Our destination was the local Wollomombi falls, which were roaring after all the recent heavy rain - possibly another 75mm in and around Armidale. Wollomombi falls are now regarded as about second highest in Australia and part of the World Heritage Listed eastern escarpment of Australia. In the first picture you can see the flattish New England Tablelands in the background, but also the massive gorge formed by the Wollomombi River entering on the left and the Chandler in the middle. The former is much the larger of the two.
The second is a telephoto shot of the top of Wollomombi falls showing its two tier structure. The first part of the falls are at an angle of about 45% until they reach the lip of the gorge and fall vertically. The start of the falls is just a little lower than the surrounding Tablelands and the first stage drops about 120m with vertical section providing another 100m. The total drop of 220m translates into 715 feet - some falls!
Dot and I walked around to Checks lookout on the Chandler track, one of several in the vicinity, all with spectacular views. We walked a little further until the track begins to fall sharply down towards the Chandler lookout. That is about half way down to the bottom of the gorge. Close to that lookout I took a shot of the third view below, which shows the top of the falls in the distance and the steepness of the gorge.
It was good doing the walks on Christmas day because very few people were around! And, towards the end, the sun came out and suddenly it became quite warm compared with recent temperatures - about 23C.
AS
1 comment:
I was sorry that you were 'home alone' for Christmas. Jean and I spent 5 days with Tim, Laura and the girls Harriet and Martha in Surbiton. We looked after the girls one day while their parents were working and took them to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens at Wisley where they had a great time exploring the extensive grounds and the huge glasshouses. New Year was spent with our friends, William and Marianne here in Poole and we got home at 2am! We watched the London fireworks on TV and they were truly spectacular. We seem to have eaten rather a lot so must economise on food today! Richard and Jean.
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