Nymboida Jackadgery and Gibraltar National Park

Decided to go north to see something different.  Went over the CLARENCE RIVER and to have lunch at the HARWOOD PUB voted most desirable pub food for 2012 in the lower CLARENCE.  I must say it was very enjoyable.  Also while we were there we found a miniature train display under the bridge the biggest display in N.S.W.   The chap running it was very chatty it's all done for charity, he also does a community breakfast radio show.  He will be at the Blues Festival doing live interviews whats us to come by for a chat.  Visited Ashby these little communities are just so interesting the green scenery is out if the world been on the river is a bonus.
     Last Wednesday we got up early, on a road trip off to NYMBOIDA first.  What a great place we arrived at COACHING STATION INN for morning tea.  Out the back of the Inn it had a raging river being the NYMBOIDA river very good for white water rafting just so good to see so much clear fresh water.  And next door to this is a museum of interesting things.  How right they are it is fantastic owned by RUSSEL CROW. The pictures will tell the story.  The Cobb & Co Coach here is the biggest ever built carrying up to 100 passengers been pulled by 22 horses in 1859 to 1863. Unbelievable me thinks!!  
      Next we went into the Goolang Creek were they created a white water canoe course well done.  Walked along to the NYMBOIDA power station which is where the course started.  It has been used in world title events.


So now off to JACKADGERY on the MANN river we booked in here for the night a little cabin only $65 for the night not the turtle but it was adequate.  Went for drive around the place very pretty the views were great. Up next morning getting ready for all the bush walking we are going to do.
      The WASHPOOL national park it is a 8.5klms took about 3hours just beautiful rain forest with lots of waterfalls and birds, lizards.  Lots of leeches became very friendly they were every where it was so damp so by the time we got back I had so much blood in my shoes only had ankle socks on.  Chris had only two bites on him I had about 13 little buggers.
      Then off to Raspberry Lookout unbelievable so huge.  There was so many different walks also you could go camping.  All the walks are well signed I think there is about 12 different ones starting in four core places.  The Gibraltar National Park is the one place to visit half way between Glen Innes and Grafton.  Well that's it for the moment. CHEERS !!!!!

Yamba oh gorgeous Yamba!!!

Well we left STANTHORPE 31st JAN raining of course, over all it's a great place just cold and wet. On the road to YAMBA or so we thought went through TENTERFIELD then stopped at DEEPWATER for lunch best works burger ever HUGE.  But we found out the Gibraltar Range was closed mud slide so new plan back to TENTERFIELD then go through CASINO  pretty place.
       Running out of daylight we decided to free camp at RAPPVILLE.  Up early go through GRAFTON then over the CLARENCE RIVER wow what a sight.   Saw where the level of flooding was if we had  been 3 days earlier we would have been submerged.
       Arrived YAMBA 11.30am settled in nicely not raining thank GOD!!!!!  Decided to walk the the town the history is quite interesting.  The beaches not so nice at the moment all the dirty water from the mighty CLARENCE RIVER spilling into the ocean.
      We decide to go to Angorie for a drive only 5klms just beautiful beaches and blue pools of fresh water its also the home of the owner of BILLABONG so you can imagine it's a surfing place.  Its also the start of YURAYGIR NATIONAL PARK.  A lot of walks start here coastal of course.  Wooloweyah is another little place has the most spectacular Lake.  It is where they catch prawns.

     The following Sunday we caught the ferry over to ILUKA a beautiful fine day.  Takes only 30min nice way to see everything. Went to the markets then on to a rainforest walk which took around an hour.  It came out at the beach just stunning.  Had lunch at the great pub then waiting for the ferry had a capp at ferry side cafe very nice.


      Had a few days not doing anything much reading and fishing, walking and cycling around the place.
Joined a GYM of course very good, the classes are great.  Also I'm right next to CURVES so I pop over there for a circuit now and then $5 a go.  Met some lovely people very friendly but I miss my friends at home.
      We decide to go to MACLEAN they call the Scottish town of NSW  a quaint little place.  Driving in all the power poles and different with clan colours wrapped around them they have a huge festival at Easter.  All the Scottish dancing and games and whisky drinking you can do.  Chris looked at  a hobie kayak for fishing it's one you paddle still thinking. All in all a very different place.

      Decided to have a massage just a bit of TLC for me excellent.  Chris still doing his fishing I even went down to watch and he caught a flathead 45cm so from the sea to the plate in two hours very yummy.
      We went for more sightseeing went to MINNIE WATERS first very small village on the beach nice. Then onto WOOLI a bit bigger coastal village on a river as well seemed very popular big in fishing.
      The next tiny little place  is RED ROCK much the same just all great little places gorgeous scenery and quite.   Another place I forgot to mention was BROOMS HEAD .

Been a few times  to GRAFTON  Chris found his favourite store Aldi also stopped a few at ULMARRA a little village that goes way back most of the shops and the pub are heritage listed.