Isabella, Bud, her friend Gina and her husband Matthew and I when for a drive up the north coast. Without a plan really, I reverted to what is easily a fantastic day out daytrip from Sydney - the Grandis, Seal Rocks, and the Myall Lakes.

Unfortunately, the rain simply would not go away, so it was wet and miserable. Still, It was the first long driv for Isabella, and she handled it extremely well. We didn't need to stop any more often than we normally do, really.

Fri 25 Apr 2008 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Songi Kran Festival (Thai New Year)

For the couple of weeks around the 13th April, its Song Khan - Thai New Year. Water festival. Last Year we where in Thailand. Thai's chuck water all over the place, and have a national water fight. Splendid.

This year we visited the Buddhist temple in Leumeah which was holding a fete for SongKran. Lots of thai food, water fights, and buddha status.

Sun 13 Apr 2008 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Moreton National Park, NSW South Coast

We took the day and drove down the South Coast road to Moreton National Park. We wanted to see either Pigeon House Mountain or the Tianjara Falls, and settled on the later as it wasn't quite to far. We did the usual, stopped at Berry for Famous (really) Doughnuts from the doughnut van. Damn their good. THe road though Moreton NP from Nowra to Braidwood is almost completely gravel at the moment - big roadworks, so it was slow going.

We made our way to the turnoff for the falls, though, and pulled up in a the carpark. There was a sign that pointed off intot he scrub with the 'lookout' symbol, so we donned hats, grabbed bags and water and generally got prepared to walk a ways, and low and behold we stepped into the bush and on the other side of the first layer of trees, there was the railing for the lookout!

Its been very dry, so the waterfall was only just running.

Some beautiful country through there. We continued on to Goldburn and came back by way of the Federal Highway out of Canberra. Overall a nice day out.

Bud is now 100% Australian, having eaten a Pie and a beer at an outback pub. Poor guy, we must have dragged him away from the cricket. He was not very happy.

Sun 14 Jan 2007 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

FastTrak Xmas Cruise, Sydney Harbour

After what can only be described as freakish weather - 36 degrees Max and 8 degrees Min, all in a week, this day was spectacular. Warm and sunny with a cool breeze, perfect for being out on the harbour.

Fri 17 Nov 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Wildlife World, Darling Harbour Sydney

Well... Don't bother. Clearly its open before its ready.

The first thing I thought when I heard there was an Australian fauna park in the heart of Sydney was "How are they going to pull that off without hurting animals?".. The easy answer is they're not. Never have I seen so many listless, bored and stressed criters.

Add to that that most of Australias beloved wildlife is nocturnal, or by nature very shy and retiring, and what you get is enclosure after enclosure of tree parts because the animals have all managed to fuck off out of sight to avoid the stress.

Shameful. Letter to the editor time.

The fee was a flat out insult to boot - $30 per adult.

Sun 08 Oct 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Hunter Valley by Helicopter

Fasttrack took a few of us for a heli flown pub crawl through the Hunter Valley, which was just fantastic.

We hit Bluetongue for lunch, and did their tasting menu with differnt wines. The highlight though was the Ginger Beer - Beer with Ginger added. Nery Nice.

The pilot was very happy to indulge our geeky questioning and we learned quite a bit. The aircraft, a $2.6 M Bell 407 with 4 rotor blades and seats for 7 was very smooth as far as helicopters are concerned.

Fri 22 Sep 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Woollongong and the South Coast

An otherwise boring sunday spruced up with a bit of a drive down the south coast arround Woollongong and Bulli. The sweeping freeway along the coast - the tourist drive, is somewhat remeniscent of the Great Ocean Road, but on a smaller scale.

We also stopped at the Chinese Buddhist Temple.

Sun 13 Aug 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Manly Ferry, Sydney

We took the Manly Ferry, actually, the jetcat, on a splendidly glorious Sydney Saturday. We went for fish and chips and for the trip itself, looked at the markets so on.

Sat 13 May 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Botanical Gardens and greenhouse, Sydney

Andrew, Bud and I checked out the 'Sex and Death' theme exhibit at the tropical greenhouse in the Royal Botanical Gardnes, Sydney. Lots of Orchids and Pitcher Plants, and other carnivorous plants to be seen.

Sun 07 May 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Chinese Gardens of Friendship

It had been quite some time since I'd been to the Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour Sydney. Looking out the window first thing this morning, it was a beautiful day, wall to wall blue sky and crisp and cool. After I dropped Bud to work, and before I met the guys for Sunday Yum Cha, I took about 2 hours to have a wander around and try out a few photo's I've been meaning to take at the gardens for some time.

I guess my favourite part of the gardens is the stone bench just beside the top of the main waterfall. The crashing water drowns out all of the city noise and just seems to instantly relax me. Was a welcome way to unwind after a busy week in Singapore.

Sun 30 Apr 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Some Views of Sydney

Some photo's of Sydney taken from MLC center. I was up on top of the MLC center checking it out as a possible office building for my company. Quite spectacular views of all of Sydney.

Wed 22 Mar 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Watagan Mountains and Yengo National Park

I took a drive north up the F3 until I got to Wyong and headed west looking for the trail going into Yengo National Park, and the raod that goes via Wisemans Ferry through St Albans. I did two complete loops, one through the Wtagan State Forest, and the second through Yengo NP via Wollombi and Wyong.

It started out as a lovely day around lunchtime, but as teh afternoon wore on, storm clouds began to build. I got absolutely bucketted on while driving on gravel roads in Yengo NP, so it made for some interesting driving.

Typical lack of decent signs meant that I had to backtrack a couple of time - roads going through National Parks and State Forests frequently just come to a dead end, or more usually, stop at the boundary of private property and a locked gate - but you aren't told that at the start. Oh well.

It was a very pleasant day out amoungst the trees. Lots of Red Gums and Flood Gums to keep my company, and more than enough dirt roads for the day. Finished off with a rip accross Wisemans Ferry over the Hawkesberry River.

Sat 18 Feb 2006 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Royal National Park, Sydney

Bud, Mum and Dad and I all trooped off to the Royal National Park on Boxing Day, apparently where everyone else in Sydney was, the traffic into the park was horrible!

We had lunch at one of the more remote spots, made quieter by the fact that you had to drive a 4 km dirt road to get there - at least it kept the BMW's out.

We then drove around to the walk to Marley's Head, and walked out to the cliff top. Nice day for a walk, about 26, dry and a gentle breeze.

There were a lot of people out for the day at the head, watching the yatchs from the Sydney to Hobart go by.

Mon 26 Dec 2005 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Sydney Harbour Bridge

We took a drive over to Kirribilli in the hope that the lights for the bridge would be lit, but alas not yet. It was a beautiful night though, no moon, no clouds, no wind and a nice cool 25 degrees.

I tried out taking time lapse photos of people with the city in the background, and a flash fire during the long exposure. Some of the results are good, they look kind of fake even.

Check out the Southern Cross over the Sydney Opera House. Sauce.

Sun 25 Dec 2005 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Neutral Bay, Sydney

Dad and I visited a small park near where my work collegue Gerhard used to live. Bit to much wind to get any nice steady shots, may have to try again sometime.

Sun 18 Dec 2005 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Barrington Tops, NSW North Coast

We took a drive up to Barrington Tops, about 3 hours north of Sydney. You take the Bucketts Way just before the first Myall Lakes turnoff, and follow it up into the mountains around Gloucester.

There has obviously been a lot of recent rain, all of the normaly dry fords were running well, some with a good 6 inchs of water over them - made for some interesting driving and a few nice and cool feet splashing moments.

We stopped and had lunch at the Gloucester Tops camp ground, and then drove up most of the way to Barrington Tops walk before turning back.

A great day.

Sun 04 Dec 2005 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Blue Mountains, Sydney

Took Bud to the Blue Moutains for a drive today, she's been talking about going there ever since the subject of Sydney came up, so it was a spectacularly easy no-brainer after one quick look at the blue sky this morning.

Quite a pleasent drive up, even for a Saturday. Looks like all the roadworks they've been doing has paid off.

We stopped at Echo Point for the Three Sisters, and then I took Bud on the old coal Railway to the valley floor, we walked to Katoomba Falls, which were magnificent after the recent rain - the rainforest close and cool and fresh.

We walked along the forest boardwalk, and took the cablecar back up.

Sat 26 Nov 2005 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Sydney Aquarium

A day of sharks and underwater things today. We went to the IMAX theatre in Darling harbour and saw "Sharks 3D", a rather stunning hour long 3D IMAX experience, Sharks, Mantas, Fish, Rays. After catching up with the guys for a traditional Sunday Yum Cha, we wandered back for to Darling Harbour and visited the Sydney Aquarium. I'm sure Bud will dream of sharks tonight. At least I've convinced her about sharks fin soup :)

An absolutely gorgeous day in Sydney today, warm in the sun, blue blue skies and a light breeze. Perfect eat your lunch in the sun with a jacket weather.

Sun 11 Sep 2005 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Myall Lakes N.P., Seal Rocks

I took Bug for a drive up to Seal Rocks via the Myall Lakes National Park. There are two delightful tourist drives that go through the Myall Lakes, one starting just north of Karuah the other starting just north of Bulahdelah. The first section takes your along the coast and near Mungo Brush, and there is a ferry to cross which is very cute.

The second section winds it way amoung the lakes and the ocean, offering some stunning views of the water and forest. A short way into the second section is the Grandis - the tallest tree in NSW. The Grandis is a mightly flood gum and really has to be seen to get a feel for how grand it truly is. The Grandis is at the end of a delightful dirt road that winds it way up through the dense forest.

We finished off the day with a swim at Seal Rocks, about halfway along the second section of the tourist drive. Seal rocks is magic, and the day was sunny and hot, the water cool and plesant and the beach nearly deserted.

Mon 03 Jan 2005 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Thirlmere Lakes N.P.

I took mum and dad for a drive south west of Sydney to the Thirlmere Lakes N.P. and the lookout above. The lookout brings you a view of the tail end of the Blue Mountains N.P. and the start of a Nattai N.P. A breathtaking view.

Futher down in the Thirlmere Lakes N.P. is a lovely day trip spot with an excellent swimming spot along one of the lakes - full of tea tree colour and children.

A beautiful day.

Mon 27 Dec 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Blue Mountains - The Three Sisters

I drove my friend Zoe to Springwood so that she could meet her new kitten. Zoe's buying a Russian Blue and the kittens are still not quite ready to go home yet. Absolutely beautiful cats, sleek and muscular - bigger than the Korat's I've owned. They have a very 'big cat' look to them, high shoulders, low head and long face. They have a very predator like stance. Stunning animals.

After visiting with the kittens we drove on to Katoomba and to the mountains tourist drive, and found a nice lookout with a fantastic view of the Three Sisters. The normal Katoomba lookout just doesn't give you a view this good - its very curious why its even there.

The day dawned perfectly blue sky and nice and cool. It progressed to fluffy white clouds and warm - a amrvelous day to out with the trees, and to have the sunroof open.

Sat 11 Dec 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Wollemi N.P., Nissan 4x4 Trials

Went for a drive up to the Nissan 4x4 trials. Easd and Kirsty went up Friday and camped overnight, so I was joining them in the morning. Putty Road from Windsor up into the Wollemi National Park.

The trials were 8 events spread over about 20 acres of the National Park, the part already scared by the crossing of high tension electricity transmission lines.

It was a good day. Lots of people doing really crazy things in 4x4's. Lots of broken parts, dinted body work, and flying mud. Some of the courses these guys managed to finese their trucks over really did boggle the mind.

Apart from the people, trucks, noise and music of this large event, there was still enough quite and solitude here and there to also enjoy being out in a forest.

Sat 06 Nov 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Canberra, Tallaganda NP, Captains Flat

Driving with Phil, first time in a while since I've been doing hardly anything but work, and Phil largely been overseas in some hell hole or other :). The excuse was a trip to Canberra to collect some of Phil's belongings from a friend that lives near Queenbeyan. Once that was done, we took a more scenic route home, via the Captains Flat Road. This road winds it way through the lovely rural country-side of the southern highlands - rolling green hills, boulders, sheep.

It then turns into a gravel road for about 40 kilometres as it passes through the Tallaganda National Park. An excellent drive. We took a diverting half and hour down one of the 'fire trails' that headed off into the park. We had a whale of a time. Tight, forested tracks, a few water hazards and some nice crests here and there.

The urge to have the sunroof open on a delightfull summers day in the forest and the water hazards were mutually exclusive. We had to stop and wipe up the 500 litres of water that came in the top after going through a biggish puddle. Doh!.

A great day. It will take me hours to clean the damn thing now...

Sun 31 Oct 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

The Grandis, Seal Rocks

Rowena came up to Sydney to spend the day with me, and I wanted to head north and try out my replacement 300D.

So, A trip up to the Myall Lakes to see if the Grandis, the tallest tree in NSW, has been re-opened.

It HAD finally been re-opened, and the new work and platforms realy do the National Parks service proud. Immeasurably better, the platform stands some 10 metres from the ground and is some 30 metres back from the tree - much less intrusive than the old platform which ran around the base of the tree itself.

As usual, the drive up to the Grandis and back is an absolute hoot - winding and climbing gravel road through the rainforest.

We pushed on and took the turn-off to Seal Rocks - I wanted to show Rowena the most fabulous beach in NSW. We weren't dissapointed, the water was its usual aquamarine, and crystal clear.

We finished with a hike up to the SugarLoaf Point lighthouse, before returning to Sydney.

Sat 25 Sep 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Sydney to Townsville

Jonte and I drove to Townsville in Qld and back for a diving trip with Abyss. I took 3 days off work, the Wednesday before to the Tuesday after the weekend.

We drove to Hervey Bay the first day, after having slight car troubles before leaving Sydney - the engine boiled over because the electric fan connnector was left unplugged during a recent service. We got to Hervey Bay about midnight or so, crashed, had breakfast and pushed on early the next morning.

Aiming for a 4pm arrival in Townsville, we completely and utterly failed, but it all worked out in the end, we got on the boat and passed out - no sea sick sleeping for us !!

The drive was mostly uneventfull. It was really good to see the country north of Rockhampton again. Last time I was in Mackay was about 7 years ago, and in Townsville, many years more. Supprisingly I still remembered some bits of it!

Wed 08 Sep 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

Barrington Tops National Park

I went for a day trip to the Barrington Tops National Park. I've heard a bit about it of late and decided to go and check it out. I wanted a nice days driving also, so I started off by going North West of Sydney to Old Windosr Road and from there to Putty Road. Putty Road is full of nice winding turns as it climbs and descends through the ranges. Once I reached Singleton, and then one to Scone, I struck out east on the Barrington Tops Forest Road, which almost immediately becomes a gravel road.

Some punishing climbs and turns on this stretch. The pastoral land gradually gives way to more and more dense forest. The rocks become covered with mosses and the forest grew closer, and the temperature outside the car gradually dropped, until it was about 8 degrees.

I stopped at a couple of the camp sites for a look around - these spots were deserted in the middle of winter - but they would be an excellent overnight stay - I'll have to come back.

I also stopped at the Thunderbolt Lookout and enjoyed the magnificent view.

A short way further on I found a couple of unmarked logging roads and explored to the ends of them - usually about 5 or 6km into the forest. Lots of fun driving to be had here.

Continuing on towards Gloucester the road finally becomes sealed again. I returned to Sydney via teh freeway. An enjoyable day trip.

Sat 31 Jul 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales/National_Parks | permalink

Six Mile Creek

I drove south west from Sydney towards Canberra, but narrowly missed and continued south on the Monaro highway, and then the Snowy Mountains highway. Rolling flat grassland hills, dotted here and there with domains of boulders covered with lichen. I stopped briefly at ?? and had a poke around, found a NPWS info board and gleaned the location of a nearby campsite, Six Mile Creek, some 25 km away as my GPS put it. The road to Six Mile Creek was unsealed and a great deal of fun, it was in excellent condition and not a soul was on it.

I arrived at the campsite to find it almost deserted spare one group, mother and children down one end. A babbling creek was a constant mummer in the background if you listened carefully, but then you could, the silence was only broken by a chorus from a colony of Kookaburras and the constant buzz of marsh flies.

I wandered to the cascades, a short 10 minute walk through the rainforest. The cascades was a series of huge boulders, arranged to drop the creek level by some 30 metres. Where the water pooled at the top and ran over, it was slowly eroding the rock. A splendid litle waterfall.

It was almost unbearably hot and humid at mid day, but it soon eased to a comfortable evening and a very cool night. I woke up to the Kookaburras chorus, and enjoyed a camp bacon and egg breakfast, broke camp and left before the heat came back!

Sun 15 Feb 2004 | /Trips/Australia/New_South_Wales | permalink

www.thewell.au.com | q@thewell.au.com

Recent Journals

Recent Images

Journals

XML

Search

Vistors

The Myall Lakes N.P., and the Grandis.