It was time to leave the sanctuary of Sydney and the amazing hospitality of Benny and Steph

One quick stop to the barbers first.

Found another place for a quick trim before jumping on the train to pick up the rental car.  We upgraded the car from a small MG to a Hyudai Kona as a backup to sleep in which would also allow us to safely cross the territory.  With numerous diversions in place due to flooding we could be diverted down dirt tracks not suitable for small cars. 

Since arriving in Australia, we have slowly been building up our camping supplies from various op shops (charity) in many towns for our plans of camping.  We bought a new small tent in The Blue Mountains as they were having a mega-sale. On route we stopped at a small town on the edge of the national parks with a supermarket and a few charity shops.  Here we picked up utensils and food ready for our weeks of BBQs and salads as we criss-cross NSW and on to The Gold Coast. The weather is set to pick up again so we could be in for a roasting.

Kangaroo welcoming committee

Well we finally got to the camp site and were so excited to see a kangaroo. We drive around locating a pitch, to be greeted by about 50 more kangaroos. Out of the corner of my eye I see something scurrying across the grass.  We take a look and it’s a  echidna (looks like a porcupine). It’s quite hilarious really because a mother and her joey also come to take a peek.

We set up camp and noticed lots of activity on the river. There were a flock of pelicans perched on a long fallen tree who soon moved once the crows came to town.

We ate a camping style picnic with the roos enjoying the show.  All in all there were about 6 other groups of campers spread around the site but for some reason most of the wildlife seemed to be congregating around our tent.  An earlyish night after a game of cards as we should wake to a harmonising dawn chorus.