 While we had a few days in Forster, we made the most of the road south through the lakes area to explore the national parks and other sites of interest - the birds did not disappoint, and the scenery was exquisite. Read on for a quick recap of our visits to Booti Booti NP, Lake Myall and Seal Rocks, and Coomba Park. Paradise! BOOTI BOOTI NATIONAL PARK
It was a challenge to get started, even though we thought we knew where we were going...the main entrance is at the Ruins Campground, but it was is hidden so we drove straight past and pulled in at the Sunset Picnic area, and did the Lake walk before getting back in the car and retracing our steps to the Ruins Campground. We then set off and found The Ruins Campground and the information centre. Finding we had to pay for parking was a pain. You couldn’t pay at the information centre and while we were told we could get a pass (you need to submit a photo of your car rego) or pay for day parking online - we found day parking couldn’t be paid online or by credit card or app - we had to fill out a form and seal the eight precious washing machine dollar coins in an envelope and submit it. Lucky we did as apparently the fines do occur - so be warned..We're happy to invest in our national parks, but please make it straightforward and remember we don't always have a signal to be able to go digital (anyway, we'll know for next visit to NSW). So, long story short, we started again and after visiting the (rather good quality) ablutions, we headed across the dunes to the beach, and the start of the track, having taken some advice from an indigenous team who were managing the site. There was work being done at the start of the track so we had to detour and walk along the beach - by the time we had negotiated the sand dunes we were ready to give up then we saw the stairs of the Booti Hill track. We shrugged and drew on our adventurous spirit and unwillingness to squander our eight coins and not walk the track. So many many many steep stairs later we were at the summit. The walk was magnificent with glimpses of the sea through amazing trees and undergrowth. The track down was very treacherous - it was natural steps of mosaic shapes made from tree roots and rocks, the shapes sometimes so small you had to turn your foot to accommodate it on the mosaic. Luckily there were very handy trees to help with steadying yourself on the steeper parts of the narrow and winding trail. We were very pleased to come to the junction and take the fire trail across to the Wallis Lake walking track at the Sunset Picnic ground and head back to the car. The lakeside trail was much easier but still had its challenges with tree roots, rocks and mud in parts but was flat and an “easy” stroll back to the car - again! MYALL LAKES NP and seal rocks
 The trees around there were going off with birds, and best of all, a scarlet honeyeater showed its face ever so briefly. The photos are distant and not that great - even so, there was lifer pie that night! COOMBA PARK
What a delight, and what fabulous people! We so enjoyed seeing the abundance of birdlife in this gorgeous place. It was one of the loveliest days, and the birds were plentiful - funny how those two things often go together! To top it all off, as we lunched nearby, a magnificent white-bellied sea eagle did a flyover. Thanks to our new found friends for reaching out.
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