Mildura to Wagga

Into the Riverina

Knowing it was a long drive, we set off early to allow time for a few stops. It was pleasant driving weather and our first stop was the Discovery Café in Balranald, one of the few places open on a public holiday. It was busy and the coffee was good.

We continued across the Hay Plain and stopped in Hay for a picnic lunch and a stroll along the Bidgee Riverside Trail to see some of the sculptures – though access was limited due to the high levels of the Murrumbidgee.

We later stopped at Narrandera to explore the Bundidgerry Walking track. Due to lack of time, we couldn’t complete the full 11kms, though enjoyed walking along the canal with views to Lake Talbot and spotting a koala. Again, the Murrumbidgee was high and the track was surrounded by water.

We arrived at the Club Motel in Wagga with just enough time to check in before heading out to the Romano’s Hotel for a very pleasant dinner with my old work colleague Kim and her husband David.

Tuesday, 4 October 2022

One final stop

Reluctant to drive straight home, we detoured via Junee to visit the Licorice and Chocolate Factory and took the back roads through to Cootamundra for coffee at the Dusty Road Coffee Roasters. We liked the coffee so much that we bought a kilo of coffee beans. We continued along the scenic back roads through Jugiong, then detoured off the highway for a picnic lunch at Gunning before finally hitting the traffic of Sydney and home.