With a few tweaks and a few extra blankets, our heater served us well last night, although it wasn’t nearly as cold overnight either. Then we were up and about for an early start, with a long list of things we wanted to do.

We started with a trip to a local craft market, which boasted all of about 10 or 12 stalls. Not being quite as large as what we had expected, we were quickly done there and heading towards our next stop, about 20 minutes or so out of Tamworth, in Dungowan. It was yet another craft store, which featured the works of many talented local artists. There was leadlight lamps, plates and bowls, hand carved model trucks and tractors, wall hangings, and hand crafted teddy bears among other stuff. We browsed about there for a ¼ of an hour or so, before continuing our journey.

Our main port of call today was to be in the small tourist town of Nundle. A small village, with a main street crammed with all manner of stores catering to the tourist trade. We collected a map from the information centre, not that it was needed, but it listed a dozen or so special interest stores and attractions in the tiny town.

There was The Country Traders, an antique shop so packed tight with a huge array of trinkets and curiosities, that you could hardly move. Not to mention that the stock was piled haphazardly throughout so that it was like sifting through a rabbit warren, getting lost at every turn.

The next store along the way was Odgers & McClelland, a homewares store in the mould of an old world store. It was full of quality wares, like none I’ve previously seen. Real feathered dusters, enameled cook ware, badger hair shaving brushes and the like. The quality theme however, carried over to the price tags, which as we were to find out was a constant among all of the outlets. It seems that ‘tourist town’ is a code for ‘expensive’.

Bec at Odgers & McClelland.

Just around the corner was the Nundle Woolen Mills, the last of its kind in Australia. Previously there had been over 200 similar mills dotted around Australia, but they have slowly died out as the demand for their product has waned. Even here in Nundle, it only survives due to donations from visitors and sales from the retail shop attached. Even then, it also relies on being able to source washed wool, from one of only two remaining washing houses, both down in Victoria.

The factory floor at the woollen mill.

We were lucky enough to arrive right on time for one of the regularly run tours of the factory. It’s housed in a large shed, the factory floor and antiquated machines can be observed from a mezzanine level. For the most part, the machines are nearly 100 years old, and are entirely mechanical. No computers, or whizz bang gadgets here. The owner of the mill gives the talk, describing each stage in the wool milling process, explaining what each of the machines do, accompanied with a demonstration of many of them. His passion for wool runs deep, and rubs off by the end of the tour, having me fantasizing about a new wardrobe of woolen wear. That said, we walked out with only a new pair of Nundle woolen socks for Bec, as our budget didn’t quite stretch to accommodate the many other stunning garments.

Next along was a leather works store, which sold genuine Bison belts, all hand worked. Some of the designs were fantastic, and you could envisage the number of hours that goes into making them. Along with the belts, there were also beautifully fashioned saddles and all of the associated accouterments.

There was another den of antiques and a hole in the wall that doubled as yet another craft shop. With all the walking, we were about ready to have a bite for lunch by this stage. Not that there were too many options. A Small takeaway café, and two hotels were our choices.

Being that I wanted to sit on the Verandah of the regal looking ‘Peel’ tossing back an icy cold ale, we had a look at their menu first. Not much took our fancy though, so we walked back up the hill to hotel number two, the Gold Miners Museum. The menu here was even blander, and more pricey, so back down the hill we went, only to arrive back at ‘The Peel’ in time for the lunch hour rush. We ended up waiting nearly 40 minutes for a bowl of potato wedges and sour cream to share. A privilege we paid $9.00 for. At least it was a decent sized bowl of wedges, and the beer was indeed nice and cold, as we surveyed the surrounding scenery from an alfresco table on the verandah. A little bit more enjoyable it could have been if the whole area didn’t stink of stale cigarette smoke. So, whilst the reality didn’t quite match the hype, we can check it off our to do list.

View from ‘The Peel’.

After lunch, we jumped back into ‘The Beast’ and went in search of a look out which was marked on the map from the information centre. It was meant to be at the top of a particular street, and provide views back over the Nundle Valley. As the tarmac ran out and the dirt road turned into a narrow goat track, I put ‘The Beast’ into 4 wheel drive and we scrambled up the hill, only to get to a bit of crest, before suddenly descending again, down the opposite side of the hill. There may have been a view, but it was behind us, and with hardly enough room for one car, there was certainly no way we would have been able to turn about for a look. Before we knew it, we had made our way back down to the main road on the other side of the hill, and hadn’t seen a thing! So, that was Nundle.

On the return trip to Tamworth, we stopped briefly at the Chaffey Dam, upon the shores of you are able to camp. A more beautiful setting would be hard to imagine, not to mention the availability of a range of water sports on the lake. There is also an observation platform, looking across the weir, and whilst we didn’t partake, you can take a walk across it.

On the shores of Chaffey Dam.

It was mid afternoon when we arrived back in Tamworth, giving us enough time to begin packing up the van, ready for more travelling tomorrow. We’re on the road again, with a big day ahead of us. With that in mind, we decided to eat out tonight, to save a bit of time.

On the way out, we stopped for one last look at the big guitar, hoping to get some photos of it flood lit. That was a bit of disappointment, as it wasn’t lit up. It also meant that I didn’t get the long hoped for shot of the guitar with ‘The Beast’ in the foreground.

We headed down to ‘The Longyard’ where we’d eaten lunch the other day. Their Saturday $9.00 special is a burger and fries. And what a delicious burger it was, with an accompaniment of fantastic crisp fries.

It was back to the van then, with just a quick stop in Peel Street, for a photo with Smokey Dawson. We had been told about his statue the other day, but had been unable to find it. We had more luck tonight thankfully. With our pictures taken, it was time for home. With the van almost ready to go in the morning, we’re both up for an early night.

Photos with Smokey.

Marcus too.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.