Too close for comfort.

Sunday 20th

Gosh both of us are knackered! Another three waterfalls visited which took all day. Another hot day so plenty of sunscreen applied as well as that Jungle mozzie 'make sure the blighter's don't get you' spray. Shorts on with walking boots and socks made us stand out as typical tourists, the Aussies are made of sterner stuff it seems, especially in their attire. Many went with just their thongs! (No not knickers but what we call flip-flops) which in my opinion was madness considering what deadly beasties are on the paths. We encountered one such critter, but more of that later.

The rainforests were spectacular. 2 meters of rainfall every year on these forests but luckily not today! Was a little worried about leeches but didn't see a single one.  First place visited was the Beauchamp falls, a 2.5 km round trip taking roughly 90 minutes.

Hopetoun Falls 1.5 km walk roughly 45 minutes return

Little Aire Falls. A round trip of 5km. Took us a little over 2 hours.

Big Redwood?

Steps!!! Lots of them!!! As livarboards, we don't do steps!!! So nearly 1000 on all three walks about did us in. Not just the steps but those steep descents and ascents and our calf muscles were screaming 'NO NO enough is enough'.

It was on the first leg to Little Aire Falls that we encountered this.

Ian nearly trod on it! Lying amongst the bark it was only when it reared up and hissed that Ian saw it. A sudden shout from Ian, who leapt to the side, averted any serious injury. The snake was as much startled as us as it slithered away rather rapidly. I must say this unnerved me somewhat, what would have happened if Ian had got bitten, gosh it doesn't bear thinking about. I debated whether to ask Ian if we could go back. Already well into the 2km walk, Ian suggested we continue but keep a wary eye out for anything that moves. Glad we did because those falls were, in my opinion, the most striking. Then on the way back we encountered it again. Just off the path and curled as if ready to strike. This time I do think it is a Copperhead. Been on Google and it looks very similar.

On the way back to the campsite we came across more wood carvings from old stumps. Very impressed by the sculptor who produced these.

 Back at the site (now at Skenes Creek having moved the van 40 km down the road), we had another of those lovely sunsets. The site has only a hedge separating the caravan park from the beach so only camping right on it, could we have got much closer.

Beach right behind the van

Still waiting a reply to the email about seeing those Platypuses. Keeping fingers crossed that we can get on the tour.