The view below was from the mountain we had been 4 wheeling on and looking towards where they held the Olympic rowing and a short time later the bush fires burned all the way down to the river and then jumped it to the other side! We headed down to Wiseman's Ferry where we followed track notes that were in an offroad magazine that we bought that morning after Ron had shown us. It was good to be away from city traffic and met no one while driving around in this area even though it was the week before Christmas. 

4 wheeling next to the Olympic rowing site and a natural road cutting.

We found a deserted camping area in the Dharug N.P but there was no where we could setup as they had sectioned off all the grass and flat areas. Seeing we were there by ourselves I managed to drive off the top of a drain and squeeze in between some trees to get in. It had a shelter hut that had a nice water tank that we made use of having a nice hand towel wash before going to bed. Did hear the strangest of noises that sounded like a cross between a bullfrog and a donkey nearby but as there is nothing to fear in our bush we didn't worry about it. Of course very early the next morning before we had got away the Ranger turned up to mow the area and found us on the wrong side of the fence. Well I walked straight up to say g'day and after a few pleasantries was told I was not supposed to be there but showed him there was nowhere else so he accepted that and said there were plans to cater for the increasing number of people with tent trailers in the future. Also told him about the noises of the night and he had heard them before and recorded it and it turned out after some research that it was male Koalas arguing with each other so he was going to check the area after we left.

Dharug N.P campsite shared with some grunting Koalas!

The tracks are fairly easy in this N.P only needing some clearance and a line to get through but no need to engage 4wd which was unfortunate but the way things seem to be going in this state and others now too. Did find some aboriginal art on an unmarked track below a campsite and then some a bit further on etched into rock that the magazine had said were a bit pornographic but being very faded would need a good imagination to see it.

Solid Sandstone track made too easy by the N.P. and local cave art.

When we came out of the scrub we came across this quaint little town called Wollombi and even a tourist bus was there to show people around this historic place with its old pub hall and shops etc. with local handcrafts and artifacts from a bygone era. After looking around we headed back to the coast and had a shock as the highway came to a standstill and then just crawled along. As this was the last weekend before Christmas people had come out in droves to setup their campsite along the coast ready for the summer holidays. I feel sorry for those without air-conditioning as it was in the 30's again ( 90's F ) as it had been for the whole holiday. 

The historic Wollombi township and our Highway alternative.

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