10/2/18 A new hat

 It's time to explore a bit of the local area , we saw Hat Head in the distance the other day , time to see it in person .
  The drive took us back along the Macleay River for a while before veering back to the coast through Hat Head National Park . Arriving at the small village of Hat Head , we went down the main road , flanked by a street either side , ocean & Beach one side , and Korogoro Creek on the other . At the end of the road is the caravan park , boat ramp and beach access . The beach stretches all the way back to Smokey Cape .

 At the end of the beach is the creek entrance and the mountain of granite that is Hat Head . Parts of it are covered in dense forest , others are bare rock .

 On the ocean side to the south is Gap Beach .

  Pandanus cling to the cliff front and a bit further around there's a gap in the cliff .

 This one is O'Connors Beach.

 This photo is looking back over the estuary and boat ramp back toward Yarrahappini Mountain .

 Driving further into the National Park , we arrived at Kinchela Trig Point walk . The walk is only 300m through the bush , we decided to take lunch with us - it's a trig point , there should be a view . Well , the mosquito's were using us for bombing practice , and it didn't worry them at all that we were waving our hands at them , they just kept coming . A quick couple of photos and we were off back to the ute . This was the view .

 Here's one of a Flannel Flower .

 We went back to The Gap and had lunch there , mosquito free !!
Here's Korogoro Creek - a small tidal creek .

 This was beside the creek , tea trees .

 From here we headed into Kempsey for a quick look and a few items and some fuel before heading back out and along the river again . That's it , here's a map link :- https://drive.google.com/open?id=17Jy-Gx11B5nJb-jRFmD76vxoFQYnb99S&usp=sharing

7/2/18 Up the creek

  We've moved south to Stuarts Point to catch up with my brother & sister - it's been 10 years since we were all together so a couple of phone calls and it all happened !!
  We spent one morning together , chatting and catching up and arranging dinner for one evening when we were all able to be there .
  In our other spare time we went for a paddle on Warrell Creek , near Macksville with Maree & Kevin - my sister & husband . It was a bit weird , we're not used to paddling with anyone else , so it was strange to have another couple in close proximity .

  The day started of overcast , the river water was a great temperature and the sun was threatening to break through . We paddled up the river , around an island , into off shoots and little creeks , spotting herons , cormorants , kingfishers , water dragons , cattle & horses - there was a lot of grazing happening on the river flats .

 
  Water lillies lined the banks , gradually opening up as the day warmed up .

 The creek wound it's way back & forth through the flats , we turned and headed back toward the bridge below the highway where we launched , the sun shining and warming things up . Not much further down the creek the sun disappeared and the heavens opened up , dropping cool rain upon us - we were getting warm , but now were much cooler as we sheltered underneath the trees beside the creek till the rain stopped .

   When the rain got heavier coming from the trees than it was out in the open , we headed for the bridge , not long after it stopped raining leaving us like drowned rats !!
  Lunch out at Gumma Reserve - east of Macksville , then back to the van . I figured out we had paddled for about 4.5klms along the creek - it turned and looped that much , that if we had walked , we would have only had to go 1 klm !!
The next day was spent doing a few things and relaxing before going to Gordon & Meredith's for dinner - we had a great afternoon & evening .
 Next day we parted company , Maree & Kevin heading home , Gordon was already home , and we headed to South West Rocks - not very far in the scheme of things , but we don't have to go far - home is wherever we tow it to !!
  We headed off for a drive around South West Rocks - a little town situated beside the Macleay River and Trial Bay - also the site for a gaol back in the day . This is looking over the river to Yarrahappiny Mountain .

  This one is looking north along the coast .

Looking around Trial Bay toward the gaol & Arakoon . The water is crystal clear .

 Horseshoe Bay is a great little beach beside town .

  From town we headed out to Smokey Cape Lighthouse to check out the coastal views , and weren't disappointed .

 The walk up to the lighthouse was steep , but all concrete path . We were distracted by the views north & south along the coast , spectacular views !!

 Views to the south are along one long beach to Hat Head - the pointed one in the distant left .

 The lighthouse keepers cottage can be rented out for holiday stays , and with views like this why not.

 Even the drive out to Smokey Cape was great - through eucalyptus forests on one side of the road and tea tree forest on the other side - this is the view looking up into the tree tops .

  Back to Aragon & the old gaol , we arrived at 4:15 pm , it closed at 4:30 so we didn't bother looking any further than the entry .

  There was a triathlon organised for the weekend so things were a bit hectic in the campground below the gaol walls , fences being erected , people everywhere , so we drove down and around near the boat ramp and picnic areas for a look .

 That's it for the moment , here's a map link :-  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lfJOkPuV6oyqLH6ev4ZcbvLy7V-VSOzi&usp=sharing                  
Cheers

30/1/18 Glenreagh & Orara paddle

 Having moved south from Grafton to Glenreagh , we stopped for a few days at the rec grounds and decided to have a look around . We arrived just as the skies opened up and dumped a heap of rain , so we sat and waited for 20mins or so till the rain stopped before setting up and having lunch .
 After lunch we headed out to have a look around , crossing the Orara River to find the railway tracks for the Sydney to Brisbane trains . There was an old station and water tank , but not much else .

 This is the bridge over the river .

Stopping at the park beside the river we found some steps down to a small platform - used for swimming purposes . The river looked good , clean water , turtles and nice reflections .

Looking up & down the river , we were thinking that this would be great for a paddle - tomorrows task !!

  Massive Blue Gums lined the banks at the park , a lot of the trees on the river banks were covered in vines , the rest of the banks were covered in dense foliage , a beautiful sight .
  We then drove around to Nana Glen and found another road that followed the river on the eastern side taking us to Coramba . From there we headed back to Glenreagh . The drive took us through the river valley, country that would have been dairy country previously , but know populated by horses and some beef cattle . There were also areas that were growing plants under netting - not sure what they were though?
 Arriving back at the rec ground it was time for a quiet beer .


   After a great sleep , this place is seriously quiet !!! we got organised and headed down to the river & unloaded the kayak and dragged it down the steep bank to the river , the anticipation was growing .
 Slipping quietly along under the road bridge , then around another turn we came across the rail bridge !! quite unexpected - apparently it was used for timber transport back in the day - it hasn't had strain over it for many years - sleepers were rotten and many missing .

 We were expecting many trees and logs in the river , with access in some places very restricted , some trees were right across the river , some you could go under , others we had to get out and drag the kayak over - there were 4 complete blockages that we had to get out and drag over during our paddle - so that was 8 all up . There was some wildlife , not as many birds as we expected , some flying foxes in a small colony in between the road and old rail bridges . The scenery was stunning and this was one of our most enjoyable paddles . Here's some of the stunning scenery .

 This next one is great when you turn your screen 90 degrees - you can see a mask in the middle , arms & legs - try it !!

 Here's some of our obstacles .

 We scared a green tree snake at one of the obstacles , and found this rather large python when we were nearly back at the road bridge - look closely for it , it's only about 3.5m long !!!

 You can also see it had a large stomach - probably a flying fox that fell out of the trees above - the python wasn't interested in anything or anyone , it didn't move at all while we paddled past - probably a food coma !!
  We finished off the paddle with a swim / cool down , before dragging the kayak back up the hill and loading back onto the ute . What a great day we've had !!
 Here's a map link :- https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hHLB9hcsO2lWX8na4bpDURK8pbxzns_t&usp=sharing