Organ pipes and old volcanoes

Still in Narrabri.  Today we drove on the Bingara road to the formation known as Sawn Rocks.  This was formed by cooling lava contracting in vertical lines, which now resemble hexagonal organ pipes. It's the same sort of formation which created the Giant's Causeway in Ireland.  Sawn Rocks is a particularly colourful example and is reached by a pleasant easy walk from an equally pleasant picnic area just off the road, not far from Narrabri.

Next stop was a glacial remnant, this at Rocky Creek (which you cross and recross on this road) about 4 kilometres past the Terry Hie Hie turnoff.  There's a little waterfall amid big rocks formed of many stones. The broken rocks within the rock are angular, not rounded as in most streams.

Off to Terry Hie Hie, a place that's appeared on many maps and signs to it have been seen many times by both of us without ever visiting the place. It's a pretty little hamlet in a lovely valley, which looks particularly good at the moment.  Evidence of recent flooding can be seen in the many creek crossings.

Finally we tried to visit Waa Gorge, but (waa! waa!) were unable to.  After negotiating many gates we arrived at the well equipped picnic place, and started off on our trek, but the rocky path petered out almost entirely at the Devil's Pothole and we were reluctant to proceed over the poorly marked and unformed track beyond (not to mention the Big Hill!)  The potholes are formed by the force of the waterfall swirling stones around in a whirlpool that digs out the sides of the rock.  You can see part of the waterfall's path in the photo but there is actually a higher level as well.  Although it's quite dry today, it's easy to see where the water falls, and to imagine the force of it. We didn't test the depth of the pothole but it looks very deep.

On the way back to Narrabri we were treated to a lovely view of the Nandewar Range, this is looking from the north.

I've been forgetting to mention the wildlife.  On the way to Pilliga a number of wild pigs crossed the road ahead of us, and we saw three camels in someone's paddock.  We saw a lot of raptors on the way to Mt Kaputar yesterday and there's a willy wagtail following us around, I'm sure it's the same one, we see him everywhere.  Today the only wildlife apart from Willy was a yellow butterfly and a brilliant red dragonfly, both of which were camera shy.  Also a wild pig and a wallaby, both deceased.

Once again the temp was over 30 but not too uncomfortable.  The manager of the caravan park says it's not as hot as it usually is this time of year. If that's so, how come the public swimming pool's closed?  Not that I've wanted to use it, but schools are on holidays, I'm sure the kids would like to.