The campervan next to us also sought an early get away, but found itself stuck in the mud - so we were pleased to be able to help push them out. Like us, they won't be making that ,mistake again!
We then drove further into New England National Park - seeing numerous Kangaroos en route , and did a small walk at Point Lookout, by which time the sun had come out and it was quite warm (especially when out of the breeze). Far reaching views across volcanic formed landscape, now populated by rain forest as far as the sea some 60 miles or so away.
Then we continued along the waterfall way, stopping for a walk and more breakfast at Ebor Falls, a play at Danger Falls, lunch at Dorrigo National Park (enjoying the warmth of the sun) - where they have built elevated walks at canopy level.
We then travelled down to the flats at Bellingen, seeing on the way plenty of rabbits and a fox in farmland that could be in the UK. For anyone who has seen the movie The Shine which is a 1996 Australian film based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who suffered a mental breakdown and spent years in institutions before coming back to perform a concert, There is a statue to David Helfgott in the town.
From Bellingen we hit the coast (it was noticeably warmer back at sea level), and travelled down towards South West Rocks.
At South West Rocks we camped in Hat Head National Park. We arrived in about 5.15pm, the campsite is a couple of hundred metres from the beach, and sandy (but hard sand - no chance of getting stuck). As Liz got out of the van she spotted kangaroo tracks, and just a second later 2 HUGE kangaroos bounced past, stopping to have a good stare at us. It was great to see them up this close, especially as one had a joey in its pocket.
The National Park campsite left us with a dilemma: There was an honesty box for camping, and the fee was 21 dollars. We only had a 50 dollar note. We elected not to pay. We figured the park ranger would not be around too early, but to be on the safe side we put a note in the honesty box explaining the "no change" situation as apparently fines can be applied.
There were no other campers there, except for another campervan that was unoccupied. . We then walked to the deserted beach as it got dark (cool wind) and returned after dark and lit (after three attempts - Eleanor's attempt being the successful one) an enormous camp fire (there was plenty of wood about) . This enabled us to eat and sit outside (still enjoying the gin we brought with us duty free from Singapore - but we are on the last third of the 4th and final bottle!). Saw some form of marsupial tree mouse while sat around the fire. From looking at Google we wondered if it was a bush tailed phascogale alternatively it may have been a small possum.
The whole time the other campervan - parked a good 100m away from us remained as far as we could see unoccupied (which the kids found a bit unnerving).
On the budget side, a great day - just 21 dollars spent on food, and not a cent more (although we did not fill up with diesel today and in all probability we will have used a good 60 dollars worth).
It was a much warmer night at sea level than the past 2 nights, and we had the sound of the sea crashing around us as the only noise.
Point lookout (1564 m high)
8am at Point Lookout, the sun out causing mist to rise from the valleys
View from Point Lookout (similar views from the length of the Waterfall Way)
Ebor Falls
Proper Aussie sight - farmer on horseback rounding up his cattle with his trusty dog
Danger Falls - Dorrigo
Evening camp in Hats Head National Park - eating in front of the fire
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