Saying Goodbye to Sydney and Heading for the Silo Art Trail
After another fantastic stay in Sydney, it was time to say goodbye to The Rocks and point the car towards our next destination, Bingara. Of course, no road trip would be complete without a little unexpected excitement before we’d even escaped the big smoke!
A Bridge Too Far… or Just a Closed On-Ramp?
Leaving the Rendezvous Hotel early in the morning, our plan was to get onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge and head north. We followed the GPS directions towards the Grosvenor Street on-ramp, only to discover that it was closed. Thanks for the heads-up, GPS!
The detour sent us around Jamison Street, where my driving skills were briefly tested by a traffic island. Let’s just say I straddled the thing rather enthusiastically! Fortunately, the car escaped without any damage, and we were soon back on track. It was a slightly more eventful departure than we’d planned, but at least we had a story to tell.
Apart from that little hiccup, I found Sydney surprisingly easy to navigate and drive through. Once clear of the city, we were heading towards Windsor and one of the roads I’d been keen to experience — Putty Road. Time to leave the traffic behind and enjoy some country touring.
Today’s Stops: History, Warbirds and Silo Art
We had a busy day ahead, with a mix of military history, aviation and some of the spectacular artwork that has been popping up across regional New South Wales.
Our planned stops included:
Australian Army Infantry Museum — Singleton
Hunter Warbirds — Scone
That’s a fair bit to squeeze into one day, but when you’re travelling, there’s always something worth pulling over for!
Australian Army Infantry Museum — Singleton
Our first stop was the Australian Army Infantry Museum in Singleton. If military history interests you, this is well worth adding to your itinerary.
The museum is divided into two main exhibition areas. The lower floor explores the history of Australian infantry operations, from the Sudan campaign in 1885 through to more recent operations in Afghanistan. It provides a look at how Australia’s infantry has evolved through different conflicts and changing military technology.
Up on the mezzanine level, you’ll find small arms and their associated training aids. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the equipment used by infantry soldiers and the training required to operate it.
It’s an interesting stop that offers a glimpse into the history, service and experiences of Australian soldiers.
Hunter Warbirds — Scone
Next up was Hunter Warbirds in Scone, a must-stop destination for aviation enthusiasts.
The extraordinary aircraft collection assembled by Col Pay includes Australia’s first airworthy P-40 Kittyhawk, along with many significant fighter aircraft operated by the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II.
There’s something special about seeing historic aircraft up close rather than simply looking at pictures in a book. These machines represent an important part of aviation history, and a collection like this gives visitors a chance to appreciate the aircraft and the stories behind them.
If vintage aircraft and military aviation are your thing, Hunter Warbirds deserves a place on the road-trip list.
Following the Australian Silo Art Trail
From military history, we turned our attention to something a little more colourful — the Australian Silo Art Trail.
We were visiting Quirindi, Gunnedah and Barraba, where enormous grain silos have been transformed into eye-catching works of art. What were once purely practical structures used by the agricultural industry have become giant outdoor canvases, attracting visitors to towns that might otherwise be missed by travellers rushing along the highway.
The Australian Silo Art Trail is a fantastic initiative. These artworks are not only spectacular to look at, but they also help shine a spotlight on regional communities, encouraging visitors to stop, explore local towns and support the businesses along the way.
It’s a brilliant example of turning something ordinary into something extraordinary. And let’s face it, when a grain silo is taller than the local pub and covered in artwork, it’s hard not to stop for a look — and a few photos!
Overnight Stop: Bingara
After a busy day on the road, our resting place was the Imperial Hotel in Bingara, established in 1879.
Bingara is a historic town nestled in the Gwydir River Valley, with a past shaped by gold and diamond mining. Like many country towns, it has plenty of history tucked away behind its streets and old buildings.
The town once boasted its own cinema and a Greek café — reminders of a time when local communities had their own entertainment and gathering places. Those little glimpses into days gone by are part of what makes exploring country towns so enjoyable. You never know what stories you’ll uncover along the way.
The Imperial Hotel would be our base for the night before we continued our travels.
Another day, another collection of interesting stops, historic places and country roads ticked off the list. From Sydney’s busy streets to the open roads of regional New South Wales, the scenery and experiences were changing by the kilometre.
And with more country towns and adventures still ahead, we weren’t finished yet. After all, touring is thirsty work!
#TheThirstyTourists #TouringIsThirstyWork
