On another lovely sunny morning, with mostly clear blue
skies, we drove south down the Princes Highway yet again, but this time to the
Imlay Road, with the aim of visiting Newtons Crossing.
The Imlay Road took us through Timbillica and East Boyd
State Forests, where views of nearby Mt Imlay were mostly obstructed by tall
trees. We were slowed by a caravan in front of us, but fortunately were able to
pass it not long before needing to turn onto Allen Brook Road, but the empty
logging truck behind us was not so lucky.
Road works covered the turn-off, however the side road was
still open, and we found it to be fairly wide gravel with just a few bumps.
Further on a rougher and narrower side trail took us 100 metres downwards to
Newtons Crossing Campground and Day Use Area. Here we found a couple of campers
in residence and signposted goat tracks to both the Wallagaraugh River and
Imlay Creek, both of which we followed.
The one to the River took us to a section where clear waters
raced over flat areas of granite, forming small rapids and allowing us to
rock-hop into the centre. The Creek track took us to the edge of a wide pool,
with views upstream to more rocks and rapids. As we walked back up the road
towards the Day Use Area, we detoured into the main camping area (empty) and
found another goat track, unmarked and carpeted with pine needles, that led us
down to the rapids on Imlay Creek. A lovely area.
Returning to the main track, we then drove down to the
actual crossing (a single-laned bridge), and parked on the other side in Allen
Brook – a fairly unkept picnic area near the edge of the Wallagaraugh River.
All there was to do here was to walk over the bridge and enjoy the large pool
on the upstream side and the little rapids flowing downstream (well, of course
they would).
We returned to the Imlay Road, passed through the road-works
and a little way back along it, before turning onto Anteater Road, which took
us up towards Mt Imlay. This was a lovely drive, which wound around the sides
of a mountain, through a ferny forest (where we disturbed a Lyrebird – it
scurried along in front of us in alarm before hurrying into the bush) and then
drier forest (where we needed to dodge a log on the road).
At the top of this mountain we had some clear views of Mt
Imlay through a logged section of forest and as we wound down the other side of
the mountain (but now the views were filtered through trees). Then we had to
drive gingerly over the lower section of a fallen tree, which arched right
across the road and, after descending further to cross a small creek on a
little bridge, we wound upwards once again around the side of another mountain.
Next the road took us downwards along a saddle to another mountain, where we
continued to descend to splash cross another creek, with a sharp dip and no
bridge. After this we immediately ascended once again. All the way the forest
was dense and lovely, with lots of fresh new growth in places.
We finally reached Burrawong Road and took it up to the
Picnic Area at the base of Mt Imlay, noting the signs about logging activity in
1977 along the way. Mt Imlay could not be seen from here, and we chose to eat
our lunch sitting on the tailgate of the Cruiser in the shade, as the picnic
tables were in full sun. We chose not to attempt the walking track to the summit, having been advised by our eldest daughter that it was a relentless 3 km slog straight up the mountain, and
being able to see the steepness of the gradient at the beginning of the track.
We returned down Burrawong Road, and this time followed it
all the way across to the Highway, winding around more mountains along the way.
Remember: When things feel hectic or overwhelming, step aside for a moment. close your eyes and think of three things you are grateful for. Breathe in a sense of peace. let go, and start again feeling refreshed! Gratitude App
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