Monday 20th September 2010 - Pilliga Scrub

September we found ourselves on the way to Melbourne to attend two weddings.  We took our time and made the decision to spend a few days in the Pilliga scrub area in the North West of NSW.  It's an area we had driven past plenty of times but have never taken the time to have a closer look. 

As we needed a few supplies we called into Coonabarabran and while there got some details of the area from the Information Centre.  If you intend visiting the Sandstone Caves it is necessary to get directions as it is not signposted (as a request from the Aboriginal community). 

After lunch, we headed up the Newell Highway and then a 10 km sideroad to the Pilliga Pottery.  They produce some nice pottery and we bought a jug with a gecko on it (which we thought we would use for 

gravy).

Pilliga Pottery

From the pottery, we made our way to the previously mentioned Sandstone Caves in Pilliga Nature Reserve for the one hour walk.  The formations here are quite amazing and also include rock carvings of kangaroo and emu prints, as well as groves from the grinding of stone axes.  A lovely walk, lots of shade and the wildflowers were very spectacular.  Amazing what good rain does.  

From the caves we crossed Timmallallie National Park and Timmallallie State Forest on No 1 Break Road (good dirt road) to Baradine and the main Information Centre - The Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre.  We needed some more information on the area and to work out where to camp for the night.  This is a fairly new Centre and has some excellent information and displays.  We discovered the differences between State Forests, National Parks and Nature Reserves - human usage decreasing for each one until there is very little access to Nature Reserves.  

We ended up camping at Salt Caves dam, a pretty spot in the National Park northeast of Baradine - and not another soul in sight.

Tuesday 21st September 2010

Tuesday morning we went for a walk up to the Salt Caves Picnic Area - again the wildflowers were amazing along this walk).  The picnic area is quite new and has a toilet, covered picnic tables, barbecues and a water tank. Also checked out the Salt Caves.  Apparently, the early settlers used salt from the caves to salt meat but we didn't see any evidence of salt.  The Ranger at the Interpretive Centre in Baradine later told us the caves are nothing like they once were, having caved in in more recent years. There's also a bit of a debate about whether the whole story of salting meat from the cave is fact or fiction.

From Salt Caves we headed down to Dandry Gorge.  A good dirt road although some of the creek crossings have been washed out requiring a little caution.  The wattle along this road was absolutely beautiful.

On first arriving at Dandry Gorge we wondered what hit us after hardly seeing a soul in the forest so far.  There were cars everywhere.  Apparently, Stanthorpe Lions Club do a tour each year and this year they just happened to be travelling through the Pilliga.  We spent some hours in here at Sculptures in the Scrub where a number of sculptures have been set up along the escarpment.  

It’s all very tastefully done and no doubt will be a great drawcard.  The wildflowers again impressed – hundreds of varieties everywhere.  The only disadvantage of the wildflowers is that they are not so good for my hayfever.

We continued to crisscross the park on reasonable gravel roads - washed out in places and timber down in others requiring detours - and eventually finished up on Tuesday night at Pilliga Artesian Bore, north of the Pilliga Forest area.  We enjoy a nice soak in the afternoon and again the next morning (need to be careful of the very slippery bottom in the pool).  .  A lot of money has been spent doing up the spa - toilets and a cold shower all at no cost.

Wednesday 22nd September 2010

Wednesday we called into Pilliga for a coffee and then headed back into the northern section of the Pilliga (Pilliga National Park) along Cypress Way and Squires Lane.  We went for a walk along Etoo Creek which would be spectacular when the callistemons are in flower as they are everywhere. 

From there we turned around and took a left into Squires Road.  Followed this to Cuttabri Road.  Just before Cuttabri we had quite a deep creek crossing (probably Friday Creek). Fortunately, the bottom was quite firm but we were thankful for 4WD.  We then headed to the Aloes (Euligal State Forest) for lunch.  The Aloes is the sight of an earlier homestead and apparently has a resident population of Koalas.  We had a look around in the treetops but didn't see any. 

From the Aloes it was back to Baradine via Cumbin Road.  We revisited the Information Centre hoping to buy a booklet on the wildflowers of the area (no such luck). A bit of shopping and a very nice coffee and gluten-free cake at 'Freckles' and we were off south to Odell's Crossing in Wittenbra State Forest for camp on Wednesday night.  The first crossing on Butler's Road was quite washed out and requires caution.  We had a lovely grassy camp beside the creek - again with no one else in sight.  Lots of birds to keep us company while we relaxed before attacking dinner. 

Thursday morning we headed back to Coonabarabran and on towards Dubbo.  We were very impressed with the Pilliga and will call again.  The wildflowers, in particular, were just amazing.