Day 171 - Thora to Moonbi (Dorrigo NP and Waterfall Way)

---

It was a slow and tricky drive up to Dorrigo in the morning but we managed to get to the Rainforest Visitor Centre before it officially opened. That was OK because we could still access the skywalk and the rainforest walks. Not too many birds to see but we could hear the whipbird regularly with its distinctive call.

We walked to a lovely little picnic spot in a clearing called the Glade and it was full of birds. We spent a while chasing the birds around as some of them we had not seen previously. We had the place to ourselves.

We had intended to eat at the park cafe but it had just opened and the staff didn't seem very interested so we pushed on to the town of Dorrigo where we had a fantastic morning tea at the Food Angel Cafe. If you are visiting Dorrigo be sure to try Maria's baked cheesecake.

The Waterfall Way is the name of the stretch of road (about 200 kilometres) from Coffs Harbour to Armidale. We stopped at several waterfalls including Dangar at Dorrigo, Ebor falls at Ebor and Wollomombi and Chandler Falls in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

We had lunch at Ebor and fed the magpies.

After a long walk at Wollomombi (Australia's second highest waterfall) we decided against the local campground (which was quite nice) but to push on and make Armidale or further before we stopped for the night.

It was hard to find somewhere quiet (off the highway) to camp and, after dinner at the Bendemeer Hotel, we ended up driving in the dark to Moonbi Lookout. The lookout was relatively close to the highway but quiet enough for us to sleep well.

---

Photos

Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
Georgi at the Skywalk

Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
Viewing platform at The Glade

The Glade, Dorrigo Rainforest Centre
Eastern Yellow Robin

Wollomombi Falls
260 metre drop, second highest in Australia behind Wallaman in Queensland

Moonbi Lookout
View from the lookout