Decided to drive the Highland Way, take in a couple of lookouts over Morton National Park and stop off at Bundanoon to camp a few days on the way. This ‘tourist road” runs alongside the railway line through the gorgeous little villages of Tallong, Wingello and Penrose to Bundanoon and accesses the tracks down to Badgerys and Longpoint lookouts. When we were kids we used to come out here and buy cases of the most beautiful apples straight form the orchards. Didn’t see any orchards though… bloody Woolworths!!

From Badgery’s lookout over the Shoalhaven River, Morton National Park.. Stunning

View of the Shoalhaven Gorge from Longpoint lookout near Tallong, NSW

Bundanoon was closed due to some backburning so down the mountain I head past Fitzroy Falls on a beautiful winding, forested road with hairpin bends and ear popping sensations into this beautiful and fertile Valley.

Down the pass into the infamous Kangaroo Valley

Kangaroo Valley, a sloping wide vista surrounded by the southern highland mountains, was one of the ‘must do’ locations when I set out on this trip. Bendeela was a huuuuuuuge grassed, free campground right on the very wide and stunning Kangaroo River that weaves its way from the Shoalhaven through the valleys and escarpments. PLUS there were toilets. I was in heaven!!!

A couple of Kookaburras watched me from their perch as I set up my camp with a million dollar view. Actually they watched me the whole time I was there. I worked on a couple of little oil studies, made some drawings and took in the beautiful surrounds for three whole peaceful days. Weather Perfect!! Loads of ducks waddling around everywhere and then the wombats come out in the early evenings and scratched around, gnawing on grasses and scratching their backs on the diff of the car. I think they had the mange!!

Then the weekend came and the place filled up so fast with people from all over the local areas. Lots of families, scout groups, fishing, hiking and kayaking enthusiasts, as well as lovers and party animals! Got a bit crazy on the Friday night with people rocking up late into the night and running their cars with headlights on while setting up the most humungous camps I think I have ever seen; complete with trailers full of toys from bikes to kayaks, showers and toilets and even ride-ons to get to the toilet block and back. I was probably a bit jealous of the ride on BC I couldn’t just piss outside my tent at night when the convergence happened. LOL