focus_tourism
with Stephen Saunders of Tourism Coffs Coast
tourism UPDATE
STEVE MCKEWAN IS COFFS HARBOUR’S VERY OWN REPTILE MAN. WITH SNAKE SEASON LOOMING, WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO CATCH UP WITH STEVE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SNAKES WE CAN EXPECT TO COME ACROSS ON THE NORTH COAST.
THE REPTILE MAN
STEVE MCKEWAN
WATERFALL WAY WONDERS THE WATERFALL WAY IS CONSIDERED THE BEST ROAD TRIP IN THE REGION AND IS FAST BECOMING KNOWN AS ONE OF THE MOST SCENIC DRIVES IN AUSTRALIA. LIKE ALL GOOD HOLIDAY EXPERIENCES, YOU NEED A LITTLE TIME TO DISCOVER ALL THAT’S ON OFFER, SO WHY NOT START WITH THE SPECTACULAR LOCAL HINTERLAND, WITH OVER A DOZEN WATERFALLS, PLENTY OF LOCAL HISTORY AND SOME OF THE BEST NATIONAL PARKS IN THE COUNTRY.
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he journey takes you on a sensory overload, winding through the Bellingen village, which is famous for family picnics on the Bellinger River and colourful Markets. The touring route leads west past farmland up to the Dorrigo plateau, with historical buildings and the world heritage Gondwana rainforest, before continuing through gorge country and tablelands to Armidale. Waterfalls and Lookouts There are 12 magnificent waterfalls to see throughout the 220 kilometre drive, starting with Newell and Sherrard waterfalls along the escarpment, on the way to Dorrigo. The Dorrigo National Park World Heritage area has panoramic views from the 50 m skywalk and walking tracks, including the two hour loop to Crystal Falls, and just north of the town centre is the popular Dangar Falls. Further along the touring route is Ebor Falls, which has an impressive two tiered, 100 metre drop and amazing views of the gorge country in Guy Fawkes National Park. East of Armidale is the Wollomombi Falls, which has one of the highest waterfalls in NSW, where the water plunges into the ravine and after rain creates a mesmerising soaking mist. Spectacular lookouts along the route include Griffiths Lookout in Dorrigo, with views of Bellingen Valley and New England Park ranges. If rock hopping is your thing, then add Cathedral Rocks and Woolpack Rocks to your stop off list. The kids will love the giant rock boulder
formations with vantage spots and amazing photo opportunities from the top of the summit. Bush walking trips are perfect at this time of year, with spring wild flowers still in bloom and forest trails through diverse woodlands and dry rainforests. Nature and Adventure The countryside is constantly changing, with opportunities to stop and enjoy the wilderness along the way. There are plenty of close up animal encounters, especially in the gorge country, with platypus living in the rivers and numerous eastern grey kangaroos. Birdwatchers are in for a treat, with honeyeaters and lorikeets, and you might also be lucky enough to spot wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons soaring over the steep cliffs into the deep ravine. The Waterfall Way is a local favourite for bushwalking day trippers and there are many trail options, including easy access trails to the hard core challenging (Grade 4) Eagles Nest Track and Cathedral Rocks with chain assists to the summit. Other bush walking options include all day tracks, where you might need to leave your vehicle at one end and camp the night at the other. Now is the time to experience the best road trip in NSW, with its diverse landscape from rainforests, gorges, rivers, waterfalls and abundant bird life. So hit the road, put on some tunes, and enjoy the ride. www.coffscoast.com.au
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pproximately top and yellow underneath. ed lli be three thouGenerally they’re only dRe The is e ak Sn sand people seen when moving about k ac Bl ar ne d un are bitten in the open. fo tly mos nts by snakes Marsh Snakes are often water, where it hu es , every year in Australia, incorrectly called Copfor frog s, tadpol and ds ar liz , ls fish, ee with most bites occurring perheads, because they other snakes .” in rural areas. The majority frequently have a lighter get bitten because the snake head colour than the body. has felt threatened, either by Copperheads are found on someone trying to catch or kill the the Northern Tablelands, not the snake, or accidentally treading too close Mid North Coast. or on it. Therefore, the best way to avoid a Marsh Snakes eat frogs and lizards and bite would be to avoid the snake by leaving it are mildly venomous, not unlike a wasp or bee alone and looking where we walk. sting. Most venomous snakes are nomadic feeders, The Red-bellied Black Snake is mostly found constantly on the move in search of food, water near water, where it hunts for frogs, tadpoles, and shelter. That is all a snake needs to survive, fish, eels, lizards and other snakes. But, it will also so if we can reduce or eliminate one or more of move into drier areas in times of drought looking these factors, we are well on the way to reducing for food and a drink. the numbers of snakes that will reside around our Because of its shy nature, most people bitten homes and property. by this species have usually tormented the snake, The snakes most often seen in the Coffs Hartried to kill it, picked it up, or trod on it. bour area are the Carpet Python, Common Tree The Eastern Brown Snake does not necessarSnake, Marsh Snake, Red-bellied Black and in the ily have to be brown. They can be light or dark drier areas, the Eastern Brown Snake. brown, even black, and sometimes they are The Carpet Python is a friend to people living banded, mainly when they are young. on the Mid North Coast as it is non venomous They are a very nervous, alert and shy snake and because of its size, consumes large numbers and if cornered or approached, feeling that they of rodents (rodents of course, being the main are vulnerable, will face the enemy, stand up in food source of many venomous species). So if we an S shape, quite often with mouth open, and encourage the pythons to stay in our roofs, sheds defend themselves. But as with all snakes, give and around our properties, they reduce the food them right of way, and they will retreat. The for venomous snakes and therefore reduce the Brown snake when feeding will cover a lot of chance of a potentially fatal encounter. ground searching for its favourite food - mice. Pythons may, on the odd occasion, eat a chook Brown snakes are one of the most common speor two, but believe me - it’s certainly worth cies and because of their fondness for mice, this having a harmless snake taking a fowl every now brings them in contact with humans, resulting in and then, than a venomous one biting your kids, them as the leader of snake bite, and snake bite you, or domestic pets. death, in Australia. The Common Tree Snake is non venomous and If you come into contact with a snake bite, feeds on frogs and small lizards. please call 000 and follow the first aid procedure It is a slender snake, often an olive green on for snake bites.
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