3.0turbob replied:

Chump,
You may have heard of a book called 4WD Trecks close to Sydney. It a has a trip similar to what you plan, (I'm at work at the moment and don't know what the actual treck is called, the book's at home) Good detail, trip notes, and things to see and do. I did the Bridle Track on Sunday just gone with our club and it was VERY dry, rough and dusty. Plenty of campsites along the river.

Rob

Member - bushfix replied:

G'day Chump,

you've got three questions I guess

1. 4wding near Hill End - Dubbo?
2. Track from Hill End to Dubbo?
3. Camps on Bridle just sth of Hill End?

Just north of Hill End is Dixon's Long Point Rd (i think that is right) which takes you through to Orange via Mullion Creek. Signposted 4wd only but no low range and river should be okay to cross at the moment. check closer to your trip.

We recently picked our way from Dubbo via camp at Ponto Falls (just north of Wellington) and then along the Twelve Mile Rd just before you cross the bridge. It is mostly dirt road, no 4wd, and you can come out at Hill End Rd off Yarrabin Rd.

Yeah heaps of camps along the Bridle and if you want to camp nearest to Hill End there are some just over the Turon Crossing.

Richard W (NSW) replied:

Depends what you wan't. Their are a couple of short knarly tracks off the Bridle Track. Did Dixons Long Point about two weeks ago and the Macquarie River crossing was normal height ie. quarter/half wheel. You can then go through Ophir and head for Orange.

Member - Stephen M (NSW) replied:

Just keep $5 in your pocket cause that's what the Ranger charged us for camping there at hill end on the bridle track down on the river. Told us was towards having the toilet kept clean for us.LOL hole in the ground with a timber shed around it Regards Steve M

Member - Mike DID replied:

Just on the Bathurst side of the ford over the Turon River is a campground that's 2WD. From here you can drive downstream along the Turon River, right to the junction with the Macquarie River. This is only because the river is so low.

At Easter there was no flow in the Turon and a little flow in the Macquarie.

Mike

atoyot replied:

If you do decide to go to Dubbo via Long Point, then you don't actually have to go to far in toward Orange. Once you cross the Maquarie at Long Pt, just follow the track till you go through some gates near a shed and house. At this point, the track starts to look like a dirt road, and not too far along is a turn to the right to Euchareena. Euchareena is on the back road between Orange and Wellington, past Burrendong Dam. If you miss the Euchareen T/O, you could just follow the road back to Mullion Ck, then just turn right to head to Wellington (and Euchareena is on that road), but the back road to Euchareena from near Long Point is a bit more interesting.

The only other way from Hill End to Dubbo would be via Mudgee on the blacktop.

There are heaps of side tracks off the Bridle Track, mostly short, and there is one particularly interesting spot at the top of the track behind the gold stamper on the left after you cross the Turon crossing. Heading along the Bridle Track toward Hill End, about 100m after the Turon crossing, on the left, you'll see a gold stamper 100 or so metres off the track. There are a couple of tracks that go up behind the gold stamper to a spot called the lost city (local name only). There are a heap of old mines etc, and the ruins and foundations to some houses. Just need to be careful with kids and dogs not falling down the shafts. Well worth the visit if you've got time, but also need to be a bit careful on either of the tracks up as they are steep with some side slope as well. I can send you some waypoints if they'll help.

regards
Andrew