Back in New South Wales

View of coastline at South West Rocks

Ever since arriving on the East Coast the weather has become an issue I did not even have to consider travelling across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and of course, Western Queensland.  Its important to remember that on the whole I have been very fortunate, most rain when I did encounter it has been overnight. 

Sunset at Lake Keepit

For the last 4 days I have been staying on the shores of Lake Burrendong, not far from the towns of Wellington and Orange.  Great to see all the lakes in the area full, as locals tell me, many of them have been down to a capacity of only around 10%.

Looking across Lake Burrendong from Beer O'Clock seat

Naturally, on weekends these lakes become very attractive from people in nearby towns to bring their families and friends, towing motorboats for a few days water skiing or Jetboating or simply some fishing for Yellow Belly or Red Fin.  On some of the smaller lakes I have camped at, it can be quite an intrusion into the stillness of the land, to have powerful motor boats with water skiers going around in near endless circles.  Thankfully, by Sunday night all the “Razzamataz” comes to a stop, as everyone returns to their homes, having to go back to work on Monday morning.  PEACE!

A not-so-welcome visitor sitting on my blind

My neighbours, Allan and Ann, both passionate anglers, have caught quite a few fish during their stay at this lake, so I feel very lucky to get “donated” some fresh fish which I greatly enjoyed.  There is also a bit of wildlife, as each afternoon lots of Kangaroos come out of the bush for a feed of cut grass on all the lawns while we look on after beer o’clock, sitting in the shade and enjoying the view across the lake. 

Yes, I know that I am so good looking...

I feel very lucky to be where I am, to do what I do !!

On a Zig Zag tour across south eastern Queensland

 From the town of Esk I drive on to Toowoomba for a re-fuel, then on toward Ipswich and south to Lake Moogerah for a quiet night in a green landscape that looks like its been covered in the dropped blossoms from the Jacaranda trees, reminding me of a likeness to the flower girls dropping rose petals at a wedding.  Very pretty.  The lake I am told is now about 70% full, very nice when you need to remember that just a few months earlier it had been down to about 6% according to a local.  Yes, the whole countryside is green with abundant grass wherever I look, the rivers, the dams, the creeks, all flowing with plenty of water.

A regular carpet of blue

A look across the lake to the campground

A Kookaburra looking for a free feed

Naturally, the weather has been a bit of a mixed bag, heavy overcast skies one day, some quite heavy rain as well, but then this is just as often followed by a bright blue and sunny sky the next day.

Looking across Lake Moogerah from my campground

I leave the lake behind to drive on toward Darlington for a 3-day rest.  Darlington is really not much more than a dot on the map or, as we say in Australia, "..you will miss it if you blink.."  Dave the Ranger does a magnificent job looking after the grounds and I am glad to see him again after a bit more than a year since my last visit.

The bridge into Darlington Park

When I leave Darlington, its back to Beaudesert, some shopping, then on to the cute historic town of Canungra, where I spend one night at the Recreation Ground by the river, in the company of an Iranian family by a nice campfire.  I really enjoyed their company.  They leave the following morning and I decide to drive to O'Reilly's Plateau high in the Green Mountains with the intention to spend the night there - unfortunately, being Sunday it's full of holiday makers and also rather cold at the much higher altitude.

A great view from 1000m toward the Eastcoast

I find another nice campground by the river for a few more days, with daly excursions up th e steep and very wing roads to Springbrook with lots of fabulous lookouts.  Again, quite cool up there and I drive back to the coast and spend a night at Burleigh Heads, a very busy coastal town, with Surfing a major attraction.  Yes, its nice and warm but also quite hectic, lots of people.

A quick trip takes me across the border into NSW to Murwillumbah and from there back across the mountains to my campspot by the river.  Two days later I am at the door of my newly found family, John and Michelle.  I am made very welcome as I feel very much at home on their beautiful property.