Two wrongs don't make a right - but maybe three do? If the
Bourke visitor information centre staff had been less busy; AND our tour of Bourke more comprehensive; AND our allocated campsite spacious and attractive, we'd have spent more time in Bourke itself! That would have been a tragedy because we wouldn't have got to see
Gundabooka National Park!
On our next visit, we'll just head straight for the excellent Dry Tank camp ground in this beautiful outback National Park, so we can see the bits we missed. But the bits we DID get to see were so stunning, that like any good teaser, they left us wanting more!
The
Gundabooka National Park entrance is about 50km south of Bourke, in western New South Wales. The dry weather dirt roads allowed easy access to the park on our visit in early June 2010, and our trip out to the camp ground uneventful. Unless you count the endless stops to admire wildflowers and spot new birds, of course!
Our conquest of the 4.8km Little Mountain walk, a steady climb with panoramic views over Mt Gundabooka, would have been far less time-consuming (but no less pleasurable) without the continual birding interruptions. Amateur twitchers like me choose obvious favourites like the spectacular
Splendid Fairy Wren,
Red-capped Robin and
Mistletoebird; but SERIOUS twitchers (like my mate!) may find
Western Gerygone and
White-browed Treecreeper more appealing. We agreed that
Mulga Parrot,
Yellow Thornbill and
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill were mighty fine as well! But now that you've seen the pix, you agree with me about Splendid Fairy Wren, right??
Tragically, the rest of the park, with its old homesteads, picnic areas and trails remains a mystery – for now – although the Mulgowan Art Site and Valley of the Eagle walks would have to be pretty good to outdo Little Mountain. BUT … we remain hopeful, given the park's four former grazing leases cover 21 diverse habitats. Who knows which of the 137 bird species recorded in the park will appear next? Or whether we'll actually see the ants that built this nest??
But next time our travels take us back of Bourke (always wanted to say that!!!) we know where we'll be headed!
Stay tuned!
Hi chick! I came over to check you out after you left a comment on my blog -- and WOW you have got it goin on here! this is GREAT -- so full of information and pictures, on some truly fab places. I'm REALLY enjoying having a look round.
ReplyDeleteHey Toni! Thanx so much!! Just what every blogger wants to hear ... so tell all your friends, OK?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this tour. I sure both of them are very nice. Thanks for taking us along with you through your lens.
ReplyDeleteHey LV, thanx for dropping by, glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI'm heading down that way after Xmas. Looks like a "must see" to me
ReplyDeleteHi GR! Might be a bit dustier in summer if the rain ever gives up! Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteYou sure get about. Bourke is on our next longish trip list. I was thinking that maybe with all this rain it might be cool enough to do in the summer time but perhaps not.
ReplyDeleteHi Joan Elizabeth! I'd be checking the temperature very carefully! I've only been in that area in winter - and after all the rain in the outback, there may be a lot more insects this year! Will be interested to see if you go in summer - good luck!!
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