Turon River Escapade 2nd – 3rd September 2006

Written by Ian Cort.    Pictures by Bryce Messner.

We all met at the B.P on Mt Lambie at 8.30am. It was a beaut Spring morning, with all the trappings that go with it, sun, wattle, blue sky & a great aroma. We all filled up with petrol diesel & coffee, then the cast of thousands, 11 vehicles in all (one was to catch up at Sofala late afternoon to make a dozen), headed for Sunny Corner, soon hitting the dirt.

Following track that ran parallel to a small creek, we met a shooter strolling along the road complete with 30.06 in full army camouflage combat gear. He had a Orange cap on (we were in a designated hunting area), I know the cap was the law, but it made me giggle, none the less & he owns a Defender & may join the club (according to Bryce).

We stopped for a nice cup of tea at the base of the big hill known as “Hugh’s Torment”. It had certainly deteriorated since I was here last time in 2004. Some of the cars made it up in one go, others took a couple or few goes, the surprise was Tony in his series ute which made it up doodling along the Detroit rear locker making it look easy.

We were all very impressed what this 40-year-old car could do.

Continuing to climb, we were all treated to magnificent views of the rolling green fields with mountains in the backdrop. We started to descend again, to make our way through to several river crossings, all too shallow for our liking. After we got through the National Park section we stopped to collect firewood before popping out to the graded road to Capertee & our turn to Turon Gates. I’ll never get tired of this road though to Sofala the views & abundant wildlife are exceptional many dozens of kangaroos & wild goats & plentiful parrots ever breaking into view around every corner. The only exception on this road as it runs through many farms is the gates to be closed can be a pain.

A section of road high above the Turon River we could look down from great heights to see a dozen very large Trout cruising the bend in the river, good guesses were at least 4 – 5lbs each, truly magnificent in the crystal clears waters of the Turon. Also on this section even though basically a 2 wheel drive road, it was very tight & rough & amazing that 2 wheel drives use it all, but we did pass the ghostly remains of a caravan that didn’t make it & way down near the river maybe the tow car also wrecked?

We arrived at our grassy campsite right on the Turon River, very deserted, except for Nick patiently waiting our arrival also with a load of wood, he had come straight from work and is a Forestry worker. The tents went up in record time, except Paul who away at sea for long spells, was finding his land legs & putting up his tent after a long time in the garage his wife & daughter enjoying their first camping experience. The beers finally came out as we sat around the campfire now roaring to life with flames licking the approaching night & magnificent sunset. We were all in heaven a great fire, great friendship & tall stories then beddy byes to see in the exciting day tomorrow.

SUNDAY MORNING was another corker, we left camp at 9.00am on time. We hit Sofala not long after a quick look then onto Hill End. Getting all excited about morning tea of crumpets, honey & coffee at the General Store opposite the The Royal Hotel circa 1888, only to find it closed up shop about 2 weeks before, the owners not renewing their lease. A punctured tyre on Richards Discovery only took a short time to whip off & throw up onto the roof rack, then on our way to the other shop nearby for pies & coffee. As we alighted from our cars it started to rain heavily forcing us to eat inside the little shop or go back to our cars.

After morning tea we headed up to the lookouts & Clive spotted a Fordson tractor the same as Bryce’s in a yard so we stopped to investigate as it had a blade on the front. Clive was in my car so we headed in as the rest drove up to the lookout.

On their way back Bryce joined us to negotiate a price & a bargain was struck.

After the deal we then headed towards the Macquarie River & Orange overland on another great driving road.

After meandering through some lovely country we climbed our way down in low range to the Macquarie River crossing at Long Point. On this occasion it was not very deep but can be and also a dangerous crossing when there’s plenty of water in it.

We had lunch on the other Ophir side of the river for about an hour, very peaceful.

We ascended the very steep climb out of the river valley to reach the escarpment above & onto Ophir our next objective. We found a little track off to the left signed to Tinkers Point, & from there we had an interesting little river crossing at Summer Hill Creek.

PAUL decided on a different approach to the rest of us getting out & came a cropper half in the water, front half out & going nowhere. With his exhaust bubbling away submerged we hooked him up to a snatch rope but couldn’t get the right run to be successful so Paul backed up & drove himself clear without help.

We wound through tight tracks left by miners from a past age and you could see remnants of their diggings every where. We also past over old wounds left in the earth that Bryce told us about getting bogged for 6 hours with 10 vehicles some years ago & Max remembering also only too well of their experiences as Bryce winched him up the hill covered in muddy ooze. Unfortunately today very dry but still a interesting drive, crossing the creek once again to come out at a nice little camping area where we have camped before on one of Bryce’s Ophir Trips.

We all said our farewells at the back road to Bathurst some 55 k’s away as Max led them off as Bryce & I returned to Orange to Clive’s house.

On every ones behalf I would like to thank Bryce for a terrific weekend away & as Bryce would say "always do it in the dirt".