Mt Kaputar National Park to Lightning Ridge NSW

Friday 14th July 2023
Well it was a very chilly night, a minimum of 2.2°C. Amazingly we were very warm in the rooftop tent. We woke early and headed out in the dark at about 6.10am for a quick hike from our camp at Dawsons Springs to the Mt Kaputar Summit. About a 2km hike to the top in the dark. It was very cold and there was a little ice on the trail. It was a beautiful view across the range out to the sunrise. After enjoying the sunrise we walked the another 2km on the return Dawsons Springs Nature Trail back to out camp.

After a quick breakfast we were back out hiking the 5.4km Bundabulla Circuit, enjoying the views from a few lookouts and generally just soaking in the peacefulness of walking in the bush. It was quite slippery in some sections due to the melting ice from the overnight frost. We hiked for about 1hr 40mins and overall including both walks we did about 10km. A nice little warm up for our big hike in a few days. We then headed back to the camp ground where we enjoyed a lovely hot shower, a luxury facility in a National Park.

Then off we went for the amazing drive back down to Narrabri. We enjoyed the beautiful views from the very narrow road on sheer cliff edges as we went down from 1500m to about 300m. We sure missed some amazing views last night as we drove up there in the dark.

We then drove via Walgett to Lightning Ridge where we met Jim McAtamney who was on his way home from Cairns. We enjoyed a catchup and meal with him before heading to the Artesian Spa for a soak. It was very relaxing.

: As we set off a 6.10am to try and catch the sunrise at the Mt Kaputar Summit..

: ..the moon is still visible as we reach the summit..

: ..some low lying fog in the valley..

: ..as the sky changes colour..

: ..a fantastic view..

: ..and more amazing colours..

: ..from the lookout..

: ..the sun as it peaks over the horizon..

: ..and I enjoy the view..

: What a beautiful morning..

: ..as the sun highlights the colours of the rocks..

: ..as David enjoys the last of the changing colours.

: ..as we tread carefully on the icy boardwalk..

: ..along the Dawsons Springs Nature Trail..

: ..we come across a Buff-rumped thornbill..

: ..Oh no! Howe long will we have to search for this unusual creature. Unfortunately it was not the right time to see them.

: Our camp at Dawsons Springs.

: Our first lookout along the Bundabulla Circuit walk – Lindsay Rock Tops –

: ..icy flakes..

: ..David heading along the Bundabulla trail..

: Bundabulla Lookout..

: ..what an amazing view..

: Bundabulla Lookout again..

: ..examining the pointers..

: ..up close..

: ..a beautiful tree..

: View from Eckford Lookout..

: ..and Horsearm Creek Lookout..

: ..another lovely tree..

: View from Doug Sky Lookout..

: As we head back down along the narrow road you can see how sheer the cliff is on the edge of the trail..

: ..amazing rocks..

: As we drive just east of Walgett we pass the cotton fields and plains

: ..the plains are so flat..

: ..a little emu along the way just north of Walgett..

: ..as we head in to the town of Lightning Ridge, it brings back childhood memories for David..

: Sunset at the caravan park in Lightning Ridge..

: ..a little soak at the Artesian Spa which is open 24 hours a day. There was a constant stream of new arrivals..

: ..the night sky.

: We headed mostly west today. 307km.