SPLIT ROCK WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK
THE GRAND HIGH TOPS WARRUNBUNGLES
Saturday, December 18, 2010
WARRUNBUNGLES TO NARRABRI
12th December 2010 - Warrumbungle National Park. What a beautiful park this is, it has been a few years since we were here and this time we did not go for any mountain walks, I did a few walks around and near to the caravan parking area and we were eaten alive by mosquitoes so we spent most of our time indoors and guess what - no rain - and it was hot. We had a powered site and so we could do the wathing which dried in no time, I have attached a photo
15 December 2010 - We left the National Park late in the afternoon and stopped at Coonabarabran at the John Oxley Caravan Park (a huge distance of 37km) so that we could catch up on washing and the usual car filling and maintenance. It is a pretty park with lots of grass and trees and close to town, unfortunately it is also close to the highway and the noise of truck going past all day and night was rather offputting. Again I went for a few walks to see the town. When we left the caravan park we went to The Crystal Cave - a beautiful shop full of stones mainly from around the area and a museum of the volcanic activity back to 230 million years (I think), it was so interesting and the lady behind the counter was very informative.
17 December 2010 - We drove to Narrabri and booked into the Big Sky Caravan Park (very nice) which is close to town at reasonable rates of $20.00 per night. On arrival we received a distressing phone call from Ireen (Barrys sister) telling us that their sister Doreen has cancer and is in the John Hunter Hospital, we do not know any more at this stage.
18 December - Saturday we walked into the bank and then to the local markets, we tried to buy some mosquito repellent but all the shops are sold out but the mozzies are not too bad and the weather has changed to rain and it is cold. We did a walk around town and came back to watch the cricket.
19th December - it is washing day today and have not been out of the caravan park - it is rest day. We watched Australia finish of the Poms in the test match which was soon over so we are blogging.
15 December 2010 - We left the National Park late in the afternoon and stopped at Coonabarabran at the John Oxley Caravan Park (a huge distance of 37km) so that we could catch up on washing and the usual car filling and maintenance. It is a pretty park with lots of grass and trees and close to town, unfortunately it is also close to the highway and the noise of truck going past all day and night was rather offputting. Again I went for a few walks to see the town. When we left the caravan park we went to The Crystal Cave - a beautiful shop full of stones mainly from around the area and a museum of the volcanic activity back to 230 million years (I think), it was so interesting and the lady behind the counter was very informative.
17 December 2010 - We drove to Narrabri and booked into the Big Sky Caravan Park (very nice) which is close to town at reasonable rates of $20.00 per night. On arrival we received a distressing phone call from Ireen (Barrys sister) telling us that their sister Doreen has cancer and is in the John Hunter Hospital, we do not know any more at this stage.
18 December - Saturday we walked into the bank and then to the local markets, we tried to buy some mosquito repellent but all the shops are sold out but the mozzies are not too bad and the weather has changed to rain and it is cold. We did a walk around town and came back to watch the cricket.
19th December - it is washing day today and have not been out of the caravan park - it is rest day. We watched Australia finish of the Poms in the test match which was soon over so we are blogging.
Monday, December 13, 2010
BLACKHEATH
27 November 2010
THE MEGALONG VALLEY FROM HARGREAVES LOOKOUT
Today we drove to Hargreaves and Mt Blackheath Lookouts they both overlook the Megalong Valley but from different aspects.
Then back into town to the Rhododenron Gardens and they were beautiful, it was well set out with pathways going everywhere and it was alive with colour, what a delightful garden.
A red Rhododenron
The pond at the Rhododenron Gardens
We left town and drove through Bathurst to the Vittoria State Forest to a free camp at Macquarie Woods.
28th November 2010
It was beautiful when we arrived at Macquarie Woods and was one of the best free camps we have been in.
Unfortunately on Saturday night it started to rain and it rained and rained and rained until midday Wednesday. During the afternoon we decided to try to move the motor home closer to the road and discovered that we were bogged. A fellow traveller came over and tried to tow us out but to no avail. On Thursday morning the ranger arrived, he assessed the situation and called in a firetruck to tow us out. They pulled us out without any problem but we kept going into Orange.
2 December 2010
We arrived in Orange, raining again, went food shopping did all the routine motor home jobs and booked in at Canobolis Caravan Park for 4 nights of continual rain.
6 December 2910
Drove to Parks, had my bloodtest and went to the police station at Parks to ask about the condition of the roads. We were informed that all roads were closed except for the road to Dubbo, so off we went to Dubbo.
On the way we had a look at the Parks Radio Telescope (The Dish if you remember the movie).
We arrived at Dubbo about 7.00pm and we were astounded by the damaged caused by the flood. One caravan park was completely underwater so we drove around and past the showground where we noticed vans parked there. We stayed in the showground for 5 nights as we could not drive on due to road closures.
Main Street in Dubbo under the rail bridge.
9 December 2010
Zebra
Giraffe
We spent the whole day at the Tarongo Park Western Plains Zoo and it was fantastic. Barry drove the motorhome around the 5 km walk and I got in and out taking lots of photos. There were a few spots where Barry walked in to see the animals, at the end of the day I felt I had walked 100km but enjoyed every footstep.
11 December 2010
Today we drove into town to see the old Dubbo Jail which was very interesting, we did some shopping while we were there.
Finally we were told that the road was open to Gilgandra, when we arrived we asked about the road to Coonabarabran and was told it was open but to be careful as there was still water on the road. We arrive at Coonabarabran without a problem and came out to the Warrumbungle National Park where we are now.
THE MEGALONG VALLEY FROM MT BLACKHEATH LOOKOUT
Then back into town to the Rhododenron Gardens and they were beautiful, it was well set out with pathways going everywhere and it was alive with colour, what a delightful garden.
We left town and drove through Bathurst to the Vittoria State Forest to a free camp at Macquarie Woods.
28th November 2010
It was beautiful when we arrived at Macquarie Woods and was one of the best free camps we have been in.
Unfortunately on Saturday night it started to rain and it rained and rained and rained until midday Wednesday. During the afternoon we decided to try to move the motor home closer to the road and discovered that we were bogged. A fellow traveller came over and tried to tow us out but to no avail. On Thursday morning the ranger arrived, he assessed the situation and called in a firetruck to tow us out. They pulled us out without any problem but we kept going into Orange.
2 December 2010
We arrived in Orange, raining again, went food shopping did all the routine motor home jobs and booked in at Canobolis Caravan Park for 4 nights of continual rain.
6 December 2910
Drove to Parks, had my bloodtest and went to the police station at Parks to ask about the condition of the roads. We were informed that all roads were closed except for the road to Dubbo, so off we went to Dubbo.
We arrived at Dubbo about 7.00pm and we were astounded by the damaged caused by the flood. One caravan park was completely underwater so we drove around and past the showground where we noticed vans parked there. We stayed in the showground for 5 nights as we could not drive on due to road closures.
9 December 2010
African Elephant
11 December 2010
Today we drove into town to see the old Dubbo Jail which was very interesting, we did some shopping while we were there.
Finally we were told that the road was open to Gilgandra, when we arrived we asked about the road to Coonabarabran and was told it was open but to be careful as there was still water on the road. We arrive at Coonabarabran without a problem and came out to the Warrumbungle National Park where we are now.
The Blue Mountains
25 November 2010
We left Wangi Wangi Caravann Park (the prettiest caravan park in Lake Macquarie) and travelled to the Blue Mountains staying at Blackheath Caravan Park (a beautiful setting) arriving late in the afternoon.
26 November
Walked to Govetts Leap on a bush track classed medium but we thought it should be medium to hard. The track was rough because of the rain that had fallen in the area, there was a lot of water on the track which made it difficult. The track was up hill and down dale with steep steps. There was a small cascade and pool which look inviting and Waratahs were in bloom. We came out at a lookout looking toward Pulpit Rock and finally reach Govetts Leap two and a half hours after setting out. Barry was exhausted and found the first seat available which had his name on it. While I was taking photos of the view and Blidal Veil Fallstwo people asked him if he was ok and offerred to drive him back to the caravan park. We accepted this lift and they took us back via Evans Lookout
Cascade and pond on Govetts Leap Walk
The Waratah
View of Pulpets Rock
Govetts Leap and Bridal Veil Falls
We left Wangi Wangi Caravann Park (the prettiest caravan park in Lake Macquarie) and travelled to the Blue Mountains staying at Blackheath Caravan Park (a beautiful setting) arriving late in the afternoon.
26 November
Walked to Govetts Leap on a bush track classed medium but we thought it should be medium to hard. The track was rough because of the rain that had fallen in the area, there was a lot of water on the track which made it difficult. The track was up hill and down dale with steep steps. There was a small cascade and pool which look inviting and Waratahs were in bloom. We came out at a lookout looking toward Pulpit Rock and finally reach Govetts Leap two and a half hours after setting out. Barry was exhausted and found the first seat available which had his name on it. While I was taking photos of the view and Blidal Veil Fallstwo people asked him if he was ok and offerred to drive him back to the caravan park. We accepted this lift and they took us back via Evans Lookout
View from Evans Lookout
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)