Beth's Oz Adventure

Now in Nimbin and still not entirely convinced I haven't been transported back in time to the 1970's! The town was formed in 1973 when all the hippies in the land came here for the Aquarius Festival, then many of them then stayed on to create Nimbin as it is today. Am doing some wwoofing at Jarlanbah permaculture community, staying with one of the original Nimbin-ites on a half acre block.

Been doing lots of gardening and discovering some wierd and wonderful new plants, including the peanut butter tree (the fruit tastes like peanut butter) and my personal favourite - The Chocolate Pudding tree!! Yes there is actually a fruit that tastes like chocolate pudding. Am going to collect lots of seeds and start a plantation in the Shropshire hills when I get back to England ;-)

Yesterday the great earring sale unfortunately turned out to be less great than hoped for as the rain came and the people didn't, so off to try my luck in Brisbane later this week..

Nimbin main street



Shovelling action

Peanut butter fruit tree

Chocolate pudding fruit tree - the fruits turn dark brown when ready

Wallaby & joey spotted in garden


The (not) great earring sale!

For the last week have been staying at Jasper Hall - a large permaculture farm located in the Upper Coopers Creek valley in the foothils of the Nightcap National Park. Is a community set up and very eco friendly, we have solar power and all the water used is rainwater, also compost toilets which are better than expected!

Great food here too with lots of avocado, banana, citrus and macadamia trees amongst others. Lots of wildlife as well, yesterday I met my first leech attached to my foot and today found my first venomous snake (not attached to me!). The main activity is currently focused on 2 new buildings which I've been helping paint. Have also been doing lots of cooking and helping look after 10 month old twins Amazon and Phoenix.

Am here until Sunday then am off to the ultra hippy town of Nimbin where the great earring sale will be taking place at the market there on Sunday!


Jasper Hall

Am now in Byron Bay and fully embracing the hippy spirit, yes my hair is in plaits, I have purchased a floaty skirt and have decided to change my name to Rainbow ;-)
First nights accommodaion was in YHA with no hot water and a room with a nice cockroach infestation, yes we were especially overjoyed to find them in our beds. Today went to Cape Byron which is the most easterly point in Oz then spent a strenuous afternoon on the beach. Tomorrow I head an hour west of Byron for more permaculture wwoofing.

Byron Bay



Sunrise seen from Cape Byron - the most easterly point in Oz

First stop after Arakoon National Park was banana crazy Coffs Harbour where the main attraction was 'The Big Banana', complete with banana cafe & shop. Then camped at Yuragir National Park where there was an amazing array of wildlife - lots of birds (inc Rainbow Lorikeets and Kookaburras) as well as goanna's, possums & kangaroos around the campsite. Next stop was Bundjalung National Park where we spent a couple of days bushwalking & enjoying the beach. Now in Ballina for a day before heading to Byron Bay tomorrow.

The big banana

The pelicans of Bundjalung doing some morning preening

Goanna

Goanna & kanga at campsite

Currently working my way up the coast from Sydney, travelling by car and camping along the way. First stop was Port Stephens about 3 hours north of Sydney where we had some dolphin fun and also did sandboarding on giant sand dunes. Also camped for the first time (in the rain!). From Port Stephens moved onto Seal Rocks a couple of hours north & camped in Treachery camp (better than it sounds!). Then yesterday went to Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie & stayed in v picturesque Arakoon national park.

The dolphins of Port Stephens
Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh!


Booti Booti national park

Koala Hospital & patients