WATERFALLS and WAVES

1^st February, 2016

On the move again – this time we head south down the New England Highway to Uralla where we leave the highway and join up with the Oxley Highway at Wauchope. This highway crosses the Great Dividing Range and terminates at Port Macquarie on the coast. By lunchtime we have reached the National Park at Apsley Falls. The campground only has about twelve sites - they are spacious and set out in a large loop. No power or water of course, but surprisingly the toilets are of the flushing variety. We decide to spend the night and explore some of the walks around the falls. We set off after lunch along the gorge rim walk to the falls.

Apsley Gorge

It's a very pleasant hike with wonderful views down to the Apsley River. We eventually arrive at the viewing areas at the falls.

Wok at Apsley Falls lookout

After a couple of days of rain the falls are flowing quite strongly and are very impressive.

Apsley Falls

There are walks along the river at the top of the falls and a suspension bridge allows access to viewpoints on the other side of the gorge. We eventually make our way back to the campground where the local wildlife paid us a visit around teatime.

Our campsite at Apsley Falls came with mother kangaroo and joey

When we have power the blender does a great job mixing shakes. Our daughter Tina gave us a hand shake blender for Xmas to use when we are off power and although it does the job quite well it can't quite get that frothy thing going. Apparently Wok has been thinking about how to improve the 'no froth' situation and this morning he found a new use for the battery operated drill. And yes! It worked quite well and 'froth' was achieved.

Wok has found a new use for his battery operated drill.
'making a strawberry shake'

We continued along the Oxley Highway winding our way down out of the ranges and freecamped for a few days at Ellenborough Reserve beside the river. Then it was south through Comboyne on a back road and on to Wingham Brush where the local council allows people to freecamp beside the river. The rainforest beside the reserve is a breeding colony for grey-headed flying foxes and at sunset thousands of flying foxes head off for the night time feed.

Sunset at Wingham Brush as the flying foxes take to the sky

It's an awesome sight as the sky fills with dark shapes. It took about an hour before the last flying fox disappeared to the south. Apparently there is something really yummy down south that flying foxes like to eat.

Half an hour later the flying foxes were still coming out of the trees

At about 4am the flying foxes returned. They were rather noisy but eventually settled into their sleeping upside down position hanging in the trees and we were able to return to our slumber. We unhitched the Jeep in the morning and set off north west to Ellenborough Falls. These falls are Australia's and the southern hemisphere's second highest waterfall with a single drop of 200 metres. It's a misty morning as we wind up a dirt road into the mountains. With all the recent rain this waterfall could be heard well before we got to the viewpoint.

Ellenborough Falls

There are walks to viewpoints opposite the falls and also to the top of the falls.

Wok listens to the 'roaring' of the water plunging over the falls

It's a sobering site watching the turbulent water plunge over the edge and a plaque at the viewpoint reminds us how dangerous it is to stray onto the rocks or in the water.

A very sad reminder of how dangerous this place can be

We arrived back at camp in time to watch the flying foxes set off again for their nightly sojourn.
 It is an amazing sight.

We hitch up and head to the coast. We fancy a few days at the beach and the caravan park at Old Bar fills the bill nicely. The kids are back at school and the weekend is over so we virtually have the place to ourselves.

The view from Saltwater National Park along the beach to Old Bar

There's no better way to relax than to take leisurely strolls along a beach. We should be nice and rested before we embark on our next excursion.

Wok enjoying his paddle in the surf at Old Bar