Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Australian Sojourn – March 2015

Part 2: Port Macquarie, Wingham, and Ellenborough Falls



Continuing my series of posts documenting my current visit to Australia with my Minnesota friend Joan, I share today photos and commentary from our time spent with my parents in Port Macquarie, March 2-6, 2015. (Note: To start at the beginning of this series, click here.)

Right: With my parents Gordon and Margaret Bayly – March 5, 2015.



Above and below: At Port Macquarie's Town Beach.




Above: With Mum and Dad and long-time family friend Grace.



Above: The Glasshouse. Located in the center of Port Macquarie, The Glasshouse comprises a 600-seat theatre, rehearsal/performance studio, an art gallery, conference facilities, heritage displays, and a Tourism Information Center.

Last year my parents attended a performance by Petula Clark at the Glasshouse. For Mum's review of this concert, click here.





Above, right and below: At the Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park, located just outside of Port Macquarie – Thursday, March 6, 2015.










Above: I totally bonded with this beautiful black-necked stork. For one thing, just after this photo was taken, we both narrowly escaped injury (or worse) when a nearby tree branch came crashing down in the wind!



Above: The Billabong Koala and Wildlife Park is home to a koala breeding centre.



Above and below: Snapshots of the town of Wingham, New South Wales. Joan and I visited Wingham on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, while on our way to Ellenborough Falls.



Above: The Wingham Museum.


Left and below: Many of the photos and artefacts in the Wingham Museum, along with "The Log" across the street in Central Park, highlight the timber driven history of the area.




Above and below: Views of Wingham.




Above and below: At Ellenborough Falls – Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

Descending 160 metres, Ellenborough Falls is Australia’s tallest “single-drop” water fall, and the second tallest in the southern hemisphere.



Although it was Joan's first visit to Ellenborough Falls, it was actually my third. I first visited this beautiful spot with family members on the last day of 2006, and then again with my good friend Jeremiah in December of 2008.

Following are images from our time at Ellenborough Falls on March 4, 2015.









See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
Port Macquarie Days (2014)
On Sacred Ground (2014)
"Like Persephone of Myth" (2011)
Port Macquarie (2008)
Billabong Koala Park (2007)
Last Days in Australia (2007)

Images: Michael J. Bayly.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for the pictures, Michael, for those of us who will never visit these beautiful NSW vistas.

Best to your mum and dad from Minnesota.

Anonymous said...

How lucky of you too be missing all our cold weather. Glad you are enjoying your time with your family. Warmest regards.

Mark Davenport