confirm the trafficable status of the track between Bowmans Gully Rd North and Bowmans Gully Rd South . Both authorities assured me the route was open to traffic and passable .
The route from Wollombi to Lithgow was sorted with parts of the Hawkesbury , the Colo and MacDonald River valleys being explored . Preparations were undertaken at the property a week or two prior , with food , fuel and water stored , along with an ample amount of firewood cut and stacked . The accommodation arrangements
at the property were basic , but comfortable , with shelter from the weather , and a few other ‘ luxuries ’ available .
Sunday morning , the kick-off day dawned . Sleep the night before was somewhat difficult and interrupted , a thousand thoughts going through my mind . What have I forgotten ? What else do I need ? Have I packed too many things ? What will the weather be like ? Will the tracks all be open ? Have I bitten off more than I comfortably chew ?
Dubbo to Walcha is a relatively easy run , following the Golden
Highway to just east of Dunedoo and turning onto the Black Stump Way , following a glorious piece of open , twisting roadway to Coolah , and then picking my way over the Liverpool Ranges via Pandora ’ s Pass , a route discovered by the explorer Cunningham way back in 1823 . At a height of 788 metres above sea level , the climb up along gravel and dirt roads is rewarded with a magnificent view . The Liverpool Plains contributes a significant amount to the tables of hungry Australians and the crops and cows I passed along the way left me in no doubt about the
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