Forbes to Barmedman NSW

After soaking up the beauty of the Blue Mountains, Unshackled Adventures was craving a slower pace and some classic country scenery. We headed inland to Forbes in the Central West of NSW and set up camp at the free, RV-friendly Wheogo Park on Lake Forbes.

It’s a beautiful spot, complete with walking tracks that meander along the foreshore and lead right into town. Forbes is well known for its heritage buildings, leafy parks and picturesque riverbanks, and we loved wandering the historic streets and taking in the relaxed vibe. 

During our stay we took time to visit the Forbes Cemetery, where we paid our respects at the graves of the infamous bushranger Ben Hall and Kate Foster, sister of the legendary Ned Kelly.

Standing there offered a quiet moment to reflect on the colourful and often turbulent stories that shaped Australia’s colonial past.

With hot weather on the way, we decided to relocate to the local showground and plug into power for a very reasonable $25 per night. It turned out to be a great move — and an even better surprise when we bumped into a couple we’d first met in Nug Nug, Victoria. They’re about to take on the caretaker role at the showgrounds, and we enjoyed a catch-up happy hour together in the old pavilion — a charming venue that perfectly reflects the showground’s heritage.

While based in Forbes, we ducked over to Parkes to beat the heat and visit the iconic Parkes Observatory (also known as “The Dish”). An Australian science icon, the telescope has been operating since 1961 and remains at the forefront of astronomical discovery thanks to ongoing upgrades. Now known by its Wiradjuri name, Murriyang, it continues to support world-class research.

On the day of our visit, the dish was working in tandem with several other telescopes using a technique called Very Long Baseline Interferometry — effectively simulating a telescope as large as the distance between them, allowing astronomers to observe incredible detail in our universe. Mr Unshackled was absolutely in his element!

We also enjoyed an informative 3D cinematic presentation and stood beneath the dish as it tracked across the sky. Watching it move while contemplating the vastness of the universe… truly mind-blowing stuff.

From Forbes, we travelled around 130km to Barmedman — not originally on our itinerary, but highly recommended by our new friends. This tiny rural village, located between West Wyalong and Temora within the Bland Shire, is best known for its large mineral pool.

Originally established as a service centre during the gold mining era, Barmedman now supports a predominantly agricultural district of wheat, canola and sheep grazing. The most consistent activity we noticed was the steady stream of grain and cattle trucks rolling past camp throughout the night — yes, right past!

The town has some lovely historic buildings, though it does feel a little tired, with just a craft and coffee shop and the service station currently open for business. The real drawcard, however, is the mineral pool. Renowned for its high mineral content — said to ease aches and pains — it certainly provided a relaxing float, even if we can’t officially confirm its healing powers.

Maintained by dedicated locals, both the pool and adjacent campground operate on a donation basis. For just $10, you can camp right beside the pool — a unique and memorable country experience.