. Green as I can’t describe in words, and we took a sidetrack off the main track soon into the park, which ended up at an old, collapsed farmhouse. We all admired the view the farmer must have had, whittling away on his veranda a hundred years ago. There were some nice falls up the main track also, with some fools gold in the pond at the base of the falls.

We took a scenic detour through some great muddy sloshy tracks that at every section threatened to bog us down without success. This track took us ever up and after reaching the slippery summit, it wound through and over a long time unused tracks, ending at an old mountain pond full of ducks, turtles & fish. This track normally closed was on this occasion opened, so Bryce took full advantage to explore were we hadn’t been before and probably not be able to go again. Even if we were caught here it was worth it for the climb and the view.

It was so green; it was like green laning in England, but with Gumtrees. Our camp was hidden behind a creek crossing (one of 32 we crossed) up a short climb and down a short track hidden from the main track.

With a compulsory and plenty of momentum charge, up the short but steep exit from the creek to the other side we came to the perfect campsite for six to seven cars. Again, firewood was not an issue, so another great night.

Monday up the next morning, we backed tracked a few k's after breaking camp, turned left up to the Mt Nangar Lookout. The lookout with one of the best views in the business looks due east to Mt Conobalas.

Green, green, valley farm pastures, surrounded by mountains. Canola crops added to the contrast.

We met a 4x4 truck with a 5 storey camper on the back, stuck 'cause of a tree leaning over the track. We moved it for him, and on our way again. We then left the park via some farm tracks & again old eagle eyes spotted a Bearded Dragon lizard basking on the road. We arrived at Canowindra and the V8's needing a drink so we stopped to top up.

Leaving town on the Cargo road we drive about ten k’s to enter the state forest back road to Mt Conobalas. A few good twisting climbs (a nightmare when very wet by the 30cm deep ruts), then up to Conobalas for a squiz, then down to a lovely picnic area for lunch. We thought we would make our way to Lucknow via the forest tracks, as a bit of a wind down, so to speak.

We travelled down hill through plantation pine on the unused tracks now over grown and unused (I don’t know how Bryce finds these tracks) along a damp and dark valley track following along Four Mile Creek, when Bryce came across a fallen tree. " I can cross that", he thought to himself, wrong!

With two BFG's up on top of the log, all the weight of the vehicle went to the outside rear left tyre, which promptly sunk to the axles on the soft edge. Houston we have a problem!

Out comes the petrol axe as Clive lessens the angle of the Defender to put more weight back on the front wheels, and put some colour back into Bryce's face.

After that, we connected Mr. Warn to ease it out off the log, and over the tree.

A good last deep creek crossing at Four Mile Creek and then onto the blacktop, travelling through Huntley to arrive at Lucknow at 4p.m, to say our farewells.

Thanks Bryce, on behalf of every body, for another great trip.