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CALOUNDRA TRIP Oct, Nov, Dec 2008

On the Road Again

Tues 21/10 Our destination for the first few days was a friends farm at Eumungurie, 40km north of Dubbo.Todd, our son, followed in his car but stayed on a further 4 days. While there, Chicka and Toddhelped with fencing. Hard work was later rewarded with a big yield of yabbies from one of thedams.

Thurs 23/10 After breakfast we set out for the Warrumbungle National Park via Gilgandra and Tooraweenah.The park is an area of former volcanic activity, its landscape including forested ridges, barrenspires and deep gorges. The sealed John Renshaw Parkway traverses the park and took us to ourfirst stop, Belougary Split Rock. The 4.5km track was described as very steep and rough, thesummit being 771m. Sometimes Parks and Wildlife get it wrong but this time the description wascorrect, the only emission being, severely eroded. We pushed ourselves and after 2 hrs wereturned to the car with legs like jelly.

We were all fired up for another walk before making camp. Our maps showed that the main walksall left from Pincham Car Park with Camp Pincham adjacent. With a roof top tent, being able tocamp at the trail head is ideal however, this was not to be. Camp Pincham is a walk in site, totallyunsuited to our needs. This meant we would have had to camp several km away at CampBlackman. We lost incentive and decided that the walks, Fans Horizon, Goulds Circuit and theGrand High Tops would all be done when we returned another day. We made our way eastward outof the park making only one more stop, Whitegum Lookout, 1km return along a level, sealedpathway. Here at least we had a distant view of the famous Breadknife.Outside the park we found a sneaky campsite on the Castlereagh River, just 15km west ofCoonabarabran.

Points of Interest in the area:Siding Spring Telescape, Skywatch ObservatoryFri 24/10 We headed into Coona at 9.30am for morning tea with friends. Whatbetter than tea with homemade scones, jam and cream, in a beautifulgarden setting. Phil & Marg reminded us of the Sandstone Caves,GPS: S31 00 33.1 E149 24 28.9, just 34km NE in the Pilliga NatureReserve. We decided that we should stop enroute to Narrabri andMt Kaputar National Park. The caves, around the hill,

Sandstone Caves

Sandstone Caves

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are an excellent example of caves formed by the actions of wind and water on cliffs of softsandstone.

Points of Interest in near Narrabri: CSIRO Australia Telescope and Yarrie Lake, a natural phenomenon that hasbaffled locals and visitors for years. This perfectly circular dish shaped body of water is believed to have been formed

by a meteor falling to earth millions of years ago.

Mt Kaputar National Park is centered in the Nandewar Range on the edge of the NSW North

West slopes. The distinctive landform is a result of volcanic activity which occurred about 17-21million years ago. Once in the park a 2WD dirt road winds its way up the mountain side but, due to

several narrow sections and blind corners, caravans are notpermitted. Before reaching Dawson Springs camping area,GPS: S30 16 52.4 E150 09 49.6, we walked to The Govenor, a volcanicplug. This medium grade 2km return walk was followed by a climb tothe summit of Mt Kaputar. The later was only a short walk up a set oftimber stairs as the road took us almost to the summit.Camping sites were all defined by poles making it quite difficult forthose with camper trailers.

The area is situated amongst the gums with excellent facilities. We didnt expect to get a tiledamenities block with hot showers and power points. A covered BBQ area is also provided. Whatappealed to us was the fact that 4 walking tracks left from the camping area Bundabulla Circuit,The Nature Trail, Mt Lindsay and Mt Kaputar - very convenient when you have a roof top tent.Kangaroos, showing no fear, visited early morning and evening and the birds thrilled us with theircalls. The evenings were calm making camp oven dinners a delight.

Sat 25/10 Early in the morning we set off on the medium 3km Bundabulla Circuit. It took us to Mt Dowe,Horsearm Creek, Eckfords and Bundabulla Lookouts, all with amazing scenery and beautiful spring

flowers.In the afternoon we explored the 1.5km Dawson Springs Nature Trail. This self guided walkingtrack provided an opportunity to experience the summit area of Mt Kaputar National Park, 1500mabove sea level. The track took us, via the Dawson Springs Waterfall, through Snowgumwoodlands, rock outcrops and Stringybark communities.The 2km Mt Lindsay walk, the 2km Euglah Rock walk and the 4km Mt Coryah walk (the lavasteps) will all have to wait till another day. And, another day it will be because we both loved MtKaputar NP.Yet another day, we will enter the park via the Barraba Track which is gated near the camping areaand at the eastern edge of the national park. The key can be obtained in Barraba.

Sun 26/10 We returned to Narrabri and then headed NE on the Bingara Roadto Sawn Rocks. This feature is located in another section of MtKaputar National Park, GPS: S30 08 39.3 E150 03 09.3Sawn Rocks is possibly the best example of the geologicalprocess of organ piping found in Australia. The organ piped cliffis the remnant of a lava flow. Beneath the cliff are piles of brokencolumns which have given in to the weathering process. It is anawesome sight! We have been fortunate in seeing organ piping inother parts of Australia, but nowhere near as spectacular.

Sawn Rocks

Bundabulla Lookout

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Nearby Points of Interest: Waa Gorge, 50 minutes from Narrabri along the Terry Hie Hie Road. Access to the gorge isthrough several gates on private property and may be closed after rainfall.

130km to the east we arrived at Copeton Waters State Park, built on the shores ofCopeton Dam,GPS: S29 56 08.3 E150 59 39.8 It is a massive area of 939ha and our camp for the evening. For a feeof $10, we virtually had the park to ourselves. Gentle grassy slopes spilled to the waters edge(due to the low dam level) and cows roamed contentedly. Amenities included sports fields, water

slides, swings, boat ramps, cabins and a tiled amenities block with hot showers. This wouldundoubtedly be, the place to be, in school holidays but we hope never to see it in these busy

times.

Mon 27/10 From here it was only ashort, 46km to Inverell. Itsfunny how plans change. Itwas our intention to head,via the most direct route, toBald Rock National Park.

However, while sippingcoffee at McCafe, Inverell,

we could not help but start up a conversation with the youngman below the ten gallon hat. He was a local farmer from about 50km out and recommended theNarrabri Transport Museum, lunch at the Graman Hotel 43km north and Lemon Tree Flat campingarea in Kwiambal National Park.

The Narrabri Transport Museum, GPS: S29 45 23.7 E151 06 21.8, is a must see with over 200exhibits of bikes, cars, trucks, fire engines, motorcycles, tractors, bicycles, pedal cars, scooters,aircraft, a double decker bus and transport related items. All are housed in a new building and we

could not help but be impressed by the presentation of this fine collection.

The Graman Hotel now has new owners with grand plans. Painting was in progress but this didntstop the beers being pulled and an excellent meal being presented.

Lemon Tree Flat camping area, Kwiambal National Park, GPS: S29 08 51.5 E150 59 30.6, was a largewell maintained grassy area with a picnic shelter, drop toilets and fire places. With the river levellow and access to the water blocked by reeds we moved on and found an appealing spot close byon the Severn River.

Tues 28/10 Today was tounveil rockformations like noother, MysteryFace and BrainRock.

Narrabri Transport Museum Narrabri Transport Museum

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GPS: S29 17 43.4 E151 38 28.7 (car park). . They were located just out of Torrington in the TorringtonRecreation Area. Sprawling across the rugged Mole Tableland, this 30,000 ha conservation areais on the western fall of the New England Tablelands, near the NSW-Qld border. The pictures heresay it all, standing approx 5m tall, it is hard to believe that these formations are a naturalphenomenon.We left the Recreation Area heading north via Silent Grove Road checking out the BlatherarmCamping areas 1, 2 and 3. They were very dry without a river or creek so we pressed on to

Tenterfield.Tenterfield, an historic town sitting high on the New England Tableland, boasts some fine nationalparks. These parks protect the areas natural assets and offer plenty of choices for anyonewanting to enjoy nature, walk, swim, picnic, camp or see the sights. We headed north of the townto Boonoo Boonoo National Park, GPS: S28 50 31.8 E152 09 02.2 The Cypress Pines Camping Areawas excellent. The general area was on sloping land but the camping sites were large and level.

There was plenty of shade and no worries for camper trailers, off roadcaravans or our humble roof toptent. We were, however, theonly campers. Facilitiesincluded a covered electric BBQarea, drop toilets and a woodsupply maintained by the ranger.That evening, while sittingaround the camp fire, we wereaccompanied by a friendlywallaby with a very young joey.in her pouch.

Wed 29/10 Before leaving we headed north for the last 5km of the track to Boonoo Boonoo Falls. Steps and atimber walkway led to the viewing platform with what would be a spectacular sight after heavy rain,the river falling 210m off the New England Table. The swimming hole, upstream of the falls, wasvery inviting.

Directly west of Boonoo Boonoo NP we entered Bald Rock National Park. Bald Rock isAustralias largest granite rock. We chose to take the verysteep ascent and decent, care being taken not to lose ourfooting. At the 260m summit we had fine views of theRichmond Range and into Queensland.GPS: S28 50 47.2 E152 02 43.6

Points of Interest in the area: Thunderbolts Hideout and the WW11

Tank Traps located just north of Tenterfield on the Mt Lindesay Road,only 300m walk in. He used the large area between the rocks to stablehis horses and the small shelter under the large rock as a place tocamp. The top of the rock made an ideal lookout, as this was the mainroad to Warwick during the gold mining days.

We made our way north on the Mount Lindesay Highway through Woodenbong and Rosebury tothe Border Range National Park. Our campground for the next 2 nights was Sheepstation Creek.GPS: S28 24 47.9 E153 01 24.4 The small area at Forrest Tops was the only other option.

Mother and young joey

Boonoo Boonoo swimming hole

Bald Rock

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Thursday 30/10 The Palm Forest Walk, 2km return, began at the camping area and quicklydescended into the sheltered valley floor where palms and lush rainforest fringe the crystal clearSheepstation Creek. Evidence of the old logging days was seen on a rock where names and dateshad been chiseled.Other good walks, The Rosewood Loop, 6km return and Booyong Walk,10.5km return also leavefrom the campground.

Palm Forest Walk

Fri 1/11 to Thurs 27/11

We left the area along The Tweed Range Scenic Drive, our final stop being The Pinnacle Lookout.The 180 view from the western rim of the volcano took in the highest point in the area, MtWarning.

Further along the drive, Bar Mountain Lookout, is said to be another good walk with excellent viewsto the west.

Our camping adventure was now at an end. We called in to see family at Tweed Heads and thencontinued to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast where we had organised to house (cat) sit for 3weeks while our friends travelled overseas. It was hard to take, brand new house with pool, but wepersevered. It gave us a good opportunity to get a feel for the area.

Wed 10/12 The Homeward Journey southA visit with family in Tweed Heads then several stop offs with friends down the coast arriving homemid December.

Evidence from logging days