Another cold start, another frosted car. Minus 2.5 in Dubbo this morning and it was still only 2 dregrees at 10am in the shade. We had a quick look around town at some older buildings – one dating back to 1851.

The Warrumbungles beckon from the Newell Highway.

We turn off at Tooraweenah and take the scenic route into Warrumbungle National Park. There are stands of Weeping Myall (Acacia pendula) along this road.

The Crater and Crater Bluff from Tooraweenah.

An emu farm is west of the ranges.

Siding Spring Observatory is visible as we head east towards the park.

In the campgrounds, this kangaroo is not interested in us and just keeps eating.

A mega-fire decimated the paark in 2013. Very little of the park appears to have gone unscathed.

Kurrajong leaves

Brilliant wattles were just coming into flower, There was an incredible amount of wattle in bud.

Sarsaparilla vine (Hardenbergia spp.) was common in the regrowth.

The dramatic volcanic landscape from Whitegum Lookout framed by the majestic white gums (Eucalypts rossii).

Siding Spring has a number of telescopes but the prime one is the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) with its 3.9 metre diameter mirror.

A lift takes us up 4 stories to a viewing platform.

Inside the massive dome.

This is the AAT operating at night. (image from Siding Spring display)

The panorama from the lookout at Siding Spring.

Looking south-east from Siding Spring.

Timor Rock in the northern section of the park.

We come across a rare small stand of whomping willows in Coonabarabran. No Ford Anglias in sight.

Having survived the willow, we were then harassed by a local gang of geese.

The photographer putting the image ahead of personal safety.

Descending onto the Liverpool Plains east of Coonbarabran.

Countryside around Gunnedah. The Nandewar Range is visible in the background.

Just outside Gunnedah.

Late in the day between Gunnedah and Tamworth. The ranges are the start of the New England Tablelands.

Another sunset from the car.

Heading east just outside Tamworth, our stopover for the night.