Weekend at Barrington Tops

I spent a wonderful three days exploring the world heritage-listed rainforests of Barrington Tops, about 250 km's from Sydney.  The first two days was with a Meet Up group  (Sydney Explorers), the third day by myself.

Highlights included:

• The great place where we stayed (Wangat Lodge) set in the tranquil forest, teaming with wildlife.
• Ken, the wonderfully friendly, passionate and knowledgeable proprietor of the lodge who took us on some stunning walks, and regaled us with some great stories.  Ken had a gorgeous little daughter, and their close, loving relationship was beautiful to watch.
• The lovely, chilled out group.
• The first day hike (22 km) to the top of Carey's Peak through misty forests and our elation when the mist magically cleared for a little while at the top so we could enjoy the vista.
• The gorgeous flowers and leaves along the way and the changing vegetation as we gained altitude.
• A bracing swim after the hike that felt more potent than a trip shot of espresso coffee!
• A really fun game of table tennis with Maj-Britt.
• An early morning hike on the second day which was a bit like a treasure hunt as we searched for bottle tops to show our way.
• Ian's great navigation skills.
• The beautiful reflections in the river, along the way.
• A freezing, but exhilarating swim in a forest pool that I don't think had ever felt the sun.  I screamed like a little girl when I hit the water!
• Great fellowship and conversation around the fire in the evenings and on the tranquil patio during the day.  
• Some lovely heart to hearts with Elna, a fellow South African.
• Adrian and Rudi, wonderful characters, who made me laugh a lot.
• Great spiritual discussions and some wonderful laughs with Maj-Britt.
• A fun hike guided by Ken. The highlight was the enormous fig tree in the forest, which some intrepid adventurers decided to climb.
• Lying on the helipad at night as a group, and looking out into the vast night sky, filled with awe at the beautiful stars. On the final night, when I was alone, I went back and spent hours doing the same.
• A fantastic discussion with Ken on my last night over a glass of port, about life and death, religion and spirituality, music and poetry, nature and wonder.  Ken gave me a collection of poetry by his recently deceased friend and it's inspired me to start writing poetry again.
• A fantastic hike at the Williams River on the final day, through pristine rain forest.  The highlight was sighting of Regent's Bowerbird.  I've only seen it once before.

First day: 22 km hike to the top of Carey's Peak

Walking through the beautiful trees

Leaves of every shape and variety.

The spring flowers were still out in force.

This amazing hut is ticked away near the peak. It's in a beautiful spot, definitely somewhere I'd like to come stay sometime.

A beautiful rock pool near the hut.

Here we all are, elated at the peak.

Having fun on the way down.

Surrounded by a bevy of gorgeous woman.  Tough life here in Australia!

No hike is complete without a leap.

Having a bracing but wonderful swim after the hike.

Second day early morning hike

A restful hike through forest glens, following bottle tops.  The swim was one of the coldest I've ever had.  What a way to wake up!

Beautiful reflections in the water.

Coming out of the forest, into the sun, which felt amazing as we were cold from our swim.

Third day hike with Ken

Ken, our wonderful guide, is the friendly looking guy in the middle.

Playing around with Ken's magnifying glass.

Group photo in the forest.  What a beautiful fig tree.

Beautiful wildlife along the way.

Life back at the lodge

Third day hike at The William's River

Pristine rainforest.

Beautiful textures in the rain forest.

Old buildings on the way