So far I have the following attending:
- birddog
- Matt K.
- Sheepie
- Killakoala
- Stubbsy
- Onyx (probable)
- Please arrive at the wetlands carpark at 9:00 am sharp ready for us to head off at 9:15 am. Because of the size of the wetlands there's no way we'll be able to meet up with you if you're late
- I timed this drive from birddog's place in Belmore and it took me about 2 hours 15 mins with average weekend traffic and (mostly) following the speed limit. I'd suggest this is a reasonable benchmark for you to use
- Bring sunscreen and a hat as a lot of the time you'll be in the sun (although there are hides and shaded areas scattered along the way)
- Bring water. YOU WILL GET THIRSTY
- Bring insect repellant. While there were no mossies when I was there 3 weeks ago, anywhere that has still water can have mosquitoes so they might be there Saturday
- Don't worry about lunch. I live about 10 minutes from the Wetlands and I'll feed you.
- If you don't have it already, PM me for my mobile number so I can direct you if you get lost (see below for driving instructions)
- If it's raining the meet will be postponed to another date. So I can tell you if it is to be postponed please PM me with a contact number. If you prefer I can SMS rather than ring - just tell me to do so
- Follow the Sydney-Newcastle freeway until you see the sign showing two exits coming up. The first is for Cardiff closely followed by the Newcastle exit. Make sure you take the Newcastle one!
- This puts you on the Newcastle Link road. Drive along this following all the signs for Newcastle until you get to the end where the speed limit changes to 70Km from 90Km.
- Proceed through this roundabout still following the Newcastle sign and you'll pass 2 Shell servos (one on each side of the road)
- Keep going until you reach the top of a hill with a big roundabout. You turn right here into Newcastle Rd (again still following the Newcastle sign
) - Continue along Newcastle road through a number of roundabouts and sets of traffic lights until you get to some traffic lights at Jesmond (a T intersection with Bluegum road). On the corner on the left you have Jesmond Hotel and (still on the left) the other corner is Hungry Jacks. Proceed straight ahead at these traffic lights, but make sure you are in the leftmost lane when you pull up at the traffic lights
- Almost immediately after going through the traffic lights you'll be at a roundabout where the lane you are in goes left and that's where you should go (the sign will say University/Maitland/Taree). This is 3km from the roundabout you hit at the end of the freeway
- This puts you on another dual lane road with a 90km speed limit. Follow this road to it's end.
- When you get to the end the speed limit changes back down to 60km and you're at another roundabout. This roundabout is at the entrance to the Wetlands and you take the second exit at the roundabout as indicated on the sign.
Look forward to seeing you
.
