On the way in to the New England National Park I began passing snow gums and trees so hoary with mosses and lichens that I couldn’t say what they were underneath.
At over 1500m above sea level, this park has spectacular views looking out but also looking in.
Gondwanaland plants like Antarctic Beech and tree ferns make some of the walks here as eerie and green as a trip into the land of Lord of the Rings.
Treading gingerly over damp tracks and beween giant mossy rocks on the side of the escarpment brought me to the Weeping Rock – whose tears were frozen mid-fall.
And thence to Point Lookout itself, where I wasn’t game – yet again– to venture on to the cantilevered viewing platform.
By the time I got to the Wollomombi Falls, the highest in Australia, the sun had sunk too low to get a good photo of these rugged and quite scary falls. You’ll have to go there yourself!
But I walked a little and heard so many bird calls, one after the other, that I knew a lyrebird was about. And then I saw him! In a small copse of shrubs, singing through his wide repertoire of mimickings, and displaying his beautiful tail. What a treat!
Aren’t national parks great?
Hi Gaye,
My time there was actually very short, as I had but one free day between book talks and Owner Builder interviews – and that only because of a cancellation. So it felt like a truant’s holiday – and I made the most of it. I want to return and explore all the ‘falls’ roads I didn’t take!
Hello Sharyn,
What a marvellous time you have obviously had travelling the Waterfall Way and all its side tracks. The moss and lichen covered rocks and trees are just magical, as is the frozen drips. And the lyrebird sighting must have capped of what what was already a truly wonderful time spent amongst nature.
Thank you for sharing your trip with us – what special memories this brings back to me of time spent camping and exploring the New England NP.
Regards
Gaye
Thanks for the comments, Denis & DWG. It’s awesome country.
But it was at least 10.30 in the morning when I snapped the frozen weeping; a local friend said it might stay like that all winter.
And they were all timber floored platforms there; I think I’d rather ones through which I could see their support structure and just how much they were cantilevered over the abyss!
You are wise to stay away from those platforms in my opinion, but I too don’t like that. The pictures are just incredible!! This must have been a wonderful adventure to see all of these naturals and to be able to capture them to share is a true gift. I am amazed at the frozen running water and it is truly beautiful.
The lyrebird in his full display. A wonderful and most enjoyable post!!!
Hi Sharyn
Stunning frozen waterfall. I assume very early in the morning. Unusual to see running water get frozen in Oz, as we are seldom THAT cold. Ice on buckets and pools, sure, but not what you have seen.
Great work to capture the lyrebird displaying.
And the Antarctic Beech trunk is great.
At 1500 metres, it is pretty high indeed, so no wonder the view is great.
NPWS workers love to make those lookouts with open grill bases to scare people just like you!
Cheers
Denis
Trevor, this was my first display as well. As for the platforms, if rockslides occur and even bridges collapse occasionally, why should I trust a man-made structure in such a position?
Hi Sharyn, a lovely shot of the lyrebird. I’m surrounded by them every morning, but in 25 years in the bush I’ve never seen one displaying, can you credit that? They’re shy creatures apparently. BTW I know precisely how you felt about the viewing platform!