Departed Brisbane 07:30hrs under thick
cloud, with departure held up for two hours while Astrid fulfilled her
matrimonial duties - cleaning the house J. The
journey to Beaudesert was uneventful and unexpectedly quiet, suggesting most
city residents were sleeping off major hangovers. We then headed south west on
Mount Lindesay highway, crossing into NSW between Mount Barney NP and Mount
Lindesay State Forest. At Woodenbong we then headed due south on scenic
backcountry roads through the small hamlets of Urbenville, Capeen, and Bonalbo.
The road ended at the intersection with Hwy 44, where we stopped to make a
quick cuppa and a sandwich from our ‘carry-on’ self-catering provisions. 
Refreshed, we then headed west on Hwy 44 for a few kilometres before then dropping south on Clarence Way, an unpaved track through spectacular landscapes. After 44km we then headed west on Carnham Road, a dirt track, littered with numerous bovine obstacles, that passed through Coombadjha and along the eastern edge of Washpool state forest. By the time we returned to solid tarmac on Gwydir Highway the car looked like a Dalmatian, with the dark spots being remnants of cow pats with a decidedly obnoxious odour!
Once on Gwydir Highway we headed up to the New England tablelands at top of the Gibraltar Range NP, afforded us fantastic views of the hilly country below. Following stops at various scenic lookouts we then continued onto Glen Innes, arriving 16:15 hours, where we checked into very spacious yet cheap caravan accommodation. After unloading the car we headed into town to purchase essential provisions – two bottles of wine – and took a leisurely stroll along the high street to ‘study the locals’. On return to the caravan we reflected on a great start to our National Lampoon Holiday over a few glasses of local plonk!
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