The great dividing range, New England and the Tablelands

Turning back was so here afterwards actually a good thing. Meant that we cycled other roads that turned out to be much more interesting then the Thunderbolts way. From Bretti Reserve we continued down the Thunderbolts way and then passed Dungog again and on to the Bingleburra road. 

Bingleburra road was a very quiet and beautiful road that winded it's way through to East Gresford. On the road we saw a couple of Brown snakes but didn't stop to try to get a photo of them. Better safe then sorry.

Coming into Gresford we stopped at the local Pub traded dinner vs camping, the owner let us camp in the garden behind the pub. Nice with some variety to our normal food but the portion was not what we were used to so had to eat some sandwiches when back in the tent..

The next towns, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Scone were just places we didn't want to stay longer then necessary in. Mining towns and not much to see but good for some shopping. It was first after we crossed the New England Highway at Scones to get on to the Gundy road that the cycling got interesting again. Dirt road and scenic landscape with some nice wild camping. The climb over Crawney pass offered some slow climbing until we reached the top of the pass, 930 meter above the sea. 

• Reaching the top gave us back the climbing self esteem after having to turn back earlier at the Thunderbolts way. After that it was downhill and a more flat ride into Tamworth. Had couple of days in Tamworth and had the front chain rings replaced. From beginning we had 26, 36 and 48 in front and 11-34 on rear. Phim changed the two smallest chain rings to a 22 and 32 and I had a 22 teeth chain ring on my bike.

Immediately noticed that the change meant that we had much lower gears now, ready for some serious climbing :) 

Cycling out of Tamworht we also had the first rainy day, were completely soaked when we reached Attunga and our camping spot for the night. Next morning we were lucky with some sunny hours so we could dry all our equipment. 

Next stop was Manilla, a minor town. Really dark clouds had built up as we had our lunch break there. Went to the information centre for shelter from the rain and 30 min later the sun was shining again, but small streams of water on the streets. 

Cycling out of Manilla the dark clouds followed us but we were lucky and they blew just passed us. 

We were now heading east for Armidale, via Kingstown. Really nice small gravel roads and could enjoy the cycling. Landscape were farmland again with lots of cattle, also saw our first sheep farms along the road. 

Kingstown were a nice little village and we stayed in the park next to the general store. The road to Armidale were from here much easier to cycle, perfect gravel and we traveled with unusual high speed for us. 

Armidale is located around 1000 m above sea level and the temperature were a bit cooler there. Were -2 as coldest during our stay there and were frost in the grass on the mornings. Stayed at a very nice camp spot 12 km north west of the town near a dam. Took a couple of days of there to explore Armidale. It's a university town with a population of about 25,000. Lots of historical heritage and old buildings. We really enjoyed our stay there and our favorite city so far on our trip. Only negative was the strong wind. Really strong and chilly and almost constant some of the days. 

Were invited to a meeting with the local cycle commuting group, a fun event and they were also kind and let us take part in their competition. We thanked by winning one of the prizes

From Armidale we traveled east on the Waterfall way, views very really impressive with the 220 m heigh waterfalls. 

Turned of onto the Kempsey road, another gravel road. Had some hot days cycling it but the scenery was really rewarding and made it well worth it. Very winding steep roads and no caravans allowed on them due to that. 

A long stretch of the road was following the river and a landscape that reminded of what I think you would found in America. The weather was very warm and the river looked so tempting, we really wanted to go for a swim. But it was always so step edges down to the river so it was something that were impossible until we got near Comara, where a small camp site was located. Took a day of there for relaxing, doing laundry and checking equipment.