Bellbird Campground, Washpool National Park, New South Wales: Part 1.

We found a lovely site at Bellbird Campground; bordered on three sides by young Coachwood Trees and with plenty of sun from the front for our solar panels.

Bellbird Campground, Washpool National Park

We set off to explore the campground on foot and discovered that the only other campers were near the camp kitchen busily engaged in screen printing a large quantity of Tibetan Flags. We thought this was an inappropriate use of a National Park drinking water supply. They didn't appear too happy to see us wandering around with our cameras and they packed up and left early the next morning. We were grateful for this because we aren't really into listening to monotonous music beats and smelling great wafts of pungent smoke while sitting in a National Park. It wasn't until later that it occurred to us that a more serious side effect of what they were doing was the disposal of the dye water.

Camp Kitchen, Bellbird Campground

Lyrebird Walk:  An easy 200 m concrete path leading from the campground to Coachwood Picnic Area. The Lyrebird Walk lived up to its name as we saw Superb Lyrebirds scratching in the leaf litter alongside the path. We also saw Australian Logrunners flicking through the leaf litter.

Coachwood Picnic Area

Entry to the Coombadjha Walk

The Coombadjha Walk is an easy 400 m path through lush rainforest from Coachwood Picnic Area to Coachwood Pool. There is a viewing platform with steps into the shallow pool where swimming is permitted.

Coachwood Pool

There were lots of different types of bracken and ferns on the walk.

We continued on from the pool via a 1.4 km loop back to Coachwood Picnic Area. This is a pleasant walk alongside Coombadjha Creek, however, after the platform the track becomes uneven and it is necessary to step over rocks and tree roots. 

BirdList:
Australian King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Superb Lyrebird, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Logrunner, Rufous Whistler, Satin Bowerbird, Pied Currawong, Bassian/Russet-tailed Thrush?

Washpool National Park Details:
Getting There: on the Gwydir Highway 75 km from Glen Innes or 85 km from Grafton.
From the turnoff an unsealed, 2WD, all weather road descends 4 km to Bellbird Campground.
Bellbird Campground:
Number of Sites: 15
Types of Camping: tents, camper trailers, small caravans and camping beside vehicles.
Camping Fees: $6 per night per adult (16 years+). $3.50 per night per child (5-15 years). Infants (0-4 years) free.
Vehicle Fee: $8 per day, or buy a vehicle pass.
Bookings: No bookings. Self register and place the correct money into provided envelopes.
Facilities: There are bio toilets, tank water with some taps throughout the campground, and a kitchen shelter with BBQ’s and brochures. Each campsite has a table and fireplace with wood. 
Contacts: Glen Innes 02 6739 0700 Contact Hours: 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Website: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/Washpool-National-Park
Of Interest: Maneuvering into the sites with a caravan or trailer can be challenging. Forest setting. Superb Lyrebirds and Yellow-throated Scrubwrens are common in the campground. Leeches.
Alert: 4WD access to North Washpool (Washpool Rest Area), has been closed long term due to a bridge being washed away at the junction of Washpool Creek and Collum Collum Road.