I’ve been travelling on and off along the Bridle Track for the best part of two and a bit decades, I’ve lived through the peril of driving Monaghans Bluff, seen the Turon bone dry and traversed the new bypass. But!! I have never until now camped along the track.
In earlier years pre Bluff land slip (2010) I often pondered on it, but never did. Post landslide the trip felt a little out of the way and the track got quite eroded and rough which meant that my camping partner in crime Brad could not make it down in his trusty commodore (or rather dunnydore as a Ford man refers to it).
So since the track in full re-opened back in early 2023, camping along it has kind of been on the to do list. Until now.
Who’d have thought, landslides still happen!
If you are a regular follower of the chronicles you’d be anticipating the regular commentary of stopping for fish cocktails and chips, this strangely didn’t occur on this trip. Though a stop off at the Wang Bakery for a curry pie and apple pie with cream may or may not have occurred 🙂
The Bridle Track itself has not changed a whole lot over the years; yes it’s smoother, there’s a bypass and many a flood has rearranged the river bed, but the track itself meanders along the same path all the way from just outside Bathurst to Hill End. If anything, the last hurrah at Hawkins Hill has changed the most, but this has never been drivable in my time!
The weather on this particular weekend was picture perfect, if the Macquarie River was not a swollen brown mess you would never have been able to tell there was some heavy rain a few days prior.
After a quick stop at the bypass to stock up on some seasoned wood, we headed for Mary Flynn campground only to be stopped by a crane recovering a ute that had plummeted off the track. With no where else near by to stay the night we opted for Johnsons Hole.
With the day quickly starting to slip away it was time for a quick feed and a settle down by the camp fire.
After a few too many cans and staring at the galaxy above it was time to settle in for the night after a long day.
Morning treated us to another sensational day with the sunlight quickly drying all overnight condensation. After a quick coffee we packed and headed back onto the Bridle Track.
If you ever get a chance, stop and check out the view looking over and beyond the Macquarie and Turon River junction, the countryside is amazing! I’ve got an upcoming chronicle entry covering a hike Dan and I did to the junction circa 2008.
It wasn’t long before we arrived at Mary Flynn, and while we didn’t get the preferred spot there were no complaints with the final destination!
With a slow afternoon on the cards I made a quick lunch and went for a walk around the campsite to check out the Turon which was flowing full force.
As day turned into a chilly night, the fire served us well with a clear sky parading the stars and milky way.
The final morning was crisp and foggy, great for a lazy 8am rise and shine!
As goes with just about every camp morning, there is no better way to start the day than with a cup (or two) of golden syrup!
And just like that I was airing up at Hill End!
With another memorable adventure done and dusted, and camping along the Bridle Track ticked off the list we ended up back where it all began, Wang Bakery!
