Belanglo State Forest

The Adventure Woofpack has *officially* hit the road!

As I have medical appointments in Wollongong, we didn't want to go too far and as we planned to do a long stay, we wanted to go somewhere that we knew. After researching all the state forests near Belanglo, we decided it seemed like the best long stay option.

After doing a First Aid course on the Monday morning, we packed up the last of the camper and hit the road around 5pm!! One perk of going where you know is that setting up in the dark isn't too much of a problem.

We stopped at Moss Vale on the way to get some dinner so that we didn't have to do that late at night. We got Thai from Sattahip Thai - oh.em.gee, the coconut rice was DIVINE and the Penang curry had thai basil in it *drool.*

We arrived at Belanglo around 8pm and was set up, in bed by about 9pm. We had the place almost to ourselves all week.

BELANGLO IS STUNNING

Truly, it is so beautiful in rain, fog or shine (and we had all of these!)

Waking up Tuesday morning, it was a foggy start to the day, I grabbed my camera and the doggos, popped on some gumboots and went to take some photos. The bois love going for an explore when I go for a wander.

The day was bright, sunny and clear after this, so we went for a family bike ride down Daley's Road and came across some awesome firetrails to explore later with the 4WD.

We came back to camp, sorted out the camper some more and then I worked for the rest of the day.

Luckily, the boys were knackered! The energetic kelpie needed to be on recharge for 7 hours!

Wednesday we finally set up the awning because we heard it would rain Thursday. We usually just use the awning on the car as it's quick and easy, but I needed the car to go to my appointment Thursday and we didn't want to confine the boys to the camper all day. It actually didn't take up long to set up the awning now that we've had a few practice runs; the side walls don't take long to attach but we didn't need them.

View on Wednesday, full sun (below)

View on Thursday, soggy and wet (below.)

It rained all day, so the boys slept all day!

Friday morning we woke up to glorious sunshine, so I popped on my gumboots again and off me and the doggos went. We seen the resident ducks again, and enjoyed all the little waterfalls and streams that had popped up with the rain. Most of the paths were dry enough to enjoy a nice walk.

Belanglo is unreal for all of the trails you can do. You could honestly spend a lifetime there because you could mix and match tracks each time you went to mix it up. It's obvious why it is popular with dirt bike riders, horse riders and 4WDers.

Friday after the walk, we went proper 4WDing - this is my first time since the training driving, so really my first time going through deep puddles, up small hill climbs with rocks and down small descents. My gosh, did I have a ball!

All of the 4WD tracks are pretty short and all seem to lead back to the main roads, which is great for short adventures.

By Friday afternoon, it started to get really busy and people came in droves. It was quite rowdy. Last year when we came, it definitely wasn't - people listened to music until about 10pm and that was it. It was like a little rave in the forest that night though. Small world, we met other locals who were donning the Opposite Lock hoodies. We went to bed early because we were absolutely knackered and needed to move on the next day.

Overall, we loved Belanglo. We spent from Monday night to Saturday morning there, and easily could have stayed longer.

The Victims:

Most people associate Belanglo with its dark past. "Playground" to Ivan Milat, then his nephew and a few other infamous cases where bodies were left here, we pay respect to all those who have lost their lives there, or found this to be where there bodies were "dumped."

It's a strange feeling to be having the time of your life, then realise that this is the last place these people were and how terrifying it must have been. It is bittersweet to be grateful that you get to experience this place in all its glory, whilst knowing that others experienced it at its worst.

A humbling reminder to live each day to the fullest.

*BREAKDOWN*

Facilities: Daleys Clearing Campground

Cost: Free

Internet: Yes - excellent reception

Electricity: No

Drop Point: No

Toilets/ Showers: Drop toilet, no showers

View: Yes

Noise: Quiet during the week, noisy by Friday-Sunday because of crowds and dirtbikes

Dog Friendly: Yes, this is an awesome place for doggos! Much fun to be had and can be off leash due to the size and quietness

Long Stay : Absolutely. Guidelines state maximum 2 weeks combined throughout the year.

Close To ...: Nothing. Make sure you come prepared or are willing to drive for supplies. Closest places are

Moss Vale and Bowral

Notes : This is an approved hunting forest and also people will come to collect mushrooms, so if you see people with buckets in the woods, this is what they are looking for.