Careys Peak

A blue sky day and perfect weather for my walk to Careys Peak. Walking from Junction Pools to Careys Peak  via the Aeroplane Hill Trail and then back along the Edwards Swamp track. Easy walking for the 13.8klm loop.

Lots of Scotch Broom infestation on the Aeroplane Hill track as you walk through snow gum forest.

Black Swamp. These peat swamps reminded me of the frost hollows in Kosciuszko except that if you stepped off the forest edge it was only a step or two before you started to sink and get wet.

Carey's Hut

The views from Carey's Peak

Mount Royal in the distance.

Edwards Swamp

The Barrington River

And a bit further on where I sat and had lunch. Only about 20 minutes from here back to Junction Pools. I watched trout in the water here.

Junction Pools

Junction Pools on the Barrington River in Barrington Tops National Park. 

Deciding not to stay at Polblue due to swooping magpies and hungry Kookaburras I headed down the track to Junction Pools. 

A rough and rocky 14klm through snow gum forest to a nice camping area which I had all to myself except for the wallabies and brumbies.

 I thought I was going to get seriously wet here as huge black storm clouds were spilling over the ridge just upstream on Edwards Swamp. It seemed to split around me and I stayed dry for the night although it was misty and cold at times. Camping at an altitude of about 1500mtrs I shouldn't have been surprised at the 3* temps overnight.

A series of pools on the Barrington River.

The next day I woke to clear blue skies.  

A quiet and peaceful part of the world.

Polblue Swamp

Heading up to Barrington Tops from the Scone side I stopped at The Firs in Stewart Brook State Forest. An experimental plantation of Douglas Fir. It was cold here.

Polblue Swamp. It was my intention to camp the night here but after a Kookaburra swooping and taking a bite of my wrap at the same time I took a bite and being constantly swooped by magpies I decided to move on to Junction Pools. I first walked the 3.5klm loop around the swamp (constantly waving a stick above my head to deter the magpies) It reminded me of the frost hollows in the Snowy Mountains.

Polblue Swamp 

Moss and Snow Gums 

Polblue Creek. I could see small trout in the creek here.  

Bradleys Head

I was to meet my son for dinner and  so to fill in the day a bit of fishing and a zoo visit sounded good.

I had always wanted to have a fish at Bradleys Head and although I didn't even get a nibble it was nice to just sit on the harbour and watch the day go past.

Some of the best views in Sydney.

 I then spent a couple of hours at the zoo. I seem to spend most of my time at the aviaries and the bird show.

Banded Lapwing 

Diamond Firetail 

Forest Kingfisher 

Gouldian Finch 

More Sydney views while waiting for the bird show. 

Barking Owl 

Wedge-tailed eagle 

Major Mitchell Cockatoo 

Gorilla 

Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

Cassowary 

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet 

Rose-crowned Dove