Cessnock to Lightning Ridge

Total travelled to date 624kms

Got away a little after we had planned, but given we had to pack the car for the first time and work out where everything would fit we did well, making one of our stops shorter than initially planned allowed us to catch up and arrive at Narrabri only a little after originally planned.

First stop for a cuppa at Life of Pies Murrurundi Life of Pie - Craft Bakery in Murrurundi

We look forward to going again!

We continued on the New England Highway until Willow Tree when we turned onto the Kamilaroi Highway. Not long after turning there were some roadworks which became a bit scary when an oversized load coming the other way was about to pass us, we pulled over as far as we could and that was just enough for them to pass!

Amazing scenery as to our right there were dark clouds and you could see the rain coming down, whilst on our left different clouds and no rain!

Stopped at Gunnedah to stretch our legs at Wolesely Park

On to Narrabri - the Kamilaroi Highway is a good bit of road 

Kaputar Motel Accommodation Narrabri | Book Direct & Save | Kaputar Motel Narrabri

Recommend this place, lovely hosts, the softest of towels! The room came with everything we needed fridge with small freezer compartment; toaster; kettle; microwave; mugs; cutlery; plates; bowls; tea towel; tea; coffee and biscuits. Comfortable beds and affordable!

We did try to go to the Bowling Club for dinner, but the atmosphere was not for us, so headed to Tattersalls the food was great. Tattersalls Hotel, Narrabri, NSW (tattsnarrabri.com.au) 

Decided to change the way we headed to Lightning Ridge, as my phone showed a different route to what we had printed out, which took about half an hour off the time - there was probably 300m in total of some dirt road this way, but it was interesting passing all the empty cotton fields and seeing a few dead pigs along the way!

We did rejoin the Kamilaroi Highway and continued on. A lot of cotton along all the road and some that was still on the plant.

Stopped at Burren Junction for a break and hear a familiar noise in stereo, walked around the undercover seats to find a tree full of cockatiels!

We left and made our way to Lightning Ridge, turning on to the Castlereagh Highway, along this stretch of road we saw a mob of emus, some dead sheep, a wild cat. 

Stopped at Stanley the Emu and then on arrival in town stopped at the information centre. The people were lovely and very helpful and full of information, checking in to our accommdation Lightning Ridge Outback Resort and Caravan Park %lightningridgeoutbackresort  to a lovely little cabin unit. 

We then headed out to the Opal Mine Adventure Experience and went underground to see an opal mine and then to do a bit of fossicking outside! It was a learning experience.

Back to the accommodation and then dinner on site! We ordered Barramundi & Snitzel which was really nice - back to our cabin to relax and played a couple of board games before calling it a night! Looking forward to tomorrow's adventure!

#HighwayToMore