New South Wales, ACT, Victoria: 01. – 17.02.2011

Our way brought us into the Megalong Valley, where we set up in a bush camp in the shade and planed our route back to Melbourne. After half a day back and forth and what would be the best option we more or less decided; we would go back to the ocean because there was the one or the other dive spot that we didn’t want to miss.

However the mountains should not be left out. Unfortunately bigger hiking plans had to be canceled the thermometer persisted on his 40°C. So we left the Blue Mountains behind us and headed a bit north thru the Wollemi National Park into the Gardens of Stone National Park. We heard that there was an old railway tunnel that is currently occupied by glow worms. That as well as the cool temperatures in the tunnel where tempting enough. So we didn’t really know what to expect but have been overwhelmed by the darkness and all the tiny point in it. We felt like were in our own little universe.

After this spectacle we headed for the Kanangara-Boyed National Park. Far off the tourist tracks we bumped along a forest track. Again and again Wallabys crossed our path, also an Echidna and even a snake showed by. It once more was an excursion just after our taste. However we haven’t managed to flee from the heat. But we did find another short term solution. Close by where caves we could visit without the timely pressure of a guide. We set up camp on the adjoining campground and enjoyed the luxury of a real shower. We found a little secluded spot for us and so it didn’t take long till some Kangaroos decided to get their dinner in our close proximity. By the time our dinner was ready we had a whole herd grazing around our quiet little spot. For many people this gets to a common encounter, for us it will always be something very special.

After cooling off in the Wombeyan Caves the next morning we headed back for the coast or a bit more accurate to the Booderoo National Park at the Jervis Bay, where we finally wanted to get our dive gear our again. And our second wedding anniversary was just ahead and of course we wanted to celebrate that accordingly. But it all came different. Thru the Minnamurra Rain Forrest we got to the little coastal town Shell Harbour. In the last couple days purulent little blisters developed on Sonjas right eye and on time for our anniversary the whole eyelid was swollen, it didn’t look all to tasy. Not wanting to take any risk with the eye we decided to see a doctor, so we headed for the ER in the local hospital. Shouldn’t take long the nurse said. That was a lie, it took five hours waiting before a doctor came and diagnosed: bacterial infection from an insect bite or a scratch wound. Phu, nothing serious and with a prescription for some tablets we got to go. Just for sunset we found a nice little spot at the bay and celebrated our day in Italian style. Not to disturb the healing Markus went for the dive himself while Sonja enjoyed the sun, the clear blue sky and the bright white beaches.

Our next destination where the mountains again actually the highest mountain of Australia the Mount Kosciusko with 2’229 Meters. On the way we passed thru the capital of Australia, Canberra. We got the feeling of all but a capital, no dominant skyline but green everywhere you look. Big highways, two lane roads, empty even during ‘rush’ hour. It really seems like only governments ‘works’ here but nothing and no one else. So after visiting the famous war memorial we went straight on to the jewel of National Parks of NSW. On the drive to there we got another feel of why these parks are there. Right up until it border the forests get ruthlessly exploited, clear cut and regrown only with foreign pines of course all lined up.

In the mean time Kangaroos were our dear companions and the favorite evening company on our journey thru Australia. No matter where we’ve been it didn’t take long until at least one of these interesting creatures came by. One evening in the middle of the wild we counted a little herd of about 18 Kangaroos just around us. Just at dawn a second alpha male joined the group, so we got to witness a ‘boxing fight’ right next to us. What it was about we don’t know but we guess that it was, like always with men, about women. They just stood on their toes supported by the tail and tried to hit the other with their front paws. Occasionally one just stud on its tail held it ‘enemy’ with the arms and kicked its rear legs into the stomach of its opponent. While it seemed the herd tried to get some cover behind us we watched this ‘spectacle’ as it developed. Ultimately they just continued grazing so who the winner was we don’t know. However this is nothing we will forget that quick.

The next morning we got the cooling off in form of permanent rain and clouds covered the mountain we came for. With the weather forecast not really promising we continued south to the Alpine National Park in Victoria without seeing the Mount Kosciuscko at all. As we got there it was weekend, so it was just crowded with tourists, reason enough for us to keep going. Of course that was not meant to be a paved road, since that is one of the 4WD Mecca’s in Australia, we decided for track that would lead us most directly south. While we in the beginning thought ‘what an easy track’ it continuously got more and more difficult, though most fallen trees across the track where already cleared by our forerunners, some weren’t and couldn’t and also the little creek that crossed our way was quite deep because of the recent downpours. However the steep slopes with some wet rocks needed all the attention from man and all the gimmicks from machine to safely make it thru so in the evening we all were glad to finally have some good gravel road beneath the tires again.

The last bit to the Wilson Promontory National Park we drove again on a mostly bump free sealed road. In the mean time the sun was dominating sky again, that we could go hiking again. Until today one can see the scars from the devastating bushfire from summer 2009. With whole forests of dead trees still standing, however the undergrowth is coming back and the floor is covered in green and flowers all over the place. The evenings we enjoyed at the different beaches along the peninsula and too soon we headed back to Melbourne with a little side trip to the striking Cape Liptrap, because on February 18th our ferry to Tasmania was due to leave.

These where our experiences on the Australian mainland so far, how we are doing on the southern island you can read in the next report.

Till soon.

Sonja and Markus

Here it goes to the pictures...

Here it goes to the underwater pictures...