Sep 30 – Oct 1
Today we packed up and headed out the back way to Moree.  It was plain sailing along 96 km of straight, recently graded dirt roads – a shortcut to Collarenebri that was the outcome from a chat with a fellow camper.

Lightning Ridge to Collarenebri

Once we selected a nice easy drive through spot, we unhitched, setup, went to the tourist info, went shopping, and went back to Kirkby Park, complete with a 10m high awesome rocket slide! The kids splashed in the caravan park’s thermal springs until dinner and bed, then it was our turn to warm up in the 36 deg water before turning in.

Moree Rocket Park

The next morning we were off to Washpool NP, where we had stayed BC (Before Kids) and thought, like MacArthur, that ‘I Will Return’. The climb up the Gibraltar Range was about 800m, with some curvy roads. Washpool has some pretty areas, and our campsite was nestled amongst a grove of shady trees. Whilst we set up and got Kris’s divine slow cooked lamb shanks ready for dinner, the boys quickly ingratiated themselves with some fellow campers with some quite remarkable children, whom we would end up chatting to till late that night. Their 10-year-old recited pi to over 20 decimal places (‘he’s right too, we checked’ – chimed the other siblings) before discussing astrophysics and memes, the other sibling thought we were really cool because we knew all about Dr Who! The eldest ‘just’ wants to be a doctor – low achievers I’m sure!

Bellbird Campsite

The next morning we walked along the Coombadjha Creek trail before scrambled eggs and toast on the fire, then a quick pack up and an exit through more pretty forest towards Sawtell via Grafton.

Coachwood Pool