As promised up at 05:00 for the sunrise.  We walked to the viewing area where we had seen the turtles, which was pointing due east. Our two friends were present again on the path,  but this time hung around long enough for their photo.

Time to pack up camp and get on the road. Quite a long trip up to our last camp site before Brisbane.

On the way we stopped at Woodburn Park to fill up our water bottles. Like a lot of infrastructure in NSW it was fairly new, 1999. Very clean and well maintained and a social hub for the locals as it looked over the river.

A lot of the journey was spent crossing over the meandering river as it snaked through the countryside. This involved a lot of bridges today, all different designs and varying lengths like the one at Woodburn Park.

We soon stopped at Coles in Lismore to use their Internet and get supplies. We were reassured that the locals had all been jabbed and branded, some by choice. Time to get fuel and the attendant filled us up.

On route we came across many local fruit stands with honesty boxes, so bought a mango.  Maybe we’ll have one exotic meal.

We continued on our way until we entered the Nightcap National Park, stopping at the Minyon Falls a few kilometres from the camp.

Much to our surprise we couldn’t find Kevin or Dave there. But out of respect for them we ate a banana.

The falls

The falls were fairly impressive,  but it is nearing the end of summer.  They must be magnificent during the rainy seasons. 

We continued up to the camp and were actually grateful it was dry season or we wouldn’t have made it.

The campsite

The campsite was the first place we had been that wasn’t spotless and you could smell the toilets from around the site.  Luckily our pitch was away from them.  We set up camp and went to survey our surroundings

Tent up. time for a hike

Off through the forest we go on the Boggy Creek Walk trail, coming across different habitats for different animals,  insects and reptiles. We were even able to climb up the dryer parts of some waterfalls, though the water holes along the trail were murky and didn’t look inviting enough for a swim.

After reading the local signs,  there’s a little more caution of what we can see and what we can’t. We took an empty Coles carrier bag which came back full of wood and bark ready for a fire. There are no BBQs on the site except in the Indigenous area that no one else can use.  So it was going to be an old-school fire in the fire pits.

Back at camp it was time for a shave.  The hot water on the dashboard would do.

Another hot meal, as we had boiling water.  Then settle down for some cards.

We never leave anything out or in the tent,  the animals would love to investigate so it’s all cleaned and locked away in the car.