The Route
- 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 dinners are included in the trip and we aim to use local community groups and local businesses wherever possible with the aim of supporting local communities.
| Day & Date | Location | Trip Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 Sunday 31 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 1 June | Trundle | An easy first day’s drive to Trundle (145 km). We’ll travel via Forbes, Nelungaloo, Gunningblad, Bogan Gate & Yarrabandai.
We’ll all make our way to Trundle Showground in Austral Street – our campsite for the night.
Briefing 5.30 pm – Dinner 6.00 pm – provided by tba |
| Day 3 Tuesday 2 June | Warren | Today we double yesterday’s distance as we head off for Warren - 290 km away. Along the way we pass through Tullamore, Albert and Tottenham after which we’ll check out the Geographic Centre of NSW. Then to Nyngan, Nevertire and through Snakes Plain to Warren.
At the end of the day’s drive we’ll arrive at the Warren Racecourse and Showgrounds complex at 7267 Old Warren Road – The Randwick of the West, and our home for the next 2 nights.
Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm – provided by tba |
| Day 4 Wednesday 3 June | Warren | Yesterday was a busy day – today is a good time to chill out and smell the roses!
Or perhaps a spot of bird watching at the Tiger Bay Wetlands and adjacent Window on the Wetland Centre (please note: we’ll drive through the Macquarie Marshes when we leave Warren tomorrow) ….. There is lots to see and enjoy. Self-Enjoy Day Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm - provided by tba |
| Day 5 Thursday 4 June | Brewarrina | Today is our second longest drive day – 300 km. We’ll head of towards Quambone and the Macquarie Marshes Nature Reserve. Leaving the Macquarie Marshes viewing platform we continue for 160 km to today’s destination and home for the next 2 nights - Beds on the Barwon.
Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm – provided by tba |
| Day 6 Friday 5 June | Brewarrina | Self-Enjoy Day – but we might organise something!!
Briefing 5.30 pm Dinner 6.00 pm – provided by tba |
| Day 7 Saturday 6 June | Hebel, QLD | OK! We’re all fresh and rearing to go after another 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 7 June | Nindigully Pub | 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 8 June | Nindigully Pub | 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 9 June | Glengarry Hilton | The Pub crawl continues!! A big 310 km today – our longest drive day. We pass through Thallon, Mungindi, Collarenebri, Walgett and Cumborah before reaching our destination - The Glengarry Hilton. An interesting pub in the heart of the very dusty Grawin Opal fields. We spend 2 nights here.
Briefing 5.30 pm – at The Hilton Dinner 6.00 pm – at The Hilton |
| Day 11 Wednesday 10 June | Glengarry Hilton | What you do today is totally up to you! But we might organise something too!! There’s a lot to see and do around here. Or nothing. Your call.
Briefing 5.30 pm - at the Hilton Dinner 6.00 pm – at the Hilton |
| Day 12 Thursday 11 June | Gilgandra | This is our last “drive” day – and it’s an easy 285 km down the black top through Walgett, Coonamble, Gulargambone and Armatree. We camp for the last 2 nights at the Gilgandra Showground.
Briefing 5.30 pm – at the showground Dinner 6.00 pm – at the showground provided by tba |
| Day 13 Friday 12 June | Gilgandra Finish point | This is it – our last day of the 2020 Drive. We’ll make the most of being so close to the Warrumbungle Ranges and do an optional loop drive through them – Gilgandra to Coonabarabran then through the Warrumbungle National Park to Tooraweenah and back to Gilgandra. Or it can be done in reverse. Either way it’s a beautiful 220 km drive. And Gilgandra has plenty to offer if you’d prefer to stay closer to camp. Briefing 5.30 pm – Gilgandra Services Club Dinner 6.00 pm – Diggers Bistro @ the Gilgandra Services Club |
| Day 14 Saturday 13 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.
