The 75 meter climb!

The Bicentennial Tree

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Day 2 of my south west adventure and have to say this was my favourite day :-) 

It was at 0530 when I realised the hope of having longer in my bed due to the outside shower adventure the night before was dashed.  Everyone's bloody alarm clocks started going off and people kept walking past to get to the bathroom so there was nothing for it might as well get up and help out with breakfast.

By 0630 we were fed, watered and on our way, me having a particularly bad hair day and forced to slap on the bandana (see the pics!).

The morning of Day 2 was spent in what they call 'Tall Timber Country' and our first stop was the Bicentennial Tree!  This is a 75 meter tall tree which has been used in the past are a look out for bush fires.  Nowadays folks don't need to climb to the top of trees for that as they use helicopters.  I can't remember why its called Bicentennial, think its maybe something to do with being made a tourist attraction to celebrate Australia's Bicentennial Year.  Anyway....I was going to swick you all and tell ya that I climbed to the top...i even went to all the trouble of climbing up a wee bit to take a picture to make it more authentic...alas I cannot lie....i chickened out.  The climb up to the top was via what can only be described as long thin nails with only a thin piece of rope holding you in...so that coupled with the fact that it was was and slippy meant I decided to pass!!

Me climbing the tree...NOT!

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The following stop in 'Tall Timber Country' was much more civilised.  A tree top walk around the 'Valley of the Giants'.  This is where there is a 50 foot steel walkway through the giant Tingle Trees.  For those Inverurie-ites reading this the best way to describe it is like the 'Shakin Briggie' over the River Don back home...only a lot higher!  There were some amazing views from the walk and what was really strange was that some of the trees were dead at the top (do to old bush fires) but they we're perfectly healthy down below.  After walking amongst the tree tops you could then wander around the forest floor.  many of the trees where hollow at the bottom due to again bush fires and fungi.  One of them could fit our entire crew inside (see pic).

To finish off the morning was a quick browse round the gift shop (to the the obligatory fridge magnet for me mammy) then it was back on the road to find a suitable place to rock up and have lunch...which incidently ended up being sandwiches (make your own of course) in a lay by on the side of the road....oh the glamour ;-)