HAWKS NEST - 30 SEPTEMBER TO 3 OCTOBER 2020

 

HAWKS NEST

30 SEPTEMBER 2020

We left Walcha for a longer than we anticipated drive to Hawks Nest.

We arrived late afternoon, settled in, bought dinner and prepared for the evening

1 OCTOBER 2020

A lazy day.

Checked the surf, sat down the beach and had a swim.

2 OCTOBER 2020

A sunny and warm morning.

I rode the bike to check the surf but it was a no go.

After breakfast, we had a look at the beach again and drove to Myall Lakes NP for a bike ride on the Tomboy track. It was a relatively flat ride of about 6 km return. The scenery was palms and wetland vegetation.

Next stop was coffee at Tea Gardens, petrol and food supplies.

The afternoon was lazing about as the camp area began to fill up.

3 OCTOBER 2020

In the morning, we had a visit from Rolf and Kerry. We chatted away then we finished packing and drove home.

MYALL LAKE NP - MTB, BEACHING, RESTING - 27 SEPTEMBER 2017

I woke and walk the sandy track to the beach at Banksia Green. I was greeted by sunrise, whales and dolphins.

Back at camp, Jacinta and I had breakfast then we unloaded the bikes for a mountain bike ride along the tracks of Tomboi and Bennetts Green.

We cycled along the road a short distance to the start of the track. The ride was relatively flat and stated along a rough service trail and to the fishermen's town of Tomboi. from here, we backtrack and then followed the track to Bennetts Greeen camp area. the track passed over a number of raised wooden paths, trails, tracks and at times guess where the track was. The camp site was on the edge of the waterway with only two camp sites and no facilities. the rest of the track became a trail until it reached the main road. We then followed the road for 4 km back to our camp site. A fun and varied 12 km ride.

We drove to Bennetts Beach for a surf check - the surf was onshore - and settled for coffee. Next stop was Jimmys Beach, which was less windy. We baked in the warm sunshine and I had a couple of ocean dips.

Next, we drove back to Myall Lakes NP and camped at Mungo Brush. The wind was very strong but we were relatively sheltered.

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.