15 DAYS IN NEW SOUTH WALES

14^th October.

 Destination today en route to Port Macquarrie is Woolgoola, approximately 450 km, a long drive. We decided to stay here to break our journey as Port Macquarie is too far to drive in one day. We booked into the Sunset Caravan Park, nice park, well laid out. We didn't unhook or set up the annexe as we are just here for the overnighter. After a bit of rest time and a cuppa tea, I did an hour's walk along the beach, little path from the caravan park led to the beach, nice to stretch legs after sitting in the car for many hours. Richard a bit weary after the drive so he didn't accompany me.  Easy dinner tonight, salad and vege lasagne (already cooked so just a reheat in the m/wave).

Woolgoolga Beach

15^th October.  Started the day with a walk along the beach.  Back for breakfast and packed up.  Arrived at Port Macquarrie, about 3 hour drive from Woolgoola (180 km)  and booked into the Melaleuca Caravan Park and set up. Didn't do much else except a bit of shopping and then relax before dinner after a fair bit of driving over the past two days.

16^th October.   This morning we went for a long bike ride along the coastal route on walking/bike tracks where possible but also on the road a fair bit. Lots of hills so a good workout. Very scenic area. We saw many of the little koala sculptures.

The Port Macquarie Hastings region has been populated with 51 large-scale koala sculptures, manufactured in fibreglass and featuring original designs and hand painted by selected artists.

Some of the colourful koalas

Hello Koalas is a bold, ambitious and imaginative sculpture project, which celebrates one of Australia’s iconic animals – the Koala. Above all, it is designed to generate a sense of fun and surprise for everyone who comes across one of the creatively decorated koalas resting in parkland, lazing by the river, waiting outside the shops, or playing with children.

Another koala

Along the southern breakwall of Port Macquarie's Hastings River there is a series of painted rocks that's sure to draw your eye whether you live in the area or are just passing through. They began as an art competition in 1995 but are now a sort of outdoor gallery that anyone can add their own touch to. Typically, the colourful rocks along the wall display pictures, tributes to loved ones who have passed away, commemorations of anniversaries or holidays, and all kinds of works. It's open to everyone, so you can just let your inspiration lead you.

Richard spied a rock depicting the Scottish Flag

Portion of coloured rocks at Flynns Beach, Pt Macquarie

We visited The Koala Hospital.  The hospital is operated by the Koala Preservation Society of Australia and a group of volunteers committed to the welfare and preservation of wild koalas.

The hospital has koala admissions of between 250-300 each year. The very sick koalas and new admissions are treated in the hospital's Intensive Care Wing.  During recuperation the koalas are moved from Intensive Care to the outdoor yards to enjoy the sunshine. Ensuring the koalas receive a varied diet fresh leaves of three different varieties of Eucalypt are supplied daily. The Intensive Care Units and Outdoor Yards are cleaned daily and water bowls replenished. Some recovering koalas are also given a supplementary diet of soya bean based formula.

"Walk & Talk" tours are conducted at the 3.00pm feed daily. The "walk & talk" incorporates watching a feed and then a guided tour around the outside yards giving visitors information on all the koalas. Upon full recovery, the koala is returned to area in which it was found.  They are all given names which relate to the area they were found in and the finder's name.

Feeding time for a poorly koala

Yum Yum

17^th October. Richard enjoyed a golf morning. I found a nearby gym so I also had an exercise morning.

18^th October.  Went to the Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park.  The park covers about 50 hectares in an area of natural bushland with 3 kms of walking tracks, some of which are boardwalks. We saw a huge bat colony, thousands of bats hanging from high branches of trees,  also two lizards sunning themselves.   A peaceful morning in the natural environment of this nature park.

A lizard enjoying the sunshine

Any bugs around?

Portion of the hundreds of hanging bats

Close up of the Bats (Flying Foxes)

The Ironman Triathlon is being held today.  An extreme challenge for the supremely fit.  The Ironman Triathlon consisted of a 3.9 kilometre swim, an 80 km bike ride and a 42 km run.  It has been said that just finishing is a victory. 

We drove down to the area where it was being held and parked as close to the finishing area as we could and watched the athletes come home.  Many of them on the verge of collapse and others just happy to finish. 

Finished (at last)

We drove up to the lighthouse area at Tacking Point. Good views watching the ocean breaking onto the rocks.  A good day including some relaxation time reading and snoozing this afternoon.

The Lighthouse at Tacking Point

Waves smashing on the rocks at Tacking Point

At Tacking Point above the beach area

19th October.  Packed up and left Port Macquarie. On the way out of Pt Macquarie we visited the much talked about Ricardoes Tomato and Strawberry Farm.  A tour was just starting as we arrived and we went into one of the hydroponic tomato sheds and listened to an interesting talk on tomatoes and how they grow them.  The tomatoes win top prizes each year.  We bought a bag and they are very beautifully tasting tomatoes indeed.  Now, Richard is putting into place some of the tips he learned.  We shall see if they taste as good when they are grown.

Talking about Tomatoes
Lots of Tomatoes behind

We then went into the strawberry sheds and heard how they grow the strawberries. We were then given a bucket to go and pick our own berries.  As the strawberries are all grown on vertical lattice racks, no bending is involved and the kids can pick the ones down below.  We filled our bucket, then into the shop for weighing and buying.  A good cafe and lovely coffee plus lots of jars of various types of jams and preserves.  On our way home we called in again for more tomatoes.

Picking Strawberries

Drove to Gosford where we are staying with Colin and Yvonne for a few days. Got there mid afternoon.  Approximately 320 km.  So a pleasant happy hour spent chatting and catching up. Very nice dinner of curry tonight.

20th October.   The boys played golf today.   Yvonne and I went for a bike ride and coffee break along the way.  After lunch we went to the Japanese Gardens and looked around, very  pretty area, saw the large carp in the pond.  We had a nose around the gallery shop there and then home for rest of the day.  The boys enjoyed their golf day.  Nice evening with dinner and chats.

21st October

Ladies Day on the golf course for Yvonne today. Colin, Richard and I did quite a long hilly hike.   We started the hike at Hardys Bay, then through Bouddi National Park towards Tallow Beach, Wagstaff, Pretty Beach and back to Hardys Bay for coffee.
Nice views of the ocean along the way.  Eventually we came down on to the flat area and walked alongside the ocean until we came to a coffee shop where we stopped for refreshments. Home for lunch. Nice evening, Colin cooked paella which was delicious. We enjoyed our few days here at Gosford and catching up with Colin and Yvonne.

Amongst the flannel daisies

Beautiful views along the way

A rest overlooking the ocean

22nd October

Left Gosford today, destination is Moss Vale which is in the Southern Highlands district.  A couple of photos on the back deck before we left.

Colin, Yvonne, Sandy

Yvonne, Richard (without hair), Sandy
Two English Roses and A Scottish Thistle (Thorn)

 Came through lashing rain. Still lightly raining when we arrived but managed to get set up with the awning during a light drizzle before more serious rain began.  Not a pleasant a'noon for exploring. We went to the RSL later in the a'noon, had a game of scrabble, connection to wifi and dinner.

The Southern Highlands lie approximately 100 km south-west of Sydney.  Temperatures are generally lower, we arrived in temperature of about 11C degrees, a bit of a change after 30's in Gosford.  Warm jarmies will be needed tonight.

Friday 23rd October

Woke to a wet morning so we had a lazy morning and a late breakfast. Late morning we had a drive into the nearby village of Berrima and visited the museum there which features the history about the internment camp that was established here in Berrima during the first world war.   We watched a short video and then looked at the many exhibits housed here.  Berrima was the only internment camp not to confine internees within the camp perimeter.  More than 300 German Nationals were interned in the derelict Berrima goal from 1915 to 1919.  They were permitted to leave the gaol from 6 a.m. and return for roll call at 6.30 p.m. after which they were locked in for the night. It is said that they lived a better life with better facilities in the camp than the local Australians.  Very interesting.  There is a bush walk alongside the river but as it was a wet day we decided against it.  The weather improved later in the day and we hope for a fine weekend.  We finished day wth scrabble and wifi at the RSL. We cooked dinner tonight back at camp

Berrima

 24th October

We woke to sunshine. So we drove to Bundanoon, a quaint little town with links to Scotland. We started with coffee at the old bicycle shop which dated back to the early part of last century.  There was quite a buzz in town today as there were open gardens to view.  Also a market in the village hall, opposite to the coffee shop, so we had a wander around for a touch and a feel.  Didn't buy very much, just some fragrant candles. We then had a look through the town before driving to Fitzroy Falls and did the bush walk there taking in the various lookouts and viewed the falls.  Fitzroy Falls offers a spectacular national park experience.  In addition to magnificent waterfalls, it is a great place to experience a lyrebird singing along one of the waking tracks and vistas into the rainforest gullies of Morton National Park from one or more of the many lookouts from where we viewed the falls.  Just escaped the rain after our walk.  We drove home via the RSL for usual wifi and scrabble. We left the slow cooker bubbling away all day so home for a very easy dinner of chicken and vegetables.  A nice day.

Fitzroy Falls

Lots of Steps

October 25^th.

Drove to Mittagong and Lake Alexandra. Did the walk around the lake and started another bush walk but it was very hilly so we only did part of it as it was quite a hot day. Drove to Bowral, had a drive through town, went up to the lookout and had our picnic lunch, a very tranquil area.  We took a slow drive back to Moss Vale enjoying the scenery.

Town of Mittagong

Ducklings at Lake Alexandra

   

View over the town of Bowral from Gibraltar Lookout

October 26th - Forster/Tuncurrie

Packed up and left Moss Vale. Drove to Forster/Tuncurrie, 430 km, about a five hour drive. We arrived around 4 p.m. and just before a downfall of rain. We set up during a dry storm of thunder and lightning.  We did it all in record time of 25 minutes, the threat of rain spurring us on just before a huge downpour arrived. The park here is a bit on the ordinary side. Mostly we have found Top Tourist parks good but this one could do with a face lift. However, we shall have a look around the area tomorrow and hopefully the rain will abate overnight.

Unfortunately, it did not. It poured and poured all day. Forster/Tuncurrie is a fine weather area. We were so looking forward to exploring the beaches and area but it was not to be.

The twin towns of Forster/Tuncurry are also known as The Great Lakes.  It is a region defined by water and how it interacts with spaces, places and people.  Gaining its name from its unique triple lakes system, the region is a nature lover's paradise full of adventures, events and places to explore.  There are perfect beaches, dazzling lakes, national parks and wide expanses of forest broken up with historic rural hinterland.  A bridge built 50 years ago joins the two towns.  Before the bridge it would take half an hour by ferry to cross the water.

Sunset at Forster

Unfortunately we didn't see this sunset photograph or a pink sky!  Hopefully we will return one day during fine weather.

28th October - Yamba

Yay, it's not raining but is still very overcast and rain is maybe not far away.  We pack up while it is dry and get on the road for another long drive of four hours.  Destination: Yamba.  We drove through showers at times, on arrival it was dry but overcast.  We've decided to go home a day early so we didn't unhook or erect awning.  We are staying at Blue Dolphin caravan park, a very large and beautiful park.  As well as caravan areas, there are many cabins here too.  Five swimming pools,  pool cafe, kayak hire, boat hire, a fisherman's haven.

Yamba is situated on the mouth of the Clarence River.  With pristine beaches, a large deep-water marina, a myriad of waterways  and surrounding national parks, Yamba has plenty to offer visitors and holiday makers.  We decided to return here and stay for a week and explore the area leisurely.

Waterways at Yamba

29th October.  And yet another four hour drive - Destination: Home.  We enjoyed this little holiday and exploring some parts of New South Wales that we hadn't visited before.  The weather was mixed and interfered with some of our planned days but you can't predict the weather.  It gave us a taster of places that we would like to revisit for a longer period.  Although we were away for just over two weeks, a lot of mileage was covered - 2,700 kilometres.  Good driving, Richard!

POSSUM PARK/CARNARVON GORGE/BUNYA MOUNTAINS

12^th June to 23^rd June

Possum Park

Our destination today is Possum Park situated just 20 km north of Miles, our overnighter, en route to Carnarvon Gorge. A drive of over 700 k's is a bit too much for one day so we have picked the Miles area for pulling up stumps for the night and it's about half way. We travelled here via Woodford, Kilcoy, Yarraman. Had a lunch stop at Dalby, another Queensland country town much like any other Queensland country town!

Possum Park was a surprise, we bounced along quite a few kilometres of dirt road before reaching the park. During World War 2 RAAF Kowguran Sub Depot to No 3 Central Reserve Explosive Store was located here. It comprises 20 concrete underground bunkers and 25 timber accommodation and administration buildings. RAAF Kowguran was the main explosive store on the Brisbane line, holding at times 2,500 tons of bombs and ammunition.

Today though it has been renamed Possum Park and is now a quite unusual caravan park. Several of the underground bunkers have been converted into modern self-contained units for tourist accommodation. There is also an old troop train here which houses self-contained carriages and is also used for accommodation. There is a drive through area for caravans and also a safari tent area. The most surprising aspect here is the fact that an old Viscount aeroplane is being lovingly restored and when the project is complete, the plane will contain luxury accommodation for anybody wanting a different and special holiday break. The proprietors are extremely friendly and accommodating. We were invited to join everybody at the camp fire that evening. A convivial hour or so spent chatting around the fire ensued. Every other night there is music provided by a guitarist singing old time bush songs. All good fun and chatting to others about their travels. We had another two nights here on our way home. We will certainly return on another occasion en route to 'somewhere'.

Outside one of the old bunkers

Around the camp fire

Sitting beside the old Viscount
(Last flown in 1969)

Brian entertaining the campers (True Blue)

An example of some of the many bourgainvillias here
(Plus Richard)

Carnarvon Gorge

We travelled out to the gorge via Miles, Roma, Injune (our lunch time stop). There wasn't much going on in Injune, a very sleepy little town, perhaps it would be better to visit in July! This is the last fuel stop before reaching Carnarvon but as we had filled up in Roma we decided we had enough in the tank, just another 150 km to go. We eventually arrived at Takarakka which is just 4 kms from the gorge and the only caravan park in the area. Maybe that is why is quite expensive to stay here. However, a delightful park, full of trees, shrubs and kangaroos. We set up and relaxed for the rest of the day. Over our five nights here we did the majority of the walks.

Takarakka 

Carnarvon Gorge

Is an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Central Queensland. Here, towering white sandstone cliffs form a spectacular steep-sided gorge with narrow, vibrantly coloured and lush side-gorges. Boulder-strewn Carnarvon Creek winds through the gorge. It is very beautiful, so picturesque and soul reviving.

Traditional owners have a long and ongoing relationship with the area that falls within Carnarvon National Park. National Parks acknowledges the connection Aboriginal people have with this cultural heritage place and visitors are reminded to treat the area with respect and care.

Mickey Creek Gorge

We wandered along Mickey Creek and into narrow side gorges where the walking track becomes a rock-hopping adventure. Wallabies live here in abundance in the gorge and appear to be quite tame.

Hiking

Through

Mickey's Creek
(We didn't see Mickey)

Art Gallery

Over 2,000 engravings, ochre stencils and free-hand paintings adorn the 2 metre long sandstone walls of this significant Aboriginal site. The Art Galley contains one of the best examples of stencil art in Australia.

One of the many creek crossings

En route to the Art Gallery

An example of the Aboriginal engravings

The board walk at the Art Gallery

Amphitheatre

Hidden inside the walls of the gorge is a 60 m deep chamber gouged from the rock by running water. This is a place for quiet contemplation. The towering stone walls create an awe-inspiring atmosphere within. A very spiritual atmosphere is present here.

Wringing out socks after an unintentional paddle in the creek

Walking through the boulders at the Amphitheatre

At the Amphitheatre (lunch stop)

Wards Canyon

A small but beautiful side gorge. Ward's Canyon is a cool place on a hot day. It is home to the world’s largest fern, the king fern. These impressive green dinosaurs have strong links with the ancient flora of Gondwana origin. A short, steep track winds through spotted gums and around a small waterfall.

At Wards Canyon

Ditto

Moss Garden

Water drips constantly from the sandstone walls of the Moss Garden supporting a lush carpet of mosses, ferns and liverworts beneath tree ferns straining for sunlight. A small waterfall tumbles over a rock ledge into an icy pool.

The Moss Garden

Boolimba Bluff

An upward climb to the bluff which involves steps, steep sections and one very steep section of around 300 m of steps with short ladders. In total 970-odd steps each way. Good for the Heart (so they say). Eventually the lookout is within reach where distant ranges can be viewed. The Bluff is the only formed lookout track from the gorge.

At the Lookout

One of the Ladders leading to the Bluff

On the way

Baloon Cave

Is part of an entry point to the gorge used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years. This short walk among the fan palms and cycads leads to a small sandstone overhang featuring a fine example of stencilled Aboriginal rock art.

At Baloon Cave

Aboriginal Art at the Cave

Rock Pool

Has been carved from the bed of Carnarvon Creek by the turbulent water of past floods. We looked for platypus and turtles here but none were seen. The pool can be used for swimming in the summer but too cool at this time of the year. This is another area where there are lots of little rock piles made by visitors, we added to their number by building one or two.

At the rock pools

Building my cairn 

The finished product

Nature Trail

Is just a short stroll along the shady banks of Carnarvon Creek, a very pretty area which showcases plant life on the gorge floor. Again no turtles or platypus sighted.

Quite a lot of kilometres walked here in the Gorge over four days, very enjoyable and peaceful. Beautiful clear skies and sunny days but cool once the sun went down, the early mornings being quite cool till the sun rose a little higher in the sky.

Another creek crossing to the nature trail

Knitting Project

An Observation Day for Abused Children is a program currently in progress.  Takarraka is taking part and at the cafe area there is a huge basket of knitting wools and needles.  Knitters are encouraged to knit a piece which when big enough gets sewn around trees.  Below are photos of the tree and my contribution.

Trees with their colourful knitted pieces

Sandra Knitting

Traffic Hazard
Cows Crossing

Bunya Mountains

Bunya Mountains National Park, Queensland's second-oldest national park, protects the world's largest remaining bunya pine rainforest. Until the late 1800s, Aboriginal people travelled here from far distant places for gatherings coinciding with large crops of bunya nuts. Today visitors camp, walk and relax in the cool air and enjoy mountain scenery and colourful birdlife. The park has three picnicking and camping areas and is a walkers paradise, with 35 kilometres of tracks (from 500 metres to 10 kilometres). Walks lead through rainforest, eucalypt forest and natural grassland balds, past waterfalls and onto lookouts giving panoramic views east or west. An abundance of wildlife is apparent here, wallabies, many birds such as catbirds, rare sooty owls, noisy pittas and paradise rifle birds. Their chorus can be heard while walking.

We spent three nights here and each day enjoyed a very lovely bush walk. We did the 10 k circuit to Barkers Creek. Wallabies abound here, literally, I counted 50 in the camping area one day. In fact there were more wallabies than campers! We had lunch in the delightful bistro while here, a very nice vegetarian curry, good meal for a cool day. Temperatures here plummeted at night, we had to rug up well as no powered sites here but we survived. We scraped ice from the windscreen though on our departure morning. Richard was very careful driving down the mountain trying hard to avoid kamikaze kangaroos crossing the road.

A most enjoyable trip.