Brisbane - Mt Warning - Nightcap NP - Bundjalung NP - Maclean - Yuragir NP -
Washpool/Gibraltar NP - Guy Fawkes River NP - Waterfall Way - Oxley Wild
River NP -
Limeburners Creek NP - Port Macquarie
Finally on our way!!!!!
Leaving Brisbane on the 01. Feb 2003, after a big breakfast ( thanks again
Ros & Graeme ),
we headed south via Mt. Lindsay Highway to Beaudesert and on to Rathdowney.
We took the Lions Scenic Route across the border, ( bye bye QLD, see you
again in 8 month time)
and croosed through Border Ranges NP.
It started to rain that first afternoon and over the following 4 days we
received " swimming lessons"
big time.
We spent our first night at Mt Warning Caravan Park and were discouraged by
the owner to climb Mt Warning the following day due to bad visability.
So we decided to move further south and called Sandra early the second
morning, to invite ourselves for morning tea. Very nice farm and Sandra & Graham
told us a lot about Macademia and Coffee plants.
Hope all your farm dreams come true!!!!!!
We spent the second afternoon in Nightcap NP and set up tent right next to
Terania Creek.
After a very, very wet night we decided to head for the coast and Bundjalung
NP in hope for some drier conditions.
Bundjalung is a coastal National Park situated right behind the sand dunes.
Tested our bushshower for the first time ( thanks Sam & Tony ) and it worked
a treat.
Spent our 4. day driving up the coast to Byron Bay and walked to the most
easterly point of Australia.
We have set ourselves the goal to visit all 4 corners of OZ.
Anyone out there knows the exact location of the most southerly point??????
Coming back to our campsite that afternoon we discovered the tent had
collapsed and everything in it was swimming around. Must have been a little bit too
much for our poor tent, thanks to cyclone " Beni ".
So we packed up and headed to Maclean, a scottish town, to dry out in a
motel.
Used our stay there to stock up on groceries and visit the tourist
information.
Set of on our 6. morning to Yuragir NP and finally the sun is shining.
We spent all day in the northern part along Sandon River, fishing and
swimming.
The next morning we dove on to Pebbly Beach in the southern part and had the
entire beach to ourselves. This is so far our favorite spot and only 3.5
hours from Brisbane.
(Ian, Monique, Natalie H. I can just imagine our next camping trip here)
We spent day 8 & 9 in Washpool/Gibraltar NP. Did a lot of walking and
swimming along the river.
Again we are almost alone and bathers become unnessesary. We are now at
around 1000m and the temperature has dropped at least 5 Degrees.
On the morning of the 10. day we had visitors for breakfast. The Kangaroos
must have been fed by other campers, as they were tame and short of jumping
onto the table to help themselves.
Day 10 saw us heading for Guy Fawkwes River NP. This entire New England Area
consists of huge gorges, waterfalls and spectacular cliffs.
We spent day 11, 12 & 13 driving along the Waterfall Way from Bellingen (
lovely pools along the Never Never River) all the way to Armidale and than
again southeast to Wauchope, stoping at waterfalls along the way.
It must be Off - Season at the moment, as we are always alone in Picnic and
Nationalpark Camping Areas.
Some waterfalls are spectacular, especially closer to the coast and some are
absolutly dry. This is the first time that we can clearly see the damage
done by the drought.
Day 14 - Happy Valentines Day!!!
We are moving towards the coast again, to a small National Park called
Limeburners Creek, just north of Port Macquarie.
This place wasn't on our agenda at all, but we are glad we found this piece
of heaven. Set up camp right behind the dunes and we can see the surf rolling
in, lying in bed.
We will spent the next 2 days here, swimming, fishing and just soaking up
the sun.
I am already looking forward to our stay at the Four Points in Port
Macquarie. You do learn to appriciate a proper bed whilst camping.
Have already driven 2300 km, yet we are only 560 km away from Brisbane.
Love
Diana & Stefan
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