Dayv and Travis on the road together heading out on the Darling River Run.  The Darling River Run is an outback adventure and the trip did not disappoint. No Fixed Travel Plans – But I did have a Full Tank

It had been planned for some time but never really planned in any detail.

It was just as the veil was lifting around all the Covid-19 travel and camping restrictions, when a great mate of mine (Travis) and I decided to bolt and explore the world that existed outside our immediate confines.

As lock-down opened in Queensland, our once housebound restrictions and then local community (or village as it was sometimes referred) and increasingly 150km and then 250km radius limits from our homes. We now had an unlimited radius within Queensland to travel and explore – and we were off.

No Beer for the trip – The Darling River Run looks like a dry run

We realised just how unplanned all this was when we left Ipswich and we called each other on the CB to find that neither of us had beer onboard. How unplanned was that…?

Anyway, our few nights away found us at Yarramalong Weir Reserve just east of Millmerran in south Queensland. This was a quiet camp on the Condamine River and a great spot to stop and draw breath around the fire.

The Darling River Run Day 1
The outback adventure – Day 1

Map of the Darling River

Lees Reserve on the Dumaresq River

Our second night was at Lees Reserve on the Dumaresq River – which forms the boarder of Queensland and New South Wales – just south of Yelarbon and east of Goondiwindi. This again is a great riverside campsite under the trees where many come to fish for yellow belly or murray cod with varying degrees of success.

After a brief stop at Goondiwindi, Travis and I parted ways (amicably of course). Travis to other duties and me on a leave pass which my wife recorded on the calendar at home as “Dayv’s Quest”.

Trip South of Queensland’s Boarder

I had a leave pass with no plans and no fixed return date – Yahoo!!!

The Darling River Run through Outback New South Wales was etched in my mind from many previous discussions and I was off – still with no real plans.

From Goondiwindi, I headed over the Mcintyre River (which had just taken on the waters of the Durmaresq a little upstream) and headed deep into New South Wales much to the disgust of the fellow southern travelling community who were blocked from travelling into Queensland.

First night’s stop for the Darling River Run Trip

My first night’s stop was at Moree at the Gwydir Thermal Pools Motel and Caravanpark. This provided me with a much needed proper shower and a dip (well… several) in the hot thermal pools with a maximum of 9 other people.

I was amazed that, as I spoke with southern travellers around the pool, many campers were aggressively against Queensland’s decision to block travellers at the boarder. Yet, the Queensland travellers further north were quiet comfortable with the move.

Travelling West to New South Wales’ Outback

The next day saw me head west on Gwydir Highway to take in Walget and Brewarrina with the desire to get somewhere close to where the Darling River starts at the junction of the Barwon and Culgoa Rivers. The closest most travellers can get is at the reserve at the crossing of the Bogan River (which flows into the Barwon River) some 40 kilometres east of Bourke.

My late departure from Moree (where I spent some time over a coffee planning the drive south) meant that my time in Brewarrina was cut short. There’s much in this town, with its close connection with our First Nation People, that I want to explore next time – including the fish traps.

Pulling in Late to Camp

I eventually got to drive into Bourke at around 5:00pm. Which is a little to late on a Winter’s day to keep driving further into the unknown.

And, I still had firewood to cut on the side of the road for my campfire that night…

So, further west I went, driving into the setting sun, heading to Gundabooka National Park and Yanda Campground – where I had already booked a campsite online as is now mandated under new Covid isolation requirements. I knew little about Gundabooka but I was so glad I stopped and camped on the banks of the Darling River.

The Darling River Bank At Yanda Campground

I’d also like to thank the ‘locals’ for welcoming into the Yanda Campground

Darling River Bank at Yanda Campground
Part of Australia’s charm.

My stay at Gundabooka and the trip further south along the Darling River are stories for another day – around another campfire.

More information on the Darling River Run

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