Goulburn River National Park
10th - 11th November 2007

Written by Bryce R Messner

It has been two years since we visited this great little national park; last year high fire danger changed our minds. But not this year, plenty of water in the river, a lot of rain weeks before made for a very green campsite and that in its self-its own problem of every fly in NSW on holidays near Mudgee.

Alan decided an RDO was worth an early start and arrived at the farm mid afternoon on Friday. Dean and Mitch also keen for a quick getaway decided to camp on the river in Goulburn River NP and secure our campsite.

Saturday arrived and Alan, Darralynn and I moved out from “Eulah” for our meeting point at Long Point Road at 7.00am where we linked up with the Brindley’s and Hugh. Already we had a convoy of four, three of the best of British and a Tojo for winching practice.

I love this drive across country to Hill End along this road, although not tough but a gazetted public road earmarked one day to be a super highway from Orange to Mudgee. A great idea to cut the trip in half or less, but I hope I’m buried before it happens, it’s been talked about for 30 years and it will take another 30 I hope.

Not turning into Hill End on this occasion we turn left to Mudgee passing through the tiny village of Hargraves.

We arrive in Mudgee in great time although we certainly didn’t hurry; it took just on 2 hours, actually a bit less. We parked in front of the local park to admire the lawn and after doing so went down to the appointed meeting place.

Well you never can pick it, not a big area to meet but on this Saturday morning locals market in the park and very well attended. It was great to have a wander and resist spending money, although I nearly bought a dog from the Adopt – a – Dog association. Everything was on sale here except a gout remedy for my plagued foot, now into its third week of torture.

We moved on to the other side of the bridge where a few Landies were already gathering and representatives from Toyota of course. We all wandered around shaking hands and introducing ourselves to those all to few newer members we did not know. Starting to worry as one family group were very late a couple of phone calls not achieving anything except a message bank service. Just on 11.00am my phone rang as we were just about to wheel out, “We are just on the out skirts of Mudgee…#$*``@! traffic”
So we waited.

The day a little overcast but great for driving as we headed of our sights on Wollar. Once there we turned left for our next turn out to the national park.

The road had been nicely graded very recently and as usual not another vehicle within cooee. We passed a number of weekender type homesteads and beside one dam stood a huge lone buck kangaroo, which allowed us time to take his photo.

Just before entering the park proper we all set about collecting suitable timber for our campfire, and I mean everybody pitched in without asking, great thing to witness.

We arrived in the park proper and it looked in pristine condition, thanks to recent rain. Moving onto Big River Camp, we passed a Troopy ute coming out and soon were greeted by Dean and Mitch who had a fire going for the billy.

We all set up camp in easy time and then got to our leisure time of relaxing. The younger ones in the group started a cricket match later followed by ball kicking.

Clive got to and developed a large cooking fire as we needed suitable coals for our roast pork leg for dinner, and a couple of Furphy size pits dug in readiness.

The view of the river from camp was to die for as the sun reflected of the ripples from the slight breeze developing. The breeze blew in the local park ranger who gave us some of his time after checking on the loos. He did mention that some crumb had dispatched the resident goanna’s that for a brief moment made us all mad as hell.

As the cooking developed, camp oven cooking was discussed at length. One particular member saying that every camp oven roast he had tried turned to “manure”, so Clive kindly set about educating him. The secret, two green apples to keep it moist, a layer of bread on the base to stop it burning and don’t put your potatoes in if you want then crisp and brown, do them in a separate smaller oven and use Pontiacs and they won’t brown well with pumpkin as its moist and gives off too much steam. The test was in the eating and the eye, absolutely perfect moist pork and crisp baked veggie’s…you’re a wonder Clive old son.

After dinner the wind disappeared to make the night a magic one, with a million star view to while away the night and a red wine or two to see us off to bed.

Sunday arrived without a bang, as everyone slowly arose from their sleep as the sun warmed up around 8.00am, a couple of happy campers slept in past 9.00am but who cares!

After another football kicking session and tent pulling down a few decided to leave, some to check out the local wineries others to beat the traffic over the mountains. Those that stayed had the pleasure to see a very large goanna stroll right through camp and climb a tree when I got too close, but happily they are still here.

It was very hard leaving here as Darralynn and I normally stay an extra night, but the home front needed our attention. We all pulled out around 2.00pm to head home after a glorious weekend.

Thanks so much to those that contributed to the making of an awesome weekend. Our trip home uneventful and just as good as the trip across the day before.