Destinations > The Wool Run

Issue: February 2009

Words by Vic Widman

Starting this month, regular contributor Vic Widman is going to share with us some of his extensive off road travel experience.

G'Day, Vic Widman here, in this series of outback tracks, we call 'Cooper Tyre Tracks', I'm going to bring to you some of the amazing outback locations I have discovered over my many years of 4WD travel. This series is the real essence of what Overlander magazine is all about. It will bring to you detailed history, track conditions, campsites and must see spots on the places that you will be visiting one day in your 4WD, places you may only be dreaming of or places you have simply just driven straight past previously. The series will be relevant to everyone, no matter where you live, with locations in every state. This month I have chosen a location virtually on the back doormat of most east coasters, the Hema map series call it Outback New South Wales but I prefer to call it The Wool Run!
Isn't it amazing how we are always in a hurry to get somewhere? I could not count the number of times I've headed west from Sydney along the Mitchell Hwy in an endeavour to get out west as quick as possible. In fact, I've been driving right past some the best 4WD touring routes you can find anywhere. So this month, let's ease into our trip out west and pick a meandering route that will showcase the history and the outback that is on our doorstep.

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No matter where you go, if you live in a major city or town, there is always a certain degree of sealed road to travel before your Cooper tyres will kick up the dust. The Mid Western Hwy stretches from Bathurst to Hay in western New South Wales and passes through some lovely country towns with quite an amazing history to them. Do a little research before your trip and compile some notes on the towns you pass by, this will add to the enjoyment of your trip and an understanding of the country through which you travel.
For example, Cowra has an incredible history to it. Known worldwide for its Japanese Gardens, these are in fact a memorial to the famous Cowra Breakout. It was early morning on 5 August, 1944 and over 1000 Japanese Prisoners of War (POW) were packed into their cramped sleeping quarters on the outskirts of Cowra. Fed up with the atrocious conditions and the humiliation of being a POW, an escape bid was launched. Some POW's, dressed in heavy overalls, sacrificed themselves by throwing their bodies over the tangle of barbed wire that blocked their escape to freedom, allowing the escapees to use their bodies as a running board over the barbed wire.

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