• Rob and Pam T
  • Rob and Pam T

Tamworth and other Festivals

January 2018 - March 2019 Baca selengkapnya
  • South Pacific Heathland Reserve.

    15 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    This reserve runs along the cliff top of Ulladulla and is managed by trust. The six trustees of the award winning area are all women. Much work has been done on the 14 hectare reserve to ensure the 200 species of flora and 90 species of birds have a protected area. Some of those species are listed as rare and endangered.

    At present the easy walk out to the lookout area will yield many interesting finds for the observant visitor. We saw quite a few birds and many flowers. There were several kinds of fungus including one that had lived on a banksia until there had been a fire. Although quite blackened its form could still be seen. Whether it was still alive I could not be sure.

    Some of the pretty flowers were very small but the banksia were often huge. These seem popular with the honey eating species of birds. I suspect many feast on insects that are there for the sweet nectar.

    Although we were told dolphins are often seen from the lookout, there were none today. One lookout is accessible by wheelchair.
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  • Bendeela Camp, Kangaroo Valley

    15 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We arrived here a bit later in the day. Not long after we were set up we noticed a wombat feeding about 30m away. He seemed quite unconcerned about us. A random peewee was not happy though and was trying to get the wombat to move on. Wombat just ignored Mr peewee.

    There are a few kangaroos so far but I suspect later they might get closer for the short grass. The wombats have been in the area we are camped. I can see their scat all around.

    There are birds aplenty. Common mynahs, rosellas, herons and a few small birds moving way to fast to see what they were.

    Two kangaroos have come quite close. One with a Joey that is old enough to nibble a bit of succulent Gras from the safety of mothers pouch. As she hops around he keeps nibbling grass.
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  • Circular Quay and the Manly Ferry

    21 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    A trip on the Ferry is often nothing to talk about. Today was different. A huge swell in the outer reaches of the harbour tossed the large ferry around like a rubber duck in a bathtub full of toddlers. At times there was just a view of the hide trough between the waves. Other times just sky. We were asked to stay seated and only as the ferry turned back towards Circular Quay was it OK to get up and take some photos.

    There were the usual photos to be snapped but this time there was a huge cruise ship tied up near the ferry terminal. So big it can not pass under the bridge that was originally built so high nobody ever expected that it would prevent any ship passing. There are now even larger ships at sea.
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  • Oldest church in Australia (Ebenezer)

    21 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    A short drive from where we camped is the oldest church in Australia. We learned though that this was only by a very short time because the other church being built elsewhere kept having the Holy Dollar that was laid with the foundation stolen. Eventually the dollar was successfully laid with the foundation and work proceeded. Ebenezer may not have been used first for regular services.

    These stories would be hard to validate so only the date on the laying of the foundation stone would be accurately known. There were no selfies of the stone being laid of FacePaper or anything like that. The stone Mason would have engraved the information he was given.

    Ebenezer church is a Uniting Church but probably was a Presbyterian denomination before that. From memory some churches did unite and some decided against.

    The church and grounds are very well maintained as is the graves on the site. Many have been refurbished and new plaques installed. This would have been an important point in the local community when it was built. Worship, fellowship and meeting partners would have been all part of this churches history.

    I would expect that things like dance halls would have come quite a bit later. Perhaps there was already a stage coach stop or a tavern.
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  • The Butterfly Farm and Indie Karts

    22 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    This spot was our base for two nights in and one night visiting people at Sydney. Less mentioned about public transport the better. The only highlight there was the ferry ride.

    This park is actually primarily setup for a ski club. They do take in some grey nomads for a few nights in the van park, but it is often full with ski people and the groups that come go kart racing.

    Because it is a quiet time we were allowed to set up in a beautiful spot right near the barbeeque area. Glorious views over the river and sunrises that were a sheer delight to see. We will definitely pick a quiet time and return here.
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  • Wamberal Beach

    22 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Seagulls, surf and sand. Quite a nice spot but you would need to be game to take on the surf here. The wind has been fairly strong for a while now so we are seeing larger waves than would be usual. There were quite a few seagulls here gliding along and landing as a wave receded and grabbed some interesting morsel to eat.Baca selengkapnya

  • Coopernook, NSW

    25 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Said to be an aboriginal word that means bend in the river. Here we have a tidal river that can still suffer from serious flooding. The volume of water flowing from a flood can mean wet feet for the people at the Pub and some living nearby.

    The bridge across the river was here but the only part left now is the supports still in place on the northern side. Now a newer and higher bridge is down the river a bit and the highway bypasses a lovely small town. The only traffic is locals and a few travellers who know about the place.

    There is a nice park and facilities for boating. The Pub is popular with quite busy sessions. A good place to drop in for a great meal and a drink to wash it down. Travellers who are customers of the hotel are welcomed and free to spend the night in the grounds. RVs need to be self contained and must not unhitch.
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  • Flats and Sharps at Upper Lansdowne

    25 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Sometimes as a traveller, you can happen to be in the right place at the right time. If you are retired it is easier to be where you want to be.

    This evening the place was Upper Lansdowne Memorial Hall and the players were Flats and Sharps. An excellent bluegrass band that kept the feet tapping and the hands clapping for nearly two hours. Thanks guys, and thanks to the locals who let us know they would be there.

    If you are travelling in the area it is worth driving out to view some very nice country. There is a good freedom camping area in the Coopernook state forest.
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  • Cattai Wetlands, Coopernook

    26 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    These wetlands are a spectacular project recovering from years of grazing and clearing. The walks are very easy and there is quite a lot to see. Many species of birds are found her as well as a healthy population of frogs and reptiles.

    Since our visit was on a dull and light rainy day we were not able to see as many birds. We did hear quite a few though. This spot is on our return to list.

    As we checked out the info board on the way in there was a notice proclaiming numerous mosquitos. That was misleading. With several layers of deet spray we were still menaced by thousands of the hungry buggers. Next visit will be in winter.
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  • Vincent's Lookout

    29 Maret 2018, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    If you get to the Coopernook area, it is well worth the effort of driving up to Vincent lookout. Sorry no caravans or dodgy cars. It's a dirt road and the last bit is very steep. Once at the top you can walk down to the top of the cliff and have a spectacular view towards Taree. Don't get too close to the edge though. It's a long way down with nothing to stop you.

    Back up the top is a more relaxed view. The tower and building seems to have been built a long time ago. This is obviously a good spot for communications, only made better by one of the tallest towers you can imagine. No wonder we had good phone service in the forest.
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