Bulga & Beyond
19 September 2025 / Written by: Graham King, Photos: Denise Birrell
Sunday, August 17th turned out to be a perfect sunny day squeezed in between days of rain and the promise of more rain the next week.
Meeting at Cameron Park MacDonalds at 9:30 for a 10:00 start gave us all a bit of a surprise. We were confronted by 81 Motor Cycles and passengers preparing for a Charity Ride. AND on our parking area. Fortunately, they were not going in our direction. PHEW!
We welcomed Lilo and Brian returning from a few months sunning themselves up north. Following our briefing from John, run leader for the day, we set off with thirteen cars in total. Surprisingly seven cars were drivers only but with our CB radios it allowed continued social contact.
Out through two roundabouts, onto George Booth Drive and over Mount Sugarloaf we went. Being tail end Charlie, Gail & I had a great view all the cars in convoy. (and we can fall back a little and get a bit of extra zoom!).
Winding our way through Mulbring (where Ray and Marlene joined the run), Kearsley, Kitchener and Cessnock, doing our best to avoid road deformations, we drove onto Wollombi Road which has had recent roadworks and is a dream to drive on now, “so smooth”.
Wollombi can be crowded at weekends and today was no different. Driving into town we noticed a few historic cars, Austin 7s. These entered service in Great Britan in 1923 and actually saved the Austin company from going bust.
Arriving at Slacks Park, Wollombi, we carried our Thermoses, cakes and biscuits through a big family group to a couple of vacant tables for morning tea. Everyone was out enjoying the sunshine.
Leaving Wollombi, we headed to Broke via the refurbished Paynes Crossing Road then on to Milbrodale and through to Bulga via the Putty Road. We were sad to learn that the Bulga Tavern has permanently closed. I’m sure the local people will miss this venue as will many Driving and Riding clubs. Down past the Open Cut Coal mines and onto Singleton where we arrived at the Diggers club for a refreshing drink and a filling meal.
After lunch, 10 of the group continued on to visit the nearby Singleton Infantry Museum. This was a wonderful surprise – the range of armaments, clothing and equipment on display is outstanding. The information boards alongside each display were fascinating, with everyone taking time to read about each one. We finished the day with a coffee and snacks in their café before parting ways to each make their own way home.
Many thanks to Chris and John for a great day.
