EXETER NSW

On our arrival at the Southern Highlands, we strayed with a short stay near the small and very English village of Exeter...we even saw a croquet match on our first spin through the village! This time we chose a farm stay, and the landscape did not disappoint: lush rolling hills, replete with resident kangaroos!

A key experience during our time in Exeter was a (rather strenuous) walk to the Fairy Bower Falls, in the Bundanoon section of the Morton National Park. It was steep rocky descent (which of course turned into a challenging ascent on the way back!) -- and we were rewarded with a visit to a beautiful waterfall and creek flowing along the rocks interspersed with almost perfectly round waterholes etched into the rock. It really was a Fairy Bower, tucked away, and yet with an amazing view across the nearby hills and trees.

The bird find of the day, however, was the superb lyrebird (or it may have been several!). On the way in, our first lyrebird sang what seemed to be a full repertoire of amazing songs and imitations.

​We recorded the lyrebird's singing here: press play to listen.

Eventually, our lyrebird took off from its vantage point and flew down into a fern clad valley, its ornamental tail forming a stunning image. The photographer watched agape, but was too slow with the shutter button. On the way out we spent quite some time quietly following another lyrebird along the track, dropping back and watching as it stopped several times to dig on the side of the track. Its tail was begging the camera for a photograph, so we obliged several times.

We finally made it back to the rest area for a well-earned cuppa, and we were feeling very pleased with ourselves because of the lyrebird...wow, nothing could top that!
Then we heard a familiar squealing cry, and no, it couldn't be, but yes it was a yellow-tailed black cockatoo! He came very close and low down in a tree, patiently allowing himself to have his portrait taken.

Feeling as though we could now offer our nature photography services to National Geographic, we headed home along our usual rural path -- our neighbours were out on the road. This is a flock of juvenile and not-so-juvenile crimson rosellas - such spectacular birds. We inched along the road, but they proved very elusive, disappearing into thick leaves and cover...but we (well, let's face it, the camera!) just happened to get one on the wing in the afternoon sun, to our great delight.

Our brief introduction to the Highlands has been great fun so far, and we reckon we'll be back to this part of it for sure.