For those of you who have been to one or more previous Round Ups, you will be familiar with the plan, as we have not really changed much of the basic program format since the first couple we ran way back in 2010 and 2012. People keep coming back, so we can't really see a reason to change much. We do of course make a considerable effort with each new event to find as many new and interesting places to go and the best Moke tracks to get there.
Most Mokers (usually 100%) choose to stay at the Austin Tourist Park in Tamworth (Moke Central) which makes for a nice community environment for people to catch up before and after our daily runs.
More specific programs will be given to attendees when they arrive, but the rough plan is that we all gather at a central area of the caravan park around 9.00 - 9.30 each morning, and head off together in convoy from there for the day's adventures. There will be one day this year that we have to get an earlier start.
Our typical runs are around 200km for the day, and we always have plenty of time for morning tea and comfort stops as well as stopping to admire any points of interest along the way. Lunch will be booked in at a country pub along the way (or there are usually takeaway food options, or bring your own lunch if you prefer). We then make our way back to Moke Central, usually aiming to get back by 3.00 or 4.00pm. Once you've had a chance to wash the dust and/or mud off (or don't bother if you like) we encourage everyone to meet at Moke Central's camp kitchen for nibbles and drinks each afternoon (family-friendly drinks - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic is fine). After that, everyone makes their own arrangements for dinner and we do it all again the following day.
The exception to this is the Sunday, when we have a short presentation with morning tea in the morning and line the Mokes up somewhere so that everyone has a chance to come and have a good look at them. We usually just do a short drive within Tamworth, and then finish up at a pub for lunch. We often take a small group of hardy souls on an afternoon run somewhere for a couple of hours, but by this stage, most Mokers are happy to just sit back and relax, or start the trip back home.
Most Mokers (usually 100%) choose to stay at the Austin Tourist Park in Tamworth (Moke Central) which makes for a nice community environment for people to catch up before and after our daily runs.
More specific programs will be given to attendees when they arrive, but the rough plan is that we all gather at a central area of the caravan park around 9.00 - 9.30 each morning, and head off together in convoy from there for the day's adventures. There will be one day this year that we have to get an earlier start.
Our typical runs are around 200km for the day, and we always have plenty of time for morning tea and comfort stops as well as stopping to admire any points of interest along the way. Lunch will be booked in at a country pub along the way (or there are usually takeaway food options, or bring your own lunch if you prefer). We then make our way back to Moke Central, usually aiming to get back by 3.00 or 4.00pm. Once you've had a chance to wash the dust and/or mud off (or don't bother if you like) we encourage everyone to meet at Moke Central's camp kitchen for nibbles and drinks each afternoon (family-friendly drinks - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic is fine). After that, everyone makes their own arrangements for dinner and we do it all again the following day.
The exception to this is the Sunday, when we have a short presentation with morning tea in the morning and line the Mokes up somewhere so that everyone has a chance to come and have a good look at them. We usually just do a short drive within Tamworth, and then finish up at a pub for lunch. We often take a small group of hardy souls on an afternoon run somewhere for a couple of hours, but by this stage, most Mokers are happy to just sit back and relax, or start the trip back home.
Ten years on, a spectacular view that we plan on revisiting in 2024.
Planned Destinations for 2024 are :
Wednesday: Our pretty morning tea stop will be about 15 minutes out of Nundle, then it’s a less travelled way over the Liverpool Range to Murrurundi for lunch, returning to Moke Central along another scenic route.
Thursday: The run is north to morning tea, and then out to the beautiful Warrabah National Park for a provided lunch riverside on the Namoi River. Returning to Moke Central is via Manilla.
Friday: After a morning tea stop, we'll be heading east along a road with stunning views - the above photo shows one of those expansive views. Lunch at the historic Walcha Road Hotel, returning to Moke Central via the infamous Danglemah (relevant for those who follow federal politics!).
Saturday: For the “all bitumen day”, it's southwards for morning tea, and then on to Quirindi for lunch where there are several choices of lunch venues. Back to Moke Central via Werris Creek where the train fans can check out the Railway Museum.
Sunday: Morning tea at the miniature trains then off via the back roads to Kootingal Hotel for lunch. Today is all Tamworth based and all bitumen, keeping in mind that some Mokers will be leaving for home to get to work on Monday!
Note : (The standard disclaimer!) We may have to alter the routes, or swap the days, depending on the conditions.
One final note is that we have become famous over the years for doing most of our runs on a combination of dirt roads and back country bitumen roads. If this concerns you, you are certainly free to attend and we will advise which runs may be a concern and give you alternatives to still participate (jump in with someone else for the day, or take a bitumen route to join us for lunch). Some of the runs are certainly rougher than others. Please know what you are signing up for though. If you really don't like getting your Moke dusty/muddy or hitting a few potholes, this may not be the event for you. All are free to come along and join in whatever way they are comfortable with though.
One of the grass tree hills to visit during MRU 24.
Spotto : find the Moke!
