New Year Getaway - 4th to 8th January 2021

[Dave]

Hi All,

I mentioned that I was planning a short getaway in January at the November club meeting, and here it is :)
5 days out of town, D Grade (probably) driving, nice scenery, and a fun break before starting 2021...

Day 1 – Monday 4 January - Sydney to Polblue Camp – Barrington Tops - 336km
Sydney to Gloucester via the M1 and the Bucketts Way – 264km (Bitumen)
Gloucester to Polblue Camp via Barrington Tops Forest Rd – 72km (Bitumen and Dirt)

Polblue campground and picnic area - $24.60 book online - https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/polblue-campground-picnic-area

Day 2 - Tuesday 5 January - Polblue Campground to Nundle - 104km
Polblue to Ben Halls Gap National Park – 77km (Dirt)
Ben Halls Gap National Park to Nundle – 27km (Dirt)
D Grade dirt from Polblue to where we turn North at Moonan Flat, and then it’s new territory for me via Ben Halls Gap National Park to Nundle.
We spend the next two nights at Fossickers Tourist Park - 02 6769 3355, 103 Jenkins St Nundle - and explore the area.

Day 3 – Wednesday 6 January - Day off around Nundle.
The town has a great pub, a pool, a historic wool mill, one heck of an antique store and a gold mining museum. Plenty of tracks to explore around town too. Relax!

Day 4 – Thursday 7 January - Nundle to Broke – 200km
Nundle to New England Hwy via Timor – 72km (Dirt and Bitumen)
Scone via Burning Mountain Nature Reserve – 38km (Bitumen)
Scone to Broke – 100km (Bitumen)
The dirt from Nundle back to the New England Highway is supposed to be pretty good, D Grade unless it rains. More creek crossings, and another new track for me!
I’ve passed Burning Mountain before – NSW’s only burning underground coal seam – but I’ve never stopped to look and do the 4km walking track. Time to change that!
McNamara Park in Broke is a Free Camp - 1273 Milbrodale Rd, Broke.

Day 5 – Friday 8 January - Broke to Sydney – 187km
Broke to Wollombi – 31km (Bitumen)
Wollombi to Wisemans Ferry via St Albans – 82km (mostly Dirt)
Wisemans Ferry to Sydney – 74km (Bitumen)
An easy run home. 31km of bitumen from Broke down to Wollombi for morning tea, then mostly D Grade dirt to St Albans for lunch. But it is really scenic!
Then we have an easy run on dirt before crossing the river on Wisemans Ferry before splitting up to head home. Hopefully a nice end to a good few days in the countryside!

Total Trip = 828km, or maybe up to 1000km with some track work around Nundle.

Costs
Polblue Campground = $24.60 per site. Book online – 4 Jan 2021. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/polblue-campground-picnic-area
Nundle Fossickers Caravan Park - 2 nights = $66 per single/couple for a campsite. I’ve reserved 10 sites.
Broke McNamara Park = Free camp
Fuel for 1000km at $1.50 per litre = $150 ish. Hopefully that’s on the high side.
Food, well apart from dinner and breakfast in camp at Polblue, there are shops, pubs and café’s everywhere we go. I’m going to guess at $50 per person per day, so $250, less if you choose to self cater more often.
Total = $500 ish.

Please post up below if you would like to come, and if you are a definite, please book your campsite at Polblue ASAP. They are likely to go fast. Use the website link to National Parks bookings. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/polblue-campground-picnic-area
I have reserved 10 camp sites at Nundle so no need to call them, pay on arrival. BUT if you want a cabin there, call them asap as they only have a few left 02 6769 3355.
I have all this in an Itinerary which I can email to you, please PM me your email address.

Thanks
Dave

Definites
1 DaveG
2 RichH
3 BigRig - Raja & Aryan
4 Wayne & Julie (camper trailer)
5 BrianM (camper trailer)
6 GregD
7 Mal & Kim (camper trailer)
8

[Dave]

When you book at Polblue you should get a receipt that looks like this.
3238
Credit card only, need your name, address, rego.
Hopefully they do not allow overbooking so we will have space.
Bring a copy of the receipt just in case there is a Ranger who checks!

Dave

[Ali]

Hey Dave, can u count me in too.


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[Dave]

Hey Dave, can u count me in too.


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You bet! Adding you now.
Pretty sure I have your email, I'll send an Itinerary this evening.
Make sure you get in and book at Polblue, that's the only place I'm worried about filling up...
Thanks,
Dave

[atto]

Hi Dave,
it would be our pleasure to join you on this trip.
regards,
Wayne & Julie

[Dave]

Hi Dave,
it would be our pleasure to join you on this trip.
regards,
Wayne & Julie

And it will be a pleasure to have you along! Seems ages since we have caught up in person!
Have emailed the more detailed plan.

Dave

[Ali]

You bet! Adding you now.
Pretty sure I have your email, I'll send an Itinerary this evening.
Make sure you get in and book at Polblue, that's the only place I'm worried about filling up...
Thanks,
Dave

Thanks Dave, I booked the Polblue site.


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[Dave]

Thanks Dave, I booked the Polblue site.


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:encouragement:


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[MalWilson]

Hi Dave, Mal and Kim are maybes. We’ll let you know next week. Can you please send us the itinerary?

Thanks


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[Dave]

Hi Dave, Mal and Kim are maybes. We’ll let you know next week. Can you please send us the itinerary?

Thanks


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Sure thing, added to maybes and sending next.

Thanks,
Dave

[MalWilson]

Sure thing, added to maybes and sending next.

Thanks,
Dave

Thanks Dave, will let me know ASAP


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[BrianM]

Hi Dave Yes from me pending clearence from Doctors in December

[BrianM]

PS have booked Polblue

[Dave]

Hi Dave Yes from me pending clearence from Doctors in December

Well I've put you down as a definite as you've already made the booking!

Hope the Dr has good news!

Dave

[Greg D]

Dave,
Please count me in. Booked for Polblue.
G reg

[Dave]

Dave,
Please count me in. Booked for Polblue.
G reg

Great! Added! [emoji41]


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[MalWilson]

Hi Dave, Mal and Kim are moving to definite. We have booked Polblue and just organising a camper trailer


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[Dave]

Hi Dave, Mal and Kim are moving to definite. We have booked Polblue and just organising a camper trailer


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Wonderful! That’s two trailers coming, I’ll let Nundle know. Going to be a nice group!


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[Dave]

Hi All,

Thought I'd give this a bump. Have to confirm numbers with Nundle next weekend (4 weeks until we head North). The National Parks bookings page says there are still sites available at Polblue so I hope that means that people are using it and we won't be crowded.

If anyone else is interested, send me a PM with your email and I can send the more detailed trip plan. I'll mention again at the meeting this Wednesday, and I hope to be at the Christmas Party...

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

At the Christmas Party last weekend I said I’d send a “where we can meet” on Monday the 4th, on our way to Gloucester, or in Gloucester. I have emailed everyone.

I plan to leave home by 9.00am and drive to the northbound Caltex Service Station – one of the twin servos on the M1 Motorway at Wyong. I should be there around 10.30 to 11.00am, if anyone wants to meet up for morning tea before heading on to Gloucester.

Or, we can meet at Gloucester for lunch! Leaving the Caltex at Wyong at around 11.00am should see us arriving in Gloucester around 1.00 or 1.30pm.

There is a big car park off Billabong Lane, with good public toilets in the park next to it. Plenty of Cafes on Church St for lunch. And I think the Gloucester Hardware store is now a camping store!

If everyone parks in the Car Park, we should all meet up in the area, ready to leave town and head to Barrington Tops, 2.30pm ish.

If you let me know where you want to meet, I’ll either wait for you at the Caltex – or call you if you don’t turn up, or see you in Gloucester!

Looking forward to heading out of town, three weeks to go :)

We have 9 Jeeps on the list (okay, James is a strong maybe), I only got 6 registration forms with contact details back last week, but I think I have everyone else’s phone number, and you all have mine.

If you haven’t sent me your rego form, would you please send? emailed again.

If anyone else is interested, PM me your email address and I'll be in touch!

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Back to 8 vehicles. James sold his Jeep.
Dave


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[Dave]

Hi All,

The new Covid Outbreak on the Northern Beaches is a bit of a worry. I'm really glad that we hadn't planned a Victoria High Country Trip, Vic border closed from midnight (as is Qld) to anyone from Sydney :(
Another SJC member is planning a Vic High Country Trip with some non Jeep mates. If they have to cancel we may end up with a couple more on our trip.

So I'm glad we are staying within NSW! But if anything goes (more) wrong and Sydney gets locked down, then obviously we would have to cancel.

Keep the fingers and toes crossed, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I hope to see everyone in Gloucester two weeks tomorrow! Only Raja has said he'll meet me at the Caltex at Wyong.

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

And now it's one week tomorrow! I hope that everyone had a great Christmas Day and has something fun (if quiet) planned for New Year.

I was contacted by National Parks the other day, after I sent them an inquiry about Ben Halls Gap National Park. Apparently it is closed to private vehicles, and the tracks immediately around it are through private property and are gated. We are recommended to use Hunter Rd instead to get from Moonan Flat to Nundle - and that may be a good thing as the forecast is for some rain. Slipperier conditions, and we have three trailers in our group, so a marked dirt road that will be open sounds like a good bet.

And I Googled it. In 2018, parts still looked like a track, with around 20 'causeways', and with the rain we can expect some water crossings. Apparently some great scenery as well, so I hope we get some fine weather too. Should be very interesting!

Make sure you pack some wet weather gear, as well as your swimmers for the pool at Nundle (and possibly for checking creek crossings :smile-new:)

Hope everyone is still looking forward to getting away!

Any last minute questions, please call me.

Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

The spread of Covid into the greater Sydney area is troubling, especially the "Croydon" cluster. Guess where I live... But no, not a member of an extended family.

Anyway, there is the possibility that rules around travel may change on short notice so stay tuned. I will post here and email everyone if our plans have to change.

I hope not! But anything could happen.

Thanks,
Dave

[Dave]

Hi All,

Got an email about the weather email, and I know, I’ve been looking at it all week. Some rain is forecast, most on Monday and Tuesday, so we may well get wet driving over the Barringtons and up to Nundle. That said, they only had 3mm at Barrington in the past 24 hours, so hopefully it is a bit drier inland.

If we are advised of road closures around the Barringtons, there are alternatives if eg we can’t get to Polblue. I’ll be checking when we get to Gloucester. Just checked the Nat Parks website, some trails closed due to rain, but the main Barrington Tops Forest Road (our route) is open. LiveTraffic NSW reports Barringtons open, Hunter Rd (Moonan Flat to Nundle on Tuesday) open. And our route out of Nundle on Thursday also currently open. Gloucester Nat Parks office is one block from the car park where we will meet, I’ll drop in and check with them.

Worst comes to worst, we stay on tar on Monday, drive up Thunderbolts Way to Nowendoc and camp there. We’ll change our National Park booking from Barrington Nat Park / Polblue, to Nowendoc Nat Park/ Jackie Barkers Campground. If we need to change anything we can do it with Nat Parks in Gloucester.

In other news, I just spoke with Nundle Caravan Park. They are still looking forward to seeing us – as long as none of us are showing any Covid symptoms! As was Club policy in 2020, if you are feeling unwell, please let me know and please don’t come along. I don’t think any of us are from the Northern Beaches (still locked down), I’m from Croydon, but have not intersected any of the concerned venues and am not part of the extended family (my temp right now is 36.2 degrees and I feel fine), so the plan is to continue with the trip unless Sydney gets locked down.

Last but not least, Ali just texted me to say he is starting a new job on Monday, so we are down to 7 Jeeps.

See you Monday, drive safe! Remember to bring Face Masks! Now mandatory in shopping centres etc and there are shops, a museum, a pub and a wool mill in Nundle!

Dave

[Dave]

Well, we made it there and back again, and it was a great trip! Thanks to everyone who came along, we had a wonderful bunch of Jeepers, and even though it was a shorter trip, we still have great fun on the trails and around the campfire on three of the four nights...

Because Monday evening was wet! Nice drive to Gloucester and then up into the Barringtons. Cloudy but we still had spectacular views. We got into Polblue and there were quite a few other people set up. Fortunately it is big, we organised ourselves into a nice area and set up camp. Wayne even got a fire started, but about ten minutes after we settled in, the rain began! And stopped and started again until around midnight. The BOM said we had 47mm that night, and all the campers, tents and awnings got a work out. Fortunately the thunderstorms seemed to roll around us at the top of the mountain, so it wasn't too savage. Just really damp!

And then Tuesday was beautiful, and got pretty hot and sunny. We headed west out of the Barringtons, more awesome views, then up Hunter Rd to Ellerston. The plan was to stay on Hunter Rd all the way to Nundle, but there was a sign saying road closed. So instead we did Thursdays drive two days early, over Crawney Gap. Nice Drive! Scenic, but pretty easy, and we found a great spot by a creek for lunch before arriving in Nundle. Where everything got put up again and it all dried! Dinner at the pub, and then a fab evening around the fire.

Wednesday was 'around Nundle'. Up to Hanging Rock and Sheba Dams, then a short reccie of Barry Rd which becomes Hunter Rd - and we decided that we would head back south that way on Thursday despite the sign (locals said that it had been up for weeks). We had a muddy drive through the state forest, then stopped for a view of Chaffey Dam before returning to town for a look at the mining museum (excellent for $5) and the historic Woollen Mill, before kicking back for a relax and another great pub dinner.

Thursday and we set off down Barry Rd / Hunter Rd back to Ellerston, and it was awesome! Steep, narrow, muddy, some low range climbing and 22 water crossings. That road has everything that a C grade drive could have!
From there to Burning Mountain, but it's a long walk and we didn't go all the way, and down the New England Hwy to Broke where we had a great free camp and another nice evening around the campfire.

Friday was home via Wollombi and lunch at St Albans - both absolutely packed with people, Covid and school hols I guess - before the quick ride across Wisemans Ferry. An easy finish to a really fun few days away.

Thanks to everyone for coming along, I really enjoyed myself, and I'm pretty sure everyone else did too! Looking forward to the next trip in July!!

Dave.