NAME: Barrington Tops State Forest
LOCATION (nearest road/crossroads): Pheasant Creek Road
CLOSEST TOWN: Moonan Flat
MAPS USED (brand/area): Garmin Topo Australia
ACCESSABILITY (4WD, AWD, 2WD): 2WD
SIZE (how many camps would fit): 2
FACILITIES (toilet/shower/drinking water): NIL
PHONE RECEPTION (yes/no/poor): NIL
PERMIT REQUIRED (yes/no): No
PET FRIENDLY (yes/no): Yes
BOOKING REQUIRED (yes/no): NO
CAMPING COSTS: NIL
It's good to find a little out of the way camping spot, to set up camp at with good friends, and just spend a few days sitting around a camp fire chatting, and this was one such trip.
With both our kids now having their drivers licence, Penny and I could finally plan a trip away which wasn't dependant on the kids roster, and with plans to be made for our trip to Cape York later in the year, this was the perfect opportunity to get away with Ray and Sheree to discuss this.
The camper was pulled out of storage, checked over mechanically, restocked with essential camping gear and food, and hooked onto the back of Bundy.
Our travelling companions met us at home and then we headed off to Moonan Flat for a quick bite to eat.
Rather than head up the main track toward the Dingo gate, we looped around the northern side of the Barrington Tops and made our way up the mountain via the Tomalla area, a drive which I knew had very good views, and which wasn't as popular as the main Barrington Tops Forest Road.
With school holidays only half way through, I knew finding a quiet spot up the Barrington Tops might be a little difficult, and when we pulled into Manning River Camp to find it almost packed out with the Singleton Fly Fishing Club, I knew I'd have to fall back on a special little out of the way spot I knew about, and thank goodness when we arrived it was vacant.
The campers were set up, the firewood was cut, and then all we had to do was kick back and enjoy a peaceful couple of days with good friends.
Sleeping was made just that much easier with the sound of this crystal clean mountain stream bumping its way over the rocks past the camp.
Firewood was plentiful, so the fiskars got a bit of a workout.
After a couple of nights here, Sunday was pack up day, so we packed and headed around Barrington Tops Forest Road to show Ray and Sheree a few of the other camping areas, and also take in a lookout or two.
Devil's Hole Lookout.
Polblue Picnic area for smoko.
And then down to the Dingo Gate, and down the mountain to home.
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