Pindari Dam

That's our van on the hill in the distance

We had spent some time at a few campsites late last year with "Budgie" – keen fisherman from Byron Bay in NSW. He told us that the Byron Bay Freshwater Fishing Club has an annual outing in February to Pindari Dam to fish for the mighty Murray Cod, Yellowbelly and Silver Perch. Murray Cod, a keen bunch of fisho’s, and great free camp with hot showers- we were going to be there!!

Jim and a yella

Linda's 56cm cod - our best for the dam

Pindari Dam is on the Severn River 83 km from Inverell in Northern NSW. At Bingara we had met up with Jim and Jen (who we met at Tinaroo Dam in far North Qld in August 2015) – so off we went to Pindari Dam with a plan to decimate the local cod and put a dent in the NSW XXXX supplies. After one night imagine our surprise when a couple from a nearby van walked across and yelled out “G’day Kerry”. It was my Cousin Sharon and her husband Gary! I had seen Sharon only once in the last 45 years!





So with old Friends, new Friends, long lost relatives, 5 boats, some obliging cod and yellowbelly, boxes of lures and beer – we had all the ingredients for a perfect and memorable stay. And we had a ball!

Nice yellow belly (and fish)

After picking up some tips from Budgie and his fishing mates we had some success in the cod catching outings.

Cooling down at the boat ramp

After 11 nights and 9 days fishing twice a day - when it was cool – as it was over 35C every day by midday - our combined tally was - 4 cod , 10 yellowbelly, one eel-tailed catfish and three turtles – not bad for a bunch of amateurs.

view from under our awning (a salt and battery)

For other travelers - the road into Pindari is all bitumen (if you come via Inverell and Ashford) with a few short steep sections at the dam as you come up to the campsite. The site only has room for about 7 vans but is well set out with lots of tables, rubbish bins, BBQ’s, toilet block (long drop), a boat ramp nearby and flushing toilets and hot showers a short drive away. All for free! If the site is full there is room for 2 vans up at the lookout above the camp (where you can get mobile phone reception) and spots down near the boat ramp where you can stay.

Bingara on the Gwyder

Yowie at Tooloom Falls!

After we left Brisbane we headed south to Bingara in northern NSW. On our way to Bingara we stopped over for two nights at Tooloom Falls free camp near Urbanville just over the NSW border. Nice spot next to the falls but a little close to civilization and thus frequented by younger folk in tents. We didn’t have any noise whilst staying there but has the potential for loud parties.  Didn’t spot any Yowies (Click Here)  but you could hear them rustling through the bush at night !

Bingara (Click Here) is a beaut little town on the northern  end of the New England Highlands in NSW. There are three free camping areas at Bingara – two are close to town and one  5 Kms out of town. All are on the Gwyder River  and all are great spots.

Washing Day

We stayed at the free camp near the boat ramp which was about a kilometer from town. Great spot – grassed spots near the river, and only a few minutes away from town. The folk in town were true country folk friendly, helpful and happy to have a chat.

Murray Cod on surface lure!

Also the local fishing clubs stock the river with Murray Cod and Gloden Perch. So in went the tinny and I was lucky enough to catch three cod on lures.

Gwyder River - Boat Ramp

Two were legal (55cm) and one just under. Cooked up one to share with friends camped next to us – bloody good tucker!

Chilling out with friends - way to go!

Bingara is a great place that goes out of its way to make grey nomads welcome – highly recommended.