Goolawah Community

During our southwards treks we always call in to visit and stay with our great friends Roger and Belinda at the Goolawah Community near Crescent Head. We always get to partake in terrific walks in and around Maria River National Park, this visit was no exception. On this occasion we walked across country to the coast. The total distance of the return walk was 12.7 km. You could say we were a little tired on our return to Goolawah Community but we had enough energy to down a few beers.

This was our last stop-over before we reached Goolawah Community. A large and well grassed free camp area behind the Shell Roadhouse at Halfway Creek, just 35 km south of Grafton. That is our caravan visible in the distant background. We are the only campers in  this photograph but we had many neighbours later in the day.

Halfway point of our bush trek, lunch on the beach. From the left Judy, Belinda and Roger. This and the next two photographs taken with my iPhone.

We had rain in the area a couple of nights previous to our walk and this meant we had to wade through water, sometimes above our knees, through about five sections of lowlands. Roger is leading with Belinda following then Lucas, a German visitor to Goolawah, then Judy. 

Another section of water and positions reversed here. Judy, Belinda and Roger.

Grafton/Goolawah Community

On the way to visit Roger, Belinda and Glen at Goolawah Community, this is near Crescent Head, we pass through Grafton. We decided to stay at there for a week because the show grounds are a very easy walk from the Grafton CBD. We were able to leave the car parked and discover much of Grafton on foot and it is only $125 pw with power.

We had been invited to Goolawah Community to celebrate Roger's 60th Birthday on October 3rd but we set up the van and stayed for a week. I didn't attract ant Tiger Leeches this time but Jude collected several large ticks on her torso. Jude is now known as a "Tick Magnet". We also found a dead tick in the shower recess on the way home.

Roger, Belinda and Jude preparing a picnic lunch.

Our view from the picnic table over the Hastings River towards Port Macquarie.

Looking in the other direction along the Hastings River towards the ferry landing at Settlement Point, Port Macquarie.

Goolawah Community

The winter weather came in on us earlier than we anticipated, this forced us to abandon our planned journey up stream along the Murray River at Robinvale. We  will return to the 'Murray' at a later time when the season is more comfortable for travel. The decision was made to seek better weather on the eastern coast. With this in mind we planned a 5 day journey across NSW ending at the residence of our dear friends, Roger, Belinda and Glen, at Goolawah Community, arriving there on the 20th June.

We made one night stop-overs at Goolgowi Rest Area, Tommingley South Rest Area, Terramungamine Reserve and Bendemeer Rodeo Grounds. The last stop-over will be etched into our minds for some time as we woke to -4 deg C temperature. Had the gas heater going and stayed inside until about 9 AM. Then we had to get on with our travel.

Roger, Belinda and Glen allowed us to stay with them for 16 days. During this period we were able to experience life in the Community and also be of some limited help with the daily chores on the 'block'. In the final days of our stay at Goolawah Community many of the residents got together on a Wednesday night to watch Match 3 of National Rugby League "State of Origin" on a live TV broadcast. Queensland (The Maroons) played this series decider match against NSW (The Blues). Glen, Judy and I were the only Maroons supporters in a den of Blues supporters. Fortunately the Maroons won the match and the Series, for the seventh year in succession. We couldn't gloat to the Goolawah Blues supporters as they vacated the TV room at match end.