Toonumbar, Nymboida - October Long Weekend 3rd-5th

[RegyRocky]

It was a lovely morning and the forecast was warm to hot.
There were three starters for the trip me, myself and I. We were all very excited about the trip although me was a bit sceptical about going alone but myself and I were keen as mustard.

We headed to start with the Toonumbar forest drive but when arrived it seems that due to illegal activities the road was closed. Me was saying told you! most of the tracks would be closed, myself was disappointed and I was wondering why the minority should wreck it for the majority who do do the right thing.
Next stop same thing again but at least this time we found a connecting track that which took us past Edinborough Castle and then on to the Tooloom Range where we had to remove a large tree from over the road. For many hours we were travelling some of these road with absolutely no sign of any other people or vehicles, not even wheel tracks. Eventually we came to a gate and it was unlocked but had a sign saying authorized users only and that was from where we come from. Ooops Me, myself and I didn’t see any signs saying that.

We went to MT Pikepene where we picked up a tyre with a flat spot on the bottom and me said told you that you should have bought new tyres, myself said don’t look at me so I had to change the tyre.
After a leisurely tyre change we were on our way again.

It was starting to get a bit late in the arvo and Me was wanting to get to Grafton to get a tyre repair tool, myself wanted to just find a spot to camp and I agreed. Just then we passed a turn and just 18 kilometres down the road was camping. So off we went with me nagging in the background what about the tyre. Well we arrived at the river and wow! Amazing! We all agreed this was magic. We shoved it in to 4 wheel drive and drove down to the camp site and we hopped out of the car and straight into the river for a swim. It was divine after a long hot day. We set up camp cooked dinner, stargazed and went to bed.

We woke to a lovely mist in the valley, went for a walk, cooked breakie and packed up camp. Heading for the Nymboida River today. We all decided to travel the same road the long way round but me was still nagging about the tyre and getting it fixed!

Well what a lovely road this turned out to be winding through the hillsides and farmlands fantastic road, beautiful scenery and then we came across another river Wow!! So beautiful, another quick dip, lots of pics and then we moved on only to find another beautiful river. Me, myself and I were silent as this road had so much!
Eventually via numerous dirt road we ended up in Grafton and bought a tyre repair tool from supercheap. Soon after lunch we headed for the final leg to Nymboida River Campground.

We arrived at the turnoff and progressed down the road a bit before me got his way and I got out and lowered the tyre pressures even though the road was not too bad.
The last 5 kilometres was four wheel drive, mainly from being very steep with many large humps along the way.

We arrived at the beautiful Nymboida river campground. Another lovely spot, but the whole hill on the opposite side of the river was on fire and whilst, according to campers, it had been like it for 3 days and there was no danger, the smoke was a deciding factor so we high tailed out of there after going for another swim, eventually camping at a beautiful river side camping spot. We managed to fix my first ever flat tyre before cooking and then spent some lovely time stargazing before going to sleep.

The last day saw us heading out towards Glen Innes over the Gibraltar Range then onto the Old Glen Innes road heading back towards Grafton, via the convict tunnel and numerous swims.

We had a late lunch at Grafton then headed back to home.

Me myself and I all agreed this trip was excellent and we will be going that way again. Possibly even a camping trip at one of them beautiful rivers.
Total of 1070 kilometres over 3 days and over 500 kilometres on dirt. Well it was an exploratory trip!

Thanks for reading

Me, myself and I
(Gary)

[RegyRocky]

More Pics

[RegyRocky]

More Pics

[RegyRocky]

And final pics

[BenJancz]

Thanks You, Yourself and You??,

A good read, I enjoyed that. The lakes look amazing, were they cold?

[RegyRocky]

No lakes here Ben these were all rivers and not cold at all just a little cool on first initial entry but then perfect.

[Dave]

Definitely a great write-up .... the best I've seen on the forum. I was reading the write-up with a big grin on my face. I really like the pics too. Looked like a very scenic area.

Thanks again for the write-up. Brilliant!

[cuboid]

Looks like you had a great time Gary. Its a shame I couldn't make it, I love that area.

Is that a new canopy you are sporting on the back there - I haven't seen it before.

[RegyRocky]

Hello Cuboid the canopy is just a tarp I made up for the Simpson crossing but seems to be working quite well.