Oura Beach Reserve - Free, Pet Friendly Camping near Wagga Wagga

During the week I had a cal from one of our relative, who asked about where to camp free down here.  He is retired and pretty well traveled, and was looking for somewhere he hadn't been.  We chatted about a couple of places on here and then he asked about a place I stayed at about Easter last year.  Last year we did head off to a place that was free, pet friendly and located on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

So to share this place with all, it is called Oura Beach Reserve.  It is located about 20 km or so north west of Wagga Wagga just outside of a little village called Oura.

We set off from Yass with some friends, their kids, a couple of dogs and a vague idea of how to get there.  I had been in contact with a chap called Derek Bullock, who owns and runs Camp Oven Cooking in Australia.  His website http://www.aussiecampovencook.com/index.htm is very cool, and has a page with some pictures of the Reserve.  A couple of emails later I had a rough idea of where to go.

The sign indicates significant

work undertaken by the community

With 2 cars, 2 dogs and 2 kids we decided to camp away from the main camp area.

 

Main camping area

 

Mainly so as we weren't a disturbance to the other campers, and there were a couple of others.

 

Campers and the composting toilet

is the green structure at the right

So we set up a little ways away on the bank of the river, after having a bit of a drive along.  There is plenty of space to set up as close or as far away as you want from others.

 

Our campsite

 

A slightly different view

So where is the beach I hear you ask...

 

 

It's and Aussie bush beach

 

The water may flow quickly through here at times so check first, and if you are not confident - do not risk it.

There is also (apparently) fairly good fishing along the banks of the river, cod and yellowbellies to be had from the deeper holes.  Usual disclaimer about me no being a fisherman and not trying it out applies.

Also some explanations...  The photos are not the usual high quality pics from the other post.  Firstly they were taken on my iPhone - I managed to leave my camera bag behind.  Secondly at the time I didn't have any plans to start a blog so I wasn't too bothered about not having the 'proper' camera.  Those with eagle eyes will notice that the trusty Land Rover isn't in the pictures.  At the time we owned the blue Toyota Landcruiser.  I could dedicate a whole new blog to the adventures of 'Onslow' as it was named.  Perhaps I'll get to some of his adventures in here.

OK - the camping stuff...

Access:  Sealed road most of the way so 2WD is fine.
Toilets: One fairly new self-composting type toilet.
Showers: No.
Water: No - river.
Shop: No - drive to Wagga Wagga.
Campfires: Yes - subject to firebans.
Pets: Yes - No posted restrictions
Cost: Free.
GPS: -35.1215,147.542

This is definitely a good site to go to if you are toying with the idea of bush camping.  If it were to be overly crowded, nearby there are plenty of Traveling Stock Routes that you could set yourself up on as well.

A bit of fun

Have been having a bit of a surf around the www world of camping and have come across a couple of links that I thought would be worthwhile sharing.

I'm all for camping - apparently this lady is not - visit her blog

Or this lady - visit her

Have a look - what do you think - there is a comment section below - share your comments with us.

Blowering Dam - free pet friendly camping

Firstly
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR

Another non camp, but rather a bit of a drive and 4WD towards the end!  We have wanted to have a look at Blowering Dam for a while now, since it is free and pet friendly.

Bago State Forest is the home of Blowering Dam, located on the Tumut River and is a part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.  It was completed in 1968 and holds 1,628,000 megalitres (million litres) when at capacity.  It's water used for irrigation, and in 1978 it was used to set a water speed record!

There are a couple of ways in so we decided to go in via Batlow.  Balow is famous for apples - producing about 10% of the apples we eat in Australia !  From Batlow we continued into the Forest.  The road is a typical, well maintained dirt and gravel logging road.  Some of the views are worth stopping for in the passing bays.

The view from the road in

(Click to enlarge)

After descending into the valley we found Foreshore Road, and  went for a drive along it to have a look at the campsites and the facilities.

One thing is there is plenty of room and no defined sites - its freestyle bush camping.  Find a spot and set yourself up.

Plenty of waterside camping

Or room for a picnic...

Picnic rug and the dog!

And despite it being New Years Eve when we were there, it wasn't all that busy...

 

 

Free lakeside camping

 

There is easier access to the lake from the Snowy Mountains Highway, but it was a bit more crowded!

 

Bit blurry but you get the idea

If you head down this way for some camping there is plenty to do...  We went 4WD exploring along the fire trails and power lines on our way out of the forest to Talbingo.  The Hume and Hovell Walking Track runs through the area, so you could walk part of that.  You can mountain bike or trail bike ride.  There was a camper there with some horses so you could do that too.  I'm not sure how good the fishing is but there were folks fishing, and even waterskiing.

 

 

Someone skiing on the lake

 

And my favorite...

 

Spotting wildlife.

 

Magnificent goanna

OK - some camping stuff...

Access:  Most campsites are 2WD - a few not.

Toilets: Some - long drop.

Showers: No.

Water: No.

Shop: No - drive to Talbingo or Batlow.

Campfires: Yes - subject to firebans.

Pets: Yes - No posted restrictions

Cost: Free.

One thing to note though - when camping in this Forest, generators and trail bikes are permitted.  It won't be silent!

And if you do head in looking for some peace and quiet please stick to formed roads/tracks/trails.  We did and had a blast - continuing around the lake on Foreshore Drive we followed the navigator and instinct to Talbingo.  We wandered off the main track and followed the power line trail.  Great fun - and all without locking into 4WD.

We did explore some campsites on the Talbingo side of the lake but rain prevented us from taking pics, but we did briefly lock into 4WD to get out.

We did a bit of a 'speed run' down the highway to Gundagai for dinner on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

 

Where we had dinner.

Hard to believe this is about 500m from the Hume Highway

From there we continued back up the Hume Highway to home - a 450km day - fantastic 4WD fun and we found another great free pet friendly camping location.