Sleeping under canvas is a great experience especially when it’s glamping and everything is set up.

Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge is an hour off the GRR. Lots of creeks to cross as we bump along. Chris prefers to drive as it helps his back to be holding onto the string wheel. At least that’s what he tells us!

Steve sits as co driver and sometimes in the afternoon sleeps on the job.

Breakfast was in the screened dinner area. Very rustic. Cereals and toast. No big fry up!

The chef had prepared a picnic lunch for us to take to Bells Gorge.

Back along the bumpy one hour drive turn back toward Mt Leopold Range. Half an hour later we turn left and head towards Bells Gorge. We pass Silent Grove and keep going.

The car park at Bells is full of dusty 4 wheel drives, vans, small tour buses. One caught our attention yesterday Manning River. It’s a big duel cab full of gear, a motorbike , a generator, various bits of equipment & it’s decorated with finger drawings in the dust. Very carefully done. Today the van is missing. Must be in the caravan park.

We start the track and it didn’t take long to get rocky. We’ve talked to other travelers about Bells. It sounds wonderful but it is described as tricky to get into.

We walked for about 2km into the gorge over rocks with about three water crossings. Little stepping stones across small creeks. We arrive at a series of ponds all swirling towards a ledge which becomes the waterfall. Stunning.

We walk across the sloping rock shelf up the side towards the top to look down on the water fall.

Decision time. Continue on over the pond up a steep set of rocks then over the top and down down down to the sloping rocks leading to the water.

I decided I would risk a slip and damage my arm – recovering from a bad break last Dec. I couldn’t go back to an arm in a sling.

So the others pressed on and I got into the pool closest to the edge if the waterfall. Careful not to go over the edge!

They took it slowly and arrived safely and we waved and took photos and I watched as they swam in the big pool of water towards the waterfall.

I know they were having fun. But so was I, pottering in the pools and watching people crossing over, slipping, helping each other and those returning from the bottom of the falls.

A satisfying afternoon. The others arrived back full of smiles and we walked back through the rocks to the top.

We sat under the trees eating our picnic lunch before heading back to the lodge two hours away.

Washing on, showers, bed rest and finally the bar opened. We were very dry and ready for a game of cards before dinner.

The gong called us and tonight the dinner was chicken and sticky date pudding. Beautifully presented and so tasty. We met the chef. He used to cook for miners but has been here at Mt Hart for seven years. It’s a feature for this place. I hope he stays on.

Our canvas tent called and we headed to bed. It’s slightly cooler tonight so sleeping will be easy.

And it was!