Spring Touring Trip Anyone? The Darling River Run!

[Dave]

The Darling River Run - October 2019

As we have already had a few longer trips in the first half of this year, Barrington Tops, the Jeep Jamboree etc, and because the last big touring trip we ran was a fairly tough one (last year I broke my Jeep in the Simpson Desert), this year I thought I would offer a slightly less ‘hard-core’ but still very scenic touring trip, visiting some spectacular and historic places. This will be a great trip for anyone wanting to try touring for the first time.

The Darling River Run was a concept started by Tourism NSW a few years ago. We ran a version of this trip back in 2013 and I’d like to do it again, with a couple of changes and additions. This is an outback, Western NSW tour, easy driving on bitumen and good D grade dirt roads, with possible C grade especially if it rains. (Hopefully there will have been some winter rain in this drought stricken area before we go)

Open to 4WD and AWD Jeeps, modified or stock, and camper trailers are welcome!

Monday 30 September to Wednesday 9 October 2019 (October School Holidays)

Day 1 - Monday 30 September - Sydney to Wagga Wagga 458km
Day 2 - Tuesday 1 October - Wagga Wagga to Balranald & the Homebush Hotel 424km
Day 3 - Wednesday 2 October - Homebush Hotel to Mungo National Park 130km & sightseeing at Mungo approx. 100km
Day 4 - Thursday 3 October - Mungo National Park to Menindee via Pooncarie 220km
Day 5 – Friday 4 October - Sightseeing at Kinchenga National Park - Menindee Lakes approx. 100km
Day 6 – Saturday 5 October - Menindee to Wilcannia 156km
Day 7 - Sunday 6 October - Wilcannia to Tilpa then on to Kallara Farmstay 138km
Day 8 – Monday 7 October - Tilpa to Gundabooka National Park 130km & sightseeing at Gundabooka approx. 50km
Day 9 – Tuesday 8 October - Gundabooka National Park to Nyngan via Burke 255km
Day 10 – Wednesday 9 October - Nyngan to Sydney 560km

TOTAL DISTANCE approximately 2700km
Longest distance with NO FUEL available, Balranald to Pooncarie plus Mungo sightseeing, approximately 355km.

Please Consider! To go we need AT LEAST 3 vehicles. 10 vehicles would be a comfortable maximum number, some campsites websites seem to max out at this number, we may be able to squeeze a couple more in than that...

Please post below if you are interested. I will have full itineraries available at Club Meetings from April, or I can email you one if you wish.

Thanks,
Dave

Coming:
1 DaveG
2 SteveT
3 Wayne & Julie (joining us from Tilpa)
4 AdrianB
5 GregD
6 EvaK + 1
7 Mariner & Marah

[H2Micr0]

Hi Dave

Please add me to the Thinking about it list.

I am giving this some serious thought since you first hinted at this earlier in the year.

Cheers
Ben

[Dave]

Hi Dave

Please add me to the Thinking about it list.

I am giving this some serious thought since you first hinted at this earlier in the year.

Cheers
Ben

Done! I'll have more info at the meeting tomorrow :)

Dave

[stevet]

I've applied for leave so I am in!!!!!!!..........

[Dave]

I've applied for leave so I am in!!!!!!!..........

Great, thanks Steve! Just you or plus one?

Dave

[Dru]

Dave - can you take a voice of interest for now? I'm having real trouble balancing things right now, but would like to do this if we can squeeze it inn.

[Dave]

Dave - can you take a voice of interest for now? I'm having real trouble balancing things right now, but would like to do this if we can squeeze it inn.

Sure thing, have added you to the "Thinking about it" list. Hope you can make it, should be a bit less full on than the last outback trip, and a bit more relaxed I hope!

[Greg D]

Dave,
Please count me in.
Greg

[Dave]

Dave,
Please count me in.
Greg

Fab! Done!!


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[BrianM]

HI Dave.
Count me in.
Cheers.
BrianM

[Dave]

HI Dave.
Count me in.
Cheers.
BrianM

Done, thanks Brian!


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[Dru]

HI Dave.
Count me in.
Cheers.
BrianM

Welcome Brian. :encouragement:

[glend]

Folks I did, (along with my dog and camper trailer), the first Club Darling River Run and I highly recommend it. Not sure how much water is out there now but it's probably still a great trip. Of course, corrugations are around and I recall a couple of Wranglers having suspension problems on that trip, so make sure things are tight. As Dave indicated, it is a great trip for first time outback tourers.
Glen

[Dave]

Another 'bump', and thanks to Glen for the nice comments about the last trip out that way.

No rush to make a decision as I won't need to make bookings until end of July... Just keeping it out there :)

Dave

[Dieselcon]

Another 'bump', and thanks to Glen for the nice comments about the last trip out that way.

No rush to make a decision as I won't need to make bookings until end of July... Just keeping it out there :)

Dave

I’m following with interest... not sure but it would be great if I can get time off. But for that amount of time I unlikely [emoji853]


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[Dave]

I’m following with interest... not sure but it would be great if I can get time off. But for that amount of time I unlikely [emoji853]


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Fingers crossed then. Let me know when and if, we have plenty of space!

[BrianM]

HI Dave.
For this trip the 8 places we stay listed on page 8 of the trip report
do we need to book direct with them or are you doing a group booking.
Bringing camper so need an unpowered site.
For dinner at Kallara station count me in.
Cheers.
Brian.

[H2Micr0]

Hi Dave

Unfortunately, I am a definite no for this trip.

Hopefully next trip.

Cheers
Ben

[Dave]

Hi Dave

Unfortunately, I am a definite no for this trip.

Hopefully next trip.

Cheers
Ben

Okay, no worries. We’ll just need to plan the next one! Victoria High Country in Jan? Back to the desert mid year??
Planning’s half the fun!
Dave


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[Dave]

Another bump...

Ten weeks tomorrow the Darling River Runners set off for Wagga Wagga, so I thought I’d better start getting organised.

We have 7 Jeeps in the Definite list and 2 “Thinking about it” and I’ve emailing all of us. In the next few weeks I will make reservations at the couple of caravan parks and the farm stay that we will be visiting, so I will need actual numbers.

I've sent a Registration Form which asks for the details of your Jeep, names of everyone in your vehicle and your contact details, and an emergency contact just in case. Please fill out if you are definitely coming and return. Email is fine, or print and I’ll collect in two weeks at the next meeting. I’ll make reservation calls after the August meeting…

If you can’t come then please let me know.

When I put the Itinerary together, no one asked for payments up front. Once I have made reservations I will let everyone know the actual costs. The farm stay - Kallara Station – does offer a catered dinner. I think it was $20 on top of their $10 camping fee in 2013, but it was worth it. If you are interested, please circle on the reg form and I will confirm the price when I confirm our numbers with them.

If anyone didn't get the email, or if there is anyone else who would like to come along - we still have space :) - please PM me with your correct email address and I'll send again.

I think everyone has a copy of the Itinerary. All the guestimated costs and a list of things that you need to take is in it.

Hope that is everything for now. As always, any questions, please email or call me!

Thanks,
Dave

[Dru]

Dave, really sorry but we are not going to make it. Too tricky sorting out leave.

Dru’n’Kerry

[Dave]

Dave, really sorry but we are not going to make it. Too tricky sorting out leave.

Dru’n’Kerry

Thanks Dru, maybe next year...:)


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[Mariner]

Is it too late ?
Thinking about going. Just wondering what kinda things are needed?


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[Dave]

Is it too late ?
Thinking about going. Just wondering what kinda things are needed?


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Not too late, I’ll fire up the computer and send the itinerary with list of stuff.
Let me know what you think!
Dave


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[MY14JK]

Hi Dave,

Visited the dealer to find out when I might expect delivery of the new JL, good news is it'll be a 2020 model however the bad news it won't arrive before this trip. I'm hopping to have sold my JK before then so unfortunately I'll miss this years touring expedition.

Cheers,

Kevin.

[Dave]

Hi Dave,

Visited the dealer to find out when I might expect delivery of the new JL, good news is it'll be a 2020 model however the bad news it won't arrive before this trip. I'm hopping to have sold my JK before then so unfortunately I'll miss this years touring expedition.

Cheers,

Kevin.
Sorry to hear it Kev, but glad the new JL is on the way!

Hope to see you at the AGM in a coupla weeks,

Dave

[Dave]

Dear Darling River Runners,

I have made all the calls and reserved all our campsites for our Darling River Run in 6 weeks time. Can’t wait to get out of Sydney for a week and a bit.

I have booked 8 sites everywhere from Wagga to Wilcannia (Mon 30 Sept to Sat 5 Oct) as unfortunately Wayne and Julie can’t join us until we get to Tilpa / Kallara Station. 9 sites from Kallara to home. Leo is still a maybe, but I booked for him as well in hope…

As you will see below, I have only booked unpowered campsites. Some places do have cabins available, but if you would like one, please call and book it yourself. All places know us as the Sydney Jeep Club group, so you can identify yourself that way.

Warrawong on the Darling, 0437 010 105 (tel:0437%20010%20105), asked if everyone could call them individually, but not before Tuesday 20 August. They are the only people that we all need to call, unless you are making separate bookings for cabins.

Unfortunately Kallara Station can not do dinner for us after all, the owners have to travel to Adelaide so there will only be a manager minding the place. So we will need to self cater there, unless we choose to drive 10km back to Tilpa Pub for dinner.

Copi Hollow (Menindee) sounds like they will be able to offer us dinner on one of the nights we are there, as they are finishing a pizza oven and offered a pizza night. I said yes! So on the two nights we are there we can hopefully have pizza one night and either self cater or drive in to Menindee Pub for dinner the other night. Hopefully this makes up for no dinner at Kallara.



Mon 30 September - Wagga Wagga Beach Caravan Park - 2 Johnston Street Wagga Wagga, (02) 6931 0603 (tel:(02)%206931%200603).
Booked 8 unpowered sites, $30 per site. Full amenities (toilets and showers). Dinner available in town or self cater.
No Cabins available (there are motels in town).


Tues 1 October - Homebush Hotel - Balranald-Ivanhoe Rd, NSW, (03) 5020 6803 (tel:(03)%205020%206803).
Booked 8 unpowered sites – FREE - if we buy dinner at the pub! Full amenities (toilets and showers).
Backpacker rooms available at $35, please call and book for yourself if you wish.


Wed 2 October - Mungo National Park Main Camp. Camping ONLY. Toilet only. Self cater in camp.
Accommodation may be available at Mungo Lodge a few kilometers outside the National Park ( (tel:(03)%205029%207297)03) 5029 7297 (tel:(03)%205029%207297).
Dinner available at Mungo Lodge.


Thu & Fri 3 & 4 October - Copi Hollow Caravan Park Caravan Park, (08 ) 8091 4880 (tel:(08)%208091%204880).
Booked 8 unpowered sites, $20 per site per night = $40 for our two nights. Full amenities (toilets and showers).
They do have cabins available. Please call and book for yourself soon if you would like one.
Dinner available at Menindee Pub, but it is a drive. Otherwise self cater.
They will have a new pizza oven finished when we get there and are willing to do a pizza night – I said yes please!


Sat 5 October - Warrawong on the Darling, 0437 010 105 (tel:0437%20010%20105).
Booked 8 unpowered sites, $30 per site. Full amenities (toilets and showers).
They want us all to call – but not before Tuesday 20 Aug - to confirm bookings individually.
Please call in the next week and say you are with the Sydney Jeep Club Group.
They do have cabins available. Please book if you would like one when you call.
Self cater or head back in to Wilcannia for dinner.


Sun 6 October - Kallara Station, (02) 6837 3963 (tel:(02)%206837%203963).
Booked 9 unpowered sites, $10 per site Has full amenities. Bunkhouse and rooms available, please call and book for yourself if you would like one.
Unfortunately dinner is now NOT available, but it is only 10km back to Tilpa Hotel, otherwise self cater.


Mon 7 October - Gundabooka National Park. Camping ONLY. Toilet only. Self cater.


Tues 8 October - Nyngan Riverside Caravan Park (02) 6832 1729 (tel:(02)%206832%201729).
No bookings taken for camping, $28 per site for a couple. Full amenities (toilets and showers).
They have cabins available if you call and book soon! Dinner available in town, otherwise self cater.



And I think that is about it. Please let me know if you are unable to call Warrawong on the Darling (Greg may still be overseas), hopefully they will be okay with me calling for you…

Then all we have to plan is meeting up before, or at Wagga. I hope everyone got the Meeting Points Sheet? Does anyone want to meet and convoy from Marulan?

6 weeks to go!!

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

Two weeks till we leave Sydney, and unfortunately Brian has had to drop out due to illness. Fortunately he is recovering, but won’t be able to join us.

I also haven’t heard back from Leo, so I’m not sure if we are 6 or 7 Jeeps from Wagga. So we still have a great crew, but one or two fewer than last time.

I was down in Canberra for a couple of days last week, definitely greener down south, and with some rain expected over quite a bit of the state this week, it might at least cut the dust a little :)

Hope everyone’s preparations are going well, please let me know if you have any questions.

Dave


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[Dave]

Hi All,

The last post was two weeks ago, now there is just two days to wait.

Which is just as well as I haven’t packed yet!

Think I’ve heard from everyone in the past couple of weeks and I know that a few of us plan to meet up at Marulan – I hope to be there by 10.30 and leave again 11.00 ish on Monday morning.
Which should put us at the Dog on the Tuckerbox around 1.00 or 1.30pm for lunch…
And Wagga City Beach Caravan Park about 4.00pm!

I’ll be travelling with the UHF on Chanel 15, and the phone should have reception all the way on Monday.

Have a great weekend everyone, and a safe drive on Monday. See you all West of Sydney :)

Best wishes,
Dave

[H2Micr0]

Have a fun trip all.

Take a lot of photos for us all to share in your adventures.

Cheers
Ben

[Dave]

Have a fun trip all.

Take a lot of photos for us all to share in your adventures.

Cheers
Ben

Will do!


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[MY14JK]

Enjoy the trip all, have lots of fun and take lots of pics! My new JL is still 4-5 weeks away so I'll definitely be on next years trip (should one be organised).

Keep safe!

Kevin.

[Dave]

Enjoy the trip all, have lots of fun and take lots of pics! My new JL is still 4-5 weeks away so I'll definitely be on next years trip (should one be organised).

Keep safe!

Kevin.

Thanks Kev, havin’ a beer at Wagga Beach. Wish you were here :)


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[Dave]

Trip update, we are at the half way point, about to leave Menindee for Wilcannia. Been a great trip so far, we left Wagga with 5 Jeeps and 7 people, went out to Balranald, then Lake Mungo, Poincarie and arrived at Menindee on Thursday arvo, where SteveT caught up with us. Kinchega national park and swimming in the lake yesterday were fabulous!
More soon.


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