Jan 2021 – Gloucester Tops

This is becoming a really good habit so far this year. Find a day off together, disappear for some fun – I could get used to this. As an added bonus Loryn’s Mum (Helen) joined us, so Ellie was pretty happy to have company in the back seat 🙂

The weather forecast was favourable at 30 degrees and 40% chance of any rain (more on that later), so we headed off with a quick stop at Kew for a coffee. For anyone that hasn’t had coffee at Kew, it is well worth a stop.

It was a really good run to Gloucester with minimal traffic on the road. A stop at the lookout for the obligatory photo preceded another good stop at the Gloucester Bakery to pick up some lunch.

The run along Gloucester Tops road was quite good on the bitumen, and when it changed to gravel at the Gloucester River RFB station it doesn’t deteriorate too bad at all.

Turning left at the intersection with Rawdon Vale Rd results in a number of concrete causeways crossing the Gloucester River. Due to the recent rain there was a bit of water around, but nice and easy in first gear with the centre diff lock on resulted in no concerns at all.

We stopped at the campground/picnic area for our lunch, and a wander around the river and exhibits.

It was a slow climb up to the tops (18kms approximately) with the majority done around the 40km/h mark in second gear. The road is in fairly good condition but a lower tyre pressure due to the rocky base would be more comfortable. Unfortunately you only get a glimpse now and again of the valley below – this is another place where a lookout or two would be amazing.

There are 3 main loops to walk (Antarctic Beech Forest Track, Gloucester Falls Track, River Track) or 1 that combines them all (at 8km’s). There are also a number of longer trails that can take you further into the park. Unfortunately it is all walking now as the ones we used to do (Link Trail etc) have all been locked up.

With the weather starting to look iffy we decided to park at the falls picnic area and head directly for the lookout.

The rain was starting to come down a little bit heavier, so Helen very nicely volunteered to head back to the car whilst Loryn and I continued through to the falls. We got absolutely soaked, but the views were worth it.

So the 40% chance of any rain turned into 100% you are getting it. As for the 2-5mm that was forecasted, well up the range a little they received 30mm in 30 minutes. So with five river crossing to complete on our way out, and definitely no snokel in sight, we decided it was time to head out of there.

We decided to go a slightly different way back to Gloucester, aiming to travel along the Barrington West road. We had to turn around.

So Barrington East it was instead, with a stop at the Roundhouse for Ellie to have a play, Helen to have a cuppa, and well…. it is a pub 🙂

We decided to head through to Kendall to have a feed. Must admit – that’s twice we have gone there, and twice we have loved it.

A quiet drive back along the coast through Laurieton, Bonny Hills, Lake Cathie had us arriving back home ready for a rest. Again a thoroughly enjoyed day exploring our district.

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