Have people lost their sense of ADVENTURE

Have people lost their sense of adventure ?… 

well its been on my mind now for a few weeks. More and more I see online people asking where to go, can they do a certain trip in a stupid time frame and so much more. You know years ago it was all about getting out there and exploring. We either went down to the local 4wd shop and bought a map or two, used google maps and google earth and then went exploring. If it meant getting lost or going down a track-road that went no where, well so be it , it was all about the adventure. We never made stupid time limits ( like - trying to go from Sydney to Perth and back again in 14 days ), we made and had realist expectations. If you have holiday time limits, is it really worth all that push and shove to bust your guts ?…. 

 

Why do 10,000km in three weeks to look at something on the other side of the country when you come back absolutely trashed and then buggered for the next week, why not explore your own back yard. Except if you live in the city where you might get stabbed !!!…  have some bloody expectations people. We just did a 9 month stint in QLD, exploring midwest to the coast and I can tell you we def didn’t see it all, just now here on the south coast of NSW its taken 3 weeks to go 100 km !!. It's all about exploring. I know I know- we are all different, I could ask online where is somewhere to camp or what ever and get offered a shit hole of a place, but its your favourite and that’s fine. I could send you to Hell Hole Gorge in QLD and if you're not prepared it may turn to shit. 

With the amount of apps, detailed books and maps out there and even great blogs, it still makes me laugh at the stupid questions people ask. So why aren’t people getting out there to explore ?… is it they are too lazy, is it a security thing, or have we just lost our sense of adventure ?… I think it is all of the above. 

I would guarantee that if we all drew a 100 > 200 km circle around our home I bet most of us would not of discovered our own back yard. Yes I know that there are bigger and better things across the horizons but make realist plans. Know your limits. I personally have spent nearly 30 years exploring the Coffs Coast and can honestly say that I haven’t explored it all but I have given it a fair shakeup. When people ask me for advise ill help them a bit finding stuff ( remember this was before GPS ) and we only had paper tops maps, but I won’t say exactly where things are as you need to have a bit of adventure within you and if you don’t like it - tough shit. 

So why not grab a map and haver a look around closer to home what you’ve passing by time after time, you might be pleasantly surprised, if you see another track shoot down there and have a look, maybe a walking track, what about that NP or SF that you always see. It won’t hurt to have a look. 

Map reading is a dyeing art, teach your kids about it before all the paper maps are gone - its fun, its fun to get lost too. I know places like FB are great to get info but make it your own adventure and make some personal memories as I reckon people are too reliant on others expectations. Stop being so fridge lazy. Even with the horrific fires, road closures and now the floods, how many time do people ask about this and that week after week after week - do not people know or bloody see so many posts, articles, newspaper reports and on TV to down load the appropriate apps to actually follow what’s going on !!.. That’s our society these days I suppose. 

So people pull your friggen finger out, spend some $$ on a good road atlas, do your own homework and get back out there - you’ll probably be amazed just how smart you really are.

THE CELLS

Wauchope on the NSW Mid North Coast is famous for Timber Town, where you can take a step back in time and relive the past when timber was considered Red Gold. I never really stopped to consider actually where this happened up in the hills tucked behind Wauchope but with a little inside information we found some great tracks, relics and natural attractions.This is a great 2 night camp out that isn't suitable for trailers as a lot of the tracks in this region are steep and narrow.

After the mandatory fuel and supply shop at Wauchope head west along the Oxley Highway which links the coast to the tablelands over some incredible country, the road winds its way up over the Great Dividing Range which pushes up 1100 metres above sea level at the highest point. Leaving Wauchope the country side is typical coastal scrub country where hobby farms scatter the landscape for many kilometres, giving way to open paddocks and finally views of the Great Divide.

30km out of Wauchope is Long Flat which was settled in 1856 by a Northern Ireland family where they grew grapes, produced wine and then sold it to the teamsters that passed through this area on the convict built road hauling logs down to the coast. Then in the late 1870’s a hotel was built, named ‘The Travellers Rest Hotel’. It still stands on the original plot of soil today, and some of the original timbers can still be seen in and around the hotel. As you leave lave Long Flat, keep an eye out just 5 km up the road for a turn on the right onto Kindee Road where you can see the longest suspension bridge still in use in Australia. Measuring a whopping 200 feet long, this one lane bridge was completed in 1937 and is still in use today. Great for a quick look and to appreciate how real bridges were built. 

Back onto the Oxley Highway heading west you will soon start to climb skyward with ever changing scenery with steep paddocks and cleaner crisper air, the views are never ending across the valleys that sweep down towards the coast. At the 56 km mark keep an eye out for Ralfes Trail on the left. The tracks from here are well formed as they pass through private property so please leave the gates as you find them. 

Traversing Ralfes Trail is a nice way to ease in to this trip, wandering around the mountains with several creek crossings and its not long until you connect with what is called The Old Highway Trail. The name says it all as this was a link back in the days when the loggers found it easier to follow the ridge instead of traversing hundreds of metres up and down over the mountains before the Oxley Highway was built. All along these tracks keep an eye out for the massive Red Cedar stumps that were cut down over 100 years ago its the perfect place to stop and check out just how the old timers cut notches out for their planks to stand on, then to start swinging an axe. The Old Highway trail meanders along for another 8km before it connects with Knodingbul Road then into Corn Cobb Trail as it drops down into some steep low range sections and across streams through pristine rainforest pockets, thick vines and tall exotic palms.

It’s down here that you need to keep an eye as this is where the mines start appearing beside the road. From walk in mines that go several hundred metres, to pits and shafts - life was pretty full on down here. As you wander along beside the Cells Creek keep an eye out for the 5 head stamper that stands proudly where it was placed over 100 years ago. Along side you will still see the timber frame work that was used to direct water and carts to the stamper. Inside one of the larger walk in mines, there’s a steel gate which was reported to of been used to lock miners inside during work hours, but like any 100 year old rumour it may not be true.

We found it pretty easy to lose time down here beside the creeks in the cool fresh air exploring the mines, but remember what comes down must go up. Leaving The Cells it again is 4wd territory as you start heading up Jeep trail where after a few kilometres you’ll come across The Hilton. A sturdy structure where travellers have blazed their names and dates on the walls and roof. A small walk from here will lead you to other mines that lead into the side of the hill, also there are several swimming holes and a small waterfall nearby to cool off in the warmer months.

Wandering up hill you will soon come across Grassy Trail, a quick right turn here will see you follow another ridge along through tall timbers and scrubby undergrowth. Traversing some 900 metres above sea level along these ridges looking down makes you wonder just how the old timers found the gold out here. Jump onto Blue Mountain Creek Trail on your left, this trail rises even more as you pass several rocky spurs that give you glimpses of some pretty views across the valley. The Cells Loop consists of around a 40 km’s, not big kays but time consuming with the stopping at the mines, criss crossing the many creeks, and the fact that you will need to engage 4wd to traverse the many hills that you will encounter makes this loop a generous yet casual day away from camp.

It’s a pretty cool explore into this region and being 4wd access only the relics, mines and fire tower have been left to weather away naturally and not get destroyed. For years I have driven past this area and wondered what was in the hills, make the effort and have a look - you may be pleasantly surprised. 

THE CELLS

Wauchope on the NSW Mid North Coast is famous for Timber Town, where you can take a step back in time and relive the past when timber was considered red gold in these parts, with a few mines thrown in. Most people don't stop to consider actually where this happened up in the hills tucked behind Wauchope but it is possible to retrace a history trail where you can see the conditions where these tough men lived and worked. 


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