Day 68 Saturday 31st Cabin and Caravan Park Forbes, A bit Cooler in Coolah

We had a reasonable drive of 5 and ½ hours today so were up early and on our way soon after 8am. Once again the weather was warm, with temperatures heading to the high 20’s in Tamworth. We enjoyed the drive to Forbes through many small interesting towns (many developed due to the discovery of gold in the 1800’s), quite a few large crop and livestock farms, huge solar power farms and a few national parks. On our way we stopped at the small town of Coolah. We visited the bakery and while out walking in the town, we noticed that although the sun was still shining, the temperature was certainly lower than Tamworth. We both have been in shorts for the last few days so the long pants may need to come out now we’re heading further south. Arriving in Forbes and setting up, we went out exploring. We visited the Gum Swamp and Bird Hide just on the outskirts of Forbes. There were several impressive bird hides built around the lake as well as some sculptures. Most of the sculptures were of birds but there was also a huge, metal Goanna Sculpture. This sculpture was quite spectacular. We spent time walking along the lakeside track and visiting all of the bird hides. Returning to the caravan park, we did a quick drive around the centre of Forbes. Forbes initially boomed as a town in the 1860’s after gold was discovered nearby. Again this town had some beautiful old, historic buildings restored to their former glory. Of course, I enjoyed this short detour.

Day 67 Friday 30th Big 4 Paradise Tamworth, The Equestrian Experts Once Again!

We awoke to our million dollar view and hit the road again, heading for Tamworth. The Dangar Falls Lodge was such a peaceful place to stay and considering there are only 6 power and water caravan sites spread over a huge area, everyone has plenty of room. There were a few people camping in tents and only 2 or 3 caravans from what I could see. The only noise we could hear during the night was the water tumbling over the falls and the rushing water of the nearby river.  The road down the other side of the range was not nearly as steep or windy as the way up but it certainly was none the less spectacular, with views across the mountains and valleys. We passed through many interesting towns, including Uralla, one of the places which Captain Thunderbolt frequented. We passed the large rock on the side of the highway, now named Thunderbolt’s Rock, where the bushranger once hid while waiting to ambush the mail coach. He apparently was known as a “gentleman” bushranger. Anyway he met his end, being shot after 6 ½ years of committing crimes near the town of Uralla. His grave is located in the local cemetery so I noted that for a future visit. After arriving in Tamworth, we learnt that there was currently an equestrian event on out at the magnificent, Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre. Today was the first day of the event so the main arena area was only being used for practice. We found another outdoor arena. We’re not sure what the event was actually called….camp-drafting may be but we enjoyed watching the horse and rider chase a cow and try to force the cow to go through certain gates and in certain directions, with a time limit. Of course we both became instant experts! It has been another warm day with the temperature in Tamworth being around 28, when we arrived. We certainly have had some lovely weather for the past few weeks.

Day 66 Thursday 29th Dangar Falls Lodge, Dorrigo, Two more Crossings of the Great Dividing Range in One Day

Clearly I may have had one too many glasses of rosé last night as I didn’t elaborate about the beautiful Sawtell Caravan Park and its surrounds. As I mentioned earlier, the park is huge and shared with the community. I suspect the council controls this. There are two walks which give you access down to the creek and also a lovely creek-side boardwalk which starts in the caravan park. Adding to the attractions is a restored, large, community hall, croquet club, village green, children’s playground with a flash flying fox, kayak launching area, public toilets etc. which I think are all maintained by the council so everyone can use them. I went for a stunning late afternoon walk yesterday along the creek boardwalk. There were beautiful, cosy, little sandy beaches and rock pools. The warm day brought many people to the secluded creek beaches and quite a few were swimming in the water including young children, who were also building sandcastles and generally having fun. I thoroughly enjoyed my walk. On my return I called into the village green to find out why there had been 3 witches hats set out in one particular spot. It was soon evident. A little tern had decided to lay her eggs on the grass, on the village green. She was there protecting her eggs every day we were there. Today we headed back over the mountains to the town of Dorrigo. This drive would only take us an hour. As we headed towards our new destination, we drove through the beautiful little village of Bellingen, filled with quaint old buildings and many craft shops, restaurants, eateries, including a café and a collective of craft shops at the “Old Butter Factory” and just to top things off a pretty good looking golf course. Once we’d set up at Dangar Falls Lodge, (where we have a million dollar view outside the caravan door) we headed back down the mountain to Bellingen. Rob enjoyed playing golf on the course while I walked the village, enjoying the beauty of the old buildings and the lovely craft shops. I was a little disappointed with the Old Butter Factory, though. We had visited this spot back in 2019 and the café was busy and quite beautiful and there were many various artisans at work in small spaces surrounding the café. The café was still operating and quite busy but unfortunately there were only a few craft shops left. It seems many of the craft people have moved to the main street of Bellingen. Rob completed his round of golf and we met up and drove back up the mountain. We visited the rainforest walk at Dorrigo for some good views of the area before heading to Dangar Falls, which are just adjacent to our lovely caravan park. There was plenty of water flowing over the falls and it was quite spectacular. Some brave souls were swimming in the pools at the base of the falls.

Day 65 Wednesday 28th, Rob’s Birthday! A Funny thing happened on the way to Bongil Bongil National Park!

We had a relaxed morning being Rob’s birthday and waited for instructions from Jasmine. She had organised for us to go to the local bakery for brunch. The bakery was a 4 minute walk from the caravan Park.  Rob walked in and said it’s my birthday and they said “Oh yes, we have some lovely bakery food for you!” We enjoyed our delicious brunch before Rob, took me to the Bonville Creek boat-ramp and I once again took off in the kayak but this time heading up stream. Rob went into Coffs Harbour to do some shopping while I enjoyed another stunning kayak on the creek. I’m not really into bird-watching have seen some amazing birds while kayaking and today was no exception. I saw the most beautiful small iridescent, blue bird. I’ve never seen such a beautiful coloured bird but it was too quick for me to get a photo. It is apparently called a Splendid Fairy–wren. While kayaking, I noticed a picnic area in a national park and thought that Rob and I could drive back to the area to check it out. I kayaked back to the boat–ramp and met up with Rob and we then drove out to the Bongil, Bongil National Park. On the way there I noticed a sign to the Bonville Resort Golf Club and I said to Rob….we should visit the golf course because I wanted to see where he played golf yesterday.  Rob then said I didn’t play there yesterday, I played at Sawtell. I must admit I had been a bit disappointed when he said, after returning from golf yesterday, that the golf course was not anything special. We had met a lovely couple from Lockleys SA, while on the road, and they had told us of the fantastic resort golf course out at Bonville. It was expensive but totally worth it. I had said to Rob that maybe we should head there for his birthday and he could treat himself and play on the course. I had booked us into the nearest caravan park to the Bonville Resort Golf Club and that was at this beautiful park at Sawtell. Anyway, clearly Rob had either forgotten all about it or who knows, so when he went to golf yesterday, he went to the nearest course, Sawtell! We headed out Bonville Resort Golf Club just so I could see where he didn’t play and were very impressed. Unfortunately, today the course was for members only so Rob could not play. I have said that we need to return so he can play one day at this magnificent course!  In the evening, we walked to the nearby RSL club for a fabulous dinner to celebrate Rob’s birthday. Brilliant meals and just one or two drinks!

Not the one Helen saw, but on from the net.