Catching up on some local short rides

Well winter has settled in here, with the past few days seeing snow falls across the area, with snow actually falling in Bathurst yesterday for the first time since 2000. Being winter and also being pretty busy at work and at home, opportunities for long rides over the weekends have been non existent. However I have been able to get away every other Sunday or so for a short ride around the local area for a couple of hours.

A few weeks ago I set out on an overcast Sunday morning, intent on heading south towards Cowra. I stopped off at Carcoar for a brief trip around the town and headed up to the old Railway Station on the hill which has a great view over the town.

My motorcycle outside the historic Carcoar Railway Station

A view of Carcoar from the Railway Station

The Catholic Church and Convent


From Carcoar I headed down to Woodstock and followed the road across to Wyangala Dam, which is still very dry. I think on the day I was there it was about 10% of capacity. The weather was starting to come in and rain was threatening as I left Wyangala for Cowra and lunch. I stopped at my usual "haunt" the Rose Garden Cafe, had a sandwich and coffee and watched the clouds get darker and rain start to fall to the west. I decided to head straight home to Bathurst via the main Mid Western highway, as I didn't fancy getting caught out by the rain and having wind my way cross country from the Cowra - Canowindra - Orange road.

As could be expected, about 10kms north of Cowra the heavens opened up and it started to rain steadily for my entire journey home. I was nice and warm and dry, well apart from my hands, as my gloves, which are waterproof, filled up with water run off from my jacket sleaves because I had the sleeves inside the gauntlets :( Hmmmm - a wet, cold lesson to learn!!

This is the route taken


Last Sunday I decided to head for a quick ride over to Orange via Milthorpe, Spring Hill and Bloomfield. The return trip I planned to do via Suma Park, Emu Swamp, Rock Forest and the Ophir Road to Abercrombie and Bathurst.

It was a great day for riding. Clear skies, not too cold and dry roads. The trip across to Orange was event free, and I stopped at Milthorpe on the way to have a little trek around the town.

Orange Railway Station


From Milthorpe I continued on to Summer Hill, a brief visit to the Orange Airport for a peek at the planes and then on to Orange and Roberts Bakery on Piesley Street for lunch.

After lunch I headed out towards Suma Park on the Icely Road. I continued on to the Whiterock Road then the Ophir Road, taking me through Rock Forest, Dunkeld and then in to Abercrombie and Bathurst. I was a little worried the road might be a tad wet and soft because of the recent rains we had had, however the small patch of unsealed section was solid and firm, and the GS handled it with ease, if I did go a tad slow just in case :) All in all, a great little ride :)

This is the route travelled:

Orange and Mt. Canobolas

Well, having been over a month since I have been out on a personal ride (I'm not counting the twowheels forum rally that I attended on Mt. Panorama over the long weekend early in the month) I decided it was high time I got out. Work and family commitments have meant the past month has been pretty flat out, so its about time I made some time for a ride.

The weather this weekend has been brilliant. Typical Bathurst early winter weather, chilly and frosty mornings followed by clear days, blue skies, lots of sunshine and temperatures getting up to around 13C - 14C. The only problem with riding during winter, is that the days are shorter and thus if you go on a longish day ride, you will be returning home around late afternoon, as dusk starts to settle. Being out in the Central West of NSW means that if you ride eastwards in the morning, you will be heading home into the winter setting sun, which is to be avoided as the glare can blind a rider and the strobe effect of riding through forested areas is mind-numbing. Therefore, in winter I tend to head west, or at a pinch north or south.

Today I decided that I'd head over to Orange, about 50kms to the west. I hadn't been up to the top of Mt Canobolas for a while and today's weather would provide some great views of the surrounding countryside.

I headed out along the Mitchell Highway towards orange, truning off at the Millthorpe turn off, headed into Millthorpe before then heading out towards the Orange Airport via Spring Hill and then into Orange via Bloomfield. A cup of coffee in Orange and then off to Mt. Canobolas past the Orange racecourse, Towac Park.

At the entrance to the Mt. Canobolas State Conservation Area is a lovely teahouse, with a warm and friendly atmosphere inside and some outdoor seating where diners and coffee drinkers can enjoy the sun. The teahouse is very popular at weekends, as attested to by the full carpark upon my arrival.

Mountain Tea House, Mt Canobolas, Orange NSW

The road to the summit is about 5kms. The road is sealed at the bottom and also at the top, but there is an unsealed gravel section mid way for a couple of kms. During winter, the road is subject to snow and ice and can be closed. Numerous walking tracks are located on the slopes of Mt. Canobolas and at weekends, walkers are a common sight on the road to the summit. Also, be aware of 4WD vehicles, whose drivers may be trying to experience the thrill of the Dakkar Rally on the gravel sections of the road.




Unsealed section of the road to the Mt. Canobolas summit.

The summit of Mt Canobolas is 1395 metres above sea level and is purported to be the highest ground between Sydney and Perth. The summit is home to an array of telecommunications towers, including the local area's television transmitters


Summit of Mt. Canobolas

From the summit, a 360 degree vista of Orange and the surrounding district can be had. An engraved plate on a raised viewing platform provides headings and distances to distant towns and places of interest.


Looking west towards Bathurst from the summit


Engraved plate showing location of nearby towns and places of interest

From Mt. Canobolas I made my way back to Orange via Lake Canobolas, a local boating recreation area. The grounds around the lake contain picnic areas, BBQ settings and childrens playgrounds. The area also contains a number of large vineyards, many of which having open cellars, wine tatsing and few with cafes or restaurants attached. There are also a number of bed and breakfast accommodation places nearby.


Entrance to the Lake Canobolas Reserve


A view of the lake and surrounding area from one of the picnic areas

After a late lunch at Roberts Bakery in Orange, I turned back onto the Mitchell Highway and made my way back to Bathurst, having had a very enjoyable excursion.

Oh to be able to do this every day ........

Well this morning was a gorgeous, clear Autumn morning. Blue skies, not too chilly, still and the day was begging for me to begin it with a ride into town for coffee and something to eat before heading up to the office. So where would I go? There are a few choices in Bathurst at 8.00am, but I decided on somewhere slightly off the beaten track as such - Al Dente on Keppel Street. It does great coffee, has a selection of light things for breakfast and is well patronised. I could spend 30 - 45 mins just enjoying the morning and people watching before heading up to work :) Done deal !

I managed to get a parking spot for the bike pretty close to Al Dente, retrieved my wallet and joined the queue of people inside ordering their morning coffees, toasted sandwiches and lunches.

Al Dente, Keppel Street, Bathurst

What a great way to start the day, a toasted ham and cheese croissant with a large flat white coffee, sitting outside on a table watching "the world" go by on its way to work :) I'd nearly finished my croissant before I thought that maybe the Blog should have a photo of my breakfast, or in this case, what was left of it :)

Central West Ride Day and lunch at Mudgee - Sat 3rd May 2008

Well a beautiful day it was for our TwoWheels forum Central West ride to Mudgee. Six of us met at Bathurst Maccas at 10.30 am. "Sydney", who came up from Sydney on a camping trip whilst on holidays joined us together with "Jez" who came down from Dubbo. Then there was "Bubba", "Chalky", "Turbo" and myself from Bathurst area. We would be meeting Jez's girlfriend "WeeBR" in Mudgee for lunch. She was riding down from Dubbo via Wellington as she is still on her L's and didn't want to ride all the way to Bathurst.

This is a map of the route that we took.


We left Bathurst and headed north up to Sofala. I was in the middle of the group, following Bubba who was leading, Jez and Turbo. The climbing twisties up through Wiagdon (half way to Sofala) were great. I had the RPM on the GS hovering around 8000 as I negotiated the hairpins and sharp climbing corners. This was by far my best effort on these corners to date.

We went through Sofala without stopping, with Sydney and Chalky bringing up the rear of the group. After Sofala, I'm sure I heard a roadrunner style "Beep Beep" and I then saw the front three riders simply vanish in a speed blur as they left me standing still. I must have slowed down at a terrific rate to cause that to happen ;). I now know how the Coyote feels !! I finally caught up to them again at Ilford, where they had stopped for a leg stretch to wait for the rest of us to catch them up.


Rest stop and leg stretch at Ilford.

From Ilford we headed towards Mudgee via Kandos, Rylestone and Lue. Here is a map of the route taken:


From Ilford we went via Kandos (which was a great ride, passing under the coal buckets on the overhead railway between the mine site and ore processing plant at Kandos) and then on to Rylestone, where Sydney and Jez refulled. At Rylestone we turned off and followed the rail line to Mudgee via Lue, coming out just north of Mudgee. The road between Rylestone and Mudgee is not bad, but quite uneven and rough for a sealed road. The wind was also quite gusty and for those of us on smaller bikes, we did a few more metres than the rest as we were blown a tad sideways at times. At one stage I felt like I was back on a yacht, tacking into the wind on one stretch of road. Nearing Mudgee I was taking up rear position following Sydney when I got that Coyote feeling again as two other bikes casually "hurtled" past us. The guy on the front bike, a big touring Beemer was sitting there upright like he was in his armchair. At least he waved as he went past :))

In Mudgee we headed to the Oriental Hotel for lunch. This hotel has a nice, pleasant Bistro with inside, outside and semi outside seating areas. An open fire in the semi-outside area was a nice find. Judging by the large number of patrons, it appears to be well thought of as well. There was a wide selection of fare on the menu, with lunch specials, a good a-la-carte menu and of course cold beer on tap for the thirsty travellers.


Oriental Hotel in Mudgee

After lunch I headed on to Wellington with WeeBR, whilst the other five headed back to Bathurst via the route we had ridden up. The road between Mudgee and Wellington is a good sealed road and well maintained. I was amazed at the number of dead foxs on this road. We also came across a fairly large flattened snake and WeeBR told me later she also saw a dead sheep just off the road. Seems it had been part of a group of sheep wandering the road on he way to Mudgee. Looks like one tangled with a car and lost. We got into Wellington about 4.00pm, having battled the continuing cross wind during the trip. Poor WeeBR was feeling it more than I as she was on a small Honda CB125R. We decided a coffee at Maccas was in order before we refuelled and headed our seperate ways, WeeBR on north to Dubbo and I back south to Bathurst.

We said our goodbyes and I left Wellington at about 4.30pm, having about 150Kms to travel back to Bathurst. I stopped at Molong (about 2/3 of the way to Orange) as it was getting a little nippy on the bike and I needed to put on my winter warm gloves. As I entered Orange dusk was finally giving over to night and I was thankful for my upgraded halogen/xenon headlight globe that lit up the road ahead really well. I didn't want to come across a fox or roo carcase in the road, as a motorcycle doesn't handle them as well as cars do. The chill started to seep into the bones as I neared the half way mark between Orange and Bathurst and I was definitley thinking that heated hand grips are one thing I must buy before winter takes hold. I arrived back in Bathurst at 6.30pm chilled but smiling broadly. It had been another great day on the bike. I had met some great people, had a great lunch and added a few hundred Kms to my odometer. Life is definitely GOOD !! :)

A Great Weekend For a Ride

Well as so many of you have done this weekend, I also decided to hit the blacktop for a cobweb blowout. Also, as I won't be getting much chance to ride over the next 3 - 4 weeks as I'm heading down to Tassie in the car, with family to visit the wrinklies, I thought this was the better excuse to just get away for a day. So I headed west, having decided to visit Parkes again and the "Dish".

After a leg stretch and coffee At Maccas in Orange, I headed out towards Parkes through Manildra. It was a glorious day, not too hot, not too cold, just right for riding, well apart from the strong northerly wind that was non stop and the roasting flour smell emanating from the Manildra flour mill as I went through town. About half way between Manildra and Parkes I had to stop to take a photo or two of the grass that was being blown across the highway. I suppose I'd class it as Australia's version of a mini tumbleweed, apart from the fact its not alive and is just dead grass flower heads with seeds being blown across the countryside. However the road was absolutely chocker s with the stuff and it was banking up like a snow drift in the trees bordering the road.


Grass seed "snowdrifts" between Manildra and Parkes


Grass seed "snowdrifts" between Manildra and Parkes


Grass seed "snowdrifts" between Manildra and Parkes

Anyway, on to Parkes, where I decided to check out Monument Hill overlooking the town. I hadn't been there before and I was impressed with the vista that the hill provided. The hill is crowned with Parkes' main War Memorial and a large carparking area with picnic tables and some great views of the local area.


The Parkes War Memorial tower on Monument Hill


Lest We Forget

From Parkes I headed north up the highway towards Dubbo about 27 Kms to the Radio Telescope (The Dish), where I had lunch in the Dish Cafe and soaked in the atmosphere of the Dish working. Today it was canted over vitually to its limit and facing east looking at something low on the horizon and a brazillion miles away :)


"The Dish" - Parkes' CSIRO Radio Telescope


"The Dish" - Parkes' CSIRO Radio Telescope


The Dish Cafe beside the Radio Telescope's Visitors Centre


The Radio Telescope's Visitors Centre

So overall, I had a brilliant day. Left at 9.30am got home at 5.00pm rode about 450kms and can't get rid of the smile. Anyone heading out this way, or heading down the highway between Dubbo and Parkes, I'd thoroughly recommend a stop at "The Dish". :)

Making my ride better - replacing the front springs

Well, last weekend I decided to make the ride on the GS that much better by replacing the stock springs in the front suspension with some stiffer, aftermarket ones. It seems that the soft springs issue is common with the GS and many riders suggest one of the first upgrades an owner should undertake is the front springs. Ok, so I'm a tad late, but I must admit I am so glad I did it. I found that the front suspension regularly bottomed out with the stock springs installed. When going over speedhumps, potholes and even riding into driveways, the suspension would reach its limits with a shuddering, jarring thump. Not with the replacement springs :) The ride is stiffer, the suspension not as soft and since changing over to the new springs, i haven't bottomed out the front suspension.

I ordered the springs from the USA (Sonic Springs), and paid for them online and they were shipped and arrived about 10 days after ordering. That's brillian seeing as it takes up to two weeks to get things from Sydney which is only 175Kms away compared to 15,000Kms to the USA. I paid US$80 for the springs and US$30 for the postage, and they arrived nicely packaged complete with a plastic tube for cutting the new spacers and instructions for fitting. I chose to replace my springs without changing the spring oil. There is an additional upgrade suggested in replacing the standard 10W spring/fork oil with 15W spring/fork oil. The heavier oil enhances the effect of the heavier springs. Changing the fork oil can be done either by completely removing the front forks (requiring wheel and front fairing removal) and draining the oil or by leaving the forks in situ and syphoning the oil out of the forks using a large syringe and rubber tube. This method is not as effective and leaves residual older oil in the forks as well as possibly some debris etc.

Anyway on to the replacement of the springs without removing the forks.

Step 1.
Preparing the motorcycle

Place the motorcycle on the centre stand and centralise the handlebars so the front wheel is not turned. Put some cardboard sheeting or old cloth under the front of the bike to soak up any oil drips that may occur. Remember: we will only replace one spring at a time so that the front won't collapse if we removed both springs at the same time.

Step 2.
Tools required

The photo below shows the tools required to complete the replacement.
a) hexagonal Allen key of correct size for removing the handlebars (no need to remove any switch gear, just the bars from the steering yolk)
b) socket set for removing the fork end caps
c) long piece of coathanger wire, bent at the end (for retrieval of spring seat and spring from fork)
d) pencil and rule for measuring the new spacer length
e) hacksaw for cutting the spacer tube
f) vice for holding the spacer tube when you cut it, and
g) clean rags for preventing oil dripping when removing original springs from forks.


Tools required for the job

Step 3.
Removing Handlebars

Using the hexagonal Allen key, remove the four (4) small hexagonal bolts holding the handlebars to the steering yolk. Put the handlebar clamps and bolts to one side and gently lift the handlebars forward so that the fork end caps are exposed completely.


Handlebars in normal position


Handlebars removed in showing fork end caps exposed

Step 4.
Removing the Fork End Caps and Spacer.

Using the socket of the correct size gently remove the fork end cap of the side you will be replacing first. Make a mental note of the tension on the cap to initially undo it so you can replace it using the same tension. Be very careful when removing the end cap as the fork is under spring load and the end cap has some spring tension under it. Keep downward pressure on the endcap as you unscrew it and be ready for the release of spring loading when the cap comes from from the fork threads. Be careful with the threads on the end cap and inside the fork tube as the threads are quite fine. Also be careful of the endcap rubber "O" ring that seals the top of the fork and prevents oil leakage. Once the end cap has been removed, place it somewhere clean and safe. At this stage the spacer will be poking out of the top of the fork tube by about 3 cms (about 1.5 inches). Measure how much of the spacer is poking out from the tube and make a note of this for later use when determining the correct replacement spacer length. Gently remove the spacer from the tube and catch any oil drips on a rag. Put space on a rag somewhere out of the way.


Fork end cap showing fine thread and rubber "O" ring


Original metal spacer removed from fork tube


View of the inside of the fork tube showing the "washer" spring seat on top of the spring inside the fork.

Step 5.
Removing the Spring Seat and Spring

Using the coathanger wire, very gently (making sure not to scrape the inside of the fork tube as you do so) lift out the spring seat washer and place on a clean cloth/rag with the old spacer.

Then, using the wire lift out the original spring. When the spring gets to the top of the fork tube, use your fingers to hold it and allow residual oil on the spring to drain back into the fork tube. Wait a minute or so for this to occur then remove the spring gently (don't scrape the end cap thread) using a rag to catch any residual oil and place the spring with the old spacer and spring seat.


This photo shows the old spacer, the spring seat and the spring with the end cap in the background.

Step 6.
Installing the new Spring, Spring Seat and Spacer

Firstly take the new spring, ensure it is clean of any metal residue, filings or debris and gently insert it into the fork tube, gently lowering it to the bottom of the fork with the wire hook.

Once this is done, clean the old spring seat washer and lower that onto the top of the spring.

Take the replacement spacer tubing and insert into the fork tube so it is seated on the spring seat. Using a rule measure the distance above the fork end required for the spacer. Generally, it is suggested that road bikes have between 2 - 2.5 cm (3/4" to 1") preload on the spring. This means that when the fork end cap is screwed into place, the spring is compressed by that amount. I measured 2 cm above the top of the fork tube on the spacer material. I actually initially made it 2.5cm but I found I couldn't compress the spring sufficiently to screw the end cap in, so had to reduce the spacer length by .5 cm.

Place the spacer material in a vice and carefully saw the spacer to the correct length. Hopefully the second spacer will be of similar length, however don't cut that spacer yet. Wait till you do the next spring. Clean off the residue from the cut section of pipe and ensure all debris is removed.

Carefully place new spacer in the fork tube.

Step 7.
Replace the Fork End Cap

Take the fork end cap and using the socket wrench push the spacer down into the tube using the endcap for purchase and gently commence to screw the end cap into place. Be very careful not to strip the thread of the end cap here. Once the end cap is in place tighten it to the same tension as you had when you undid the cap.

Step 8.
Replace the other Spring

Follow Steps 4 to 8 above for the other side fork spring replacement.

Step 9.
Replace Handlebars

Replace handlebars in the smae position as they were when you removed them and tighten the handlebar clams via the four (4) hexagonal bolts.

Job completed. Tidy up and take the bike for a test ride, noting change of feel in front suspension.

A weekend riding in the Capital

Saturday 1st March, 2008

Well, not having won the Insurance company competition for a three day, all expenses paid trip to the World Super Bike (WSB) race at Philip Island this past weekend, I decided to make a trip to our Nation's Capital Canberra and do some of the local rides that I have heard so much about.

I rode down on the Saturday from Bathurst via Oberon, Taralga and Goulburn. I did this route just before new year and was pleased to find that it is now completely sealed and a very good ride. Apart from being a tad chilly on the top of the Great Dividing Range, it was a glorious run and the coffee and marvellous caramel and banana cake at the Taralga cafe was just what the doctor ordered to warm up. I met up with another rider at Taralga and from there we rode on to Goulburn and then on to Bungendore via Braidwood Road and Tarago Road, passing through Wakefield Park, Lake Bathurst and Tarago. Bungendore is about 30kms from Canberra and is a favourite stopping place for motorcyclists doing day trips from Canberra. The town is on the route from Canberra to the coast which is quite heavily travelled during holiday times and weekends. We had lunch at the Square Cafe in the Bungendore village square, sitting outside on one of their many tables, with plenty of shade. I can recommend the toasted ham, cheese, tomato and mustard seed focaccia sandwich - Yum. Sorry no pics of it this time :)

After a bit of a browse through some of the village shops we headed in to Canberra to organise our overnight accommodation in Belconnen and sort out our riding itinerary for Sunday.

Sunday 2nd March 2008

Another glorious day, blue skies, not a cloud in sight and the anticipation of a great riding day made this the perfect riding day. Having thanked our overnight host for the room we headed out towards one of the Canberra/ACT motorcycling community's favourite rides - the Cotter Road.


Map of the route taken on Sunday.

Renowned for its weekend "boy racers" out to prove their stuff on the great twisties that the Cotter is famous for, the Cotter did not disappoint. It was a great ride and I found myself setting up for corners, flowing through them and joining with the bike to dance through the zigzagging bends and turns. We didn't see any other motorcyclists on the trip down, however there were numerous cyclists, cars and 4WDs out and about. The road descends down into the valley of the Cotter River where there is a lovely river side reserve beneath the Cotter Dam. It was about 9.30 when we arrived at the reserve and already families were setting up picnics and barbques under the many trees. The reserve has plenty of parking, bbq facilities and toilet facilities and has a children's playground as well.


View from the end of the Cotter Reserve, looking back to the picnic grounds and main entrance

After our "wee" stop we continued on down Paddy's River Road towards Tidbinbilla, where our next stop was to be at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex http://www.cdscc.nasa.gov/, where there is a visitor's centre and a cafe. Morning coffee was calling :) On the way to the Tidbinbilla we were overtaken by what I believe to have been two motorcycles playing tag, leaving a lot of noise and the smell of racing fuel behind them. I say believe, because they went past me (I was on 100kph) like I was stationary and I only heard them and saw two blurs. Didn't even see them coming up in the rear vision mirrors. Of course they could have been two low level jet fighters, but I know jetfuel and they weren't running that :) We turned off Paddy's River Road onto the CDSCC road (which is very smooth indeed) and soon found ourselves cresting a hill to find the complex and its array of telescopes/antennas spread out before us. The big 70m dish taking pride of place in the picture with two 34m and one 26m dishes looking quite small beneath it. A large car park with a few trees outside the Complex's main gate provides a good number of parking spaces for visitors. A short walk from there and you are at the Visitor's Centre which contains displays on the Moon landings and more recent Mars landings. There is also a cafe (the Moon Rock Cafe) there with a balcony outside seating area overlooking the large antenna. Whilst enjoying a coffee and a very nice chocolate chip cookie we were joined by "Lurch" and a friend of his from the Canberra Riders http://www.canberrariders.org/portal.php . We spent the next 20 minutes discussing all things motorcycling in Canberra and swapped riding route details before heading back to the carpark to continue our respective journeys. Lurch and friend were heading back to Canberra to attend a WSB BBQ. Hmmm that sounded good :) Nothing like sausage on a slice of bread covered in tomato sauce :)



A view of the 70m dish from the Moon Rock Cafe balcony

On with our trip. The 26m antenna was the dish originally constructed in 1965 at Honeysuckle Creek, south of Tidbinbilla, and was the dish that received the first images of Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. Therefore, we decided that our next stop should be the old Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station, about 35kms south of Tidbinbilla. The station was de-commissioned in the mid 1980s with the buildings razed to the ground and the antenna relocated to the CDSCC. however there is still foundations and historical information displays at the site. We stopped at Tharwa on the way to Honeysuckle Creek to fill up with fuel at the small village's combined General Store/Postoffice and Service Station. Since the closure of Tharwa's historical bridge across the Murumbidgee River (which provided a direct link with Canberra) because of structural concerns, , the village has been in decline. It was therefore nice to see a few more bikes pull up after us, no doubt to enjoy a cold drink and rest stop. From Tharwa we headed on down Naas Road to Top Naas and the turn off for Honeysuckle Creek on the aptley named Apollo Road :) Somehow I think it was renamed after 1969 :)


Apollo Road leading the 10kms to the old Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station

The road up to the old Tracking Station is in reasonable condition, but after reaching the top I couldn't help but wonder as to how some of the components for the antenna and buildings were transported up there on that winding road up the mountain in the early 1960s. Upon arrival at the Tracking Station site you are greeted by all that is left of the original site. That is three flat areas containing paved road surfaces, building slab foundations and the base foundations and leg mountings for the 26m antenna.


This is the way the original site looked on its opening in 1967. Note the location of the two people standing together in the carpark at the bottom left of the photograph and the position of the large main building.


This is a view from where the antenna was located looking down on where the building and carpark was located. The two bikes are parked roughly where the two people were standing in the photo above.

The information displays located on the main building's foundations and also on the base of the antenna provided details of the Tracking Station's history and its historic involvement in receiving the very first pictures of the moon landing and man's first steps on the moon. As a reminder, the site has numerous "Moon" footprints" painted on the floor of the main building and antenna base between the various displays. There is also a copious amount of kangaroo and wombat poo in the old grounds as well as the remains of numerous plants and trees, no doubt once part of the gardens around the buildings.


One of the many "Moon footprints" painted on the site.

After a wander around the site and marvelling at the structures that were once there and the atmosphere that must have existed during the first moon landing, we headed back down the mountain and retraced our tracks back to Canberra via Tharwa, Tidbinbilla, Cotter Reserve, past Mt Stromlo and into the city. I noted that Mt Stromlo Astronomical Observatory, destroyed during the 2003 Canberra Bushfires, is underway, with the new telescope's dome shining silver in the sunlight. The destruction of the vast forest and bushland areas all around the Stromlo and Cotter areas south of Canberra during those same fires is still very evident.