We love finding hidden gems for free camping, and Coonabarabran Golf Course is a prime example! We arrived early, set up, grabbed our tickets, and joined an evening chat at 6:30 pm led by some of Australia’s top astrophysicists. The talk provided stunning insights into the skies above, and it was a treat to hear their views on cutting-edge space science.
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| Free Camp at the back of the club |
We are leaving after work on Friday and will undoubtedly arrive at camp well after dark. Work to Grassy is almost a four hour trip. At this time of year the sun set at 17:35 and will be dark by 18:00
We need to run through pre trip checklists and not assume that all is where we think it is. First coffee. Can we wake and make a brew. Then clothing and food. Are all the kitchen requisites in the drawer? Do I have my favourite cup?
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| Monday morning walk to Scott's head |
Hey there, fellow explorers.
Our recent stint at Racecourse Campground near Crescent Head was nothing short of epic. The tides, the swell, the wind - it was like they all got together and decided to put on a show just for us. Talk about a surfer's paradise!
Our days ollowed a familiar rhythm: wake up, brew a hot coffee, paddle out, catch some waves, come in for a bite, then head back out for more. Rinse and repeat for five glorious nights.
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| The days took on their own rhythm. |
Our destination? The lovely Crescent Head, just a four-hour cruise down the freeway. But why stop there when adventure calls? We pushed on to Racecourse Beach, our home away from home for the next few nights.
Now, I'd love to tell you we were greeted by sunshine and blue skies, but Mother Nature had other plans. We arrived to set up camp in the rain - talk about baptism by water!
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| Setup in wet |
Boorkoom campground is a clifftop camping site in Yuraygir National Park, near Wooli in New South Wales. It has 11 campsites that are suitable for tents, caravans and camper trailers. It is a great place to enjoy beach activities, fishing, surfing whale watching and walking tracks.
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| Almost a resort. Site 2 is awesome. |
Hello, fellow campers and travellers! We’re excited to share with you our recent adventure with our new Nissan Xtrail, a hybrid electric car that is perfect for exploring the great outdoors. It’s very fuel-efficient and smooth to drive, and it has plenty of space for both of us and pulls (Wottie) the teardrop camper trailer as if it were not there.
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| The (dry) site and showing off the shiny new car. |
From Bittangabee in Beowa, we drove the slow corrugated exit west to highway and then north to Hobart Beach, a lovely spot on the Wallagoot Lagoon. We stayed there for two moonlight nights and enjoyed a relaxing walk along the shore Northward to Tathra. We had a not so minor mishap when we forgot our coffee pot which was left on the log, but we managed to survive the morning without our caffeine fix. Highly recommend this place.
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| Wallagoot Lagoon, still and quiet. |
We bid farewell to the enchanting Gippsland lakes region and hit the road with our cozy teardrop camper. Our destination was Beowa, a hidden gem of a national park, where we booked a spot at the Bittangabee Campground. The drive was bumpy and slow, but it was worth it when we arrived at our beautiful campsite. We had a stunning view of the inlet, which was only a short walk away. We also had easy access to the somewhat challenging 32 km light to light walk, a trail that follows the coast and offers breathtaking scenery. We spent three nights here, exploring the north and south sections of the trail on different days.
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Arrival,: setup, dust off, and charge up |
Trip #13
Booked site Friday, Saturday. Take Wotty to work Fri AM, leave for Sheepstation Creek before dark. 2 hour trip, leave 15:15, sun sets 17:15. Tight.
Thu AM, pull Wotty from rear of shed, charge Lion battery, fill water tank, chill fridge. Thu PM, load fridge, pack gear, run checklist. Always fill car with fuel on way home.
Fri AM, hook up car, park for solar power. 15:15, drive, arrive, setup, eat, sleep. Sat AM, walk. Maps pre-downloaded, Garmin fr945 on wrist.
Despite the scarce sunlight that penetrated the forest’s canopy, our battery remained charged, which kept our refrigerator cold. However, I learned the hard way that encountering the giant stinging tree wasn’t worth it. I suspect that the lack of maintenance and subsequent closure on the Booyung Trail was due to the proliferation of these trees, which were flourishing in a sunny gap created by a fallen tree. I noticed that the track clearing stopped at the point where I stopped… at the stinging trees.
On Sunday morning, we took the loop back home. Although the route was shorter, the duration was much longer. Our journey led us to Bar Mountain and then down to Uki, where we savoured great coffee at “The Village and Co.” From there, we made our way to Stokers Siding, and finally to our humble abode.
total of 40 nights.
Trip #11
In Easter 2023, we journeyed to Dangar Gorge campground and surrounds. Coffee, trout hatchery, farmers market, campfire, stars; the perfect start to an incredible adventure.
Dangars Gorge is located near Armidale, New South Wales, and includes several waterfalls, including Dangars Gorge Falls, which is approximately 120 meters (393 feet) tall. The falls offer breathtaking views of the gorge and the surrounding landscape and are a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and photography. I took so many great photos, but I’ve had to limit myself to just one for this post.
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| Dangars Gorge Falls 260m |
We started our day with a cup of stovetop espresso before heading out on the relatively flat trail around Dangars Gorge Falls to reach Sarum Hill Lookout. The aroma of the espresso blended with the fresh air and added to the lovely ambiance of the outdoors. The cool breeze was refreshing and calming, making our hike more enjoyable.
On a Friday at 3:00 pm, work was left behind and the journey began. Four hours down south, we arrived at Smoky Cape in the last light of the day. Amidst a swarm of mosquitoes, we set up our pod, sipped a glass of red, and dozed off.
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| trailhead |
The following morning, the sound of an inquisitive kangaroo intruded upon our sleep, poking its head through the door. We set out for a walk, only to be met with an unexpected downpour. Three hours of relentless rain later, I discovered that my phone was drenched, proving to be an expensive lesson. Next time, my dry bag will be close at hand, nestled within my day pack.
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| before the deluge |
However, the trip was not without its positives. We managed to survive three days on battery power alone, with no sun in sight. Additionally, we enjoyed two episodes of Daisy Jones and the Six, adding to the memorable experiences of our now 30 night total in the pod..
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| kitchen stay dry in wet (wind willing) |
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| double annexe makes for dry spaces |
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| pretty little things |
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| the view for most of saturday. wet |
We set out on our journey armed with the trusty Avenza map, specifically the Getlost Map 9337-2S Ebor NSW Topographic Map V15 1:25,000 With this powerful tool, we were ready to conquer the wild and uncharted territory that lay ahead.
Our preparations were meticulous, for we had learned from our previous misadventures. We had a new strategy for packing the fridge, a well-planned menu, and a brand new mppt controller for the solar blanket, which had been kindly exchanged for us by the folks at Kings.
Our destination was the rugged and misty area near Ebor, New South Wales, situated at a breathtaking altitude of 1300 meters. We had planned to spend five glorious days trekking through the cloud forests of New England National Park, immersing ourselves in the raw beauty of nature.
As we embarked on our journey, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that our pre-departure precautions had paid off. Our battery was fully charged, and the fridge had been efficiently cooled down on mains power before we set out. Thanks to the generosity of the sun and our new solar controller, we arrived back home with more power than we had when we left, even enough to keep us entertained with some TV on a cold, rainy afternoon. And to our utter delight, the ice in the fridge remained ice, a remarkable feat considering the passage of five days.
Our navigation was made easy and reliable with Avenza maps. With the ability to download the required map, tag our photos with GPS, and measure distances, we could confidently navigate our way through the unknown terrain without any worries of losing our way. And the best part was, it all worked offline! In fact, it was as good as the Garmin watch on my wrist, if not better.
We are still curating the best way to present our photo galleries. Nonetheless, we are eager to share the snapshots of our remarkable journey and the stunning landscapes that we encountered along the way. So stay tuned, and brace yourselves for some jaw-dropping visuals!
Arrival at Thungutti and Wrights Lookout walk next morning
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| Cloud Forest |
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| Tea Tree walk |
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| sunlight on moss |
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| gnarled |
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| from Wrights lookout. |
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| a beautiful crystal clear day |
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| red amongst the green |
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| Heath Fuschia |
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| from point lookout, a break in the mist. |
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| mossy trees |
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| twilight, before the mist rolls in. |
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| leaving Barakool to Woolpack Rocks |
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| cathedral rock climb begins |
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| from the top of cathedral rock |
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| woolpack rocks |
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| home time |
After a fruitful trip to the trout hatchery, we returned to our humble abode, weary yet content. The dusty roads had left their mark, but we wasted no time in washing the grime away. The ever-present mist had dampened our spirits, but it failed to dampen our resolve.
We cleaned out the fridge, ensuring that it was spotless and ready for the next adventure. The laundry pile had accumulated, but we took it in stride, washing and drying our clothes with the efficiency of seasoned travelers. And with each task completed, we were one step closer to being set up for our next journey.
For us, the end of one trip was simply the beginning of the next. We lived for the thrill of the open road, the thrill of exploring new horizons. And as we closed the door on this chapter of our journey, we eagerly looked forward to the next, ready to embrace whatever challenges and wonders lay ahead.
The day after boxing day we moved southward down the range to Washpool and Gibraltar Range Camp was booked out although noone turned up so the kind rangers put us into the overflow camping for a few days. Walking tracks, clean water, lots of birds.
Home for New Year. To wash and refuel, and recharge and ready for trip #07
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| Washpool Camp |
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| Easy morning walk, Washpool |
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| Mulligans Hut |
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| Warm and clean deep pool at dusk: Mulligans |
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| Our private overflow camp area. |
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| Panoramic view of The Pinnacles |
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| Closeup of the Pinnacles to a lyrebird soundtrack |
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| Walking in front has benefits. |
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| Tree fern walk |
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| Christmas bells |
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| Christmas Bells |
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| Gibraltar Range from Raspberry Lookout |
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| Old Man's Hat from Anvil Rock |
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| Clear and Deep |
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| Dark Green Forest |
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| Beautiful |
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| Granite outcrop on walk to Anvil Rock |
