Hunter Sunset

A dinner with my daughter and her fiance in Newcastle. As always I couldn't resist a walk out to Nobbies. One of my favourite short walks and another nice sunset.

Such a pretty and vibrant city. 

Gloucester Tops

Leaving Barrington Tops I drove down the mountains and around to Gloucester River. Very pretty country. As you drive back up to the National Park the road crosses back a forth over the Gloucester River 5 or 6 times.

Highland cattle on the road.

River crossings

I camped the night at Gloucester River which was a lot warmer than the Tops. The next morning I drove up to Gloucester Tops and walked the Falls/ Beech Forest and River Loop. I was a little disappointed by the falls with limited views from the track and no real access ( without a lot of work on a steep climb off track) to the more picteresque falls. More os a series of falls/cascades.

Andrew Laurie Lookout

In the green. Magnificent Beech Forests.

Then back in snow gum forest and swamp country along the Gloucester River

Tiger Snake

After the 9klm loop I drove back down to the camping area on the Gloucester River for lunch and to just  sit a read for a while.

Nice country.

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.