Murrumbidgee River, Balranald

Sydney Trip June 2011

On the second day of our return visit we stopped briefly at Balranald for lunch. We visited the tourist information centre, then drove down to the picnic area on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. During and after lunch I did a little birding and captured a nice shot of the White-faced Heron shown below.

White-faced Heron, Balranald

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Details inside our carriage

Details inside our carriage

Details inside our carriage

Details inside our carriage

Details inside our carriage

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Inside one of the carriages at the Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Inside one of the carriages at the Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo 2011

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo, Central Station

Sydney Great Steam Train Expo, Central Station

Lake Talbot Tourist Park in Narrandera

On the first day of our trip to Sydney earlier this year we stopped for the night at Narrandera in the mid-west of NSW. It was dark by the time we arrived because it was in the middle of winter. We booked into our pre-booked cabin, unpacked the essentials and then headed down to the main shopping area to get something to eat. Were tired after the long journey, so we settled on a takeaway pizza instead of a restaurant meal.

Our cabin was cosy without being luxurious. The bed was really comfortable and that is the most important factor. We had a good night’s sleep and in the morning we were ready to tackle the last leg to Sydney. After packing the car (see photo below) I had a few spare moments to get the camera out and take a few shots of the tourist park and the adjacent lake. It is a place I’d like to return someday soon with the purpose of exploring a little further than just the main street in the dark!

Lake Talbot Tourist Park in Narrandera

Lake Talbot Tourist Park in Narrandera

Our cabin at the Lake Talbot Tourist Park in Narrandera

Yellow Rosella, Balranald, NSW

Whenever we travel, we try to pick suitable places for meal breaks. For us, suitable places are not shopping malls, places with crowds of people and busy locations. We prefer quiet, natural spots where I can do some birding while we have lunch or a cuppa.

On our way home from Sydney last year we stopped for lunch on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River in Balranald, far south western New South Wales. While we ate I managed a few photos of the local birds, including the Yellow Rosella shown above. This rosella is a sub species of the common Crimson Rosella usually seen much further east. For a better photo click here.

A Laughing Kookaburra also came near for a look at what we were doing, but I was unable to get a close shot before he flew off downstream. For better photos click here.

Laughing Kookaburra, Balranald, NSW