Dunbogan and Apsley Falls

 Saturday 24th

Friends from Lismore who had been holidaying in the area were stopping for breakfast in Laurieton so we joined them for a coffee. 

We were fortunate to get in a walk to the end of the breakwall before the wet weather set in. After a drive to explore the area we returned to camp where we each spent the afternoon relaxing in individual ways...reading, fishing, birding etc.

Sunday 25th

Today we headed inland for a total change of environment. As we headed away from the coast the weather cleared, before changing again as we climbed the range to Apsley Falls. It was taxing for Michael as the fog became thicker and  the road windier. When we reached the top it was as though someone had flicked a switch and it was instantly clear and sunny although somewhat cooler than on the coast. Definitely time to get the thick doona out!

Once we found a site large enough to accommodate both our set ups, Michael had a well-deserved rest while the three off us set off to explore our new site. It was quite a surprise to find we were only about 50metres from a spectacular gorge and a lovely wetland area at the top of the waterfall.

The sheer sided walls of the upper Apsley Gorge are largely caused by the slate in this area which splits vertically.

As it was predicted to go below 10 degrees overnight Michael was finally able to try out his new fire pit. It worked a treat and luckily we were able to move it undercover when the rain started.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lismore to Lightning Ridge

Image
It was a relief to to have this trips departure, free of issues! In fact on the eve of our departure we received the pottery we created at the Pilliga Pottery on our previous trip in June. It is obvious mine have a ‘rustic’ feel to them while Michael’s may have the makings of a post-retirement hobby. After a comfortable night in the now completed Lismore Lodgings we were away from Lismore with no problems. A fairly ordinary day retracing our steps to Inverell. When the radio reception ran out we filled the time with a Conversation with Richard Fidler and Stan Grant. What an amazing achievement for a young man who had everything against him really. A short stop for lunch at Deepwater at Michaels favourite bakery before continuing on to Inverell. The recent rain has made an incredible difference to the landscape with some vibrant colours. After settling in to the campground it was time to stretch the legs around Lake Inverell. The lake has twice as much water as in January and the area i...
Read more

Across the Border by van

Image
Sunday 27th June After several days of birthday celebrations and organising we were ready to depart from Lismore. Our initial route was over a path well travelled but we did get to use the new Mallanganee Bridge for the first time. It certainly felt safer than the old single lane bridge it has replaced.  Once we passed through Tenterfield and headed towards Glenlyon Dam it wasn’t long before we ventured in to new territory for us, at least at ground level. In the days when Michael was trying to keep up his flight hours to maintain his pilots licence he flew over this area a few times.  Plan A for our first night was Bonshaw Weir but thanks to some COVID inspired restrictions we changed to Plan B. As Ballina is in the designated Blue Bubble with Queensland we weren’t concerned re our ability to cross the border, but as of 1am tomorrow morning we are also required to have a Travel Pass. We applied for them on Friday and mine came back in 25 minutes but by the time we left home M...
Read more

Dunlop Station to Trilby Station

Image
Saturday Our next stopover was another station only 40kms down the road. On the way we stopped in at Dunlop Station for the morning tea/tour conducted by the current owner, Kim. Kim and her daughter bought the property 9years ago and are in the very long process of attempting to restore it. It includes the homestead, a store and a shearing shed, as well as many outlying buildings. The homestead needs a load of work but is a great improvement on what she bought. She hadn’t realised there was a cellar until they removed all the newspapers stacked to the ceiling on one of the Verandas. Originally    Dunlop Station was a pastoral lease  that operated as a  sheep station  and was once the largest sheep station in the world at over 1million acres. Kim’s property is now about 22000 acres and she only runs 100 sheep. Dunlop is significant as the farm with the first mechanised shearing of sheep in a building Kim is hoping to restore to a usable shearing space w...
Read more