Another pre-breakfast walk took me to the route into the fern forest. Here, I had seen a sign to a waterfall and decided to explore, and also to visit the wooden bridge crossed earlier in the week. Today's route would take us into an adjoining valley from where transport would bring us back to the hotel. A gradual zig-zagging path took us up onto Surprise Ridge where we had a long break for elevenses. We then followed the contouring path around The Diamond and Castle Rocks. After stopping on the slopes of Castle Rocks for lunch, we continued along the rough overgrown path. This eventually improved as we made our way to the Visitor’s Centre, and a short stroll around the shop before returning to the hotel.
The early morning sun catches the front of the hotel
A very secluded waterfall . . .
from where the water flows down a rocky gorge
The wooden bridge seemed worthy . . .
of a couple of photos
The troops gather at the hotel
These orange flowers abounded in this area
The path contours . . .
around the hillside
From Surprise Ridge we can see the scattered houses in the next valley
Continuing along the contouring path - the order of the day
A chameleon seeks the stability of the main stem . . .
where it holds on tight!
The escarpment above us never ceases to amaze me . . .
and the tree ferns . . .
always bring the camera out
Castle Rocks
The waterfall and pool look like they could be a popular spot for the locals