Arriving at Canberra Dino Museum and Campgrounds

07-08-2016

Made it to Wagga Wagga yesterday and found a place to stay; a caravan park about two blocks from the “downtown” area. Stayed in one of their cabins and after a short walk downtown spent the evening organizing my stuff for re-entry to civilization. Actually spent most of the evening watching TV, first time in a couple of months. Got my news from newspapers in Roadhouses. Found other things to do so I didn’t miss it much.

Drove around Town a bit this morning, stopped at a local Tourist Info place and decided to leave for Canberra, about 100 km. 

Found the National Dinosaur Museum on the outskirts of Canberra and couldn’t pass it up. Lots of Dino’s found in Australia some like those found in North America and some different. Even found a picture of Brother's uncle. Confirmed by his DNA analysis. . A very comprehensive museum focused on the formation of Earth, Geological Time and Evolution of Living Things. Lots of information and think I read it all. Spent 5+ hours there, a worthwhile stop.  

Found a caravan park few miles out of Canberra. After a drive through the park I decided to stay in the campground area where I saw some kangaroos.

Set up my table and chair and fixed dinner; smoked oysters, cheese, crackers a can of Victoria Bitter Beer. Shortly I was visited by a few Magpies and Cockatoos looking for a snack. Magpies got so close I could have picked one up, Cockatoos were more cautious. Approaching sunset brought a kangaroo, female with something in her pouch who seemed interested in me. First female in Australia to do so.  She hopped over to within 50 feet and watched me until it was nearly dark. Thought about approaching her with some bread but didn’t because of warnings received: They can do serious harm if they choose to kick you and bread does something to their teeth and gums that can kill them.

An interesting day!

  

     

Cobdogla, SA to Wagga Wagga, NSW

05-08-2016

Left the Cobdogla, SA. Area caravan park continuing my journey to Canberra. More rain and the driver side wiper is leaving a streak at eye high. Stopped and got that replaced. Not a highlight of the day but the wettest.

Not much traffic for a major highway so was able to take my time and take in the scenery, go down some side roads. Crossed the border of South Australia into New South Wales, (NSW). Much different than Western and most of So. Australia. Terrain has gradually changed from flat to rolling hills.

Farms around here are on average about 4000 acres I’ve been told. They actually look like farms; buildings, homes, fences, tractors, etc. Unlike the 300,000 to million acre ranches seen in the states of Northern Territories and Western Au  where you are lucky to see a fence. Crop farmers here, mostly grains, the only thing I recognized was Canola. Wineries; some huge, grape vines as far as you can see, some small with as little as 30 acres; they call themselves “Blockers” because they have a small block of land.  Lots of green pasture, Black Angus and some sheep too. Easy to look at!

Didn’t get far today, Hay, NSW. Drove about 400km, about 250 miles. Staying at the local caravan park.

06-08-2016

Slept in this morning, too many beers last night. The couple camped next to me invited me over for a beer. We drank theirs and mine and solved most of the world problems. They were from Victoria. They were concerned about Donald Trump and the gun toting public. They didn’t know much about Hillary C. but heard plenty about Trump. The Australian news machine is much like most of our own. Reporting only what favors who they think is best. Didn’t seem to bother them when I explained I was part of the gun toting public.

Managed to stop at the Altina Wildlife Park. Huge place where animals from all over the world can live in an environment familiar to their species. Tour was a bit of walking but most from a comfortable open sided trailer pulled by Draft horse.  An interesting afternoon. Back on the road about 1500. Heading for Wagga Wagga, NSW. 155km, 1 1/2 hour drive.