Travelling Worm

This is the blog of Mark Wordsworm, the travelling worm. I’m a 40-year-old bookmark (give or take a few years) and I proudly boast my own Hallmark serial number, 95 HBM 80-1. You’ll probably want to read all about me and my Travelling Companion (the TC).

Today’s travel notes

Me, the TC, and Janet the Jeep took the long way round from Sydney to Brisbane, to explore a bit of the inland countryside. On the second day of our trip, we drove from Glen Innes to Grafton via Old Grafton Road and Old Glen Innes Road. This is a beautiful route. The road is partly sealed (bitumen) and partly unsealed (gravel and clay). It’s in good nick all the way from Glen Innes to Grafton.

Read on to get a feel for this trip.

The book I’m in

Force of Nature, by Jane Harper. A book that starts well and gets better and better.

Travel tips

It’s most comfortable to travel from Glen Innes to Grafton, rather than in the opposite direction. The road is narrow, the edges unguarded, and the side falls away steeply along much of the way. If you’re on the side that drops off, it can be uncomfortable when you meet a vehicle coming towards you.

Recommended accommodation

Apartments on Grey in Glen Innes. Warm and cosy, with everything you need for a comfortable stay.

The photos

Me at the turnoff to Old Grafton Road on Gwydir Highway:

The first part of Old Grafton Road is sealed (bitumen). But don’t be fooled! It’s scenic — meaning, it’s steep, winding, and narrow. This video gives a taste of the road. Part way through (at the time stamp of 40 seconds to 1:03), the TC stopped the Jeep to take a shot of three wallabies on the side of the road:

The road descends swiftly to cross Diehard Creek:

A helpful soul has posted warning signs along the road:

Mann River Nature Reserve is a pretty spot to take a breather:

Janet the Jeep was raring to go when Old Grafton Road changed to dirt:

At times, you’ll come across an entrance to a family farm:

Here’s another homestead, further along the route:

Much of the road runs alongside Boyd River. Sometimes it’s at the level of the water, sometimes high above. It’s narrow and slippery — take care!

Just around a corner, you’ll come across Dalmorton Tunnel. The tunnel is 20 metres long, 4 metres wide, and has a height clearance of 3.2 metres.

Me at Dalmorton Tunnel:

The tunnel was built in the 1860s by civilian contractors. (Some reports say that convicts built it, but that’s probably apocryphal.) The tunnel was blasted out of solid rock, then trimmed with hand tools. (Again, some reports say it was “hand hewn”, but that’s probably not completely accurate either.)

Here’s Janet making her way through the tunnel, hogging the limelight as she does:

Boyd River offers some picturesque spots for coffee and a photo:

Next is a cow closeup, for people who like cows. This worm avoids them, as they’re apt to put those big feet where they’re not wanted. But the TC, bless her cotton socks, liked the way this cow was cosying up to the pink bush:

On Old Glen Innes Road, a wide, low bridge crosses the Nymboida River:

Scattered around, in the water and on land, are sections of a huge pipe, filled with concrete:

Perhaps the pipes formed the scaffolding of a previous bridge? Who knows:

The TC, bless her woollen mittens, is keen to finish off with some shots of the road. So, for those enthusiastic road-farers out there:

See you on the road!

That’s all for today, folks.