trees Archives - Page 9 of 9 - Destination's Journey

4 June 202227 May 2022

Mungo Rainforest Walk Myall Lakes

Mungo Rainforest Walk Myall Lakes

Set in the Myall Lakes National Park New South Wales Australia, the Mungo Rainforest Walk is an easy 1.5km walk near the lake shore.

Getting There

A 45 minutes car trip from Bulahdelah will take you via the Bombah Point Ferry. Running every 30 minutes the ferry cost us $5.50 (in April 2022) for a car. They take cash only as they have no eftpos facilities. Caravans cost more and the ferry only takes six cars at a time. We haven’t used this ferry before so that added something extra to the day. If you don’t want to use this option, driving via Hawks Nest will add 40km to the trip.

We parked at Mungo Brush Campground, although you could park at Dees Corner Campground, because the walk is a loop. The area is managed by New South Wales Parks and Wildlife, so an entry fee is payable.

The Track

Starting at Mungo Brush Campground, the track heads into the forest, where we found an information board. This showed the track and detailed animals and birds we might see. The blue area crossed by the track is a depression that floods in wet weather. Fortunately, an alternate path is available, which we had to use because of recent rain.

Start of the track Mungo Rainforest Walk — Information Board

The Rainforest

The track loops through the rainforest which consists of cabbage tree palms and coastal rainforest trees. At times it gets close to the lake where you are able to see the trees growing into the lake shore. Generally flat, the track was well maintained and apart from stepping over tree roots did not have many obstacles.

Rainforest Mungo Rainforest Walk — Rainforest

Track Through the Rainforest Mungo Rainforest Walk — Rainforest

Track to Dees Corner Campground

The track comes to a T-intersection, pointing to the wet or dry weather tracks. If you want to see Dees Corner, take the dry weather track (it’s dry to Dees Corner). I would suggest wearing walking boots to cater for what ever conditions you come across.

Dees Corner Campground

Following the dry weather track takes you to the campground which was closed when we visited due to storm damage. This is a great little area with the gum trees growing down and into the lake.

From here you can take the track back to Mungo Brush.

The Lake shore at Dees Campground Mungo Rainforest Walk — The Lake shore at Dees Campground

What Did We Think?

This was a great little walk. Flat, and easy going with lots of rainforest and lake views to see.

To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

Our photos are available for purchase on

30 April 202217 August 2022

Rumbalara Reserve Statues

On a wet and rainy morning, we decided to go bush walking at Rumbalara Reserve near Gosford to see the statues. The forecast said some light drizzle clearing to a fine day. Well, it rained all the way during our drive there, where on arrival we waited another hour for the rain to ease. So, not to be put off by a bit of a wet track we took off. This was when we discovered that wet weather plus Rumbalara Reserve equals leaches. Lots of leaches. Fortunately, we came prepared and the first attack was repelled by carefully applied salt. This was followed by lots of Bushman Plus Repellent which seemed to keep them off skin, but not boots, so these were monitored and cleaned regularly.

Anyway, despite this minor setback we really enjoyed the area, especially the statues.

Getting There

Located in Gosford on the NSW Central Coast, Rumbalara Reserve is 1.25 hours north of Sydney or 1.5 hours south of Newcastle. On arrival, we stopped at the Yaruga Picnic Area on Dolly Avenue, where toilet facilities and picnic tables are available.

Once the rain cleared, we started our walk by going to the Statue of Edward John Eyre.

Mist and light rain over Dolly Avenue Rumbalara Reserve and Statues — Mist and light rain over Dolly Avenue

Statue of Edward John Eyre

This statue is the hardest of the four to find. Located by itself on the Mouat Trail it is some distance from the other three. This makes it fun to find. Starting at the Yarunga Picnic Area, we walked back down Dolly Avenue and past the large water tank. Not far past the water tank, a sign on the left-hand side gives directions to Mouat Trail and the statue.

The track is surrounded by Australian coastal eucalypt rainforest with a nice fern understory. With the recent rainfall the track was a little muddy but easy to walk. not far down the track we came across the statue of Edward John Eyre hidden in the ferns. One of us jumped and nearly had a coronary because he appeared so suddenly.

Famous as a colonial explorer of Australia, Edward John Eyre was the first European to traverse the Nullarbor Plain, where the current highway bears his name. Other features named after him include the Eyre Peninsula and Lake Eyre.

Eucalypt Forest on the Mouat Walk — Sign to the Mouat Walk and Eyre Statue

Statue of Edward John Eyre Rumbalara Reserve and Statues — Statue of Edward John Eyre

Flannel Flower Walk

From the statue we retraced out steps to the start of the track and took the Flannel Flower Walk. This was where we noticed the leaches, making a quick stop to remove them and apply repellent.

The trail itself is very nice with the eucalyptus rain forest providing a great atmosphere to walk in. There are several steep drop offs and cliffs but there are fenced and safe if you stay away. As it goes uphill, the trail climbs over rocks so be aware of this, as it’s rough in places.

At the top of the hill, Flannel Flower Walk meets Dolly Avenue and the Start of Iron Bark Loop.

Part of the Flannel Flower Walk Rumbalara Reserve and Statues — Part of the Flannel Flower Walk

Iron Bark Loop and Three Bronze Statues

Located on Iron Bark Loop, the remaining three statues are very easy to find. Getting here can be by walking along the trails, or drive to a parking spot at the end of Dolly Avenue. On the loop walk and below the carpark the three statues look out over the surrounding landscape.

The statues are:

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith

Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith was an early Australian aviator.

In 1928, he made the first transpacific flight from the United States to Australia. He also made the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland, the first flights between Australia and New Zealand, and the first eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States; and, also, made a flight from Australia to London, setting a new record of 10.5 days.

Matthew Flinders

Lieutenant (later Captain) Matthew Flinders was a British navigator and cartographer who led the first inshore circumnavigation of mainland Australia, then called New Holland. He is also credited as being the first person to utilise the name Australia to describe the entirety of that continent including Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania).

Charles Sturt

Charles Sturt was a British officer and explorer of Australia, and part of the European exploration of Australia. He led several expeditions into the interior of the continent, starting from Sydney and later from Adelaide.

12 April 202213 February 2023

National Arboretum Canberra Australia

National Arboretum Canberra

"Wide Brown Land" sign — “Wide Brown Land” sign. From the Dorothea Mackellar poem

Devastating bushfires in 2001 and 2003, burnt huge areas around Canberra. A recovery project to heal some of the damage included The National Arboretum, which now covers 250 hectares(618 acres in the old measurement). Although very much in its infancy, with plantings still taking pace, it’s a great place to visit.

The trees selected for inclusion are either of national significance, or endangered. Not only Australian trees, but species from overseas, such as the giant sequoia are included, although these are still saplings. One species in particular caught our attention – the Wollemi Pine which, up until 1994 was only known from fossils. A small stand was discovered in the Wollemi National Park and extensive efforts have ensured its survival. A planting of seedlings at the arboretum is part of that effort.

A large carpark caters to a large number of visitors. However, parking is not free and you pay for a ticket at the machines in the carpark. On arrival, our first stop was the information desk, where we received a map and some ideas of what to see. Within this same area is a café and restaurant where you can look over the trees while you eat.

Main Entrance National Arboretum — Main Entrance

National Bonsai and Penjing Collection

Located next to the entrance is the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection containing over 100 miniature trees. The quality of the collection and the time that must have been spent growing them is amazing. We walked around admiring the collection and taking photos.

Japanese Red Pine Bonsai National Arboretum — Bonsai

The Discovery Garden

Situated next to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the Discovery Garden explains how to maintain a garden in Canberra’s dry climate.

Margaret Whitlam Pavilion

Overlooking the National Arboretum, the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion offers magnificent views over Canberra. Because it’s only open for functions, we were only able to view it from the outside.

Himalayan Cedar Forest

One of the few areas to avoid devastation in the 2001 and 2003 bushfires was the Himalayan Cedar forest. Originally planted from 1911 to 1930 it has since been extended with additional plantings in 2010. Walking through the mature trees is a relaxing experience, giving an idea of how the remainder of the Arboretum will look as it grows.

Hidden away in the trees just off the path is a metal sculpture of a tree stump.

Himalayan Cedar Sapling — Himalayan cedar forest

Forests and Trees

View over part of the National Arboretum — Tree plantings from Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout

Bending over backwards sculpture — Bending over backwards

Eagle nest sculpture — Bending over backwards

For other great stories from Australia, please use the main menu above, or click on this link

Our photos are available for purchase on

AdBlock Detected

It looks like you're using an ad-blocker!

Category: trees

Mungo Rainforest Walk Myall Lakes

Mungo Rainforest Walk Myall Lakes

Getting There

The Track

The Rainforest

Track to Dees Corner Campground

Dees Corner Campground

What Did We Think?

Like this:

Rumbalara Reserve Statues

Rumbalara Reserve Statues

Getting There

Statue of Edward John Eyre

Flannel Flower Walk