Cobar

The CSA Copper Mine was opened in 1871 and closed in 1920 when an underground fire broke out (which burnt for 16 years!). In 1962 it was re-opened and is still active.

Gundabooka National Park

Gundabooka is a small National Park just south of Bourke. It contains Aboriginal rock art from the Ngemba people.

Back of Bourke

We tried to see Narran Lakes and went on a long dirt-road detour. Unfortunately, Narran Lakes are invisible and inaccessible from the road (access with special NPWS permission only). 10km before rejoining the main road the track was flooded and we had to turn around. We did come to see water but not on the road!

Mushrooms growing in sand...

Road still flooded, had to turn around

Water everywhere.... and birds!

Darling River in Bourke. Level of flood water visible on trees.

North Bourke Bridge. Originally built in 1883, bypassed in 1997. The only lift-span bridge left in NSW.

Lightning Ridge

One of the few areas in the world where Black Opal is found. Lots of eccentric characters in town! Here's what people do when they are not digging for Opals:

2500 species of cacti from all over the world, some over 50 years old.

Artesian Bore @ 41.5 degrees Celsius

House out of bottles and cans....

Castle out of rocks...

... and concrete.

Massive amount of work and totally empty!

Cottage from 1916 (with electricity!)

Best coffee in town

The surrounding landscape is full of mine shafts and tailings.

New England Tablelands

Gibraltar Range and Washpool National Parks

There are a number of different ecosystems in these two adjacent National Parks: 1) Rainforest dominated by Coachwood with some stands of red cedar left after selective logging since the 1840s; 2) Tall open forest dominated by Eucalypts (including Sydney Blue Gum!!); 3) Wet Heath and Sedgelands forming hanging swamps on granite rock; 4) Dry sclerophyll Forest dominated by Stringybarks and a dense Teatree/Bottlebrush midstorey; and 5) Granite rock outcrops.

The Needles Lookout

The biggest Blue Gum we saw was over 1.5 metres in diameter!! Can't find that in Sydney anymore...

Lyrebird Falls

Little Dandahra Creek

Camp Site scavengers...

Hanging swamp

The 50km loop called "world heritage walk" is also an excellent mountain bike track!

Rainforest on the washpool walk. Gorgeous!! It even comes with leeches..

Granite lookout

This map is excellent! Available at the National Parks office at Glen Innes.

Swimming hole and day use area at Mulligans Hut.

Luxury camping at Mulligans with cold showers, flushing toilets, fire wood and picnic tables! Thanks Carley and Jim for a fantastic start to our trip!!

All packed and ready to go!