Snakes and lizards in the rainforest

So I made it to Mt. Warning, even if I didn’t cycle here. I just couldn’t refuse the generous offer of a ride from Awbery and John yesterday! In the morning I cycled a mere 9 km from Brunswick Heads to Mullinimby where they were staying, and then we all drove out to Murwillumbah, Awbery, me, John, and his 2 young girls (they were heading to the Gold Coast for the Easter school holiday). We all went together to Mt. Warning and did a short walk from the carpark before they dropped me off at the campground and were on their way. After such a disappointing experience in Byron Bay, it was really great to meet such nice people as Awbery and John.

Yesterday afternoon I settled in at the campsite. There was another cyclist here, Erik from Holland, and he’s already cycled 2300 km from Melbourne to here, and is also heading north like me. We spent some time comparing gear and talking about maps and campsites. He left today, but I may run into him again on the road.

I decided to stay another day so I had time to hike to the summit of Mt. Warning, which, at 1156m, is the first place on the east coast of Australia that the sun hits every day. I didn’t exactly make it to the top for sunrise, but I had an early start at 7:45am up the road to the carpark and then to the trail to the summit. Took me 2 hours 45 minutes from the campground to get to the top. Great views from the summit but I couldn’t see the ocean due to the clouds. One thing for sure is that I knew I was in Australia hiking today and not New Zealand – on the trail I saw 2 carpet pythons! And later at the campsite I saw a monitor lizard (huge!) and then in the evening there was a red-bellied black snake (poisonous) slithering through the grass only about 10 meters from my tent! Lesson learned: always use a flashlight to walk to the tent at night.

Spent the afternoon repairing a big hole in my sleeping bag and organizing gear. There’s a really nice group of older folks here at the campground from the Gold Coast Campervan Club and they’ve been giving me food (fresh bread, wine, cheese) and they’ve been super-friendly and it’s been great. They are just having a ball, playing games at night by their campfire and socializing.

Tomorrow it’s back on the bike, heading up to the Gold Coast to Alan’s place in Currumbin, about 50 km from here I think. I’m looking forward to a cold stubbie at his place tomorrow! Let’s just hope the snakes and lizards steer clear of my tent tonight!

Rainforest plants

At the top of Mt Warning

Hey buddy where ya going?

Add comment April 13th, 2003