MYALL LAKES NATIONAL PARK - 10 APRIL 2017

I had a nice sleep in the van and was feeling readied for new day.

I checked the beach at the campsite but it was very small. I drove to Hawks Nest but the surf there as also very small.

I drove over the Singing Bridge and had a cappuccino on the promenade at Tea Gardens. The promenade runs along the edge of the river with a grass area with tables and seats for about 1 kilometre. In the water there are a few large boats moored but not crammed and across from the promenade area are houses and boutique shops and cafes.

The wind was strong and predicted to get stronger but I decided on a kayak up the river.

I was paddling with the tide along a shore line of mangroves. In the centre of the river were a number of mangrove islands. There were a number of channels so I kept to the left side of the river. That worked out well, as eventually, it took me to a channel that veered to the left and I followed that for awhile. The vegetation started to change from mangroves to forest. I continued with the channel becoming more narrow until it was blocked by fallen trees.

I backtracked and once out of the shelter of the narrow channel I was pummeled by now extremely strong winds. The going was hard but the tide had reversed and was again in my favour. The outgoing tide, unfortunately, added to the height of the wind chop. It was fine going into the waves but going across ways the chop would often splash over the gunwales of the kayak and spray me with water.

 I was drenched a number of times but dried out whenever I paddled into the lee of the many islands.

An adventurous, wet and windy 11 km kayak with a lot of birds.

I drove back to Hawks Nest beach which was sheltered from the strong winds. The sun was shining so I sat on the sand, read some of my book and had a couple of swims in the ocean.

I was feeling good so I drove over to Winda Woopa in Hawks Nest and hiked around a number of the beaches that were there.

The beaches on the southern side were buffeted by strong winds accompanied by wind-biting sand. I had a quick look but no hiking. The northern end was less wind blown but the walk was more over sandy mangroves and oyster shells. At one point, I sank into the mud up to my knees. I was heavily stuck. I slowly pulled out my legs with my thongs still on and washed the stinking mud off.

I drove back to Banksia Green Camp and rested for awhile.

Later in the afternoon, I went for a hike to Dark Corner which was an Aboriginal site in the national park.

It was such a different hike being over a number of sand dunes with clumps of vegetation. Dark corner as a small headland with two long beaches running off either side of it. One side was wind blown and the other was sheltered.

It was an amazing experience hiking over open dunes with no track or footprints in sight.

Back to the camp for dinner and sleep

MYALL LAKES NATIONAL PARK - 9 APRIL 2017

A few days away in the campervan to Myall Lakes National Park. About 2 hours drive.

My first stops were to check out a few beaches along the way. Birdie Beach at Munmorah SCA was misty and had a bit of a wave but not worth the effort. Next, was Hams Beach which had poor surf but a great morning/drive break with a cappuccino.

I continued onwards until I arrived at Hawks Nest beach. What a surprise! Every time, I have looked at this place the water has been inundated with seaweed and the surf very poor but today it was clean, and glassy with small okay waves.

I surfed a right hand bank then moved further down the beach to a nice left which had a bit of power on the sets.

I chatted with a guy in the water and later when I got out of the surf. He told me that the yellow buoy about 100 metres out was a beacon for detecting sharks. When I shark comes pass the beacon the shark alarm at the surf club goes off.

My next stop was setting up camp at Banksia Green camp area within Myall Lakes NP. A great camp with large sites and a track over one sand dune to the beach. The beach was long and pretty.

After a rest, I went for a 12 km mountain bike ride from the camp site to the start of the Tomboy Trail then onto the Brambles Green Track and back via the road.

What an amazing ride. It started with an easy fire trail then small pools of water puddled on the road and the trees changed to cabbage palms. The pools of water became larger the further I went until they covered the entire road in sections. It was fun getting around the water but eventually, I had to ride through it as there was no way around. Of course, my shoes became soaked.

The tracked ended at a small isolated fishing settlement on the Myall River. I backtracked and turned on the Brambles Green track.

This track would just disappear either into the thick leaf cover or underwater. There was one arrow at the beginning then it was a matter I looking for the probable direction of the track. Every now and again there were narrow long footbridge that were raised above the swamp. At least, I knew I was going the right way. of course I was back in the water at the end of each bridge.

The track lead to a river camping area that was drenched in water.

I continued on and the track lead out of the water and onto a defined trail back to the road.

A really adventurous and exciting ride.

Back at my campsite, I hung things out to dry, rested, cooked dinner and had a well deserved sleep.