Spiritcharms : Spiritcharms -> A Road Less Travelled

Yesterday's journey to Gloucester Falls was not completed due to roadworks. I unfortunately arrived at the turn-off to find it closed with a detour 2 klms further up the road that was used when the road was flooded.

I sat on the side of the road reviewing my map and pondering for a few minutes.

I was feeling adventurous, and I had already travelled about 50 klms, the last approx 15klms being dirt road.
Plus..... I had just experienced an "aha moment" klms before !!!

15 klms prior.....I was driving slowly as I wanted to take in all the beautiful scenery, then all of a sudden through the trees a huge Wedge Tailed Eagle.....just like my avatar, flew across in front of my vehicle!
WOW!!!! It was being followed and chased by a crow.
I vertually hit the skids as I didn't want to take my eyes off it, then I saw a second wedge tailed eagle.

There turned out to be two crows chasing the two eagles, but the eagles majestically flew in a large circular formation together moving forward as they circled. The crows were flying around very unorganised swooping at them. Each time the crows would swoop the eagle would just drop it's wing and then continue to float in it's original pattern.

I ended up moving and parking on the side of the road to watch them.
It was amazing, I have never seen a Wedge Tailed Eagle in the wild so close before. Awesome!!!

Anyway, back to my road less travelled.
After pondering, I decided to follow the detour.
After 2 klms I found the detour sign, pointing to a closed gate that looked like someone's property that went up a very steep hill. The gate was closed to keep their livestock from escaping, but I decided to forge on ahead and see where it would lead me.

I would go back to Gloucester Falls again before I leave.
I had the map which gave me an idea of where the dirt roads led, so I headed in the direction of Barrington Tops which is another place I will visit. You really need a day at the Barrington Tops as there is so much to see and it is quite the drive.

As you can see by the photos posted. The scenery was just breathtaking.



The image above was around 15klms past the detour sign. The view just opened up to this expanse of simplistically stunning countryside in every direction.



Every hill and corner I turned it just took my breathe away. I would not have been booked for speeding yesterday, that's for sure!!! I had to keep pulling over just to soak it all in. Truly amazing.



I ended up about 17klms away from the Barrington Tops, when I decided to turn off up what I would refer to as a "bush track"!

Well the view changed to good old Aussie bush, heavily treed, I went up a very steep climb and it levelled off once I got to the top. I'm glad I didn't meet anyone travelling in the other direction as it was a steep drop off the side and not enough room for two vehicles.

There is so much wildlife, there were many beautiful birds including alot of King Parrots. They are very easily spotted due to their bright colouring.
I found this pic on the web to give you an idea of what they look like.



There are alot of very pretty river/creek crossings along the way.



As I got closer to Gloucester on my return the countryside opened up again into the more tree cleared undulating pasture. A storm formed behind me as I headed for town.

Until my next trip.........