Hey everyone! I have about a half hour to tell you all about yesterday so here we go! I stayed in Port Macquarie as I mentioned in my last post. I got up bright and early per usual and realized that it was still raining. I wondered how this would effect my plans for the day. I headed to the breakwater near the beach in the center of town. You are actually allowed to paint the rocks that line the water apparently because every single rock was painted that was nearest to the road, some even out several feet. Some look like they were professionally done. It was cool to see all the things that were commemorated: anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, trips, deaths and even beer.
I grabbed some breakfast and wondered what would be the best way to spend this day because of the gloomy weather when suddenly it hit me: it's raining, why not head to a rainforest!? That makes sense right? So I did. After pitstopping in the town of South West Rocks, I headed inland to Dorrigo National Park and spent most of the day there walking through the rainforest. It was pretty cool given the time of year. The canopy did a great job of keeping me relatively dry during most of my walk but by the time I had about 2km left to go before getting back to the rainforest center, the skies really opened up and not even all the cover I had could keep me from getting really wet. Again it was nice to be alone. There was barely anyone there outside of a group of schoolkids who were doing the short circuit, not the long one I was doing.
After my time at the rainforest I had a choice to make. I could either head straight for Byron Bay or I could take the "Waterfalls Way" would would take me further west. It was like 3:30PM and my decision to continue west, well, it wasn't a good one. I did get to see Ebor Falls but by the time I got to the road to see Wollomombi Falls, it was getting pretty dark and it was a dirt road with cows crossing it. So I said no way. Especially since I was realizing now that I had a fairly serious gas situation on my hands. I was under a quarter of a tank and I was some 70+ km from the closest town. So I had to CONTINUE west, just for the purpose of filling up, knowing that I would have to backtrack to go east. Basically, I went 140km or so out of my way. That's pretty bad but I guess if that's the biggest mistake I make then that's not too too bad. But what did kill was the fast that I paid over $100 for gas!!!! Geez, I won't feel so bad when I fill up and it totals $60-$70.
Oh the fun didn't end there though. The road to get back to the northeast to the town of Grafton which is right off the Pacific Highway was CRAZY. It was all twists and turns and switchbacks. My car HATES me after that drive, that's for sure. When I arrived in Grafton, they said I was pretty lucky not to see a kangaroo on the road. I'd say so too, I saw signs saying that there were kangaroos and possibly cattle crossing over unfenced areas! ARE YOU KIDDING?! If I had hit one of those it would've been really bad news. Anyways, I made to Grafton unscathed and was forced to stay there last night.
Right now I am in Byron Bay, having left Grafton early this morning. It is STILL raining, very hard at times. Sometimes it looks like the sun could break out, and then it pours again. I have to figure out what to do on yet another rainy day. I hear that we should finally get good weather back tomorrow. I hope so! I'll be staying in Byron Bay tonight and I'll let you know how today goes!
I grabbed some breakfast and wondered what would be the best way to spend this day because of the gloomy weather when suddenly it hit me: it's raining, why not head to a rainforest!? That makes sense right? So I did. After pitstopping in the town of South West Rocks, I headed inland to Dorrigo National Park and spent most of the day there walking through the rainforest. It was pretty cool given the time of year. The canopy did a great job of keeping me relatively dry during most of my walk but by the time I had about 2km left to go before getting back to the rainforest center, the skies really opened up and not even all the cover I had could keep me from getting really wet. Again it was nice to be alone. There was barely anyone there outside of a group of schoolkids who were doing the short circuit, not the long one I was doing.
After my time at the rainforest I had a choice to make. I could either head straight for Byron Bay or I could take the "Waterfalls Way" would would take me further west. It was like 3:30PM and my decision to continue west, well, it wasn't a good one. I did get to see Ebor Falls but by the time I got to the road to see Wollomombi Falls, it was getting pretty dark and it was a dirt road with cows crossing it. So I said no way. Especially since I was realizing now that I had a fairly serious gas situation on my hands. I was under a quarter of a tank and I was some 70+ km from the closest town. So I had to CONTINUE west, just for the purpose of filling up, knowing that I would have to backtrack to go east. Basically, I went 140km or so out of my way. That's pretty bad but I guess if that's the biggest mistake I make then that's not too too bad. But what did kill was the fast that I paid over $100 for gas!!!! Geez, I won't feel so bad when I fill up and it totals $60-$70.
Oh the fun didn't end there though. The road to get back to the northeast to the town of Grafton which is right off the Pacific Highway was CRAZY. It was all twists and turns and switchbacks. My car HATES me after that drive, that's for sure. When I arrived in Grafton, they said I was pretty lucky not to see a kangaroo on the road. I'd say so too, I saw signs saying that there were kangaroos and possibly cattle crossing over unfenced areas! ARE YOU KIDDING?! If I had hit one of those it would've been really bad news. Anyways, I made to Grafton unscathed and was forced to stay there last night.
Right now I am in Byron Bay, having left Grafton early this morning. It is STILL raining, very hard at times. Sometimes it looks like the sun could break out, and then it pours again. I have to figure out what to do on yet another rainy day. I hear that we should finally get good weather back tomorrow. I hope so! I'll be staying in Byron Bay tonight and I'll let you know how today goes!
Vines hanging down over the trail path
Not bad for not having someone to take it! This is me behind Crystal Shower Falls
Tristania Falls
Upper Ebor Falls
Lower Ebor Falls
A view of Port Macquarie
I think Nehemiah wants to surf
South West Rocks
A view from a lookout heading up to Dorrigo National Park
I guess it was a PERFECT day for a trip to the rainforest!
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