Tenterfield Adventures - Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 June, Part One.
I was excited when friend Jan invited me to join her hiking in the Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo National Parks. A 4 hour drive from Brisbane takes one to the New England Tableland and Tenterfield, where we based ourselves. The area has an average elevation of 900 metres and experiences cold frosty winters and the very occasional snowfall.
Day one - left Brisbane at 7.30 am, temperature 19 C. By the time we had climbed up onto the plateau, it had dropped to 7C. A hot cuppa was enjoyed at Bald Rock picnic area, before our ascent of Australia's largest granite monolith of 260m height. I love climbing, but my body often stalls, so I wasn't sure if I would succeed climbing the open face.
Let the fun begin!
Jan could quite easily have raced up, but was very supportive of me. This was one of numerous rest stops. Had I not had my poles with me, I would have had to have turned around.
The higher we climbed, the more spectacular the views became.
Success! The worst is done.
From here on up, the trail was very comfortable to walk, with many photo stops for the view and not for calming the racing heart.
Sunshine warmth for our low temperature snack break.
Heading back down.
We joined a 3 kilometre track for our descent. This trail also had the wow factor with all its giant boulders.
Looking back to Jan.
After a wander along the main street of Tenterfield, we made our way to our motel on the town's outskirts. This striking 'winter' tree was outside our room and looked amazing against the late afternoon sky. You will see more of it in my next post.
A cuppa was made, and rugged up, we headed outside to watch the sunset, sitting in the motel rotunda. 5C.
Wow, we were treated to a spectacular colour show, that lasted a good hour.
It was an exhilerating, triumphant day under glorious, sunny winter skies. The climb and those vast views are unforgetable. Watch this space for day 2.
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