Mann River to Lake Keepit

After two nights at Mann River Reserve we packed up in showery weather and started up the steep, narrow and windy road up the Gibraltar Range to the Gwydir Highway.  It was a little nerve racking as there was no room for error or if there was any equipment failure there was very little that could be done without a tow truck or crane.  All went well though and away we went towards Armidale.

Our little Camps 6 book (now Camps 7 - have to get the update) - showed us there was a bush camp about 8 klm out of Armidale beside Dumaresq Dam.  It also showed a number of other people too.  Whilst not packed it was busy.  We were able to get a great camp at the far end of the park overlooking the dam.

Dumaresq Dam - Campsite view

There is a significant low pressure system off Brisbane and the Gold Coast dumping heavy rain and strong winds along the coast and inland to where we are.  Speaking to Mum yesterday, she said that even the north coast had over 200mm of rain.

Tamworth lunch stop

The weather remains showery and windy but a lot less than at Sandon River where we where.  Being Armidale, it is also cold - 12 deg overnight.  We had a good night here followed by a supermarket shuffle, a great cafe breakfast and an even better time visiting Bunnings - just love Bunnings.  To our surprise the mat we left on the side of the road a few days ago was there at Bunnings too.  We were able to coax him into the car and he promised he wouldn't leave home again.

Returning to our camp we packed up to the sounds of one of the campers playing the guitar just brilliantly - Dark Side of the Moon on a 12 string guitar and more.  We set off towards Tamworth were we stopped for lunch at a roadside stop opposite the airport.  As you can see the western direction we are travelling is giving us fine and warmer weather - 32 deg.

We are due for a van park for a wash and clean up and our Camps 6 book suggested Lake Keepit Van Park, half way between Tamworth and Gunnadah.  What a great spot it is.  Real good van park with good facilities and views of the lake.  There are also bush camps which are the same as the van park without the amenities, water, sullage, power, campers kitchen - well I suppose they are different, but they are great campsites.   

Afternoon drinkies view

Our campsite

Lake Keepit - Breakfast at sunrise - Thu 21 Feb 2013

This is really a good spot - particularly at the moment as it is so quiet.  Tomorrow (Friday 22 Feb) it starts to get busy as there are two separate events on - sailing and gliding.  We are having our own event called "Leaving" but not before we catch up with Wendy and Alan who arrive tomorrow for the gliding event.  We tried to stay for another night or two but our van site is booked and another event is being held on Saturday - a rain event - so after catching up with Wendy and Alan we will push further south-west where the weather is forecast to be a lot better.

Fri 22 Feb – Lake Keepit Van Park

Camped near us last night were a Canadian father and daughter travelling in a Britz 4wd camper.  We spent a while talking to the dad.  His daughter is doing a semester at Sydney’s UNSW, so they decided to fly into Cairns and spend a month travelling up to the Cape, then down to Sydney before his daughter starts Uni.  Unfortunately for them they had a third unexpected party that travelled with them literally the whole way – the heavy low pressure system that dumped torrents of rain and wind all the way from Cairns to Sydney. 

They had to head inland to Lake Keepit to see some sun and dry everything out.  In Queensland they were flooded in for a day in Byfield National Park (hour north of Rockhampton). The Ranger was able to get over the flooded causeway and advised them that 4wd's could get out with him now or they would be stranded for at least three days.  They took another couple out with them who only had a sedan.  In a convoy of 4wd’s they made it out with water up to just below the windows.

This weekend at Lake Keepit there sees two big events coinciding – a fishing competition and gliding event.  Saturday night also sees a Jazz night.  So there will be lots of people and bad weather from the low as well. 

Given Wendy and Alan Pilkington are here from today, we seriously considered staying a few more nights but, on balance, the crowds and the weather combination make that option unappealing.  We did pack up and move over to the bush camp area on the other side of the lake and had a morning tea to catch-up with them.  As always it was great to see them and learn more about their travels.

Lake Keepit Bush Camping area