A Week to Kill

So, we had a week to kill before our booking at the Warrumbungle National Park, and Peter left the planning up to me. He said, and I quote, “You just tell me where to go, and I’ll follow your directions”.  This was my first solo trip planning and I wanted to make it count. What better way to do that, than to explore the Pilliga Region.

A nice little circuitous route, even if I do say so myself.

Sculptures in the Scrub. What can I say about this place…we loved it! I had planned on two nights here, but we extended it to three. And of course, most of the roads were dirt, or sand. We do love a bit of off-road.

Sculptures in the Scrub is a remote bush camp, saying that, it has excellent facilities. There are a few picnic tables and BBQ’s, two long-drop toilets (cleaner than some toilets I’ve seen in shopping centres) and is very well maintained. There is a booking fee of $6 through the NSW National Parks and Wildlife and is worth every cent. On a side note, I got a chance to photograph some birds, I haven’t seen many this trip. Probably just the wrong places at the wrong time of year, but I had fun with these little fellows having a bath.

Our campsite also gave us access to the Sculptures and Dandry Gorge walking track. If you’re in the area you have to do this. It’s an easy walk, two and a half, to three hours to do the full circuit. We did it in about four. No, we’re not that unfit, but we tend to detour and explore the tracks less walked. What can I say, we’re rebels? Oh, and Peter does enjoy his afternoon snooze.

The Salt caves were a bit of a disappointment, mind you, I’m not really a cave kind of person, but the fire tower there offered an exceptional 360 degree view of the area. If heights don’t bother you, climb up and enjoy the view. There’s also a two km return walk to a dam, but when we were there the dam was under construction. Saying that, it was a great walk through the sandy scrub and a good way to kill a few hours.

Our last stop on my plan was Lake Yarrie. We arrived there late in the afternoon, and soon after were treated with a stunning sunset, complete with rainbow. You may have guessed from the foreboding skies, that we were in for more rain, if you did…you were right. This is another great place to visit, it’s a very shallow lake, three kms in diameter, and a very pretty area.

It really did rain hard the second day we were here and that, combined with past rain, had made the lake overflow in some areas, covering the path that circumnavigates it, so we didn’t get a chance to walk around the lake, but if we are ever back in the area, we will be sure to drop in to do just that.

Next stop Warrumbungle NP. See, we can make a plan and stick to it, we’re still on our way to Walgett. We’re just taking the scenic route.

See you out there somewhere

On tow and on the go!