Day 10 of Western NSW+ Trip (Coonamble - Kawambarai, Weilwan and Gamilaroi Country) 12/5/22

 Having hoped we could leave the rain behind us at the coast, we have been a little disappointed to see it follow us inland.  We spent a few moments worrying about whether or not we should shorten our Pilliga stay but, having decided that we had enough supplies to last us for quite a few days if the worst happened and we got stuck there, we decided to stay our two nights.  The trip out today was wet, to say the least, but not really worrying. We followed a couple of emus for about 500 metres until it became obvious they were just going to keep running ahead of us. We stopped and after another hundred metres or so they finally decided to give the road a miss. 

About 40km of very wet dirt road (but not mud, fortunately) and a few creek crossings later and we arrived at Baradine where we explored the town, including the new Pilliga Discovery Centre, well worth the look.  Then we decided to look for somewhere to have coffee as the rain made making our own slightly less desirable.  Ladies at the local library/information centre/health advice centre were very forthcoming with welcome, travel advice and friendly chit-chat.  Because of the rain, our trip down the Darling River is looking unlikely to start for a while so we spent the time in the local cafe deciding what to do next.  Coonamble got the go ahead and we are staying there in the sole caravan park. "Red at night" promises better weather tomorrow???

In between a couple of loads of washing, we explored a little of the town, including their new Information Centre cum gallery (completed late last year) and Outback Arts, an art gallery/shop with some excellent pieces and an interesting (but a bit slow) feature exhibition Mosses to Marshes, represented as sound on video and some prints and paintings.


The Coonamble Information Centre and a couple of displayed sculptures


Apparently, the three major towns of Coonamble are represented by birds:  Coonamble - the emu; Gulargambone - the galah; and Quambone - a heron.

At the recommendation of our caravan park host, we treated ourselves to dinner out at the 'Termo' (Terminus Hotel) and enjoyed a good feed there.


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