We moved away from the fabulous NSW coast, driving west, up the escarpment of Browns Mountain towards Cooma, the Capital/Gateway of the Snowy region.

Very scenic travelling up into the mountains, the mountain forest clinging to the edge of the highway with the air clearing, leaving the ocean mist of the coast behind. We stopped at a couple of lookouts, dedicated to those who had cut a path through the mountains a hundred or more years ago, to enable this highway to be built.   Fantastic views across to the fertile valleys of the coast, where the dairy industry thrived and gave us the Bega region and the cheese.

So, onward and upward to Cooma where we dropped anchor for four nights. Pay for 3, get one free – yep I like that!   

The new owners are great, telling me where to find the ripe blackberries on their 5 acres of vacant land right where we set up camp.   A big bowl of these little beauties with vanilla icecream went down a treat on our first night!

After breakfasting at the great historic pub on the corner, we walked Lambie Street in Cooma, where most of the oldest houses are. Lined with beautiful specimens of Chestnut, Maple and Oak trees, it is an absolute picture.   The houses have been faithfully maintained and are beautifully kept.   Magic!

We drove out of town to the Cooma Murrumbidgee River Reserve, about 10km, hoping to find a great fishing spot as in the brochure!   The first time the spot didn't fit the brochure pic.   Low river levels and it wasn't such a nice place really.  

We had visited the Information Centre in Cooma and the lady there was so informative.   She had told us of a road further on from the reserve; gravel, well graded and maintained used to service the farms, which would take us into the high country and then down into and through a deep valley with amazing views, before joining up with the main Canberra Monaro Highway.   Well, she knew her stuff this lady!   What a ride for about 35km!   Totally off the beaten track.   What an amazing ride!