Aussie Trekka
4x4 & Camping Australia
A family of 5 from New South Wales, Australia out there enjoying this awesome country we live in.
Camping, 4wheel driving, offroad adventures and generally good times.
Waterfalls and Back Roads December 2016
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People tell me all the time they can’t do much on their budgets and having a good time cost to much money. Well all i can say is you are doing it all wrong.
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3 kids, 2 adults, 800 kilometers, 3 awesome waterfalls, 3 beaut national parks more lookouts and amazing scenery than i could count, mixed in with a night of camping and memories that will last a lifetime for under $250. This was all fuel, food, snacks and accommodation.
4wd vehicles are not needed for this trip although there is plenty of opportunities for a good low rang session or two.
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We started out trip from Taree on the NSW mid north coast. Heading up the highway then cutting across to Dorrigo but first we stopped at Bellingen for a look at a couple of places where i went tones of times with my dad (also with family and friends).
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Moving on from ripper childhood memories to Dorrigo and Dangar Falls for lunch.
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From hear we traveled onto Ebor a quick 50 minute drive. To say the water falls at Ebor are spectacular is an understatement and to see it with more water would be brilliant.
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Ebor falls has plenty of BBQ and picnic facilitates and there are many walks of varying degree.
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From hear we traveled on into the Cathedral Rock National Park.. Was really disappointed with the camping area and what was provided especially for a place that costs a little more than other campsites in the same area. After this let down we looked at our options and decided to travel through to the last waterfall planned for this trip. On the way we came across New England National Park and decided to check it out.
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What an awesome surprise this place was. The Thungutti campground we lucked upon had dozens of campsites and firewood is supplied there are free gas BBQ’s in an undercover picnic area. You name it and this place has it. There are also several walking tracks that people can tackle if they feel up to it.
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There is plenty of room for any type of camping from small tents/swag setups to camper trailers and caravans.
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Up early in the morning for a quick breakfast and a trip up to the top of the mountains for a look at what else this place had to offer. Point lookout, I have been to hundreds of lookouts all over this country and this is one of the most spectacular.
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It should be noted that the walking tracks we went on are all very close to the car park and facilities. There are longer hiking trails that could be completed over a few days from what i was reading on some signage.
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Moving on from this magic location we headed to our last waterfall stop of this trip. Wollomombi Falls has it all. Picnic areas free gas BBQ’s plenty of tables and areas to sit and take in the surrounding area. Well laid out walking tracks that make it easy to get to and from the viewing platforms. Whilst this place is brilliantly set up the waterfall itself was not flowing at all.
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There is also a really well laid out camping area not far up from the picnic/day use area. I would say that it’s 4 or 5 hundred meters away and just an easy stroll. Each site is separate and has a BBQ/fire pit and once again fire wood is supplied. Not sure what the cost is per night but i would assume like most other places in this area about $6-$8 per adult.
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Back on the road we back tracked 10 kilometers to Kempsey Road. this is 140 odd K’s of dirt road some sections are very narrow with a very long drop down but the scenery is outstanding and well worth a look if you are out that way.
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I don’t want to spoil this road with a heap of pictures take my word for it. It really is a great drive and i highly recommend it if you are thinking of a road trip for something different. There are a number of spot you could camp and the road follows the river and with dozens of places you could pull up for a swim.
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Back at the Kempsey Service Centre for a coffee and a the kids could stretch out on the playground.
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We had an absolutely amazing time all for a couple of hundred dollars. Apart from the odd child disagreement in the back seat everything went smoothly. There really is no excuse as to why anyone can’t do a trip like this. Often i hear “but you have a 4wd” this trip could be done in any vehicle. It just comes down to wanting to have a go and enjoy our beautiful country instead of complaining about it.
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