Nimbin, New South Wales.

While we were exploring the Nightcap National Park area we encountered a lot of rain so it came as no surprise that when we visited Nimbin it was, you guessed it, raining.

We parked in the large carpark behind the shops and walked round to the information centre where a helpful lady assured me that it hadn't rained much in Nimbin lately and explained how unfortunate it was that the Nimbin area had missed out on a wet season this year. After appropriate commiserations I made my way to the excellent Nimbin Bakery and bought a feather light chocolate sponge roll and a lemon tart. Strangely, there were no biscuits in sight (perhaps they got sick of the cookie jokes.)

On our way back to The Channon Village Campground, we drove past the spot which usually has excellent views of the intriguing Nimbin Rocks but they were obscured by clouds and mist and, dear I say it, rain! The Nimbin Rocks are sacred to aboriginal people and are on private property so please don't attempt to get closer unless you have an invitation.

Some of the things that I love about the Nimbin region are the local Grasshoppers buses and the "hippy potholes".

Shortly after settling back in at the campground with a nice coffee and the tangy lemon tart the only other campers returned from their trip to Nimbin and came over to tell us about their stressful experience. We had noticed that the police were patrolling the car park in Nimbin but didn't think too much of it. However, they were apparently running regos and this is where our fellow campers came unstuck. The story as related to us by a very shaken grey nomad was this: The police approached them and asked if the driver was so and so, to which he agreed. Then he was promptly informed that he was driving without a licence and instructed to step out of the campervan and sign a form that he would undertake not to drive. The shocked grey nomad protested that he hadn't had a traffic infringement for over 10 years. So what was going on? Well it turned out that this otherwise law abiding citizen had committed the deadly sin of not voting in the last New South Wales local election and as a result and unbeknown to him, his driving license had been suspended for some time. The moral of the story is; if you live a travelling lifestyle please ensure that someone is checking your mail!

Mount Nardi Section of Nightcap National Park, New South Wales.

We woke to a morning of heavy mist which delayed out start to the Mount Nardi section of Nightcap National Park. The parking area at Mount Nardi is only about 19 km from The Channon Village Campground along Tuntable Creek Road and Newton Drive. Allow extra time for this scenic but narrow winding road. After one and a half days of glorious sunshine the rain set in again. The higher we climbed into the range the wetter it became. We noticed that the sealed sections of the road were green with moss except for the tracks worn away by cars.

Not to be deterred, we donned our jackets, covered our backpacks with rain covers, popped our cameras into drybags and set off into the rainforest. There are two short walks leading from the carpark: Pholis Gap Walking Track, a 4 km, Class 3 medium walk and Mount Matheson Loop, a 3 km, Class 3 medium loop walk that can be combined with the Pholis Gap Walk for a longer walk. The Nightcap Track, 19 km Class 4, can also be accessed from here.

The trailhead at Mount Nardi.

We started out in light rain with the hope that under the protection of the tree canopy it would be a little drier. We entered a beautiful forest of Yellow Carabeen and Fern Trees with a vivid understory of bracken. The track was a little muddy and slippery but we continued on for a while. Unfortunately, the rain got heavier and heavier and the visibility reduced so much that we decided to head back. Our passage through the forest caused a chorus of bird alarm calls. We heard Noisy Pittas but despite pausing on the track for a while and peering into the gloom we could not see them. I held an umbrella over my camera for a few quick photos.

Fungi and Cordylines were thriving in the wet conditions.

When we returned to the carpark it was raining lightly just as it was when we set out. So our theory of being protected by the tree canopy didn't work this time. We can only assume that we were walking along the side of the mountain that was catching all the rain.

Rocky Creek Dam, Dunoon, New South Wales.

Rocky Lake: the impounded lake at Rocky Creek Dam.

We decided to have a change from National Parks and wet rainforest and headed off to Rocky Creek Dam for the afternoon. There are excellent facilities and great walks. Walkers can access the dam wall and the spillway or head to the boardwalk and platypus viewing platform.

We combined the Waterdragon Walk (1.2 km) and the Platypus Walk (1.5 km) which overlap and we probably only walked just over 2 km in total.

We walked across the dam wall and continued on to the impressive spillway.

From the spillway we continued on to the boardwalk and wetland area. There were Wompoo Fruit-Doves feeding in the Bangalow Palms and a curious Pale-yellow Robin made an appearance but we didn’t see any platypus.

We made our way back to the carpark where a tour group was cooking up a storm in the large shelter provided. There are also other picnic tables scattered throughout the grounds and an excellent children’s playground.

Bird list:

Noisy Miner, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black Swan, Laughing Kookaburra, Pacific Black Duck, Pale-yellow Robin, Wompoo Fruit-Dove.

Details for Rocky Creek Dam:

Where: Rocky Creek Dam Road, Dunoon, NSW, 2480.

Getting There: 24 km north of Lismore, via Dunoon. 13 km north-east of The Channon Village Campground.

Facilities: toilets, gas BBQ’s, tables, sheltered picnic area, children’s playground, walks, boardwalk, educational signage.

Prohibitions: No dogs, no swimming, no boating or other water craft.

Cost: Free.

Information: http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/north-coast/lismore-area/lismore/attractions/rocky-creek-dam

The Channon Village Campground, The Channon, New South Wales.

From Rummery Park Campground we moved 21 km south west to The Channon Village Campground. 

The Channon Village Campground is essentially in the long front yard of a small farm with room to camp on either side of the driveway, however, this description does not do the place justice. The owners, Huge and Nan are very friendly and informative hosts. The facilities are clean and there are a few nice touches like a herb garden and recycling bins. As soon as we set up, we were warmly welcomed and we started to relax in the scenic rural surroundings. We enjoyed the campground so much that we ended up staying an extra night. 

We found the campground to be conveniently located. We did day trips to the Protester Falls and Mt Nardi sections of Nightcap National Park, as well as to Nimbin and Byron Bay. I will cover these excursions in future blogs. 

For market and craft lovers, it's worth noting that The Channon Craft Market is held next to the campground, on the second Sunday of the month.

Koalas were a highlight of our stay. We saw at least one everyday and on one of the days we saw two koalas; a smaller brown one near our van and a larger grey one across the road. These koalas looked healthy and were the most active we have ever seen; constantly moving around from one mahogany gum tree to another and climbing up and down ordinary pine trees. 

On dusk we could see a few Micro Bats flying about. One night we heard the pitter-patter of something dropping out of the tree next to our van and when we shone the torch into the canopy we could see three Sugar Gliders moving around. Nan told us they also had Feather Gliders nesting in the campground.

There is plenty of birdlife around the campground. Satin Bowerbirds were feasting on the fleshy orange arils of a  Maiden's Blush tree near our van and White-headed Pigeons flew in every afternoon. 

Fleshy arils of the Maiden's Blush tree, Sloanea australis 

Eastern Rosella, Pied Butcherbird, Wonga Pigeon and White-headed Pigeon.

I noticed the distinctive coppery head of a Wall Skink poking out of the gate post capping and waited for it to emerge. This skink had a double tip on it's tail. Skinks have the ability to regrow a lost tail and sometimes they regrow a tail from a wound as well; resulting in multiple tails.

Wall Skink, Cryptoblepharus virgatus

The Channon
From the campground we walked along the Channon Environment Walk to The Channon. In the village we found The Channon Tavern, Contemporary Art Gallery, General Store and Community Hall.

All around The Channon and Nimbin area, pot holes in the roads have been highlighted with spray paint. We quickly gave them the name "hippy potholes".

Wildlife List:
Sugar Gliders, Koalas, Wall Skinks, micro bats.
Butterflies: Orchard Swallowtail, Evening Brown, Blue Triangle.
Birdlist: White-faced Heron, White-headed Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Crested Pigeon, Wonga Pigeon, Galah, Australian King Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, White-browed Scrubwren, Noisy Miner, Australasian Figbird, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong,Torresian Crow, Masked Lapwing.

Details for The Channon Village Campground.
Where: 18 km north of Lismore. 18-23 km south of Nimbin depending on route.
Address: 391 The Channon Road, The Channon, New South Wales, 2480
Types of Camping: tents, camper trailers, motorhomes, caravans
Camping Fees: $10 per adult per night, I believe children under 12 are free but please confirm this as I didn't think to check with the owners.
Bookings: It is usually ok to just turn up but if you wish to ensure a spot at busy times then you can phone 0428 886 335.
Facilities: Flushing toilets, cold showers, bins, laundry tub, town water. We had no problem getting Telstra phone and internet reception but this seems to vary for some people. I believe there is also TV reception. There are some constructed fire places. Pets are allowed on request but dogs must be on leash at all times because of the wildlife. (Koalas literally walk around the campground.) No dump point.
Of Interest: The Channon Craft Market held next door on the second Sunday of the month.