Left Goodiwindi after a short tour around the sights, or should that be sites? Doesn’t really matter. Gunsynd hasn’t changed since last seen on the memorial near the old Border Bridge, hasn’t won any more races either. Leanne availed herself of discounts at Goondiwindi Cotton Co before we headed off down the road to Moree and then onto Collarenabri on the Gwydir River. At Collarenabri we chased a flock of ducks into the river before having a milkshake in the local cafe. There is not a lot of commerce on the main street which has seen better days it seems. The drive into Walgett went well passing  great expanses of harvested cotton fields. It is a big night in town tonight and the local bottle shop ,is doing a roaring trade, there should be a few headaches in the morning. We enjoyed some Chinese takeaway and a bottle of red back in the motel. Last night under cover before the first camp out in Bourke tomorrow, after some grave hunting at Bugilbone.

After a slow start this morning we have arrived at Goondiwindi, home of the ‘Goondiwindi grey’ Gunsynd. Our vehicle has performed well with no mishaps. First time for both of us driving one of these 4wd tanks, parking can get a bit tight and I can see why shopping centre car parks should be a no go zone for them. A bit tight for time on arrival so we are spending  tonight in a motel rather than camping under the stars. In the morning will have a quick look around the town before moving onto Walgett for the next stop.

Well arrangements are now in place…almost…for the start of our road trip on the Darling River Run. The trip takes us from Brisbane in Queensland out west through Warwick and Goondawindi into NSW for our first night in Moree. From there we head to Bourke and down the Darling River to Wentworth where the river joins  the Murray River,Australia’s longest, which forms the border with Victoria.

We set off on Thursday 2 June in the early morning.