Nancy and I were put in charge of organizing a group campout for our church this coming August. One of the areas or campgrounds suggested to us was Cania Gorge National Park. There is a small campground there where our church has camped before. I looked it up, talked to the folks who run the campground and booked it sight unseen. Feeling I needed to check it out, we invited our family to join us for our annual 4th of July celebration at the park. Andy didn’t get any time off (I guess the Aussies just don’t recognise the significance of our Independence Day!) but managed to take a day and a half of vacation. So, we all trooped out there on the 4th, set up and commenced to celebrate the 4th. First thing I would like to point out is that we are in the middle of Winter here in Oz so it was not real hot. The second thing is we usually get rained on when we camp over the 4th. Getting the picture here? Cold … wet. Okay. Here’s our camp, all set up:
We got set up before dark. Got a fire started and Nancy, Candy, Sammy, and Christian all started with the 4th of July fireworks … that would be sparklers and light tubes … all they allow here.
Before it got dark we did have the traditional meal of hotdags and hamburgers, potato salad and beans … all served on red, white, and blue plates, utensils, and napkins. It felt so patriotic!
The next morning we all decided to go hiking. Cania Gorge is a spectacular gorge with steep rock walls, big trees, and plenty of vegetation. There were many trails to choose from so we picked several short ones that linked up and did them. No one in the group is a serious hiker but we do like hiking and seeing nature. There is a great deal to see but in pictures it’s just rocks, and trees, and dirt so I’m not going to point out which is which. Our walks:
That night we enjoyed relaxing and recouping by a bonfire and some yummy chow. It didn’t rain much so we escaped that part. The hiking was fun. Incredible views once you got up above the floor of the gorge.Australia has very rugged terrain. The valleys and gorges are steep and deep, usually covered in heavy vegetation.
Saturday morning I drove out to Cania Gorge lake to do some fishing. Didn’t catch any fish but I did take some pictures:
The campground also has a kitchen that provides a fridge, stoves, a microwave, and tables if anyone camping needs these facilities. It also provides a place you can wash you dishes, pots, and pans.
You can’t see it but there is a quite a bit of seating available there as well.
One of the neatest features of the camp is the bird feeding. Every day at 4 PM the hostess comes out with a bunch of corn and bird feed. King parrots, Lorikeets, Apostle birds, Magpies, Crows, and Cockatoos all pile in for the feast. They eat from your hands, stand on your head, and enjoy the feast. An interesting sight indeed:
That was it. We woke up Sunday morning to a nice warn sun, took down the camp and went home. A successful 4th of July weekend.
