Split Rock, Warrumbungles National Park

Friday 5th April 2019
After an average night’s sleep for me, surprisingly, as I was very tired last night. We got away a bit later today for a shorter hike of Belougery Split Rock loop. We started about 10.15am and walked for 2.5hrs for 5kms. Again the hike was mostly uphill to the top of Split Rock and then down most of the way back. The views were again amazing and we were grateful for the shorter hike today as our legs were very weary. We again had our lunch at the top and followed this walk with a visit to the Siding Springs Observatory.

Siding Spring Observatory (SSO), on the edge of the Warrumbungle National Park near Coonabarabran, NSW, is Australia’s premier optical and infrared astronomical observatory. It was a very interesting little visit although as you would expect David was disappointed not to be able to look through the telescope. Oh well, he had to be happy just looking. It was Dark Sky week and the stars were amazing each night at the campsite.

: View of Split Rock from the carpark. Our destination for today.

: We followed the advice of the NP guy and hiked anticlockwise..

: ..this was to be less steep on the way up..

: ..the views along the way were awesome yet again..

: ..but the steep scramble to the top was challenging..

: ..it was nother tough day at the office..

: ..I left my pack at the bottom of the very steep section..

: ..so I could scramble a little more safely..

: ..almost to the top..

: ..adding my stone to the pile at the top of Split Rock.

: Yet again, we managed a pleasant lunch break at the top..

: David looking out at the amazing view as we enjoyed the quietness at the top

: A little skink visited us at lunch time.

: Wow, what a view.

: Looking out to where we hiked yesterday

: Time to slide back down..

: ..looking at the challenge ahead..

: ..sometimes going down is harder than going up..

: ..this was definitely one of those times..

: ..a little steep section..

: David on his way down..

: I always feel a little safer on my bottom.

: Looking back up to the top from the stairs at the bottom

: Enjoying the view as we walked back down.

: The Siding Springs Observatory.

: Some metal bird art..

: ..and some more.

: Inside the telescope.

: ..It was very big inside.

: Picture of the outside of the telscope.

: View from the Siding Springs Observatory over to Breadknife on the left, Bluff Mountain in the middle and Split Rock on the right.

: Split Rock from our campsite.

: David’s invention to keep the mosquitoes out of the tent. He has put a flyscreen over the fan and secured it with my glass container silicone lid. Go Mr McGiver!!!