| We left too late to go to either the walk hike north of Licola or Lake Entrance so we decided to explore the Cool Temperate Rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park and Tarra Valley. We were a bit concerned as rain and blustery wind were forecast but we push onward. As we went south of Traralgon the skies were darkening. On the ridge line approaching the Park the wind was powerful, whipping young trees planted in rows in a burn area with vehemence. Arriving at the closed visitor center for the Park we debated whether it was foolhardy to go into the trees in such high wind but decided to venture on anyway. We were happy we did as the trail took us into a version of Jurassic Park, complete with a suspension bridge over the 30 foot fern trees. Ancient massive eucalypts towered at least 150 feet overhead. We were fairly protected from the wind and decided to take the loop Scenic Trail. As we neared the parking lot the wind became considerably more forceful. We looked at each other and, without saying a word, quickend our pace to get out of danger. We drove a few yards into the tiny town of Balook and stopped for lunch at the Tarra-Bulga Guest House and Lyre Bird Cafe where we were served home cooked chicken pie and Danish meatball on roll. Our host Nina gave a sample of her delicious chocolate treat. Fellow eaters informed us that a tree had fallen across the road to Traralgon and needed to be cleared. Fortunately we were headed the other way to the Tarra Valley picnic area. While we were at lunch we received the URL for our interview/article with the local Australian Broadcasting Corporation. |
The road was very narrow and winding. We had to slow down to avoid hitting a wombat crossing the road. The hike was, again, astounding in its beauty. Ancient Myrtle Beech with long root systems reaching down to the earth were surrounded by tree ferns. We were protected from the misty rain in by the rain forest's canopy. Back to the car, it was clear that the mist was starting to become rain.
We continued down the windy road, almost to where it would widen into pavement where two cars could comfortably pass. But a fallen tree blocked the road and we had to turn around and retrace our steps. When we reached the ridgeline the rain/mist was a vision-obscuring fog. Turning on the defroster in the car only made the windshield fog up more as the wind whipped the trees about. We were very happy to descend out of the cloud and into the valley.
We saw a herd of kangaroo grazing in a field to complete our day.
We continued down the windy road, almost to where it would widen into pavement where two cars could comfortably pass. But a fallen tree blocked the road and we had to turn around and retrace our steps. When we reached the ridgeline the rain/mist was a vision-obscuring fog. Turning on the defroster in the car only made the windshield fog up more as the wind whipped the trees about. We were very happy to descend out of the cloud and into the valley.
We saw a herd of kangaroo grazing in a field to complete our day.