Overnight to Canberra War Memorial

11 September 2023 / Words and pictures by JJason Brown

The Tourist Information Centre at Richmond was the first meeting point as we embarked on a weekend away in Canberra with five cars eager to start the day. After a pleasant trip across the Blue Mountains on Bell’s Line of Road we were chilled to the bone after passing through Lithgow with the normal temperature drop you feel on the Great Western Highway just where the 110 zone kicks in. Many commented this was even colder than a Brass Monkey Run as heaters were cranked up and a few rooves were raised. After meeting up with another six cars at McDonalds Kelso we all headed off on the remote Trunkey and Goulburn roads towards Gunning for lunch. The descent into Tuena was a highlight of the drive for some with the twisting road in surprisingly pristine condition. If you ever have a chance to head out this way, I highly recommend it.

After a great lunch at the Telegraph Hotel in Gunning and after attending the Last Post at the Australian War Memorial we drove towards our accommodation for the night at the very lavish Ramada Ambassador. After checking in we gathered in the foyer for a few drinks before dining and chatting the night away.

The next day we headed back the Australian War Memorial to explore the exhibits. A visit to the War Memorial now requires a booking and you are only allocated two hours now to peruse so I imagine there will need to be a return trip someday as there’s no way you can even see half the place in two hours.

After regrouping we headed to the Lake George Hotel Bungendore where both the food and service were excellent. Refuelled and ready to call it a day we said our goodbyes and made our way home back to Sydney. This was a great overnight trip and I have to send a huge thanks to Ron and Jacqui Questor for organising and leading the run.

 

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