The Route for 2022.
- Departure time in the mornings will be 7.30 - 9.30 am; longer days 7.30 - 9.00 am
- There will be a briefing for all participants each night at 5.30 pm prior to dinner at 6.00 pm
- All evening meals are included in the trip (except for Day 11, the 8th of June, when lunch will be provided instead of the evening meal). Wherever possible we'll use local community groups and local businesses with the aim of supporting the local communities we visit.
| Day & Date | Location | Trip Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 Sunday 29 May |
Eugowra Showground The starting point for all vehicles | Situated in the Central West Region of NSW, Eugowra is firmly in the heart of Bushranger Country - being the scene of Australia’s largest gold robbery on 15 June 1852. At nearby Escort Rock Frank Gardiner and his gang of bushrangers (including Ben Hall) ambushed and robbed the gold escort coach on its way from Forbes to Bathurst.
We’ll be camping at the Eugowra Showground in Noble Street (entry opposite Oberon Street). Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm – provided by Eat Your Greens |
| Day 2 Monday 30 May |
Trundle | An easy first day’s drive to Trundle (145 km). We’ll travel via Forbes, Nelungaloo, Gunningbland, Bogan Gate & Yarrabandai.
We’ll all make our way to Trundle Showground in Austral Street – our campsite for the night.
Briefing 5.30 pm – at the Trundle Golf Club Dinner 6.00 pm – at the Trundle Golf Club |
| Day 3 Tuesday 31 May |
Four Corners Farm Stay | Today we up the distance a bit - to 222 km. We’ll pass through Tullamore, Albert, and Tottenham after which we’ll check out the Geographic Centre of NSW. Then on to Nymagee and beyond to Four Corners Farm Stay - our home for the next 2 nights. Check out their new video here
Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm – provided by our hosts at Four Corners Farm Stay, Ken & Anita & Katelyn Burcher |
| Day 4 Wednesday 1 June |
Four Corners Farm Stay | Yesterday was a busy day – today is a good time to chill out and smell the roses!
Or perhaps take an organised tour around the 23,000 acre working station – there’s lots to see and do – something for everyone. Self-Enjoy Day Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm - provided by Four Corners Farm Stay |
| Day 5 Thursday 2 June |
Brewarrina | Today is our second longest drive day – almost 300 km! (293 probably – depends on your odometer if you have one). We’ll head off towards Hermidale before crossing the Barrier Highway and tracking to Girilambone and after a short stint on the Mitchell Highway we turn to the north-east. After passing through Gongolgon we arrive at today’s destination and our home for the next 2 nights - Beds on the Barwon.
Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm – provided by Muddy Waters Cafe |
| Day 6 Friday 3 June |
Brewarrina | Self-Enjoy Day – but we might organise something!!
Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm – once again provided by Muddy Waters Cafe |
| Day 7 Saturday 4 June |
Hebel, QLD | OK! We’re all fresh and rearing to go after a relaxing rest day so we’ll bid farewell to Beds on the Barwon and point ourselves towards Hebel in Queensland – 165 km away. First stop is Goodooga at the 125 km marker. And after another 40 km we’ll cross the border and arrive at Hebel, our home for tonight. We’ll camp behind the Hebel Hotel and across the road at the caravan park.
Briefing 5.30 pm - at the pub Dinner 6.00 pm – at the pub |
| Day 8 Sunday 5 June |
Nindigully Pub, QLD | We’ve got a pub crawl going – leaving the Hebel Hotel it’s an easy 160 km to the Nindigully Pub . On the way we’ll pass through Dirranbandi and Thallon. We’ll camp around the pub for the next 2 nights. Briefing 5.30 pm - at the pub Dinner 6.00 pm – at the Nindigully Pub |
| Day 9 Monday 6 June |
Nindigully Pub, QLD | Self-enjoy day. The metropolis of St George is only 45 km up the road – could be a good drive. Plenty to see and do there. Or you can do not very much here!! Your call. Briefing 5.30 pm – at the pub Dinner 6.00 pm – at the Nindigully pub |
| Day 10 Tuesday 7 June |
Lightning Ridge | 230 km today. We pass through Thallon, Mungindi, and Collarenebri, before reaching our destination - Lightning Ridge Holiday Park. Right in the heart of “There is nowhere in Australia quite like this” – Lightning Ridge. As a town it is the most bizarre, and compelling, combination of rural sophistication and the wildly eccentric; surrounded by a moonscape of mullock heaps under which literally hundreds of obsessed miners search and dig for the black opals which have made the town famous. We spend 2 nights here.
Briefing 5.30 pm – at the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club Dinner 6.00 pm – at the Club |
| Day 11 Wednesday 8 June |
Lightning Ridge | There’s a lot to see and do around here. We’re going on a car door tour – the Orange Car Door Tour through the famous Grawin Opal Fields. At your own pace to Cumborah, the Sheepyard Inn, and then the Glengarry Hilton. Nothing organised at these locations, they’re all great places to stop. But make sure you get to the Grawin Club in the Scrub by 12:30pm ‘cos that’s where we’ve organised to have lunch.
Briefing 12.30 pm - at the Club in the Scrub followed by included lunch. Dinner - wherever you like whenever you like – it’s on you tonight |
| Day 12 Thursday 9 June |
Armatree | This is our last “drive” day – and it’s the biggest. 365 km via Pilliga, Baradine,Mount Tenandra, and Gulargambone (or an easy 252 km down the black top through Walgett, and Coonamble). We camp for the last 2 nights at the Armatree Hotel.
Briefing 5.30 pm – at the Hotel Dinner 6.00 pm – at the Armatree Hotel |
| Day 13 Friday 10 June |
Armatree Finish point |
This is it – our last day of the 2022 Drive. We’ll make the most of being so close to the Warrumbungle Ranges and some of us will drive out through the Warrumbungle National Park to Siding Spring Observatory and enjoy a pre-booked guided tour. It’s a beautiful 170 km drive out thru Tonderburine and back. And Gilgandra has plenty to offer if you’d prefer to stay closer to camp. Briefing 5.30 pm – at the Hotel Dinner 6.00 pm – Armatree Hotel |
| Day 14 Saturday 11 June |
Somewhere | Well it’s been fun, but all good things must come to an end. SAFE JOURNEY HOME AND SEE YOU NEXT TIME. |
*Approximate route and distances only. These may vary depending on road and weather conditions.
