Day 7 – Coolamon & Junee

I managed a quick walk down to the back of the Caravan Park this morning where I came upon a river ... the mighty Murrumbidgee River! Well, given the drought, it’s as mighty as it can be, and very pretty too.

Leaving at 10am, we headed off in convoy for Coolamon. Wayne, Vicki, Kev, Maz & Buddy leading the way, with Gaz and I acting as the rear guard. It was a very pleasant 30 minute or so drive before we got to Coolamon, a really great little town. Coffee was the first order of business which we enjoyed at the Cheese Factory in the main street.

The next hour or so saw us slowly moving up the main street from shop to shop. We nicked into a jewellery store which had stunning silver pieces. I was particularly taken with a pendant styled with a real penny and silver – you could order any year you liked but I was torn whether to get the old fashioned one or a 1961 one with a kangaroo on it. Also, they cost $199 so I was hesitating. Saying I’d think about it, I sauntered into the next shop. The Arts & Crafts shop was a Mecca to the CWA ladies of the bush. Every type of knitted, embroidered, crocheted curio could be found there as well as much much more. That’s when we spotted the pennies (old style and new) for $6 each. OK, so no fancy silver frame around them, but hey, it meant I didn’t have to choose … I got both for $12!

Other shops had second-hand books, curios, antiques and the like and were great to browse in. I found a great game for us to play on the trip that will at least take us slightly away from the 80s. I also dropped a few more painted rocks.

It was then on to the Fire Station Museum – wow – lots of memorabilia including the old phone exchange from Newcastle. Apparently when the 1989 earthquake happened it was the main means of communication as everything else failed. Another nearby museum of all things “olden days” was also fascinating. These places were so well designed and maintained and are a credit to their community. They seem to be run by volunteers and funded by donations. Great stuff!

We stopped for a yummy lunch at the Rustic Café and then it was back to the cars and on to Junee, about another 30 minutes or so in the car. We headed straight for the Junee Licorice & Chocolate Factory and it did not disappoint. The chocolate covered strawberries were to die for and the rocky road looks good, though is yet to be sampled. The homewares shop is particularly impressive and Gaz could not go past a new potato peeler – what a find!

We also called into the Junee Railway Station for a look around but unfortunately the historic café there was closed so we didn’t get to see inside. A quick drive by a beautiful Monte Cristo historic homestead and then we headed back for Wagga, some quick grocery shopping, and back to the cabin to get ready to go out to dinner. It’s all go, go, go!