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

---

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

---

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

---

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

---