NORTH ROAD TRIP - MANN RIVER NATURE RESERVE - 9 TO 10 NOVEMBER 2021

 9 NOVEMBER

After breakfast and a morning swim down the Nymboida River, we left Buccarumbi and continued along the Old Glen Innes Road.  

The road was very narrow and potholed in parts as it followed beside the Boyd River. Luckily, we didn’t meet any cars/trucks from the opposite direction. It was very pretty with views up the valley with the river as the centre piece of the vista.

Along the way, we stopped at Dalmorton to check out the abandoned town and camp area. The camp area was a bit soggy and there were a couple of old buildings in the old township mainly from the 1900’s. The older buildings were gone and there was little trace of them. 

The road eventually went through a human hewn rock tunnel. It was about it wasn’t very long but it was exciting to drive through.

Our final stop was Mann River Nature Reserve. There was a new camp area (the previous was destroyed by fires) about a hundred metres from the Mann River. We set up camp and wandered down to the river, found a shade spot on a river beach and spent our time enjoying the sounds of the water bubbling over the rocks and dipping ourselves in the cool water. It was a very hot day!

Later in the afternoon, I had a walk up the river but I couldn’t go too far as the vegetation was too thick. Returning back to camp, we set up a campfire, ate dinner, watched the approach of the kangaroos and enjoyed the closing of a very warm day.

10 NOVEMBER     

In the morning there were kangaroos around us but they were still shy and kept their distance. At the river, I had a swim which was very invigoratingly cold. Haha.

Later in the morning, we left camp to continue our journey.

BLACKFELLOWS POINT - 8 TO 11 APRIL 2021

 

BLACKFELLOWS POINT

8 April

After a surf, we continued on to Dalmeny. A good  camp area but a bit too sloping so we moved on to Potato Point.

We did a detour to check out Brou Lake campsite in Eurobodalla NP. A rough road in and a rough camp. Still, it looked pretty and would be good for a two night stay.

The road leading to the campgrounds at Potato Point was dirt and recently graded. It wound its way pass a beach and over a headland before descending into a spacious campground right on the beach.

A beautiful camp with a long beach on one side and a small lagoon at the rear end. There were heaps of kangaroos hoppity hopping everywhere.

Late in the afternoon, we had a stroll along the beach.

9 April

We woke to a light rain which only lasted a short while.

A morning walk around the camp and the lagoon.

Later, I had a swim on the beach. The surf was very ordinary.

A lazy day!

10 April

At low tide, we had a ride along the beach towards Tuross Heads. The sand was firm and we were able to reach the estuary. Such a nice feeling cycling on the beach.

I had a surf that was small but sun. There were a couple of snappy lefts and only a few surfers out. Heaps of waves.

Back on land, I had a mountain bike ride along the track to the lake. It was short but fun.

11 April

A beautiful calm morning.

After we packed, I had a surf. The waves were small and fun but too many kids out.

Time to move onwards.

EMERALD BEACH - 19 TO 22 SEPTEMBER 2020

 EMERALD BEACH

19 SEPTEMBER 2020

We left Lawrence and stopped at Grafton for food supplies.

I was still not feeling good so it was a bit of a painful drive.

We settled into the Emerald beach camp. I checked the surf but it was still wind-blown.

20 SEPTEMBER 2020

I had an early beach check but the waves were still blown out.

I was feeling slightly better today.

After breakfast, we had a hike along the beaches south of Emerald Beach. It was an easy track and the coastline was made up of headlands and beaches. On one headland there were heaps of kangaroos resting. At Moonie Beach there were a number of surfers out. The waves looked sort of okay with a crunchy ending.

In the afternoon, we had a hike north along Emerald Beach and its northern headland. It was a nice cool walk in the late afternoon sun. The headland had great views to the north and south.

21 SEPTEMBER 2020

A warm morning.

I still was feeling unwell.

We sat down the beach for awhile and I had a couple of swims.

The rest of the day was resting.

22 SEPTEMBER 2020

We woke, breakfasted and set off on the next leg of the trip

WOLLEMI NP - NEWNES - HIKES - 11 MAY 2018

10 MAY 2018

I drove from Dunn Swamp to Newnes after a morning kayak.

The drive was very pleasant along quiet country roads. I turned off onto the Wolgan Road and after awhile the road twisted and turned steeply down the cliff face to the base of the valley. There was a nice sign ' don't stop falling rocks'!

The Wolgan Valley is pretty flanked by sheer cliffs in many parts.

At the end of the road is the Newnes campground. It is huge with only two toilets. No worries there wasn't many people there. I pulled up and picked a spot just above the Wolgan River. Such a nice view of the river (not much water) and the cliffs surrounding the opposite side of the camp area.



After lunch, I walked the Industrial Ruins Track. It was an easy track being mainly on a disused railway trail. The start was on a turn off on the left crossing the Wolgan River. The highlights were: the river crossing, the ruins - coke ovens, old house remains, machinery, walls, buildings and the tranquility of the bush. The ruins are about hundred years old and it was amazing to see large trees had grown in the ruins of industry and homesteads.

There were a number of pretty campsites on this side of the river accessible for walk in camping or four-wheeled drive cars. I took a short cut through one site and followed a very obscured track and managed to come out in a shallow water section of the river just near my campsite. Bush skills are improving ha ha, maybe.

The hike could have been done easily by mountain bike either all the way or locked up at the entrance sign.

Back at camp, I prepared dinner and along came the visitors. The large deadish tree in front of me was swooped upon by heaps and heaps of magpies and currawongs. There was a frenzy of activity then all went quiet and they sat and watched me. I had deja vu of the kookaburra thieves. Beware brother, beware! I am glad to report there were no incidences. :)

11 MAY 2018

Another cold night and morning with some rain.

Eventually, I got out from under the doona, made a cup of tea and watched the kangaroos grazing around the campground in the misty morning.

It was cold so I rugged up and had a hike to Petries Gully and surroundings. I followed two tracks so I wasn't sure of where I was but I had a fun time walking the tracks and trail blazing. The highlights were: the homestead ruins of mainly fireplaces, the tracks when they became rough and narrow, a group of maple trees and their yellowed leaves covering the track and a trail blaze down a steep hill then a bush bash back to the track.

A great hike which was mountain bike doable.

Back at the camp, I packed and drove to Lithgow for a cappuccino in the Tinshed Cafe. It as cold outside so it was nice sitting near the open fireplace.

The drive back home was okay with little traffic most of the way.