Wed, 17 Sept, 2014 Camden to Megalong Valley (Blue Mountains)

Just remembered Pete saying the Jack Ingham is buried on this Horse Stud property at Scone, next to his favourite racehorse. He had sold the property to Arabians and I took photos of the very large stud, Emirates, at Scone as we went through so that would have been Jacks.

Very windy with clear blue skies as we say bye to Pete and Marion and head north. Passed the area where Oran Park Raceway was – now a housing subdivision with streets named after the drivers – I had put the map on previously.

Through some lovely rural area then onto the Motorway for a short while before the slow climb up to the Blue Mountains.

Lots of roadworks and trucks!! Through all the small towns perched on the ridges with the railway line beside the road – big coal trains going past from Lithgow.

Turned off at Blackheath to find our campground at Megalong Valley. Should have realised Valley meant going down. Steep narrow road, luckily only met 3 cars. Truck not going to be happy about the return trip with the van!! Went from 1100m above sea level down to 590m.

Lovely view down the valley and looking back to the escarpment.

Set up camp in nice area beside Pulpit Hill Creek at the Old Ford crossing reserve.

Beautiful rosellas feeding in the grass near us.

Male (all red) and female

Had lunch then off again back up the mountain to explore. Lovely old wagon.

Stopped at the info sign and took photo back up to where we had come from.

Saw the white buildings of the old heritage “Hydro Majestic Hotel” in Medlow Bath so zoomed in on it. Love my camera.

 Oops don't know why that rotated.

Found another Nova van in Blackheath where we arrive after climbing out of the valley.

Great view from Govetts Leap.

Amazing – this big tree growing from the rock below the waterfall.

Into the information centre for info on lookouts, walks etc. Great displays.

Informative map. Will follow the roads.

Pulpit Rock Lookout – 400 metre, 15 min (one way) easy grade walk. Yeah!! If that one was easy I hate to see hard ones.

 Steve saw a waterfall on the escarpment over the valley so I zoomed in and he was right.

Looking back to Govetts Leap lookout ,

 the waterfall,

 and at the Govetts Leap lookout.

Great views down and around from Pulpit Rock first lookout, though the wind was howling.

The “easy” stairs we just came down.

Steve checking out a cave. No paintings!!

Further out to Pulpit Rock – was a very windy walk. Steve didn’t like the stairs. His glasses made it hard to look down. Glad there was railings – Steve and I both having vertigo spinouts. Unreal scenery – we have our own grand canyon here – was amazing. The wind here was 80 knots!!! We didn’t let go of the railing.

More love locks

Fantastic scenery and sheer cliff faces. It was very cold and windy.

Steve hiding from the cold wind  –fancy having that house – great view.

Steve needed to go!! Walkers looked after before the big climb around the ridge to Govetts Leap.

 Can't work out why these are turning sidewards!!!

Map from Evans Lookout, Govetts Leap to Pulpit Lookout – near town of Blackheath.

Drove further round to Anvil Rock – unreal rock formations and a lovely place for a memorial seat.

 There is an Anvil on Anvil Rock – how did they get that there.

 Who’s a big boy then!!

Sydney in the distance. (just left of the big hill)

More majestic views from Anvil Rock – we have our own grand canyon.

A short walk away is this wind eroded rock – you can see a line of river stones up high in one of the layers.

A drive further around the escarpment to Perry’s Lookdown and more spectacular views to the Blue Gum Forest. Don’t think we will do the walk down to the Blue Gum Forest – I can see them from here!!!

Then walked to Docker’s Lookout.

A bit of history.

Good campground here in National Park so will check that out next time. 

Back in the car and on to Katoomba, Echo Point and the Three Sisters. Last time Steve & I were here it was covered in fog we couldn’t see anything. Nothing seems to Echo though.

Saw it again when I came through here with Louis on way to Bathurst and vowed to do the walk one day onto the first Sister along the Honeymoon Bridge. Maybe tomorrow!!

Looking back to Scenic World – will check that out too. I want to do the steep railway.

More views.

  – the sun catching the escarpment in the distance

Took a few videos today of the views and the bell birds singing. Photos can't take wide enough shots to take in all the majestic views. 

Looking to Sydney as we head back that way to Blaxland to view Suzie, who I have known from Playgroup days.

Had a lovely catch up and dinner with Suzie, sons Justine & Christopher. Husband Martin arrived home from work as we were leaving. Great to see them all again.