Central West NSW Trip - Day 8 - Oberon to Dubbo

2026-05-16


Today was a travel day. We got up around 7:00 and breakfasted (eggy toast with bacon) and then started packing down ready to leave. We were done by about 8:30 and off we went. We passed through Bathurst, and then on to Orange, where as I anticipated, the phone wanted us to take Banjo Patterson Way, but I was on to that, and we stayed on the highway. It was rather insistent though, taking about 10kms before it finally gave up with alternative routes. We stopped twice along the way, both at designated rest stops, for morning tea, and later lunch (sandwiches in the van).

We rolled in to the caravan park at around 13:00, checked in and parked up. After we were all set up, I decided to put dinner on using the slow cooker mode on the multicooker. I made a quick lamb casserole using Baharat spices for what would usually have been done in the Tagine. We then went for a wander down the road to the parkland by the Macquarie River where of course I spotted some birds.

Crested Pigeon (there were lots!)
Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, but dirty
Rainbow Lorikeet

After the walk, we drove down to the local shops for some supplies, including essentials like ice-cream and portuguese tarts. Upon returning to the van, we lazed around waiting for the dinner to cook. I served it on rice, and it was suitably delicious.

Tagine of lamb with yoghurt on rice

I will say though, it's somewhat warmer in Dubbo than Oberon. For most of the previous few days, it hadn't got above 14°C but it was 24°C in Dubbo and I was regretting not packing shorts.

Tomorrow's plan is to go to the Old Dubbo Gaol in the morning, and who knows what afterwards (we have a two day zoo pass, so may end up there).