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.

BRISBANE WATER NP - KARIONG FALLS BIKE HIKE - 7 APRIL 2017

I parked at Staples Lookout carpark.


After admiring the expansive view I was on my bike.

The biggest obstacle on the ride as getting across Woy Woy Road. The speed limit was 80km/h with two curves at the crossing to the start of the track.

Over the gate and down the service trail - Tommos Loop. I followed this for a couple of kilometres over firm ground, sandstone, puddles of water and loose stones. I had a pattern of mud flicked over me by the time I reached the track head.

I rode down the track a short distance and hid the bike in the bush then continued by foot.

The track was fun being heavily eroded by the recent rains with steep sections. Just before the falls there was a narrow path against the cliff and then a sort of tunnel to go through. Surprisingly, I didn't get any leeches considering how wet and muddy the track was in parts.

At this point, I got my first view of the falls. There was a lot of water tumbling over the edge.

I continued to the base and the vegetation became like a rain forest. I scrambled carefully over both sides of the pool at the base of the falls to get a better view.

A fun and challenging 5.km bike and hike with a rewarding view.

WAMBERAL SUNRISE, KINCUMBA MOUNTAIN MTB AND AVOCA COAST HIKE - 6 APRIL 2017

Over the last few morning, I have been catching up with a mate I met in Indonesia a number of years ago. We did some travel around Bali and Sumba. Glory days chats.

Back to the present.

A glorious sunrise this morning. The had some okay random waves but I decided on a bike ride.

I had a mountain bike ride at Kincumba Mountain in the morning. The track was a wet and muddy in sections and a little slippery on the rock sections. Still it was a fun ride with wet different challenges.

Later, I had a hike south of Avoca Point along the rock platform.

The rocks were very slippery in sections so I walked in a zig zag sort of way to avoid those parts.

There were a lot of fishermen on the edges of the rock platform with rough waves and strong water movement in the ocean.

The best parts of this walk are the very high cliffs and the wild water.

BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK LOOP MTB - 2 APRIL 2017

The surf was looking poorer this morning and there had been two days of lighter rain so maybe a mountain bike ride.

I drove to Bouddi National Park and started from the Maitland Bay carpark.

The ride started along road towards MacMasters Beach. After a 100m there was a 80km speed sign and a dirt area. An easy to see track easy lies on the left. This was the turkey track. The track was a bit heavy and eroded in spots but heaps of fun.

I followed the track to the end where it intersects with the NW ridge trail. At this point, I turned right to the top of the hill. Near the top there was a track to the left. That was the NW ridge track. I followed this for a short distance and turned to the left. the track meanders on the edge of the escarpment running roughly parallel with the NW ridge trail. This track was the best.

I followed the track till it joined onto the NW ridge trail. I continued down a short hill and then up a hill until I( reached the Aboriginal site. A good rest spot and a rock hopping venue.

On the right, at the corner of the sandstone platform was a track. It was short and a bit random but it goes to the bottom of the hill and onto the NW  ridge trail.  I followed this to the end and start of the NW ridge track.

I cycled down the track but this time after a short distance I turned right. I follow it till the end and turn right and over the gate. This track was very slippery and wet in parts. It would be better in the reverse direction.

I turned right onto the road and at the top of the hill there was a gate for the start of the strum trail. This trail is wide but narrows in sections. After awhile there was a track to the right that winded through the ferns and back to the strom trail. This track is very pretty with ferns, burrawangs and rocks.

I then followed the strom trail to the end and up a short steep hill and back to the Maitland Bay carpark.

About 7 kms total. IA great fun ride with lots of variety in tracks and scenery. Mosquito repellent was definitely needed.

WAMBERAL BEACH SURF, MOONEY AND FLOODS CREEK KAYAK AND WEDDDING ANNIVERSARY - 1 APRIL 2017

I started off the day with a good fun surf at Wamberal beach near the ruins. Nice rights and some awesome lefts. After about am hour and a half the crowd dramatically increased so in I went.

I met up with Jacinta for coffee at the Terrigal Haven.

Time was available today so I drove over the Brisbane Water National Park and had a 8.73 km kayak at Mooney and Floods Creek.

I paddled up Mooney Creek and was rewarded with some rapids at the headwaters. I had to porter the kayak up the creek but I couldn't go too far as the rocks were very slippery and the water was deep and powerful. I did get one fun ride down. :)

I paddled back down the creek and turned into Floods Creek. No rapids here but it was very serene and pretty.

Later, Jacinta and I went out for dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary at Avoca.

JAPANESE GARDENS, GOSFORD AND TERRIGAL HAVEN HIKE - 31 MARCH 2017

Kara, my daughter and I drove out to the Japanese Gardens at East Gosford.

It is located at the back of the Arts Centre.

We entered through the smaller gallery area where there was an exhibition of media on various at veterans who live on the Central Coast.

It was cleverly presented with a current photo of the veteran and a story on their war exploits. Their exploits were acts of heroism were various. Some did brave fighting deeds, others helping their mates and/or the local people. A good read plus one artist did a representation of the veteran in their chosen media. Some that stood out to me was a book like presentation, a charcoal drawing and a collage of yesteryear.

Through the doors and we were in the gardens. I visited this place in it's early years when the plants were small and beginning to take shape. Now, the gardens are thick, trimmed and blooming. Very pretty and relaxing.

The pool in the centre is full of large carp and cascades of water feed the pool.

After our wander, we sat down in the outside part of the café for coffee and scones.

Later in the afternoon, Jacinta and I had a walk along the Terrigal Haven path, the beach and around the rocks. It was a breezy walk but it was nice to be out in the sunshine.