THE ROCKY RIVER ROAD - TENTERFIELD

The Rocky River trip starts just south of the heart of town as you wander down the aptly named Scrub Road then onto Billirimba Road. Keep an eye out for abandon farms and transport machinery as they sit quietly in the paddocks from days gone by. With long straight tree lined sections of dirt you can gaze across the paddocks with views towards the mountains in the distance, views to die for in every direction. 

With Quilgeran Pinnacle to your right and Black Mountain to your left you feel pretty small as you follow the road as it snakes through the terrain. Soon you pass through the locality of Steinbrook, not much anymore, just a big kink in the road with several 90 degree corners and the old hall. From here on you pass through private stations, breeding primality cattle in the valleys. Old sheds, massive trees, and cattle yards - just everything seems to look old and plenty of opportunities for photo stops. 35km along, Billirimba Road winds its way down to the Timbarra River and the intersection of Upper Rocky River Road to your right. The Rocky River road narrows down as it passes between huge boulders that line the road. This was once the main thoroughfare between Tenterfield and Drake then onto Grafton 100 years ago. The road workers simply could not move these granite boulders that in some case are as large as a bus so they simply built the road around them.

As the road follows the Timbarra river the drop-offs are steep where you can see massive pools of water and where the rocks get moved after every big flood, there’s pockets of dry rainforest, old sheds in the hills and then around the next corner acres of tree felled paddocks where the cattle roam freely across and along the road. After a while farm houses are road side so lookout for dogs that may shoot out and slow up as it keeps the dust down. An added bonus when travelling here is the amount of birdlife you may see beside the river- from Shags, Kingfishers and the common old crow it’s good for the kids for a bit of spot the bird game. The roads out here are typical of the old Cobb & Co run roads, as they rise, fall then twist its way over the terrain- this was to keep the stage coach fairly level and flat for those on board. 

There are areas along here beside the river where camping is NOT allowed and are sign posted for all to see, but at the 25 km mark a huge grassed area with tracks leading down to the Timbarra are welcoming sites wether for camping or a cuppa. Stopping under the old Casuarina Trees is pretty special here as the water flows past. Don't forget to throw a rod in and either team it up with some old meat for a chance to snag a freshwater Yabby or a Fork Tail Catfish for a feed. 

There’s no toilets here and no bins. Night time brings out Owls, little squeaking Bats, frogs start crocking and if you sit still long enough and scan the grounds with a torch you may see possums. If you are a keen punter and the weather is right, swimming in the Timbarra River is pure bliss where clean fresh water that has filtered through granite particles definatly leaves you feeling relaxed and clean. Wether staying for an hour or a night have a scout around for any rubbish that may have been left behind, this keeps the area pristine and makes for a happy land owner. 

There is nothing too difficult about this road that a proper 4wd can undertake, for added safety why not choose 4wd high- this will give you some added traction on these granite based roads that can be slippery and the road surface can catch you out if find yourself trying to avoid another 4wd that suddenly appears. Soon the cleared country farmlands turn to a thicker growth as you veer away from the river and into the hills. 

Tall timber sections covered with vines and small farms led the way as the elevation will soon rise, this is where the road changes into Long Gully Road and from dirt to tar. It gets steep as it enters Girard State Forest and the terrain gets a bit more serious as you climb to near 1000 metres above sea level in a few kilometres. 

Being on the southern side of this range, the rainforest is stunning and is generally a bit cooler than the flats below. With tall cool climate ferns, long trunked Bangalow palms and coachwood tree’s it’s a totally different eco system to what you have just left behind. Even the wildlife has changed to the sounds of Whip-birds, frisky Paddy Melon wallabies and even shy Lyre Birds that may dart across the road.

You know when your getting to the top as there are large stands of scrubby timber - Iron Bark, Black Butt and Scribbly Gum plus dozens of Grass-trees that seem to dance in the wind as you zoom past. Girard State Forest soon gives way to farms and dodgy looking houses and eventually you'll come to the Bruxner Highway which runs between the coast and back up to the tablelands past Tenterfield. 

COPETON DAM

Most people have heard of Copeton Dam just up near Inverell in northern NSW. The facts are pretty impressive - 3 times the size of Sydney Harbour when full, some of the best freshwater Cod fishing around ( monsters up to 1.3 meters are caught regularly ), 104 metres deep and offers an array of water sports on the dam. But to be honest this place is amazing with some of the best water front camping you'll find and with history abound in the area. 

Inverell and the nearby Gwydir Valley just north of the dam needed a new water supply, so back in the 1930’s a proposal was planned to dam the current location for irrigation to the ever increasing agricultural production. WW11 came around and funds dried up but wind the clock to 1966 and the current location was approved with work commencing in 1968. It took 5 years to complete the wall and further additions have been improved the past few years with external spillways and 9 massive gates. 

Prior to the valley being flooded, two small towns - Copeton ( formally Boggy Camp ) and Dasey town were busy suppling workers to the nearby gold mine and along with stockyards, a cemetery and buildings they all now lay deep underwater. It’s not until the dam suffers with a severe drought that relics rise from the deep. Back in 1994 the dam registered a 2% water level and it was possible to see some of the 39 cemetery headstones, the mine tower and old fence lines.

Most people head to Copeton for the magical camping and water sports where you can fish, sail, jet ski or just swim in this vast waterway, and with around 45 square kilometres of water to explore it’s not hard to find a quiet cove. Choices for camping are pretty darn good too with kilometres of free camping to paid sites at the Inland Water Holiday Park. For a small fee head to the northern side of the dam along Auburn Vale Road from Inverell. With waterfront sites, fires and dogs permitted, basic showers and toilets, plenty of boat launching spots with total serenity you'll fall in love here. Free camping can be found on the Eastern side coming in from Howell, with no facilities you need to be totally self sufficient as it’s a long way into town if you forgot the loo paper. 

The Inland Water Holiday Park is nothing short of an amazing place. Here you can camp as hard as you want away from others, camp on the waters edge, have grassy sites, near facilities, fires are allowed and with 24km of water frontage on 1000 acres there is somewhere for everybody. From the moment you arrive you are made at home from one of the many staff that are passionate about their job and the dam. The kids and big kids at heart can be kept busy for days with playgrounds, golf course, canoe hire, walking trails and much much more. Don’t be surprised when you take a stroll around the park and see the vast array of wildlife from Deer, Pelicans, resident Emu’s, plenty of kangaroos, predatory birds to squawking Plovers. It’s not until you drive this mammoth park to realise just how vast it is and the options available. 

This area is also known as part of the fossickers way where you can scratch around for gems and coloured stones. Not people know that diamonds were found in this area. On the eastern side of the dam just near Howell, the Conrad Mine began operation back at the turn of the century when Diamond’s and Tin were found and over the years the mine hit good times and bad with problems with arsenic, water and collapses. Some of the original shafts that were all dug by hand are nearly 250 feet deep. Eventually the good fortune ran out and the mine was shut in the mid 1950’s. Currently safety procedures are in place to clean the site up and to preserve it for historical reasons. While the Conrad mine was operational other areas were explored within the region and smaller mines were opened with some degree of luck with a host of other gems and minerals found. Sapphires were found in the area and by 1970 there were over 100 mining operations in the district all searching for this shiny stone. Inverell is now known as the Sapphire City.

Halfway between Copeton Dam and Inverell on the Copeton Dam Road, the local shire has put aside a large lump of land where you can fossick for free. Sign posted at Staggy Creek it’s only a short drive through several paddocks ( keep the speed down and shut the gates ) to the digging fields. Staggy Creek Reserve is part of an ancient creek bed where it’s been eroded down to what it is today. Even though the ground has been dug over for the past 20 years it’s still pretty exciting to scratch around for an alluvial Diamond, black Tourmaline, Tin or clear Quartz. The best way to explore here is just to walk around and check out the amount of holes ( shafts ) that others have dug. Either dry sieve or if there is any water in the small dam let the water wash the dirt away and hopefully to expose a surprise or two. 

On the eastern side of the dam not far away the hamlet of Tinga holds hidden mining history dating back to 1841 when Tin was discovered and mined. With some 6000 people working in the area the Tin was soon exhausted by 1890 and the boom was over. The Chinese worked and lived amongst the miners and their heritage is still prevalent in town where several buildings and a museum still stands. 

Tingha has a quaint little caravan park where for a few dollars offers honest sites with basic facilities, you’ll also receive local info on where you can scratch for gems and maybe a little secret local knowledge on where the locals and die hard diggers go. For the first timers, head to the Tingha Sands Quarry on the Howell Road. For a measly few dollars you can dig around in their piles of sand and washed dirt for crystals as small as jelly beans up to palm size. The kids will love the easy digging in a safe location.

Weekend fossickers still flock to this area to try their luck in the towns creek and outer bushland. There are old mullock heaps left beside mines in nearby forests where digging is easy to look for Crystals, Jelly Beans, Smokey and clear Quartz and much more. Deep in the forests at Tingha there are relics of an old stone bakers oven and a few baking pits. Even better still the site and unground wine cellar of the Mannix Hotel can be found nearby. The story goes is that the pub burnt down and then shortly after the owners young daughter fell down a mine shaft and died. Unfortunately the owners had enough bad luck in this area and decided not to rebuild the pub and moved away never to be seen again leaving only a stark reminder where their little girl was buried. 

It’s not a trip where you'll experience extreme 4wding, maybe you wont even lock the hubs but wether it be a family weekender to a fossicking trip away the Copeton area has some of the best camping you'll find, history and relics can be found and if your lucky you might even find a gem or two. 

RAMORNIE

For many trips I've always seen the turn off to the Ramornie area, so on my way back from another and with a spare night up my sleeve I decided to check it out. Located west of Grafton, deep in the valleys and situated on the Nymboida River, the thought of a camp here sounds idyllic. There are two ways of getting into Ramornie, either off the Gwydir highway-24km west of Grafton or 32 km off the Old Glen Innes Road. Both ways require another 28 km of dirt driving to the campground along well sign posted designated trails. I had to take the Old Glen Innes Road exit as there was logging activity along the Gwydir end. The roads are fairly well maintained due to numerous properties along the way.  Passing through scrubby state forest areas the road twists and winds its way over and down several ridge lines. 

It’s not long before you come across Doboy Station. This active station still runs cattle and you need to take a little caution as you pop across the grid if the cattle are around. Following the main road along you'll soon see the locked gate down to the homestead, but by veering right here at the Ramornie sign you will be heading in the right direction. Its from here that the roads start to get a little rough, narrow and you may need 4wd, especially if towing an off-road trailer. 

There are several gates that you pass through and you need to leave as you found them. As you travel along Ramornie and T ridge road, they start to get a little steeper as they follow the ridges along. In dry weather traction isn't a problem but in the wet it could be a different story. From the Doboy station turn, allow about an hour to travel the 24 km. The road has a few sections of steep whoops and if towing just be aware of your trailer. The last down hill section to the camp isn't too bad, but a good idea to use low range to save your brakes. 

I was amazed when I finally arrived at the top campsite, lots of grass, tall shady gums around, fire pits, scattered tables and chairs, pit toilets and some campsites had river views. Another track leads down to the river where there is around 2 km of river frontage campsites. No facilities down here so you need to be well setup. There are a few areas that are private and have their own beach type frontage to the Nymboida River. 

After setting up camp, the birds seem to appear from cockatoos to colourful wrens. Resident Goanna’s roam the campgrounds, especially if you've just cooked a bbq. For those who want a little exercise, take a 2 km walk down stream and look for the signs that point you towards the historic slab huts. These huts were built back in the late 1830s by early cedar cutters, who followed the rivers upstream in pursuit of cedar.

There is no phone reception down here so you do need to be well prepared or understand that it’s a 2 hour drive back to Grafton.

With easy river access it’s a great place for swimming, snorkelling, canoeing or wetting a line. Just be warned though-there a big fines for targeting the eastern cod. 

There is a little 4wding within the area back at the first gate. Pass through the gate and turn left and just down the track you'll find Main Creek Road on the left. The track leads you to some old stockyards and another hut, but along the way there are several hillclimbs that you will need 4wd as they are steep and rough. Around here there are also several unnamed tracks which just lead back to the main tracks-nothing too hard, just a fun explore area. 

Most 4wds will have no difficulty accessing this area, or even towing an off-road trailer. Probably wouldn't recommend a caravan due to some steep sections, the woop-to-do’s and narrow sections through the forest. 

If your after somewhere different away from the crowds,beside the river with minimal facilities this maybe the place for you.