We had a few days off for my birthday, Lilia planned a weekend get away for me. We wanted to get away from things and get some peace and quiet, also we haven`t been hike for a while so we are looking forward to go to National Park, we missed rain forest ,bush walk and no one!! So this time we are going to explore New England National Park in Ebor , NSW

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We headed south from Red Rock on A1 highway exited at Raleigh then followed waterfall way to Belingen. Belingen is a nice little town with great character. It feels like going back to the hippie time but stylish hippie and really nice people. We were very lucky that the biggest mark around Coffs area – Bellingen Community Markets is on , of course we gonna check out.

The markets was very big, all the shops set up around the park and under the trees, leave middle field empty for people to sit down, relax and listen the music on the stage. It was very relaxing and comfortable to walked around shops, this was the first time Ruben really enjoyed the market and want to take a photo for it . After the markets we went to a bakery in town, we had some good meat pies and sweets, we set down and enjoyed our lunch then back on the road towards Ebor.

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The waterfall way from Belingen to Ebor scenic drive was amazing. Too bad Ebor falls was closed….but surprise!!! wild flowers were everywhere in Ebor, just like flowers field we were so lucky to see this.

We were playing in the flowers field and had so much fun , didn`t want to leave. Ok ! it`s time to go to the place where we are going to stay-Little Styx Cabins in the heart of New England National Park.

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New England National Park
It’s part of World Heritage rainforest- Gondwana Rainforest, with many walking tracks , water falls and amazing lookouts.

We turned off of waterfall way into point lookout road towards New England National Park . We drove on dirt road and looking for our cabin. We actually have no idea where it is, but on the booking email said just follow Google Map. The point lookout road was easy dirt road to drove, it has many big trees ,creeks and a lots of kangaroo’s and not too windy, it took us a bit of time finding our cabin. We booked a basic rustic cabin with no power , it was cheap also we want to experience what it looks and feels like. Yes~!! We found the cabin and it is definitely rustic and basic and NO ONE around here, which is what we want.

We went inside checked out and you can see pictures of men with logging trees, it reflect some of the history of the rugged timbered ranges, as they were the original quarters for the old Point Lookout timber mill.

Inside the cabin has a nice feeling with a beautiful wood burner,and hot shower tub. We took the big wooden chairs and table from inside to outside, sitting outside near by little Styx river with fire.

It was lovely sitting there and the weather was great but the great time wasn`t stay too long…….things changed……..

Now,comes the part we didn`t like it so much. First , we saw a few cows, we thought well… this is nice we got some company. Funny was when we arrived , we could smell the cows as well but we thought it just farm smell, we could put up with it should be all right. But few minutes later….more cows came then few 100+ cows kept crossing creek towards us and made so much noisy also bring million of flies over to joined us. Lilia mada beautiful hot pot for dinner, we wanted to sit by the fire but as soon as Lilia put out that hot pot ,OMG….the beautiful moment just gone like that….cows noisy, smells and flies……..

It was not enjoyable any more, so we ate quick and got inside the cabin. The cows and poo attracted so many flies and smell so strong it was unreal. We both wanted to get out there so bad, so we decided to go for a drive and get some fresh air. We went up high to point lookout, with an altitude of 1,564 m above sea level, which is what we need -fresh air. Point Lookout is the second highest peak in the region. You could look out so far, the view was amazing!!

On the top of the mountain we got phone signal, so we tried to call the company that we booked of the cabin, wish we could change to somewhere else. It was a a bit late but we left a massage. We went back to the cabin and try to go to sleep but it was very quiet and the cabin started to feel a bit eerie. We woke up a few times thinking about is there someone ?? Guess we probably watched too many movies but nothing happened of course…..

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The next day we got up early at 4:00am to see the sunrise. The point lookout is must see sunrise in New England National Park. We were there on time, sun just above the clouds. What a spectacular sunrise it was the first time we could see the sea of clouds, then few moment later the sun has raised over the clouds, the color was so beautiful. The moment we felt very lucky that we could see the view like this.

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It was early and very cold up of the monutain, only 8 degree in the morning, so we went back to the cabin and we light a fire in the wood burner. We love the wood burner so much, once we found out how it works to warm up the whole house, how efficiently they burned its just amazing, We had a nice breakfast inside next to the fire away from the cows and flies it was great morning.

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After breakfast ,We went for a hike to the Cascade Walking Track and Wright Lookout.

Cascade Walking Track — 8.7km return from car park
First 2km was straight down hill on a fire trial , which was fairly easy. Then we hit a crossroad where you could go to the Wright lookout or Cascade walking track or Lyrebird track. We went downhill to the cascade falls. This track was amazing.
The track went down steep, walked through rain forest ,giant king ferns and mossy boulders it was magical.

We arrived at the bottom then we met Five Day Creek.

Five Day Creek, is one of the most beautiful rainforest streams in New South Wales.

Now, this little track is getting more exciting. This is the first time we saw a proper track along the creek ,it was so cool.

We were climbing over trees , rocks , creek crossing and rock hopping then we saw these beautiful ti waterfall with clear swimming holes. It was stunning.

We should have gone for a swim but we were a bit lazy. also the weater was getting really hot and we didnt want to hike back up in the heat but the scenery was just stunning. The way back up was not too bad it was vary quick and almost straight back up. We hiked back up to the cross road and straight away turned into Wright lookout track.

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Wright Lookouts –1km return from cross road

The track itself was straight up steep to the top but this brought us to a moon like plateau with spectacularr 360 degree panoramic views .

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The cabin had called us on the hill that we could change cabin tto appartment this was good news. We enjoyed the views of Wright lookouts and its time to climmed down back to cabin packing down our stuff and move. We got excited that we could move to somewhere else so we packed up quickly and got out of the cabin and cows ( just couldn`t stay there any more)

They gave us upgrade to appartment in Yaraandoo Function Centre.

We had to drive back to the beginning of Point lookout road, where we got directed to our appartment. Yes , we know fancy from a rustic cabin to ppartment sounds not too bad. This appartment was part of a conference center for businesses trips or weddings. Appartment was old fassion but very nice and clean and it so quiet!! no one in this area, that is what we after. We did miss our old wood burner a little bit but you can`t have it all. ( want to fancy so we can`t have fire haha….).

We didn`t get to meet any of the staff, it just a key in a lockbox and help yourself check in . Funny was we felt a bit weird being there by ourselfs in such a big building but we loved it. On this property have some great walking tracks. We went to the bottom of the property where there was a beautiful swimming hole. We enjoyed that cool down because during the mid day it was so hot.

It was great ending to this mini adventure for my birthday . We had great time get away and loved it so much. From being between the cows to a fancy and very quiet appartment.

Thanks to my beautifull girl friend for organizing this amazing trip. She really made my birthday.

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