Richmond River Independent All images: Susanna Freymark
Explore close to home and be blown away
I am close to the sky.
The breeze in the thick canopy that covers the hillsides makes the mountains look like they’re moving. The landscape is more ocean than forest – even though I stand 110km from the sea.
This is Pinnacle Lookout in the Border Ranges where the peak of Wollumbin-Mt Warning shouts its presence by protruding from the waves of green.
This is your backyard. An hour’s drive from Kyogle.
To get here, drive the winding country roads, mostly gravel, past tall white eucalypts stretching for the sky and lush paddocks of chewing cows, some with calves nudging their bloated bellies.
There is no sign of another human being. Whipbirds call through the rainforest trees as other animals go about their business in silence, unseen by me.
The sun is setting and long shadows arc across the slopes, welcoming the darkness.
There is so much to see yet nature tells me I have all the time in the world to take it in.
If the ancient Githabul landscape could speak, its voice would be deep calm. Like its presence.
I am alone.
I am small.
And the world is big.
Nature is the authority here and all I can do is marvel at its beauty.
MUST VISIT
Kyogle Visitor Information Centre for maps and advice
Wiangaree General Store for a coffee and a hamburger (with beetroot) for $11
The Pinnacle Lookout
Swimming hole at Lynchs Creek School
Brushbox Falls near Sheepstation Creek
Blackbutt Picnic Lookout
WALK
Brindle Creek walk – 6km
Bar Mountain circuit – 4km
Red Cedar Loop – 750m
Rosewood Loop – 6km
Palm Forest loop – 1km
WILDLIFE
Giant barred frog
Koalas
Birds – Australian logrunner, whipbird, eastern bristlebird, crested shrike-tit, wompoo pigeon, golden whistler, little lorikeet and Pacific baza
STAY AT
Sheepstation Creek Campground – 26 sites
Forest Tops Campground – 3 sites
For bookings call 1300 072 757
MORE INFO
Park entry $8/car per day
Border Ranges National Park Phone 6632 0000
Website nswparks.info/border-ranges
This article appeared in the Richmond River Independent, 3 February 2021.
