Categories: australia, bushwalking-hiking
Date: 15 April 2006 10:18:41
I started my explorations of the natural wonders to be had around Bargo and the Southern Highlands today. From a small bushwalk along a creek to a stunning waterfall to driving though the very picturesque Kangaroo Valley: it was wonderful.
Bargo, where I now live, is -- at least that's what the van owned by the local hotel has painted on its side! -- the first place where the Koala and Lyrebird were sighted by white men. You're probably more familiar with the koala, so click here to find out about the beautiful lyrebird.
I started the day with a leisurely walk through the bush on the Cave Creek Walking Track. As the name suggests, the creek runs through a cave, and at the end of the walk you reach the point where the water exits the cave. There was but a very small trickle of water coming out today: no doubt due to the lack of rain we're currently experiencing. I'd like to return there after a few days of rain and see how the creek and the cave have changed. It was a wonderfully relaxing and beautiful walk nonetheless.
The most wondrous, dare I even say magical, moment was when I turned a corner and began the descent to where the creek was. My breath was literally taken away. The scene before me of a gully, with trees towering high and ferns covering the ground; the creek, with pools of water interspersed with a dry bed; and the sheer rocks on either side, jagged and hard, firm and strong. I truly felt as if I had found a bit of paradise: I even considered staying there for the rest of my life -- a hermit in his little bit of paradise. But the fact I could never survive outside society soon put paid to that idea! I found a fallen tree and sat down and read, after eating a cucumber and some plums, a chapter of Biship Hilarion's The Mystery of Faith. As I opened it, Unordered's word Godincidence entered my mind: I was up to the chapter on Creation. A very profitable read, in the cool of the gully, with the wind rustling the leaves, some trees -- perhaps ready to fall -- creaking in the wind and the birds in the air calling to one another.
I then drove down to the town of Kangaroo Valley: the winding road, barely able to allow two cars to pass and with its many hairpin turns, was an enjoyable drive. At certain points you could see the valley spread out before you: at other points, a sheer cliff face loomed on one side and a sudden drop [with no fence or barrier!] on the other. Kangaroo Valley also has one of the most amazing bridges I've seen -- and to think it is in such a location. Hampden Bridge is the only surviving suspension bridge from Australia's colonial period: it was opened in 1898. The huge sandstone towers are spectactular. In relation to bridges, it reminds me of the spectacular Cammeray Suspension Bridge on Sydney's northside (which I didn't discover existed until my early 20s!): more reminiscent of a mediaeval castle to me than a bridge in a relatively young city.
On the way home, I stopped by Carrington Falls. There was, I thought, a significant amount of water dropping the 50 or so metres, but when looking for pictures I came across this one: as with Cave Creek, a return visit to Carrington Falls after some rain is on the agenda. It was a pleasant round walk, with various signs highlighting the plants found in the area: the drive in and out was also lovely -- dirt roads (I do wish I had a 4WD at these times!), often canopied by trees with the sunlight filtering through. I wish I had've brought along my Psalms CD so that I could join in with King's College Cambridge in their chanting of Psalm 148, which I felt was so appropriate for the day: I truly did feel at times as if all creation was giving thanks and praising God: the roaring of the waterfall, the vastness and stillness of the valley, the dripping of the creek as it exited the cave, the leaves of the trees rustling...all tuned to a hymn of praise to the Creator:
Praise the LORD!
Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his hosts!Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!Let them praise the name of the LORD!
For he commanded and they were created.
And he established them forever and ever;
he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and mist,
stormy wind fulfilling his word!Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Beasts and all livestock,
creeping things and flying birds!Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and maidens together,
old men and children!Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his majesty is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his saints,
for the people of Israel who are near to him.
Praise the LORD!