Dorrigo NP and Sawtell

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Wednesday 10th October was a visit to Dorrigo National Park today. It is about an hours drive from our current spot and was a very windy, uphill road. We passed two waterfalls on the way, Newll and Sherrard. We did the Lyre bird walk and the sky boardwalk allowing us to look down on the rainforest canopy. Unfortunately it was a very misty morning so looking out across the forest and mountains was difficult. 

We lunched prompt so that we could go on the Wonga walking track which was subtropical rainforest. This would take us passed Crystal Showers falls and Tristania Falls. It also took us along the walk with many birds, such as a lyre bird and some eastern yellow robins. We were also fortunate enough to see a pair of king parrots, but weren't close enough to get good photos. 



Crystal Showers falls and Tristania Falls 




Some of the trees in the forest were the yellow carabeen, strangler fig, giant stinging tree and palms and pines and ferns. Some of these trees are up to five hundred years old - just fascinating to see these wonderful things which we never see at home.

Interesting shapes in the park and textures.



Then onto the giant Stinging Tree. 


Having returned from our walk and had a well earned coffee we went to make our way home when Rosey spotted a kookaburra. We jumped out with the cameras and got some shots only to find there were also paddy melon wallabies nearby. 


It was a very long, windy road back to the highway. It was a very enjoyable day. 

Thursday 11th October A slow start to the day and a change of plan. We are going up coast to Bongil Bongil national park as it is known for its koalas. There were major road works going on as we approached the park and so we ended up at Sawtell. We saw a look out spot so we stopped to look. It was magnificent and then we took a walk which went around the top of the bay. We saw various bird and we were able to watch the whales just off the coast. It was very peaceful. 


Some Sawtell views from our walk 



A really lucky spot, Blue Fairy Wren - magnificent! 



Not sure of the name, but pretty all the same


At the far end of our Sawtell walk. Time to turn round and head back. 


Another great find, a Kookaburra posing on a rock for us. 



Having returned from this we tried to find another entrance to the national park. Success this time. We had lunch and then went in search of koalas. However, no luck, we didn't find a single one! 


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