West Head Lookout, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase NP
West Head Lookout, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park
On our trip to Sydney earlier this year we went for a drive from my son’s home to Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park. It had been a rainy morning but the sky cleared around lunch time so went headed off, deciding to take a chance on the weather. As we drove north the sky cleared even more and we ended up having a very pleasant visit for the afternoon.
The West Head Lookout gives good views over the Pacific Ocean, parts of the northern beaches area of Sydney as well as the many inlets on this part of the coast.
View from West Head Lookout, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase NP
View from West Head Lookout, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase NP
View from West Head Lookout, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase NP
A brief visit to Tintinara, SE South Australia
Grain silos at Tintinara, SE South Australia
Last week I was asked to do a quick trip to Tintinara in the upper south east of South Australia. I had to deliver an urgent parcel for the courier company I do some deliveries for on a casual basis. It was a warm day but the clear skies and gentle breeze made it quite pleasant.
After delivering the parcel (on time what’s more) I had a good look around this lovely small town. Usually we just drive straight through on our way to Melbourne or other places in the south east. I had never taken the time to explore the town.
Information Centre and Art Gallery, Tintinara
The tourist information centre (shown above) calls this town “The Heart of the Parks”. Tintinara is centrally located for visiting a range of national and conservation parks in all directions, including the massive Ngarkat National Park to the east of town. Most of these parks have huge stands of mallee vegetation. The most interesting bird that is endemic to the mallee environment is the Malleefowl. Below I’ve inserted a photo of a simulated Malleefowl nesting mound. This display, complete with two metal cut-out models of the bird, is located in front of the Information Centre in the main street of the town. I’ve written more about the Malleefowl and its unique nesting habits on Trevor’s Birding blog here.
Simulated Malleefowl nest, Tintinara, SE South Australia
Further reading:
A walk around Mallacoota, Victoria
Caravan Park, Mallacoota, Victoria
After a long day of travelling we finally arrived at Mallacoota in Victoria. We had never been here before and were delighted with what we saw. The downside was that we only had one night here.
We booked into the local motel and then tidied up ready for dinner in the hotel dining room. The seafood was delicious, which I expected, seeing it is primarily a fishing town.
After dinner we decided to walk off our wonderful meal. Our daughter, a much faster walker than us, took her own route. We strolled down to the estuary and walked along the foreshore. At one stage in our walk we sat on a picnic seat on the point overlooking the inlet. Quite beautiful on a calm, warm summer’s evening after the sun had set.
Cruise boat, Mallacoota, Victoria
We are determined to return here sometime in the future with our caravan. It is the kind of place you could gainfully stay a week or two, especially in the off season. Being the week after New Year, the foreshore was packed tightly with tents, caravans and boats. The picture above shows it well. Far too crowded for my liking.
There are many walks and drives in the area with a significant National Park to the east. There are several cruise boats like the one above as well. Taking a cruise up the river would be high on my list of things to do.
Mimosa Rocks National Park, New South Wales
1 Comment »25th September, 2009; Category: Beaches, Birds, Holidays, National Parks, New South Wales
Mimosa Rocks National Park, south coast NSW
One of the places I wanted to revisit on our drive south along the coast of New South Wales was Mimosa Rocks National Park. The last time we had been there was in 1981 which was getting on for 30 years ago. Too long, in fact.
I had vivid memories of what it looked like but obviously the years had blurred the image. It was nothing like I remembered! In fact, I think we went to a different part of the park this time. The access roads may well have changed in that time too.
Again, we didn’t have much time to explore the park. We had a quick lunch and a look at the beautiful beach and then off again on our trek south.
The only birds of interest were three Pied Oystercatchers patrolling the beach.
Pied Oystercatchers, Mimosa Rocks National Park
Mimosa Rocks National Park, south coast NSW
Mystery Bay, south coast of New South Wales
Mystery Bay, south coast of New South Wales
While we were having a morning tea break at Mystery Bay picnic area, I managed to get a few lovely photos of the coastline and some of the flowers growing in the Eurobodalla National Park.
Banksia seed cones, Mystery Bay, south coast of New South Wales
Flowers, Mystery Bay, south coast of New South Wales
Mystery Bay, south coast of New South Wales