2 Geckos Travelling Australia: Sat, 20th Sept, 2014 Megalong Valley (sightseeing)

3.7 degrees at 6.30am and only 4.9 degrees at 8am. Slow start. Steve looked out the window and saw a cat sitting on a rock – tied to a tree. The motorhome couple had a Burmese cat with them and he loves travelling. Got my cat fix – but I don’t think I want one to travel with.

Drove further down Megalong Valley Road (dirt now) to where the 6 Foot Track crosses it at the Megalong Historic Cemetery. The 6 Foot Track is 45 kms in length from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves and was constructed in the 1880s. It was known as “The Bridle Trail” til 1937. It was six foot wide to allow 2 laden horses to pass. It is a rated “hard” as there is several long steep ascents and descents and you will need to overnight.

Because it goes through private property they have put these stiles in so walkers can get over the fences. There were a few cars here – most do the 15km return trek to Cox River. One couple we met had fishing rods as the trout are spawning (we noticed on a fishing sign that you can’t fish till the 1^st Oct). The road down (Aspinall Road) wasn’t on our map or GPS but leads to a few properties, one a winery that had its cellar door open today from 11 to 5. Maybe we should check it out!! There is a 6 Foot Track Eco Lodge 7.5km down the road (3hr walk). From where Steve was on the stile – note the thin walking track to the other side where Aspinall Road follows the track for a while.

There is a cairn to commemorate the pioneers of the district and a list of the people buried in the cemetery behind it.

We only found two graves. It was in use by 1891 and Jennifer Hilton had their ashes put there in 2004 as she was the great great granddaughter of Thomas McLaughlin. Thomas died 1912 and his daughter Alice died 1910. The other grave had fallen over and you couldn’t read it.

We drove further down Megalong Valley Road passing various properties. The main big one is Euroka. Got a photo of this letterbox – will have to email it to Kev & Linda.

Through a gate to Packsaddlers – trail rides, accommodation, refreshments – sounds nice. At the next gate there is a note about paying a donation to access her private land to get to the Blue Mountains National Park beyond. Dropped in a couple of dollars as we went through.

The horses didn’t want us to pass but Steve quietly got them to move by inching the truck forward. No one was around as you drive right beside the house etc. Doesn’t look like a very good tourist place – can’t see any accommodation or refreshments!!!

Across a very wobbly bridge – don’t know what its load rating is but it didn’t collapse.

Into the National Park and we thought we were all alone but there were 7 vehicles in the parking area of Dunphys Camp Area under the cliffs of Narrow Neck. Crazy walkers again heading for Wild Dog Mountains and the Katoomba to Kanangra routes. It is very nice with plenty of space for campers, BBQs and ‘windy loo’ toilet.

Again there were stiles for walkers to climb over into private land as they head into the National Park trails. Note the fine for anyone using motorbikes or horses - $11000. The 4WD clubs etc used to come through here, Steve said there was big writeups in the magazines with them complaining about it being closed off to them now.

Drove on to the end of the road and stopped at a “no trespassing” sign on the property fence.

Lots of kangaroos nearby.

Wombat hole but no wombat.

Back out again over the wobbly bridge and back to our camp for lunch. Another motorhome arrived and a chap with a big lounge chair. A family group who like Harleys were having a get together – might be a noisier night. They said it had been 1 degree in Katoomba last night.

Off again and turned off into Nellies Glen Road hoping it would take us up to the 6 Foot Track where it comes down from the ridge above. But the road stopped at a property gate so we didn’t continue.

Drove halfway back up the range to Mermaids Cave Walk. They had the grade as easy but check out the stairs – they were called “Posiden’s Stairs”. Hand carved!!

That’s Steve at the top coming down the next set in between two big boulders.

I clambered across to the where the waterfall was. Hope that tree is sturdy. Knees were wobbling abit.

Steve wanted a topless shot – oh I forgot I had a singlet on under that shirt!!!

Quite a drop – I feel very small.

Crept across to get my hand under the waterfall.

Steve’s turn but he wouldn’t climb up!!

Someone thinks this tree and rock looks like the Little Mermaid – not sure what they were drinking.

Another family arrived – watched them climb back up the stairs.

Followed Pulpit Hill Creek and a path down the hill till it came out on the other side at the road. There is another track heading up the hill following the creek further down but that’s enough for now. The road is too narrow to walk back up it so we followed the track back to the waterfall again.

Looking back at the creek below from the road.

Back to the Mermaid Cave – big cliff face overhead. Gap on left is where we walked down the stairs.

Some original art!! And modern art!!

Now the climb up again.

Back on the top – how did anyone find it!! Another track leads off over the top towards the source of the creek but we gave up as it continued along the ridge.

Further down the road stopped at another walk area at Coachwood Glen. Another relic from the past tourist times. Nice little wander over Pulpit Hill Creek and under lush tree ferns then up into the drier mountain ash trees then down again pass water vine corner through the coachwood forest back to the road.

Back to camp and we wandered over the road to the other camp sites. Found a wombat hole in the roots of the tree. You can where he climbs back up. Saw another one on the other side of the camp area and Mr Wombat would climb down a little gully then up and then down into his burrow – Steve could see his muddy footprints but we didn’t see him. Too cold to stay out at night to stalk him!!!