It's a long way to Bungendore (The Royal)

03 August 2025 / Author: Simon and Cathy Trickett - Photos: Simon and Cathy Trickett, Rod Nicholas

Blue skies with barely a cloud (we’ll ignore the low of -5.5°C for the morning!) greeted us in Hall as we gathered in the Gladstone St carpark. We started with 8 cars and 13 participants (including two new members, welcome again). We didn’t hang around too long, before setting off, mostly tops down, for an easy drive to Gunning. It wasn’t long however before the fog came down and visibility reduced to about 50m in places – we were regretting the top down choice at this point but we battled on! Slowing down in Gundaroo we picked up another MX5 before arriving in Gunning just after 10am, again under blue skies.

The Old Hume Cafe once again produced the goods with tasty treats and warming beverages. There was plenty of chatting and discussion over the various tables we were occupying.

Back on the road we took the Old Hume Highway so as to enjoy some different scenery and a few more interesting curves that the highway wouldn’t have provided. After slowing slightly so as to allow a completely unaware train enthusiast to cross the road and take a photo of a passing train, we found ourselves driving through Cullerin and Breadalbane – blink and you’ll miss them type villages. Soon after, we had no option but to join the Hume Highway as we headed for Goulburn.

After turning off we veered to the right which took us over the Hume, then we turned left back under the Hume before going back over the Hume again. Confused? We weren’t as we all made it successfully! 

This weaving put us onto Windellama Road, not one known to anybody I spoke to, so job well done as a new road is a good road! And it was a good road, recently resurfaced with just a small section of filled pot holes. Good visibility, sweeping bends, varying landscapes and no traffic. What more could we have asked for (hmm, another 10ׄ°C in temperature maybe!). The nice open road however didn’t last for long after we had turned off Windellama Road.

Here we came across somebody pulling out of their driveway who clearly didn’t look to see if anybody was coming along. Fortunately I had seen him so was prepared to slow down with room to spare. Driving an MX5 has certainly made me a more aware driver as you need to be on your toes at all times so as to react to other drivers poor decisions or their apparent inability to see you. Sadly, this driver also couldn’t keep a steady speed so we just followed patiently behind. It did however allow us to regroup as we approached Tarago. To avoid the temporary dirt road between Tarago and Bungendore we took the longer route along Goulburn Road to the Kings Highway. A straight forward stretch again with little traffic.

Arriving at The Royal only 5 minutes later than planned we were joined by another 9 members who had taken the more direct route to Bungendore. Having never been to The Royal before we were unsure what to expect. However, we were not disappointed. The service was quick and the food was tasty and generously sized, just ask those who had the beef rib!

This run seemed to offer a number of things to members, a great lunch with good friends, plus the option of a longer drive for those interested and given the close proximity to Canberra, an easier drive for others. Given the success and options this style of run offers there will be another ‘It’s a long way to…’ run in 2026. The venue will be local, but will remain a mystery until closer to the day!