Observations from my last destinations. I was always planning to stop at Dorrigo Holiday Park after a brief visit last year – loved the beautiful location with its peace and serenity. Dungog to Armidale proved enough driving for one day even though work has vastly improved the Armidale to Dorrigo leg. The Waterfall Way however closed a few kilometres south of Dorigo towards Coffs Harbour after a rockfall. It’s a beautiful but challenging landscape – rock and tree falls par to the course. Settled on a two night stop in Dorrigo to include a day to explore some of the spectacular national parks.
The Australia Day weather forecast is diabolical for most of the country. Dorrigo National Park is actually only about 1.5 K from the Mountain Holiday Park, a walk of about 900 metres down the main road, and then turn off onto another road, which is also fairly busy. Not the best walking surface. Not the best idea especially with the kelpie. Next time drive to Dorrigo National Park car park.
The big loop Wonga Walk is a decent distance, about six and a half kms along a very well maintained track. Very cool, mostly in shade – perfect for walking. I shouldn’t have actually had the dog there. Nobody said anything, and obviously she was on the lead. So we wandered along, came across some really lovely old trees and spectacular waterfalls, and not many people. But by the end I seriously questioned my decision to walk from the holiday park. Down to the pub for dinner at the recommendation of Pete, the fabulously bearded park manager whose mantra is “Whatever, mate, you’ll be right. No worries.”
Camped beside me was one of those little self-contained vans with a trailer + car on the back. Occupied by Mick from Melbourne (Gippsland ). He tells me it’s his home. With his wife in care in Melbourne, he’d had to sell the house to pay for it. It’s a familiar tale… but by the same token, he’s living his best life , first stop after Tamworth for the full fortnight of the country music festival. Another on my list of must dos. We had a bit of a chat that afternoon, touched base again the following day briefly, for more talk about places to stay in Tamworth , driving distances, and maps, and problems, and good things, and bad things about life on the road. It doesn’t matter where you are, there’s always somebody that’s up for chat.
I’d recommend the Dorrigo Hotel Motel to anybody. The only pub in town. Food’s amazing. They have 3 Nepalese chefs apparently and a diverse menu.
A challenging detour down the mountain because of the rockfall not far along . Pete assured me that it was okay, a bit narrow, but you take it carefully. A 10 ton limit, so no trucks.No trucks doesn’t mean no traffic, because, obviously, it’s the only way that people can get from Coffs Harbour or Bellingen to Dorrigo or Armidale, really. It was long- on many occasions slowing to a stop because oncoming traffic and very narrow roads don’t go well together .
My first impression of Ingenia Holiday Park, Byron Bay is that of another Bright. Code for check in, code for this, code for that. I venture off to find the site number, immediately take the wrong turn, heading down a one way street with nowhere to turn around. A park person does a bit of shouting and ultimately guides me to a different site. It’s really quiet right near the walk down to the beach. A lovely spot. And there’s a couple beside me that came to my rescue when I realised I’d left a hose fitting behind somewhere. They are living their best life in a caravan called Frank. The beach is just magnificent.It’s a dog off leash beach, and it’s long. The view of the lighthouse at one end. I’ve really never been to Byron Bay. We ticked the walk to the lighthouse off the list.
Young people make up the visible population of BB at the moment. Late teens , early 20s. On holiday from abroad, waiting for the uni year , whatever, not a lot of little children anymore; Byron Bay probably doesn’t attract young families. I’m amazed by the proliferation of e bikes seemingly to me the most dangerous looking things ever. People flying around the place with kids in the passenger seat. No helmets, what can you do? Can’t put brains in statues.
So I am about an hour out of Bris Vegas – Elliot’s birthday.A big hole in my heart.
To pack up and p… off has its hazards but they are far outweighed by the positives. I love the fact that there are no restrictions . It’s up to you where you stop. It’s up to you how long you stay. It’s up to you how far you drive. And what you do. The actual caravan set up is brilliant; perfect for one person. I would not want to be in this space with more than just myself and my age and stage of life.
So… there’s a whole new world out there. All I can say to anybody entertaining the idea of hooking up and taking off. Just do it. Don’t worry too much about where you’re going( of course Elvis/Tamworth are exceptions), although if you’re travelling as I was in holiday time, you have to deal with restrictions in terms of days and numbers because of holiday bookings.For me personally in future, I would choose little towns with the smaller parks or even just the local show ground.
After Ingenia at Byron Bay was quite lovely, it’s time to dole out a couple of awards. Byron and Dorrigo would be heaving at the height of holidays. Camping with just four or five others is blissful. The ladies’ amenities block at Dorrigo has a bath! We didn’t use it, but it has a bath. So they get a big tick. I think the cleanest and most modern up to date amenities award goes to Khancoban – a beautiful spot for a prolonged stay. On the lake, with the mountains in the background. The least enjoyable award goes to the Big 4 Holiday Park in Bright. Great for holidays with small children, but if you’re a single person looking for peace and quiet it’s not for you.
Hiring a van means you have tech support at the other of the phone -mostly. And there are always going to be glitches. Fortunately , nothing insurmountable this time but a better equipped tool kit next time. Enjoy !
