Mundi Mundi 2026
This is my 3rd year travelling to the Mundi Mundi bash held on the vast Mundi Mundi plains out of Silverton, NSW. This is also my 3rd year as the volunteer
yoga instructor.
This blog is in 2 stages: Traveling to Mundi and taking the long road home!
Tamworth - Nyngan 441km
Nyngan Riverside Tourist Park
On Saturday the 15th August I left home with my 2 dogs, Cruz and MiCara, first stop was the Nyngan Riverside Caravan park. It's a lovely spot and my 3rd time staying. Of note: they don't allocate sites so it is first in first served. It seemed as though everyone was headed to Mundi!
As they were expecting rain in Silverton, the organisers offered 3 day early entry to enter the site on the Sunday. I decided to stick with my plan to stay Sunday night at White Cliffs.
Nyngan - White Cliffs 485km White Cliffs Underground Motel
Almost as soon as you leave Nyngan the landscape changes to red dirt, salt bush with goats grazing on the roadside. This year it was a lot greener due to the above average rainfall. I always find the drive from Cobar to Wilcannia tedious and a bit boring. A quick toilet break at Wilcannia and then I turned off for the 100km trip to White Cliffs.
I stayed in the underground motel, which is really a motel dug into the hillside. Whitecliffs isn't as barren as I'd expected but it is remote and I can't image Summer there! Oh by the way the phone coverage with Telstra was great.
White Cliffs - Silverton (Mundi Mundi) 285km
The next day I headed back through Wilcannia to Broken Hill with overcast skies. Unlike the previous day where the queue stretched up to 15km, I pretty much drove straight into Mundiville. As I was reversing a fellow yelled out if I wanted help and low and behold it was our vollie neighbours from last year! What a treat to be camping near them again. This highlights the Mundi experience; the people.
As I was setting up drizzly rain set in, but with my neighbours help I was soon set up, the dogs high & dry in their crates at the back of the van. By morning I had waterfront views from my door. The irony is because it was so wet I actually didn't start getting mud inside until it started to dry out because my boots were washed off each time.
The fun began with trying to get campers into the sodden sites, some sites were holding up much better than others. With more rain expected (and unfortunately the weatherman was right) on Thursday, the organisers made the heartbreaking decision to stop 1/3 of ticket holders from entering the grounds.
Those who were on site made the most of it with gumboots walking off the shelves.
Adversity brings out the best and worst in people and Mundi Mundi 2026 alias mudi mudi was no different, I'm not going to dwell on the negative, instead those who chose to had a great time regardless.
After the rain on Thursday the weather was fine and sunny and due to the muddy conditions, which were drying out quickly, we were not contending with the dust which is often a feature of Mundi Mundi. The organisers offered all that had been turned away to enter for Saturdays concerts for free. Also to note the performers who went into SIlverton and Broken Hill and gave free concerts.
Although numbers for my yoga were down on previous years, the response by those who attended as always was fantastic and I may be adding another class next year (watch the socials).
I always feel a bit sad Saturday night when everyone starts packing up and moving on; it signals another festival done and dusted.
Mundi Mundi - Peterborough 304km Peterbrorough Caravan Park
Sunday morning I finished packing up and rolled out. Normally there is a bit of a wait but with reduced numbers the exit was seemless, and I was on the road towards SA, Peterborough my first stop.
The long road home:
Roughly three hours down the road heading south is the old railway town of Peterborough (formerly Petersberg).
Not forgetting the inspection station at Oodla Wirra where you have to throw out prohibited fruit and vege. Contrary to other reports I found the inspectors polite and reasonable and I passed through the station without incident.
The sites at Peterborough caravan park are huge and the facilities clean and the best hot showers, even given that I hadn't had a proper shower for a week, the water pressure was great and plenty of hot water to go around. It also backs onto a lovely park area with small lakes and large play equipment and an easy walk to town, where you can do a self guided history trail.
Peterborough - Hahndorf 261km Discovery Parks Hahndorf
The next morning I managed to be mostly packed before the rain began in ernest and headed to Hahndorf in the Adelaide hills. The landscape changing from semi arid to lush farmland (noting that SA has had above average rainfall so perhaps a little different in "normal times").
There is a really nice secure off leash dog park at Burra, as well as nice coffee at Mog's Cafe which is also dog friendly, I also drove past a rest stop on the Barrier Hwy Saddleworth, which had a number of walking tracks.
I diverted via the big Rocking horse, which is reasonably dog friendly and the climb to the top is not for the faint hearted or those scared of ladders or heights!
Setting up in steady rain in Hahndorf Discovery Park, wasn't fun but I got it done and in true Scottish tradition, donning my best red rain cape I headed into town via the path along the very busy road exploring the main street of Hahndorf. Apart from a purchase of a puffy vest I didn't know I needed, an unwarranted propostion (wtf) and realising my umbrella was dying, I had an uneventful walk back to the fruit & vege market to purchase some treats aka cheese and strawberries.
Packing up the next day in the wet was to be expected (and I have my strategies, lol, and yes my car does smell like wet dog sometimes) and jagged a parking spot in the (very) narrow main street of Hahndorf to have brunch with my BFF, Bridget @ Throw Your Leg Over & Throw Your Leg Over Curves.
Hahndorf - Mount Gambier 425km Pine Country Caravan Park
The skies cleared as I reached Mount Gambier, where a 2 night stay allowed a bit of drying time. Pine Country Caravan Park at Mount Gambier is lovely, surrounded by farmland and vineyards and has a dog free area.
To note: if your dog is small or can jump, the fence will not keep them in, so if you don't have great recall maybe don't go.
It is also an easy walk to the Blue Lake circuit. Tip: walk up the dirt road (which is a dog off leash area) and if you turn right you will head up the hill (harder), heading left is a little easier. The circuit is 3.8km but there are heaps of other tracks that go off, you can spend an whole day exploring!
I also did some laundry, and prepared to move on.
The next day stopping into the Umpherson Sinkhole before driving to Port Fairy, with a strong wind I could see my fuel guage heading south!
Mount Gambier - Port Fairy 167km Gum Tree Caravan Park
The caravan park was a little out of town. I could have walked the rail trail, about 5km into town, but I chose to disconnect and drive in.
Where I explored the wharf area, main street, enjoying a Timboon icecream (the dogs had a treat too), then found Pea Soup beach for Cruz's iconic dingo photo, lol.
True to form the day I left Port Fairy to start the Great Ocean Road, the weather was overcast and threatening rain. Today was huge with stop ins to all the off shore features, Bay of Islands (this is a dog friendly walk into Peterborough), The Grotto, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge (the Razorback being my favourite) and the weather clearing for the Twelve Apostles (the busiest and most commercial). By the time I reached Bimbi near the Otways National Park the day had cleared and was spectacular.
Port Fairy - Bimbi Park (Cape Otway) 173km Bimbi Park
I walked the dogs along a path to Beach and spotted (well Cruz actually) a Koala, then discovered a Koala in a tree right near my site.
Where the previous day was moody, harsh and dramatic, which suited the landscape, today was absolutely spectacular, blue skies, blue/aqua ocean.
Bimbi Park - Torquay 122km Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park
So today was suppose to be waterfall day. I drove from Bimbi in the Otways climbing through beautiful forrest with glimpses to the ocean only to find the track to Beauchamp & Stevenson Falls (both are dog friendly) was signposted not suitable for caravans or trailers.
I did start down the track to Stevenson Falls but it was narrow and I turned around as I know the frustration of having to rescue someone who has went where they shouldn't have! I was a bit disapointed and in hindsight if I'd known about the limited access I would have tried to park the van somewhere disconnected and went in with my car.
Anyway I proceeded back along the Great Ocean Road and after yesterdays dramatic scenery and moody weather today was an absolute cracker with the ocean on my righthand side as I wound my way east.
I stopped at Lorne and walked along the path to the jetty and back topping up with a coffee (and vanilla slice) before heading to Torquay. I can only say the scenery is spectacular, as I was heading east the ocean was on my right and I could have stopped a dozen times to take photoes.
Torquay caravan park was very cramped and tested my reversing/parking skills. It backs right onto the beach which is great but if I'm to be honest I'd hate to stay here in the peak time. However it was lovely to walk the dogs along the beach & to hear the surf through the night.
As I knew I had a 2 night stay at Bendigo, I started a little later and headed off along the surfside walk, initially the plan was to go an hour out and an hour back, but I was so close to the iconic Bells beach (the home of Australian surfing) we (dogs & I) pressed on.
Bells beach is a little underwhelming as a beach but obviously a fantastic surf beach!
Ohh also of note is that for some dog walkers on the path, the signs saying "dog must be on a lead" appears to be merely a suggestion!
Torquay - Bendigo 200km Big 4 Caravan Park Marengo
After a coffee (and the dogs had a treat) at Jan Juc we pressed on back to Torquay where I headed to the highly recommended Bell St Fish & Chips. 12km all up, the dogs slept quietly all the way to Bendigo.
The Big 4 at Marengo (Bendigo) is really nice, smaller than Torquay with good sized sites, playground etc and an off leash dog area at the rear of the park, I'm not sure how securely fenced it is so again use your own discretion whether to let your dog off leash. There is also a dog wash available. Also I rate the bathrooms here as they were more like a normal bathroom and it even had an air conditioner.
By the way at the time of writing the road to Daylesford is terrible, very potholed and timed wrong you'll do a tyre!
Bendigo, wow, what a treat. The dogs and I boarded the Talking Tram touring the the city. We stopped off at the Central Deborah Gold Mine then explored Rosalind Park then to Lake Weeroona, we caught the tram at lake and did the full tour (much to Cruz's disgust) ending back at the Tram depot. MiCara didn't have a problem with the tram at all but Cruz was quite stressed, I think it was the vibration, he did get better but he was wasn't happy about it. So if your dog is a nervous type (neither of mine are) maybe consider this before boarding. By the way the staff at the depot cafe and the mine are absolutely wonderful and extremely dog friendly.
We then got back in the car to the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion. Again, wow! This is the largest stupa in the western hemisphere and has representation for all religions in the gardens. There was a Buddhist retreat so I wasn't able to go inside, however as I wandered around the stupa there was a break and the attendees were outside, many wanting their "dog fix" so mine got lots of pats and I was able to peek inside.
Staying with my favourite saying better to be lucky than smart, I circled around the stupa reading the prayers (it applifies your prayers) and as I approached the rear of it there was a small group waiting to be let into the building, a fellow asked me about Cruz whether he was part Dingo then explained to a fellow in red robes about our native dogs. I think I was within a few feet of the guest speaker!
The giant stupa has a lovely feel to it, and whether that was increased with the retreat I don't know, but it is well worth the visit.
It was late afternoon, and the dogs & I were tired. This was our last day of touristing as we headed home with fairly big drives over the next few days.
Bendigo - Wagga Wagga 410km Horseshoe Tourist Park.
True to my motto of travelling the road less travelled I opted for the back roads driving past huge acres of canola and green pastures. I know rape seed crops are not good for the land but they really are stunning, the quintessential Aussie green & gold.
I literally accidentally drove across one of the best silo art pieces I've seen at Colbinabbin, VIC and then stopped in for a coffee at a little town, Violet for wall art commemorating women who have served in war, then a quick side trip to Corowa where I bought some Mad Dog whiskey and chocolate. This was Cruz's birthplace so only fitting. Finally onto Wagga Wagga. Two more nights on the road.
The accomodation at Wagga Wagga was small and nice with a pond area to walk the dogs around.
Wagga Wagga - Wellington 379km Wellington Caves Caravan Park
Leaving Wagga I stopped into the Japanese POW memorial and gardens. Dogs are welcome, you enter through the reception/gift shop area and they will let you into the outdoor eating area. After a yummy lunch the dogs and I walked up the path to the POW memorial (you can drive). It is $22 if you want to enter the gardens but free for the Memorial. It is about a 2km walk and is leash free, I wasn't comfortable (and I'm not sure it is leashfree) letting my dogs off on the footpath as there were kangaroos and I think in warm weather the risk of snakes but the roadway is clearer, you just have to be mindful of traffic. Whilst I didn't go into the gardens they are spectacular and I believe are rated the best Japanese gardens in Australia.
Last night of the trip was at Wellington Caves caravan park. No off leash dog area but big grassy sites. We walked around the much smaller (and I think they need a little tcl) Japanese gardens then headed off on Saxa Rd towards Dunedoo, I passed a number of wide loads under escort. Calling into the bakery at Dunedoo, I'm not sure I found "the bakery" as there are 3 in the main street that boast having freshly baked goods, but it was certainly tasty.
There is a large pull off area for trucks, caravans and long vehicles in general. There is also a small offleash dog area. Of note; I also saw an off leash dog are sign in Coolah.
One thing I have noticed on this trip is the small country towns that are struggling with lots of closed shops but then there are others making a stand offering specialties such as bakeries, antiques, caravan friendly etc to survive.
Wellington - Tamworth 310km
Statistics:
Over 3500 kms (I didn't set my odometer so this is from google so I think I did more)
322,398 steps
20 days
$1144.55 fuel 500.39 litres roughly
"Be free to live your best life"
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