So our 6 month trip began on 1st May. A couple of days earlier than planned as Judie had won a $150 voucher for a cafe/restaurant in Gosford that had to be used in 3 months.

First stop was Swansea on the shores of Lake Maquarie. While here the van was serviced, put over the weigh bridge and wheel alignment done.

Then we were off to travel Thunderbolts Way – named after the bushranger Captain Thunderbolt who roamed these areas. You can read about him here. The road travels from Gloucester to Walcha and then on to Inverell. A very scenic drive through farmland, mountains and the upper reaches of the Manning River. There had been big floods in this area back in March and you could still see the evidence of it. Crops flattened, debris up in trees, big areas washed away. There’s also a long steep climb on the section between Gloucester and Walcha.

Walcha is the gateway to the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park and while there we visited Apsley Falls. Plenty of water going over the falls!

After Inverell we had a quick stop in Moree and then over the border and into Queensland.