MYALL LAKES NATIONAL PARK - 12 APRIL 2017

Another good night sleep.

There was a lot of rain last night and there were still showers in the morning. I wandered around the campsite. The wind was still strong with small waves on the lake. I packed and drove to Hawks Nest Beach.

The winds were brisk but off shore. The waves were looking bigger and better than the other day. I paddled out and had a great time on some nice rights though the takeoff was a little shifting.

It was a bit chilly when I got out so I drove over the promenade at Tea Gardens and warmed up on a cappuccino.

The wind wasn't as strong and the sun was shining so I decided on a bit of fishing on my kayak. I got myself ready and launched and threw my line out on the sheltered side of one of the islands. Luckily, I had prepared myself for wet weather as it rained three times when I was out. I didn't even get a nibble on the line but it was still nice sitting on the water.

Back to shore and I drove the short distance back to Hawks Nest beach to check the surf. No one was out, the waves were breaking very randomly and it was pouring with heavy rain so I thinking that most activities I wanted to do were too wet to do, I decided to head back home.

It was a good few days away.

MYALL LAKES NATIONAL PARK - 11 APRIL 2017

A good night sleep, a cup of tea and I drove to Boomeri camping area for a mountain bike ride on the Old Gibber Trail.


The trail was very wide, flat and not very exciting.

The three best parts were the turnoffs off the trail. - Johnson hill, Johnson Beach and Shelly Beach

The first was Johnsons Lookout. This was a steep uphill track with a partial view over the lakes from the hill top. The area now in national park was part of a farm in the early 1900's. The ride down the hill was fast, steep and fun. The track continued at the bottom of the hill onto the Johnson Beach track which was also a steep downhill with erosion bumps to add to the thrill.

Johnsons Beach was beside one of the lakes and had a long stretch of camping sites mainly for use by boat users. Only one lady and her son were camped there because the strong winds had made gtting in and getting out hazardous. Still, it looked like a nice place to camp.

I backtracked to the main trail and at the turn off for Shelly beach, I met a family heavily laden with backpacks who had done a walk-in camp.

Shelly Beach camp was similar in looks to Johnson Beach camp but no one was there. There were two large goannas basking in the sun.

I backtrack back to the start.

Generally, a not too much fun 27 km ride (except for Johnson Hill and Beach).

I spent the afternoon reading and resting at White Tree Bay campsite. Just before dark the rain started to pour and with it the mosquitoes came out in force and unfortunately got into the van. I had mosquito repellent but not spray so it took ages to get rid of them.

It rained all night which is a nice sound to sleep by in the comfort of the van.