Day 16 – Down in the valley where nobody goes.

Time for a quick shower, breakfast and a little exploration of the campsite before heading to our next destination. First up was the wharf.

Then off to a historic site 1.5km down the road. Oh, we forgot there wouldn’t be any medieval castles, but was expecting to find at least an old aboriginal settlement. No, it was 19th century farm buildings. Though very interesting to see how many times the family had to change the type of farming style due to floods, fires and diseases. Starting as a dairy farmer, this quickly changed to wheat and maize after major floods. As wheat disease destroyed all the crops so they turned the area into a successful fruit plantation, especially citrus fruits. Another great flood sunk any dreams of continuing as the orchard were all annihilated. Still wanting to farm, the family turned to sheep. This was one of Australia’s first major sheep farms and paved the way for Australia to now being the number one wool exporter in the world.

Another road trip to get supplies and onward to our next destination, Wheeny Creek campsite in the Wollemu National Park. The journey was really good as we headed further inland until we got to the gravel track which started at the top of the canyon and finished at the bottom by the creek. Several potholes, ridges and debris to navigate along the 45⁰ slope downwards but Sarah got us there in one piece.

We arrived at about 18:00 to check out our surrounding areas. A quick flowing creek with a sandy beach and caves all around. As there was no one else around and we had no WiFi or phone signals we decided this wasn’t the place to be brave and have a swim. We had passed enough signs of the dangers and in light of the few incidents around Sydney and The Gold Coast over the past two days we didn’t fancy being tomorrow’s news headline.

We pitched the tent overlooking the creek and set it up hopefully for a better night’s sleep than the night before, after purchasing an extra duvet for the ground.

The fire ban had been lifted at this site earlier in the day so we gathered wood and got a small fire going. Enough to boil a kettle and keep the mosquitoes away.