Waterfall Way
Northern NSW

Easter 2002
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Friday morning dawned grey and miserable, in Ballina anyway. It looked like shades of that very wet trip to Bundjalung NP a few years ago. Anyway, the sky was dark and we had the best part of an inch of rain before we left home at 10.00am to join the others in Casino. As it was a touring trip we took the Liberty for a bit of extra comfort.
The arranged meeting time was 12.30pm but we arrived an hour early. As we turned a corner Vicki says “that looks like a milk truck” and pointed to a vehicle parked on the side of the road. Then we recognised some faces. It was Big John and Dave Martin (later to be known as “Dad & Dave”). The rest of the team were an hour early too. So we had an early lunch before setting out.
Trip leader was Greg in his Mazda and with young Alex – co-driven by Rik, Michael and Jenny in their Liberty, Dad & Dave as already mentioned, Gaven and Angela in their Triton and hired camper and us

By this stage the weather had cleared somewhat so that the rest of the day was fine. We headed down the Summerland Way, detouring via Lawrence, to Grafton. Gav bought some fresh fish (at least we think it was fish – there wasn’t much left to choose from) and then we headed down tho old highway to Glenreagh, turned left and headed for our first night’s camp at Corindi Beach. We set up camp and all had an early night (Except Rik).

Saturday – Day 2

Next morning we awoke to some upsetting news. Gav and Ange had had their brand new esky on wheels stolen. That certainly put the mocha on the day.

Anyway we pushed on travelling via Coffs Harbour. On the way Dave kept hounding us all about stopping at the Big Banana for a banana split. We relented to keep him quiet. The splits were quite good though a little pricey.

Afterwards on through Sawtell and then headed for the bad weather in the hills, via Bellingen and Dorrigo, stopping at the Dorrigo NP on the way. Lunch was at Dorrigo at one of the many cafes in town. After lunch we looked at Dangar Falls and then headed for Ebor – looked at the Ebor Falls and went on to Wollomombi Gorge where we were to camp the night. We hit the rain before Bellingen and it never let up for the rest of the day. On arrival at the camp Vicki and I suggested we set up one of our big tarps as a communal/kitchen area and camp around it. Proved to be a good idea as we set it up first, got the fire going (yes it was quite cool – for those who don’t know, Wollomombi is near Armidale) and then set up tents. Yes it was still raining though not as heavy. A few bourbons and ports (not together) helped keep the cold at bay. Dave and Angela were having a competition between themselves as to who could sleep the best while sitting in a chair. Angela was quite still while Dave did his “nodding dog” imitations and the suddenly sparking to life saying, “What have I missed?”.




Scattered showers greeted us this morning. After breaking camp and packing up wet we had a look at the Wollomombi falls and gorge before visiting the village’s one and only store. (See Gav for photos). We then headed down the track to Kempsey. The weather continued to clear to the extent that the rest of the day was fine. This road took us through some beautiful countryside, across the Styx River and along the Macleay River. There were some good camping sites (warrant further investigation) and picnic areas. We stopped for lunch at the junction of the Dyke River and the Macleay at one such picnic area.

On into Kempsey and out to South West Rocks via Gladstone and Smithtown.

On arrival at our camping spot we again employed the central tarp theme and camped around it and yes, it rained some more. After tea and a game of cards we turned in for the night.

 

Ladies Loo
Gent's Loo

Monday – Day 4

Scattered showers again greeted us this morning. If only the sun would shine so we could pack up dry. FAT CHANCE. Today we farewelled Jenny & Michael and Gaven & Angela. As it was a long drive home they decided to head there rather that look at further attractions. I trust they had safe journeys. The rest of us went to visit Trial Bay Gaol and Smoky Cape Lighthouse before heading northward. After late lunching in Grafton we headed home stopping briefly at Maclean Lookout (a beautiful vista) and our place in Ballina for a cuppa and pit stop. And then there was two (vehicles). We trust you, too, made it home safely.

It was good to catch up with some old friends and make new ones. Thanks, Greg, for a great weekend despite the rain.

Rob & Vicki Noble SC169