With an earlier than anticipated start to the trip I commenced packing Saturday morning (22nd April) and was on the road in the trusty Hilux at 11:45am with a quick pit stop to get some much needed supplies.
Next stop Glenbrook for a pie and some cakes, whenever I am heading away on a trek somewhere I live by the seefood diet…
Next stop Lake Wallace camping area to spend the night before commencing the big round trip that see’s me go full 360!
The 360 Anzac route:
The plan being to have a peaceful rest overnight, get up at the crack of dawn and head to Bathurst; from there do the Bridle Track, spend a couple nights at Hill End and head through the Upper Turon back to Lake Wallace via Portland.
Peaceful rest had I not and get up at the crack of dawn just didn’t happen! The Lake Wallace camping area is picturesque taking in the lakes surrounds in the large camping spots, though being a very accessible spot peaceful it is not!
The next morning I was greeted with a Jack Frost so I decided to kick back, pack slowly and wait for the sun to dry most of everything.
I didn’t get my act together and it was just after 10am when I finished packing and ready to hit the road, it was shaping to be a cracker of a day!
With the packing formalities finalised the short trip up the Great Western to Bathurst was under way and by the time I approached the town my appetite had grown to a point where a feed was on the cards – another pie and more cake 🙂
Next stop Duramana and the start of the black top section of the Bridle Track through to Hill End where I’d meet up with Brad.
Rather than posting five dozen photos of the track from start to finish I compiled the below YouTube clip:
Being a long weekend Hill End was busy with all camp sites booked weeks in advance, we were fortunate enough to book a couple of camp sites side by side where mandatory alcoholic beverages by the fire were on the cards.
The next day post a trip to Mudgee for pie and cake we made our way back down the Bridle Track to do some exploring and view some potential camp sites by the Turon.
The Turon is such a picturesque place; a beautiful backdrop and crystal clear water, what’s there not to like!?!
Back to the campsite and a visit from a winged friend.
Unfortunately all good things draw to a close and day three meant another morning pack and the journey back to Lake Wallace via the Upper Turon and Portland.
The tarmac from Hill End to Sofala is a relatively uneventful journey though once upon a time ago it was a windy gravel strip the whole way.
Once at Sofala you take the path straight through the guts of the small quaint town and head towards the first Turon crossing at Green Point.
The Upper Turon Rd meanders alongside the Turon River crossing it multiple times and cutting through fertile farm land, views from the undulating road are postcard perfect.
Reaching the end of the Upper Turon Rd brings you back onto the black top and after a short stop at Portland for a burger and chips it was back past Lake Wallace ending a 300km round trip through some of the best surrounds the Central West of NSW has to offer.
