We stayed in Glen Innes for 2 nights on the last part of our (Jan) 2021 trip. This meant we could have one full day to explore either Washpool or Gibraltar National Parks. We decided on Washpool having heard so much about it over the years.
And... Washpool just sounded better. Also, I like anything with water. (Photo credit: Glen Inness Tourist Information sign board)
The streams and creeks did not disappoint.
Lots of the Washpool Walk was along side Coombadjha Creek.
There were some really big trees too.
Caroline, next to one of the big trees. This gives you a sense of perspective on just how big they really were.
There were sections of the trail were we needed to climb over things, and duck under the twisty, turny vines.
Love all the moss.
This is very old Gondwana Rainforest (rainforest from before Australia was island; back when the landmass was connected with other continents. That is, it's really, really old!)
We collected a few leaches in our socks on this hike but got them off before we got back in the car.
This was one of the handful of small waterfalls we saw on the loop we hiked.
Us! At the waterfall. The hike was long enough (and the weather hot enough) that we took our water bladder packs so we both had sufficient water for the whole morning.
The Washpool National Park has a World Heritage listing. It is easy to see why.
The vegetation changed quite a lot over the course of the hike. This was a steep section that was quite dark and damp where I was standing but it was light when I looked up.
I really can't walk past a side track if I see one. I don't want to miss out on anything so, of course, we went to check out the Summit Falls before we continued on our loop back to the carpark.
Caroline, smiling for the camera. I think she's having fun.
The trail was well marked, but at times a little slippery, though not that technical.
Bushfires came through here a few years ago and the rainforest is still trying to recover.
Caroline was trying to point out just how tall this tree is!!
More creek crossings. (There were a few).
And there were plenty of wet, mossy, dark patches. But this one had a lovely spot of sunlight piercing through.
We decided to walk/run this one, walked up any hills but jogged the flatter sections where possible. We still had quite a few stops for photos though, after all, with so many amazing places to explore, I don't know if we'll ever get back here... (Photo credit: screenshot of my Strava App)
Once the longer walk/run was done, we headed over to the nearby Granite Lookout Loop. It was a short 600 metre walk with a view over the Washpool Walk that we had just done.
Climbing over the rocks at the Granite Lookout.
On the way back to Glen Innes we popped off the main road to check out Raspberry Lookout. It was windy as heck but since it was overlooking the Gibraltar National Park it was well worth the detour.
Looks like we got done just in time as the dark cloud started to roll in.
If you ever find yourself in this part of New South Wales (Australia) then both Glen Innes (the town) and the nearby Washpool National Park are worth a visit. I hope you enjoyed seeing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them :)
