TRUNDLE, SIDING SPRINGS and GULARGAMBONE

1^st May 2016

We've heard on our travels about an upcoming event which will be taking place in the small country town of Trundle – population 300. It is apparently very popular as all our attempts by phone and internet to find a place to camp are in vain. The showground is full as are other caravan parks and camping spots in nearby towns. We could freecamp but that would mean leaving our caravan unattended while we visit the event and we are not keen on doing that. The day before the event is due to commence we receive an email to let us know that an unpowered site has been allocated for us at the race track, so we quickly pack up and head for Trundle. We have no trouble in finding our site at the race course – the only problem we have is trying to work out where to place our caravan and car. The site is humongous (as are all the other sites) and would easily accommodate three or four rigs the same size as ours. We decide to just plonk ourselves right in the middle of the site which gives us heaps of room to the sides, front and back. We figured that the person who marked out the sites was probably used to dealing with truckloads of horses, cattle and sheep – hence the overly generous proportions. In the morning we walk into town where the wide main street has been closed for the day and is now a pedestrian traffic only mall with stalls along either side.

Wok rocks his Akubra in the main street of Trundle

Music is coming from everywhere – ABBA music that is! For this is the ABBA Festival and there are buskers

ABBA buskers (minus the guys)

and bands of different persuasions

Parkes Concert Band

Ukelele jam session

and people of all ages dressed as their favourite ABBA personality.

ABBA comes in all shapes, sizes and outfits

These outfits are the norm around Trundle today!

We wander along the stalls and at midday call into the beer garden of the local hotel to watch couples (dressed in ABBA costumes of course) renew their marriage vows to an ABBA themed ceremony. Lots of fun with the local Anglican priest presiding as the celebrant. Back to the van for some lunch and a bit of a break before heading back into town for the main events. It was late afternoon and by now there were thousands of people in town.

The main street of Trundle is jam packed with people

At the top of the street a band was in full swing and at 5pm it was time to get the show on the road. It was time to start dancing as Trundle made an attempt to have the most people dancing in a main street for the Guinness Book World Record. To the tunes of 'Fernando' and 'Dancing Queen' we rocked it while a plane flew overhead taking photos. We don't know if the record was broken but we sure had a lot of fun. Then it was a short walk to the main venue which was an outdoor concert with the Swedish ABBA Tribute Band 'Bjorn Again' performing. We set up our camp chairs and spent the next couple of hours enjoying the show. They are a wonderful Tribute Band and if you closed your eyes you would swear you were listening to the original ABBA. What a great day! The weather was good and the crowd festive. Well done Trundle! Next morning the weather was not so good with showers starting to roll in. Bet those festival organisers were thanking their lucky stars! We figured it was time to hit the road before the grounds on which we were camped became a quagmire, so a quick pack up ensued and we headed north with ABBA tunes rolling around in our heads all day.

Our next destination was Tooraweenah – a small town west of the Warrumbungle National Park. We checked in for a few nights at the small caravan park where we intended to base ourselves while we explored the area. With approximately twelve sites the caravan park is quite small but the owners were extremely friendly and home made scones with jam and cream were delivered to our door once we had set up on site. Yumm! Their campfire get togethers in the afternoons were also great with lots of stories and new friends to meet. The main reason for us to visit the Warrumbungles was to go and see Siding Springs Observatory

Wok at Siding Springs Observatory

The observatory is owned by the Australian National University and has been operating since 1965. It was placed here because of the dark and cloud free skies. There are over 40 telescopes on the site. We check out the inside of the observatory and get a look at how the telescope operates.

Inside the observatory

Outside the observatory is a wonderful view of the rough landscape of the Warrumbungles.

The Warrumbungles

In January 2013 a huge bushfire engulfed the Warrumbungles and the facility was threatened. Staff were evacuated to the nearby town of Coonabarabran and three buildings were destroyed. Smoke and ash entered the domes but the telescopes survived the inferno. By mid February some of the telescopes were back in action again. We can see how close the fire came as the trees surrounding the site are only now just starting to come into leaf again. There are lots of bushwalking tracks in the national park with spectacular views to the west and east.

View to the west from the Warrumbungles

The Warrumbungle mountains were formed by volcanic activity and have unusual lava formations. The 2013 fire destroyed about 80% of the park as well as destroying dozens of homes. The local wildlife was devastated and the visitor centre and museum wiped out as well as railings and viewing platforms throughout the park. Some parts of the park still remain closed but regeneration is happening and wildlife slowly returning – it will just take time.

Time to continue our travels so we head north to Gulargambone for an overnight stop. Seems we have timed our visit just right as tonight is the weekly camp oven roast dinner. Can't think of a better way to spend the evening – sitting around a campfire and watching someone else cook your dinner.

And yes ... !  Dessert is also on the menu.    Yummmmm ... !