We packed up camp and hit the road by about 8:45, as the day was promising to be another scorcher.
Today’s trek saw us heading west through Hillston, out to Ivanhoe and then on to the dirt road which follows the railway line out to the Menindee Lakes. I have been hearing for years that the Menindee Lakes are a photographer’s paradise, but I had never had an opportunity to get out there, until now.
When we got into town, I dropped in on the boys in blue. They are always the best source of info in remote areas. That know what roads are opened or closed, and in this case, where also able to recommend the best camping spot.
This was, according to our friendly local copper, Pamamaroo Lake, just north east of the town.
Once you see the images, you’ll understand why a) this was a good choice for a campsite, and b) why this area is a photographer’s paradise!
But let me keep this in chronological order.
On our way out of town to find our campsite, we saw the turn off for Kinchega National Park. I had read up, prior to leaving Gosford, about an old woolshed in this National Park, so I suggested we take a quick detour out to look at it, prior to setting up camp. We still had 2-3 hours of daylight left, so it seemed worthwhile.
After having a field day with the camera in and around the woolshed, we headed out to Pamamaroo Lake.
What we found exceeded our wildest dreams.
The lake, like most of the lakes in this region, was full of dead (but still upright) trees, it had a real beach (sand, not gravel), and we were the only people there!
We set up the tent, and given that privacy was not an issue, elected to leave the fly cover off. This would allow us to sleep shielded from the mozzies, but with a view of the stars overhead.
Being still in the high 30’s, we decided to go for a swim. The water was like a bath, it was that warm.
The evening twilight provided so many opportunities for photos, it was amazing. From straight landscapes (or ‘lakescapes’ if you prefer!) to family portraits, and later on, starfields.
The following morning also proved photographically-pleasing, with the capture of one of my favourite images from the whole trip (the shot of the morning light falling on the trees in the lake), but you’ll have to wait ’til tomorrow for that one!
Brilliant, as always. Really love what you do with otherwise very mundane things.
Also love to follow along your trip – sounds like you had a lot of fun!