Returning Home Day 1

With the overall return plan sorted out, it was time to hit the road again. There are a number of routes from Jindabyne to the coast; the choice is largely based on how much of the coast is to be seen along the way. The southern most route travels parallel to the NSW - Victoria border, the northern one ends in Bega, and the third is between these two.

The nominal stopping place for this evening was Narooma, though this would depend upon how long the journey was taking. Setting this into the GPS receiver, and a few way points along the way to go the planned route, it was time to say farewell to Jinabyne.

Dalgety

The chosen route was to Dalgety (via Beloka), to Bombala, then to the coast near Merimbula, and following coastal roads, rather than the Princes Highway to Narooma. Dalgety was named as the site of the nation's capital in 1904 by a Commonwealth Royal Commission. However, in 1908, Federal Parliament couldn't agree upon that choice, and Canberra was chosen as a comprise location. More details about Dalgety are available from a display board in the riverbank park.

Riverside park, poplars with some autumn leaves, bridge in distance

A pleasant riverbank park in Dalgety. The poplars have lost their leaves, possibly quite a few this day, as the wind was picking up. The Snowy River is visible on the right, and the bridge dates from 1888.

Looking across the river in Dalgety. It might seem there is a significant flow of water in the river, but this is deceptive, as there is a small weir to the left of the photo.

From here the journey was towards Bombala. Many of the fields along the way have these rocks sitting in them. It appears that the formations are mostly natural, not some accumulation by farmers clearing the land.

From the same location, looking back towards Dalgety (not visible, it's in a slight valley) and the main range. A big country indeed. Not long after this photo was taken, the sealed road finished, and a section of some 20km of dirt road leads to Jincumbilly, before the sealed road begins and then joins the Monara Highway to Bombala.

Bombala

Was first settled in the 1830s, and used to be the end of the rail line via Cooma. The line appears to have been removed from Bombala, as the main road passes by what would appear to have been the station in days past. And the uncle of one of my good friends from school was the Catholic priest in Bombala, and my friend would come down here for holidays.

Cream and green building, trees with autumn colour in park

By now it was time to use the rest stop, which is located across the street from the now departed train station, adjacent to the river, and a very pleasant, and well maintained park, visible to the right in this photo.

The park displaying its autumn colours, and a brightly painted former steam engine, converted for use as an amusment for children.

And the park is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Bombala River. The park is to the left here, and the main part of town is on the far bank of the river, although more to the right than the area shown here.


Motel ramp	Sign on the ramp at left

Towards The Coast

Dalgety

Bombala