Posted on April 23, 2023 by Ken Banks

Tourist Destinations for the Retirees

Heather and Paul provide more tourist destination ideas.

Heather continues with her updates on the wonderful retirement holiday tourist destinations throughout Australia. “Following on from their time in Arkaroola they headed south to Ikara Flinders range for 4 days, such a stunning area, Wilpena pound & Brachina gorge, Arkaroo rock. We’ve done a few walks, hiked St Mary’s peak loop 21klm and 1100mtrs, a big day but incredible. Had a big rainfall one night at Brachina gorge and tried to help out a bogged caravan heading out of a gorge , the national parks had to come and we also saw another van jack knifed in a creek bed. We’ve had a couple of flat tyres.

The last four days have been spent at Silverton, Broken Hill & Menindee. Really enjoyed this area, so sparse. Did a few tourist destinations, the Palace hotel where Pricilla was filmed and the mad max museum. Amazing sunset at Menindee bush camp and living desert park. River Cruise in the Menindee lake and some historic stops. Also the Pro Hart museum.

We have started our drive home and are looking forward to seeing the clan, Briddy baby is due in 7 weeks ”

Click on pics to enlarge.

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Posted on April 21, 2023 by Ken Banks

Retirement Holiday Destinations

Retirement Holidays for local Ulladulla couple, Heather and Paul.

Heather provides this update on the wonderful retirement holiday, touring throughout Australia. “For this trip we are doing a five week loop version. Down to Cape Conran and the Marlo free camp where the snowy river meets the sea, then a little surf for Paul at Salmon rocks, then four amazing days at Wilson’s Prom. Climbed Mt Oberon for our 38th wedding anniversary and a couple of other hikes. Cruise to skull rock was spectacular and a quick stop at Peninsular hot springs. Ferry across to Queenscliff and then headed to Apollo Bay / Cape Otway.

Few days along the Great Ocean Rd, Johanna camp ground, Otway National Park so beautiful and the coast. Then ‘The Grampians’, can you find me in the forest pic hiding behind a tall tree?

We spent a few nights at ‘The Grampians’ and did a couple of wonderful 14klm hikes up and down. Spectacular area very lucky with the weather clearing at each view. Complimentary infrared sauna & cold plunge at our camp.

Spent time at Port MacDonnell, Mt Gambier and Southend SA. We did a cold snorkel in the Ewan’s Ponds absolutely unforgettable crystal clear water with an under water garden and limestone, we did three ponds. Visited the Blue lake. Had a dip in the cool ocean and we could not resist the lobby territory

Spent four days at Arkaroola in the Flinders Ranges, incredible area, wildlife sanctuary with bush camping. We did the 4wd ridge top tour, it was great, and a couple of walks.

Hope all the Mollymook ocean swimmers are doing well and a happy 79th birthday to Isabella” Click on pics to enlarge.

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Posted on November 2, 2021 by Ken Banks

Bird Life, Inland New South Wales

Waterbag Road, Mutawintji

Rescuing a lamb in trouble on the dirt road to Mutawintji

Bird Life, Inland New South Wales

October 11, arrived allowing regional travel to begin. I immediately left Mollymook and travelled to the Mutawintji National Park. Exiting the sealed roads, you have about a 1 & 1/2 hour drive along the dirt Waterbag Road through numerous huge sheep stations, opening and closing cattle gates, other stations were separated merely by cattle grids en route to the Mutawintji National Park. Mutawintji is in Far Western NSW, approx. 130 km from Broken Hill and 350 km from Tibooburra. The ancient landscape of the Mutawintji National Park, is rich in Aboriginal history. Great bushwalks and camping under the outback night sky.

I returned via Boorowa. Every entry into Boorowa has signage; “Superb Parrot, Superb Country, Welcome to Boorowa”. In the past 30 years driving through Boorowa I had never seen a Superb Parrot. Neither had a friend who grew up in Boorowa. So I just thought the signage to be a bit of nice advertising. The weather was not good, I parked at the Caravan Park, awoke in the morning to showers and an overcast sky and decided to pack up and go home rather than stay a day. Then, SWOOSH! The noise of about 50 or 60 Superb Parrots went overhead and landed in this tree next to the caravan park that was heavy in blossom.

The following week in beautiful weather, blue skies, ideal for bird photography, I took off on another trip out West. My first stop was the Boorowa Caravan Park hoping to get some good pics of the Superb Parrot. The tree that had been heavy in blossom had been stripped bare. Not a Parrot to be seen. So I headed to Young, not far from Boorowa and came across flocks of Superb Parrot’s. Thereafter I headed to Grenfell, then Forbes, the following day to Cowra, back to Boorowa then onto Jugiong. Then to the Yass River and gorge area on the way home.

The following pics below, are just a few of the many bird pics taken. Nonetheless they will give you an idea of the different varieties inland as compared to here on the coast.

(Click to enlarge to pic)

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