HAT HEAD NSW

  I called in to Hat Head near South West Rocks NSW to visit my Uncle who was staying there  for a couple of months in the only Caravan Park. He is incredible, 84 years old and still travelling in his Van for months at a time, looks 65 and is as mentally fit as I have ever seen him. This is his winter hibernation spot every year. Not much at Hat Head except for a magnificent beach with a shore line that must be 15 or more kms long. 4x4 driving on the beach is allowed and the fishing is great. At this time of the year it is almost deserted so a good stopover if you want somewhere quiet and restful. The Bowling Club right at the Caravan park entrance has great meals on weekends. There are some Free Camps nearby and I  investigated some. The roads to them are rough and out of the question in the wet for the Hiace, you may want to take a look, they are listed in Camps6.
  The Caravan Park is pretty big and popular so be prepared to go where you are put. Amenities are fresh, clean and modern and there is the usually coin operated laundry and drop point if you need it. Worth a look for sure.

The Local Aboriginals say that the Headland is the home of the spirit of a Pregnant Woman

GUMMA RESERVE via MACKSVILLE NSW

 

  Now I have reached the coast of NSW and arrived at Macksville, a little inland on the River. Small but popular with it's Star Hotel, old bridge and views of the river. There is a Caravan Park of course however, I chose Gumma Reserve about 6 kms from the Bridge. The last couple of kms is gravel and quite narrow so wide rigs should take it easy as the corners are blind to on coming traffic.
  The Campground is small, on the banks of Worrell Creek and rapidly fills up. There is a Toilet Block but no Showers or Power. Normally I believe there is a cost of $10 per night per head, which is said to be increasing soon. Currently and to my luck, the National Parks Service and the local Council are arguing about who should collect the fees, so no-one does at the moment and therefore its free. A nice enough spot but I reckon it would become too overcrowded to be comfortable at peak times.
  Some friendly Campers nearby, great weather and picturesque views along the Creek made the two night stay here worthwhile. Come Saturday many more arrived and as I thought the place was soon at near capacity. When fees are introduced it may however become a bit quieter. A recommended spot for an overnighter.

   

URBENVILLE to GRAFTON via KYOGLE and CASINO NSW

     The drive along the Summerland Way almost due south from Urbenville to Kyogle and Casino is scenic and a real pleasure passing through forest and up and over ranges. What a difference from the boring old straight bitumen of the west. It feels damp and a bit like rain which I haven't seen now for almost nine weeks, the  last time was all the way back at Walgett. I like Kyogle with it's country business, a decent pie shop and some interesting buildings. I ate my lunch ( 2 pies of course that only rated about a 6.5) in the Lions Park beside the River and an old Railway Bridge, talking to my friend that isn't there and thinking how lucky I was to be on this journey without a care.

  Casino next, a bit bigger this time but without the charm of Kyogle, a Woolworths stop and a quick look around before heading for tonight's Free Camp, Lollback Rest Area at Jackagerry, about 45 kms west of Grafton.
  I didn't realise that I had to pass through Grafton and then to Lollback, this would mean that I would have to backtrack the 45 kms next day. Lollback was a recommended free site however and it's near to Pension Day so I don't want to spend any money on a Caravan Park, and its not a week since my last shower yet!
  Lollback was a disappointment, a fairly good, though distant view of the river but the Rest Area was small and soon filled up. I was popular and safe but I wouldn't go out of your way to get here.
  If you have not realised I am heading further south and back towards "Home" at Nelson Bay. I need a refit and Grease n Oil from the Doctor, get some prescriptions renewed and have Solar Panels fitted to the Hiace amongst other improvements that I want to make. I am still about 2 weeks from home (at the time of writing) and will next be hitting the NSW coast at Macksville staying at Gumma Reserve.

Some nice Buildings in Kyogle

 

 

 

Lollback Rest Area, Jackagerry

 

 

 

POEM No3

  Here is another one of my efforts. Leave a comment and let me know what you think, please be gentle it's early days still.
 
Seasons calling from beyond my reach
A strange and awsome beckoning
What is the lesson that they teach
Of this a life worth reckoning
And once remembring other times
When winters felt as springs
I failed to hear their rhymes
Dim light did shadow over things
Oh that was thence an older  time
When no response to rule was made
A youth still strong and in it's prime
No need to look into the shade
Then summers ruled eternal sun
And deeper thought best left alone
This one alive enjoy the fun
No fault in life no need to moan
Those same rules they do take hold
Committed statutes then take shape
To break away from them too bold
The shadows now become a cape
A family there they need some things
Alone one giver milk and bread
All this requires round finger rings
To break away is to feel dread
Some happy times here must agree
The good the worst joined in a duel
Small faces look up from the knee
To run from that indeed is cruel
Years and tears have come then gone
Same faces now look eye to eye
A finger bare where gold had shone
Will stay as that with fear to lie
Now just one berth none left beside
Must plot a path get through new days
Can this be true no need to hide
From changes that repel old ways
In recent times has come a change
At first a whisper through the night
Along way off well out of range
Then calling stronger with bright light
Winter warm nowhere near spring
Well could it be a chance again
That seasons call so load ears ring
And lessons teach to stop the rain
They show no map and no great plan
Instead within just look they say
A chart there lives for every man
Just follow that to find the way

TOOLOOM FALLS NSW

  Travel to the little Town of Woodenbong then on to tiny Urbenville and a further 6 km to Tooloom Falls. If you are travelling Nth, follow the Summerland Way to the very end, turn left and in no time you will find this wonderful Free Camp.
  A small but pretty site beside a creek that runs into the Clarence river and at the top of a Gorge about 40 or so metres high, it is actually an Aboriginal Heritage site, a "Dooloomi" or "Mythical Site" that is maintained by the National Parks. Here is the story behind the myth of the Falls:

Tooloom Falls is a natural feature of mythological significance. The site is associated with a story that explains the creation of the Clarence River. Tooloom Falls is on the traditional border between the Githebul/Gidabal and Wurlavul language groups, who are both part of the broader Bundjalung people. These groups tell the story of a 'clever' woman known as Dirrangun, who is associated with the site and the creation of the Clarence River.
Dirrangun was camped with her family near Tooloom Falls. One day she quarrelled with her two daughters and their husband, Balugan; she was so angry with them that she stole the only fresh water from a nearby lagoon and hid it in her coolamon. Balugan and his wives searched for the water with no luck, but finally one of their dogs found it. Balugan, who was very angry, then split the coolamon with a supernatural echidna quill (bimburra) and the water gushed out and, assisted by a big rain, carried Darrungan and the fig tree under which she was camped down towards Grafton. The large hollow downstream from Tooloom Falls was created when the fig tree was uprooted; the waterfalls along the river were formed when Dirrangun sat down in the flood to try to stop the water; and finally the entire Clarence River was created by the torrent of water. Dirrangun and the fig tree were left on the banks of the river somewhere downstream from Grafton.
Tooloom Falls is known as Dooloomi by local Aboriginal people. This is derived from the Githebul/Gidabal word for head lice, which are said to infest the pool below the falls. Aboriginal children were warned never to swim there or they would be infested too. Children were also discouraged from visiting the site because it is believed that many different evil spirits haunt the area around the waterfall. These warnings were also intended to keep children away from deep and dangerous parts of the river.

 It is great that the Aboriginal Elders allow the use of the area as a Campground so please respect that if you visit. A very clean Drop Toilet, Tables and Fireplaces are provided but there was absolutely not a scrap of firewood so better to take your own. Entry is via Urbenville with the last 3 kms being reasonable gravel. Only room for about 10 rigs and the entrance is via a narrow cattle grid so if you have a big rig, look first.
  I spent a very pleasant couple of days here and would have stayed longer but had to leave do to low batteries. I can't wait to get Solar fitted to the Hiace roof so that I can stay longer at these places. I spent the time here sitting at the top of the falls for long periods ( trying my hand at writing some poetry) or strolling through the nearby bush. It truly is a place that one should visit if passing by.

Urbenville Pub

 

 

 Woodenbong

 

                          The Woodenbong Hotel



 

 

Tooloom Falls is a Free Camp that I highly recommend

 

A Black Parrot high up in the Trees