Burrendong Lake panorama view

Monday 11th of July
Dubbo - Wellington Caves - Burrendong Arboretum - Blackheath
Early up in the morning quick shower and laundry, same breakfast as always.
Hitting the bus for my co-couch-surfer at nine and off I went from Dubbo. Heading to Wellington accidental following the street signs to: Wellington Caves & Phosphate Mine

The complex comprises two show caves; The Cathedral Cave , The Garden Cave, and a series of smaller caves. These include the recently rediscovered Water Cave and the challenging River Cave, which are open to only the most experienced cave diving enthusiasts. The complex also includes The Phosphate Mine.

The cave is really worthwhile visiting, much bigger than Rose Margaret Cave in Victoria. Maybe I visit the Jenolan Cave as well, being here.
After that I followed the scenic route and found:
Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum

Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum was established in 1964 and covers approximately 167 ha. It is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of Australia's unique and incredibly diverse flora.

There's more to Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum than just plants on show! Here you will experience Australian flora like never before!

It got almost dark before I hit Blackheath and I checked my host and found out, that I missed to confirm my arrival! Lost, no address, nowhere to stay, I send my confirmation, but too late.
I just went into 'The Gardeners Inn'
and had a tea and some dinner, quite good, but costly. Very noisy and chilly with all these holiday tourists. I got a sofa seat later in front of the fire place and then everything was ok!

Sunday 10th of July
Dubbo - Macquarie River walk - Malaysian dinner
It took us a while to get out of bed on a Sunday, relaxed breakfast, doing the laundry, she called her friend, we waited a little bit, made it to her place, picked her up and down to the Macquarie River. We did a short walk along the river banks which in fact was quite scenic. The Malaysian lady told us facts and stories most of the time: funny. After lunch time we went to the station to fetch the other couch-surfer, who arrived by bus. All joined together we walked through the park to the Dubbo Regional Gallery - WESTERN PLAINS CULTURAL CENTRE.

"ARTEXPRESS is an annual exhibition of exemplary artworks created by students for the Higher School Certificate. The works represent a broad range for subject matter, approaches, styles and media and reflect the high quality of Bisual Arts education in New South Wales."

Thereafter we went shopping for Malaysian food. She cooked a very well tasting meal, Malaysian style. I had to do the dishes 🙂
Nice chatting and telling each other personal experiences, travel places and funny stories.

Zoo from inside point of view

Saturday 9th of July 2011
Dubbo - Taronga Western Plains Zoo
I spend some time in the Dubbo Taronga Western Plains Zoo. See the photos.
Being invited for dinner with artist Fishdog and his wife, delicious food and self-made cake as desert, thank you so much.

Glenfield farm open tree pasture

Friday 08th of July 2011
Dubbo - Narromine
Yesterday I was kindly invited by the Dubbo Field Naturalist & Conservation Society to join in on the "JULY BIRDS AND BOTANY TRIP" on private farm property.
Thank you all so much for this most interesting day!
In the evening we had dinner with some friends of my host.

Water reservoir in Cobar

Thursday 07th of July
Cobar - Dubbo
Slow start in Cobar, washing first, checking emails and the web, then on the road again, filling fuel, checking oil and water, tires pressure refilled. On the road lonely, tired, boring ... music playing loud.
I picked up Benjamin at a bus stop hitch hiking: nice chat, local guy, nice coffee break, told me al lot about farming, wild pigs, his journeys, we spend half a day: great; thank you.
Shopping in Dubbo and calling my host, she is home.
Very nice evening with some great fresh made food: I enjoyed it greatly.

Category description

Dubbo ( /ˈdʌboʊ/) is a city in the Orana Region of New South Wales, Australia. It is the largest population centre in the Orana region, with an estimated population of 38,037 and serves an estimated catchment of 130,000.
It is located at the intersection of the Mitchell, Newell and Golden highways. Dubbo is located approximately 275 m (902 ft) above sea level, 303 km (188 mi) north-west of the state capital Sydney (400 km/249 mi by road) and is a major road and rail freight hub to other parts of New South Wales. Dubbo is considered the cross-roads of New South Wales. It is linked by national highways north to Brisbane, south to Melbourne, east to Sydney and Newcastle, and west to Broken Hill and Adelaide.
Dubbo is included in the rainfall records and weather forecast region for the Central West Slopes and in the Central West Slopes and Plains division of the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts.
Evidence of habitation by Indigenous Australians dates back approximately 40,000 years.
The…