Part of the story of the climb -
The ascent was almost unnoticeable for the first kilometre or so as you passed by dried reeds that stood out in the backlight. The climb proper began as you reached the forest. Now it was a true hikers’ trail. Switchback after switchback until you reach a saddle between two mountains. Here there was a round table with bench seats and a sign proclaiming that this was Ngunnawal country. The mount had indeed been significant for them, a place to guide their paths.
There was another sign about orchids. “This section of the track is particularly rich in orchids, especially in spring” and “Tidbinbilla has more orchid species than all of Britain” got me somewhat excited. Now, other than the snakes I’d been keeping an eye out for, I could look for orchids. Way I figured it was that seeing an orchid would give me a special feeling of goodness while sighting a snake is clearly not a pleasant experience and death can result. Bit of no-brainer really. For the next ¾ of an hour though, I saw neither, though you must remember I was really only looking for orchids.
From the saddle the climb became steep in places and they ever had steps here and there. Glimpses of distant views could be garnered through gaps in the branches, hastening my footsteps somewhat. Somehow you most often seemed to be heading away from your destination but then, a few twists and turns later and you could see the summit above.
Scraggy gums left mottled shadows as you moved into the granite proper, large lumps of rocks that you had to divert around, like protective walls around a castle, and you had to find a way through. The rocks became larger and then, just ahead, a properly constructed lookout of hatched steel flooring.
Somehow, while the view was impressive, you just knew it was going to be better further on. The trail swung away and into the large outcrop until, suddenly, you were beside a broad made road, the fire trail that came via a different, and shorter route. Right beside it was a sign, “Welcome to Gibraltar Peak”. Yet you weren’t actually up the top just yet. That was about another 300 metres further on and, when I zig-zagged through the giant boulders, excitement came to the fore yet again.
There was a giant crack in one monolith that you could squeeze through and that led you to what could be fairly labelled the rear view. Impressive though it was, you couldn’t help but feel the main event was on the other side, and so it transpired. Finally clearing all obstacles I clambered on top of one giant slab of rock. “Wow” was the word that immediately came to mind and it didn’t disappear for some time. - continued on next page

Motels in Paddys River

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Motels in Paddys River

Front of property - evening/night

Australia

Vic

AED 238 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Dec - 2 Dec

Laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Australia

PETER

AED 279 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Nov - 10 Nov

Deluxe Queen and Single Room | Premium bedding, desk, soundproofing, iron/ironing board

Australia

David

AED 255 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Nov - 29 Nov

Fridge, coffee/tea maker, electric kettle

Australia

adam

AED 299 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Nov - 12 Nov

Exterior detail

Australia

Catherine

AED 262 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Nov - 29 Nov

Budget Room | View from room

Australia

Bradley

AED 308 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Dec - 4 Dec

King + Double | Soundproofing, free WiFi, bed sheets

Australia

Natasha

AED 275 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Nov - 18 Nov

Seasonal outdoor pool

Australia

Robert

AED 325 total

includes taxes & fees

13 Nov - 14 Nov

Desk, iron/ironing board, bed sheets, wheelchair access

Australia

John

AED 276 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Nov - 5 Nov

BBQ/picnic area

Australia

James

Breakfast area

Australia

Sam

Exterior

Australia

John

AED 333 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Nov - 19 Nov

Property grounds

Australia

Richard

AED 316 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Nov - 12 Nov

Exterior

Australia

Richard

AED 377 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Dec - 2 Dec

Property grounds

Australia

Allan

AED 424 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Nov - 6 Nov

Luxury Triple Room, Mountain View | Desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Australia

James

AED 345 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Nov - 9 Nov

House | In-room dining

Australia

Elia

AED 347 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Nov - 12 Nov

Hallway

Australia

yukyoung

AED 324 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Dec - 5 Dec

Front of property - evening/night

United States

Katherine

AED 318 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Nov - 18 Nov

Exterior

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Deco Hotel

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