Around Old Bar and the Manning Valley

Shhh - I almost hesitate to say anything out loud, but despite the weather forecast I actually had mostly blue sky today, and it was nice and warm too!  Bonus.

Just south of Old Bar is the small village of Wallabi Point.  As you can see, the ocean and beach are still recovering so there wasn't any action on the beach today other than me.

Just south of Wallabi Point is Saltwater National Park.  By National Park standards it is small, only 33 hectares, but it has much to offer.  The park conserves rare coastal rainforest and wetlands but also boasts two swimming beaches, great surfing, a spectacular headland and a saltwater lagoon particularly suitable for small children.  And on the western side of the lagoon you can safely explore upstream into the Khappinghat Nature Reserve which is right next door.

Saltwater Reserve, located within the National Park, has special significance for the local Aboriginal community (Biripi) as it contains Aboriginal sites which relate to Dreamtime beliefs.

There is a wonderful walk out to the headland here and I spent a good portion of this afternoon admiring the coastline and watching the waves crash against the rocks.

I loved the walk out to the headland - it was a little bit like something out of Wizard of Oz.

Khappinghat Creek runs from the ocean and it creates a little saltwater lagoon ideal for swimming.

Tonight my friends took me for a drive into the Manning Valley.  The Manning Valley is named after the river which flows through the lush area - it extends from the coast, inland for about 50 kms to the mountainous Great Dividing Range.  This part of the country would always receive a certain amount of rainfall, but given the rains of late everything is particularly green and lush.

I just loved this tree.  As my friend said, it has seen a lot of life... and I love the fact that the new regrowth covering it is beautiful, little, purple flowers!