Trek 13 Watagan State Forest (Yarramalong to Tuggerah Camping Weekend)
Friday 15/07/2016
We are off again on another long weekend. Leaving Hornsby early we first travelled to the hamlet of Yarramalong. First stop was the General Store where we go a nice coffee and I forgot to get petrel. This was a nice drive along paved roads.
From the General Store we were off to start the Trek.
The plan was to drive into the Onley State Forest to the camp sites and see which one we like and then set up.
The first stop was The Basin camp site and picnic area. This is a lovely site next to a slow moving creek with only a couple of camp site.
From The Basin we travelled further into Onley. We got a little lost, not sure if we were traveling in the right direction or if we had passed the camp sites. A stop on the side of the road to look more closely at the book and maps and we were off again to the camp sites.
We arrived at Onley HQ where we checked out the camp site. There are 5 camping areas all closely located in this area, Casuarina, Turpentine, The Pines, Wattle Tree and Onley HQ.
After check out each one we settled on Onley HQ.
Now to set up camp.
Judy and I have read a lot about eating while camping and a lot of people say you do not have to eat just the basic. Judy has made it her goal to try and cook good food while we are camping. She had a surprise for day one.
Dinner would be sausages. The surprise would be the dessert.
Dessert was a Vanilla Berry cake cooked in the camp oven.
Friday was a day to sit around camp and just relax.
Saturday 16/07/2016
Today we would be exploring Onley and Watagan State Forests. First we would have to go back to Yarramalong to fuel up. This gave us a chance to check out some side tracks that I had seen on the way in on Friday.
Once fuelled up we were back into the forest.
We had read about an alternative (4wD only) route via Old Mill Road to get to Onley HQ and this was one of the goals for today, as well as the lookout in Watagan.
Old Mill Rd.
This was a wet and challenging drive that we had a lot of fun on. Around 500m from the end of this route the bridge was out and we had to turn around and back track. Bummer.
Once we had back tracked it was off to Watagan State Forest and the lookouts. There are five main lookouts, McLeans, Hunter, Heaton, Gap Creek and Monkey Face lookout.
Back at camp Judy continued the theme of eating well and we had Chicken and Veg.
Everyone had a big day.
Saturday night we had a bit of rain but we were dry and warm in the tent.
Sunday 17/07/2016
We were up early the next day. We had a nice bacon and egg breakfast. We packed up the camp site and started our trip home. Another great weekend camping and 4wd. Now to plan the next one.