touring the back
roads
from
newcastle to brisbane by Rob
Next morning we headed for Wollomombi Falls along The
Waterfall Way, however with showers & a top of only seven degrees at
lunchtime we decided to drop off the range for warmer conditions. So it
was down along the Grafton road to the Chaelundi Campground in Guy
Fawkes River National Park.
This national park encompasses 100,590 hectares on
the eastern edge of the New England Tablelands with spectacular examples
of rugged river gorges including the deeply incised Guy Fawkes River
Valley along the line of an ancient fault through the park. There are
over 40 different vegetation communities, 28 threatened plant species,
24 threatened fauna species & significant areas of old growth forest
protected within the park.
Just before the campground we came across a large gum
tree that
had been blown over by the wind. After an inspection we found a safe
path around it.
After breakfast the next day we did a short walk to
the Chaelundi
Falls from the campground. We then drove the forest trail to the remains
of the old gold town of Dalmorton which is on the Old Coach Road between
Glen Innes & Grafton. We stopped at two lookouts with magnificent
views of the surrounding area. The trail gradually deteriorated taking
about three hours to cover the fifty kilometres.
We enjoyed a peaceful camp right on the waters edge of the
Boyd River.
tree
across the road
walking trail to Chaelundi Falls
Chaelundi Falls
grey
fantail
Russet-tailed
Thrush
forest
trail
looking west over Guy Fawkes River
National Park
Grasstree
lunch at Dalmorton
Boyd River
Camp on the Boyd River
After a stop in Grafton to top up fuel, we once
again hit the backroads stopping at Copmanhurst by the Clarence River
for lunch. Not too far up the road we set up camp at Lilydale & enjoyed
the warmth of the afternoon winter sunshine. On our
last visit here
in November the bottlebrush were in flower attracting many honey-eating
birds. Only the resident birds are here now in midwinter.
There was a heavy fog next morning which proved to be
the start of a magic day sitting by the river. The cloudless sky reviled
all the stars in their glory with a warm orange glow at sunrise.