We rolled into 'Coona' at 11.00am. Just as parade was starting. At first we thought it was their Labour day parade. Later we will discover the real reason.
We had smoko in a park. Drained the fuel filter again. An thought, where to now.
Just on the outskirts of 'Coona' was a sign to the Siding Springs observatory; just 23km. It looks like today is turning into Astronomy day. Siding Springs sits high on a rocky bluff in the rugged and picturesque Warrumbungle ranges.
We were able to walk up to around the telescope and to also go inside to fourth level.
The view of the Warrumbungles from the Siding Springs is spectacular. Unfortunately the sky was heavily overcast and not good for photos. The weather cleared a little on the way back and we were able to get a close up of small rocky outcrop that is typical of the Warrumbungle country. The area would make great subject matter for paintings.
We rolled back into 'Coona' and checked out the main town now the Parade had moved onto the showground. The parade was to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Coonabarabran on the 3rd May 1860. Most of shop windows were decorated with yesteryear memorabilia.
We traveled on across the wide plains of central NSW.
through Gilgandra (great visitor's centre) to Warren. Neither town has much to see or little to recommend them. These towns service the rural industries that surround them. They are not dying but are depressed, partly empty and just tried. If you look close you can see the remnants of a more prosperous period in the town's history, as in this photo of the Warren main street.
Tonight we camp at Warren in preparation for the long drive to Broken Hill. Will we make it? The van is getting worse by the day. Flushed the fuel filter again last thing tonight.
