Blog 49 - 7th to 17th September 2014

Sunday 7th September - last Friday, we went through the small town of Kyogle, where I happened to purchase a footy jersey in red, white and blue (Roosters colours). So today we decided to leave the camper in Mullumbimby and drive the 90 minutes or so back out to Kyogle to watch the Kyogle Turkeys take on other teams in all 3 grades in their finals matches. I was proudly wearing my Turkeys jersey,

and we watched the Under-18's win, but the Reserves and A-Grades both lost. It was a great day out participating on a Sunday afternoon in a small country town, and we chatted to lots of locals. Back to Mullumbimby to the pub for dinner. And it rained on-and-off for most of the day, but we stayed dry under big umbrellas.

Monday 8th - the plan was to get up early and get packed before the rain starts, but just as we are about to start packing, the heavens open up, and we wait under the awning until it stops, and then pack away wet canvas. Then we wander across and have a shower, before leaving town and driving down the coast to Evans Head. We have arranged to drop in on Terry and Lyn, who we met back in Coober Pedy and Ayres Rock. We have a chat over coffee and cake, and then Lyn brings out lunch, and then Terry wants to know if we want to stay the night so he can get enough steaks out of the freezer. A wonderful offer, and we gratefully accept - a warm, dry night in a normal bed. We chat for hours and hours, and it is great to catch-up.

Tuesday 9th - up early to a cooked brekkie of bacon and eggs - we are spoilt. We chat a bit more and then we decide to head off and leave them in peace - was great to catch-up with another wonderful couple we have met on the road. We decide to head back inland away from the coast and the rain. From Grafton, we take the Gwydir Highway towards Glen Innes. Once we start the climb up the Gibraltar Ranges, the views are fantastic, and we stop at several lookouts along the way. We decide to camp at Boundary Creek Falls and collect some wood for the fire to keep warm - we are over 1,000 metres above sea level.

Wednesday 10th - another grey morning, so we pack early and get ready for a walk to the falls, and also to Lyrebird Falls, which are a 2.2km return walk away. We descend the stairs to the bottom of Boundary Creek Falls, and it is like a rainforest oasis, with green everywhere.

Back on the road, and we finally arrive in Glen Innes, where we stop at the info centre, and then have a wander around town, stopping for some lunch at a noodle bar. From here we decide to explore some of the surrounding National Parks, and set off towards Torrington SCA, where we go on another walk to see Mystery Face rock

and some other massive granite boulders (including the Boars Head).

As it is getting late, we decide to drive a bit further into the park and camp, where we have the entire place to ourselves. More wood collected for another fire as we are still above 1,000 metres.

Thursday 11th - we pack camp again, and drive towards Kwiambal NP - both the map we have got and the GPS say the track exists - but after driving through a farmers backyard and along very under-utilized tracks, we are sure that it may no longer be an access road. But we make it to the other end and re-join the highway. First stop once in the park is the Macintyre Cascade Falls lookout,

and then we walk down the 114 steps to clamber over the rocks at the bottom for a different view. Back at the top, and time for some lunch in the sun. From here we drive to the camping area at Lemon Tree Creek, where we grab a great spot with nice green grass, and set-up camp besides the river.

More wood collected for tonight. Then a short walk around the camping area to look at the water and the rocks. We then decide to have a quick wash in the cold water (several days since the last shower). The wildlife around the area is abundant, with kangaroos, wallabies, birds of all types, and a couple of grunting possums too.

Friday 12th - we decide to head into a town to do some washing (both clothes and ourselves). We stop in at Ashford, where the caravan park is only $13 p.n. and washing machines are by donation. After setting up, Di does 3 loads of washing, then we wander up into town (a short walk) where half the shops are closed and boarded-up. We are joined by chatty neighbours who are traveling with 2 birds.

Saturday 13th - we head back south east to Kings Plain NP, where we find a nice campsite besides the creek,

but the storm clouds deter us, so we continue on our way - it rains from this point on until we get close to Inverell. We stop in at the info centre, and then get some lunch while planning what we do. We decide to stay in town at the showgrounds, and wander up to the Bowlo to watch the footy and get some dinner. The Panthers defeat the Roosters in the dying seconds, and then the Cowboys smack the Broncos to finish the night. We chat to many of the patrons in the club who are celebrating the footy comp dinner and awards. Back to camp late in the evening.

Sunday 14th - a quick restock at Woolies, before driving to Warialda for a quick drive through town. Then turn south to Bingara, where we stop in at the Roxy Theatre and Cafe for a coffee / thickshake. From here to Narrabri via Mt Kaputar, and then to Coonabarabran and then into the Warrumbungles NP. We get to the visitor centre just before closing and book our site for 3 nights. We set-up in Blackman Camp 2, with beautiful views over the rock formations in the distance.

We didn't get to collect any firewood, so of course it is a freezing cold night, and we are inside early.

Monday 15th - we decide to do a short walk today, so set off on the Burbie Canyon walk, which is about 3.5km's round trip. We walk along the creek bed, and then around the back of the Split Rock. You can really see the extent of the bushfire last January, with most of the trees dead and black, but with lots of ground cover and smaller shrubs starting to make a come-back.

We then collect some wood, and return to camp via Camp Wambelong which is nice and grassy. After lunch, we wandered around the area, and relaxed after the big day driving yesterday. We get the fire going and drag the camp oven out of the Triton - roast lamb, with a mass of vegies - yummo.

Tuesday 16th - today is "big walk day" - we decide to walk to the Breadknife and back, which is about 13.5km's all up. But they don't tell you that very little of the walking is flat, so it is uphill to get there, and downhill on the way back - but steep enough that even coming back down is tough on the legs. We stop at Spirey View lookout, and can get a reasonable view of Belougery Spire.

But the further we walk, the better the views get. Then we climb the 242 steps (Di counted), and then walk around the base of the Breadknife formation,

before climbing for another 600 metres to reach the top of Grand High Tops, which has views over the entire basin both to the north and south. It is from up here that you understand why they call it the Breadknife.

And the views south to Crater Bluff and Tonduron Spire are equally impressive.

We even posed for a selfie - how very Gen Y.

Then a long, tiring walk back to the car, where we collect some more firewood, and back to camp for a well-earned shower - took just over 5 hours to complete the walk, but with many stops along the way.

Wednesday 17th - after the massive effort yesterday, we decide that today will be full of relaxation. After a sleep-in, and then eggs on toast for brekkie, we sit around camp and read a bit, while Di talks to her Apostle birds

- a firm favourite as they are very talkative and very cute too. Then we have a coffee, then some lunch, then read a magazine while Di draws and paints a bit, and then set the laptop up to write this blog. Only problem is it is very windy, which makes it cold too.

Tomorrow we might go to the Siding Springs Observatory and a few other lookouts, and then hopefully we plan to catch-up with Gina as she passes through on her way to see her mum in Qld.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo

Blog 48 - 24th August to 6th September 2014

Sunday 24th August - we leave St George this morning, after chatting to several other travellers - including one who tells Di about "doodle art", where you draw a shape then fill it with doodlings. We drive north to Surat and have a quick look around, before turning east towards Tara where we stop for lunch. The roads out in this area are really effected by the black soil moving around over the years, and the tar roads are some of the worst we have ever encountered. Just before we get to Dalby, we turn-off to Lake Broadwater and set-up our camp besides the lake

- but unfortunately it is cold and wet - not warm and sunny. We go for a wander along the shore and collect firewood for a cold evening.

Monday 25th - after a hot shower and then some brekkie, we pack again, and drive into Dalby. We continue out the other side of town, and take the turn-off to Bunyah Mountains, which becomes a very steep and winding road - not suitable for trucks, buses, caravans or trailers - but we drive up it anyway - 1st gear for quite a lot of it. After several months of dry and dusty desert landscapes, we are now in lush rainforest and on top of a mountain. We camp at Dandabah and go for a short 4km walk through the forest

and out to a lookout

- then have scones and coffee at the cafe. A bloody cold night, and you cannot have fires here - bummer.

Tuesday 26th - after a slow start watching all the birds

and wallabies fossicking for a feed, we drive a bit further along the mountain range to do a few more walks. We first stop at Paradise to walk to some waterfalls, and then continue to Westcott to walk to Koondaii lookout for great views off to the west.

Back to camp at Dandabah for lunch, and then a relaxing afternoon. Another freezing night without a fireplace.

Wednesday 27th - we pack the camper and head towards Kingaroy, where we will stay with Bob and Paula, our friends who we met last year at the top of Cape York.

They have offered us a room in their brand new house for a few nights, and we are keen to catch-up with them. With lots of rain this morning, their front yard is a mud pit, and all red and gooey from the soil in the area. We chat for a while, and enjoy a wonderful dinner and some wine - it is great to catch-up.

Thursday 28th - Paula has made us all bacon and eggs for breakfast. And Bob has devised a plan where he will get me working in the garden with him for several hours. We make some garden beds and move some soil - not hard work, but easier with 2 of us doing it. Di goes for a short walk around the area, and decides that Bob and Paula have one of the nicest houses, and certainly the best view over the Bunyah Mountains. Di cooks minestrone soup for dinner, and we polish off another bottle of red.

Friday 29th - scrambled eggs for breakfast today, then some more work in the garden, before a nice healthy lunch. Then it is time for us to leave, and we say our goodbyes - it was wonderful to see them both again, and we will keep in contact. We head north just up the road to Wondai - the annual show and rodeo is on tomorrow and after 17 months, we have not yet been to a rodeo. We decide to camp at the caravan park in town, and go to the RSL club for dinner and to watch the footy.

Saturday 30th - after brekkie and a hot shower, we make our way to the showgrounds and pay our $10 entry fee and get our wrist band. Right near where we park the car, they are having chainsaw racing, so we watch a few heats, where each competitor has to cut 3 slabs from within a 4 inch section - 1 up, 1 down, and 1 starting in the middle then up and down.

Each competitor is assessed for keeping within the bands, and also having complete slabs - very funny to watch, but also very quick. We wander around the stalls, past the rides, and into the exhibitions. First were the chickens, in all shapes and sizes you could imagine. Then the cows and bulls, and then to the dog show, where again, all shapes and sizes were on display. Then the art and crafts exhibitions, the minibike jumping team put on a show,

the wood-turning and carving, and the band playing while we had some lunch. Then back to see some more chainsaw racing, this time with a vertical log, and they get 30 seconds to cut slabs off the top, but they must all remain stacked on top of each other - the winner got 21 complete slabs in the time. Back to town to relax for a bit, and to rug up with more warm clothes before heading out to the rodeo. We got there just after 6.30pm and managed to get a seat in the stands. Just after 7.00pm the event got underway, firstly with the young guys, and then more experienced as the night went on. How you convince anyone to sit on the back of an angry bull is beyond me - you have to be crazy to start with!!!! Mind you, the rodeo clowns aren't much better - their job is to distract the bulls from going after the riders when they get thrown off.

 Several guys got injured, with the ambo's attending several times for the worst of them. It was a really fun night, and something we had been meaning to see for a long, long time - great to actually see one in a small town.

Sunday 31st - last day of winter, and we need to be in Maroochydore tomorrow afternoon, so we head off east towards the coast. We go through Murgon, and then Gympie, where we have some lunch. Then we find a free spot a bit further south at Kandanga, where we camp on the grass for the night. A short walk around town before dinner, then we sit around the communal fireplace chatting with other campers into the evening.

Monday 1st Sept - we leave Kandanga, and drive to the Sunshine Coast via some back roads, and also via Maleny, which we really liked last year. We stop at a lookout with magnificent views over the Glasshouse Mountains,

and then into town for a coffee and to visit some art galleries. We arrive at Travelander mid-afternoon to get a new mattress and get a few other minor things fixed, and then head off to the Glasshouse Mountains caravan park for the night.

Tuesday 2nd - over the last 2 days, I had noticed the brakes on the car were not working well, and knowing the pads were getting very low, we booked in to get them fixed at Warwick that afternoon. So we left the Glasshouse area and went west to Kilcoy, and then south around Lake Sommerset,

before driving besides Lake Wivenhoe (which flooded Brisbane several years ago). Then through Gatton and Lowood and down to Warwick where we dropped the camper at the caravan park and then took the car back to get new brakes. While they fitted the front set, we wandered around town, had a late lunch, and went to the info centre and art gallery. Back to camp for a very cold night, but we settled into the camp kitchen which was quite a bit warmer.

Wednesday 3rd - up early to have the car back to the mechanics by 7.00am, and then a brisk run across town back to camp. We waited around for many hours, and after lunch we got the car back and paid the bill. We leave town at 2.00pm and drive to Tooloom Falls via Killarney - very windy road, and very few flat sections - both up and down hill, and also very bumpy again. And finally into NSW.

We camp in a great spot with the falls only about 100 metres away. We collect wood for the fire, and settle in close to it on another cold night.

Thursday 4th - today we go out exploring the area, leaving the camper set-up at the falls. We drive to Urbenville, then Woodenbong, and then along the Falls Drive. We stop at Browns Falls and go for a 600 metre walk along the creek. Next stop is a lookout at the top of Daggs Falls, before we continue to the carpark at Queen Mary Falls. We decide to do the 2km walk down to the base of the falls,

and then back up and walk across the top of the falls back to the car and to the cafe for lunch - lots of birds feeding just out the front. Next stop is Carr's Lookout, with amazing views out over the valley.

Back through Rathdowney and past Mount Lindsay (with smoke from some burning off),

and Woodenbong, and back to camp - we collect some wood along the way for tonights fire. A really nice day spent exploring and seeing some awesome places.

Friday 5th - we leave Tooloom Falls, and head towards Kyogle, where we each get haircuts, buy some scones and cake, and I get a red, white and blue footy jersey of the Kyogle Turkeys - very similar to Sydney Roosters (go the chookies!!!). We then take Di to the hospital to have a tick removed from her back (eeewwww, yuck). Next stop was Nimbin, where we had some lunch. Then onto Mullumbimby where we set-up camp at the showground for 2 nights. We go into town to do some shopping. Lots more winding, steep roads today, but beautiful scenery.

Saturday 6th - another day exploring, this time we drive north to Tweed Heads, and then wind our way back down the coast to Ballina. It is our first time seeing the ocean in many months (and lots and lots of red dirt!!!) We park at the lookout at Rainbow Bay

and then to Fingal Bay to the lighthouse. Then to Brunswick Heads where we wandered through the markets and had lunch in town. Then to Byron Bay, and up to the lighthouse - great views over the coast, but really windy.

 

Continued down the coast along the back roads to Ballina, and then back along the highway to Mullumbimby. Another nice day exploring small towns and areas we usually just rush past to get to somewhere.

Tomorrow we will hopefully keep heading south (depends on the rain) and then maybe go inland to continue explorng - there are still so many places in NSW we have not been to.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo