First 2009 2x2 meet Minamurra Rainforest and Falls

[stubbsy]

The first of our 2x2 photo meets for 2009 will be held on Saturday 7th February 2009 at Minamurra rainforest in Budderoo National park south of Sydney. We'll be doing a 2 hour return walk which takes in the elevated Rainforest walk followed by the paved Falls walk to Minamurra falls.

The first 500m of the Falls walk is described as "steep and has strategically located seats along the way. After this, the way is undulating, with a final steep section 100m from the upper and lower falls viewing platforms." We'll be taking our time since I'm no athlete Kick off time is 10:30 am with a return to the picnic area for a late lunch around 1:30pm.

This destination is around 2 hours south west of Sydney (details are HERE) and admission is free once you've paid the $11 per vehicle entry fee to the National Park itself.

After lunch we may head over to Kiama (about 20 minutes away) and visit the famous Kiama blow hole

Here is the current list of those attending
(please notify me of any errors or omissions)

aim54x
ATJ +1
colin_12
Yi-P
Onyx
Six + 1
christiand
Matt. K +1
Stubbsy
TonyT
GK
Mozzie
Ben.bb ?

Note: For those needing transport - at this stage Onyx and Six have offered lifts - just contact them by PM to see if they have room

[aim54x]

I look forward to hearing more about this event.

[Matt. K]

2x2 meet???? I drive a Toyota Landcruiser.....does that mean I'm not welcome?

[aim54x]

2x2 meet???? I drive a Toyota Landcruiser.....does that mean I'm not welcome?

In that case then I would not be invited either (I dont drive )

[stubbsy]

Location details have now been added at the top of the thread for this meet.

Driving directions from Sydney:
Travel down the Princes Highway along the F6 freeway to Albion Park Rail (south of Wollongong); turn right at the Illawarra Highway roundabout. Travel to Albion Park and at the traffic lights drive straight ahead to Jamberoo. At Jamberoo turn right onto the Jamberoo Mountain Road, and 1km on, turn right onto Minnamurra Falls Road.

[Alpha_7]

Definitely interested at this stage, just need to sort myself out a lift, and make sure it doesn't clash with the boss

[aim54x]

I'd love to go BUT it may be a little hard for me to get to. I'll have to see if anyone can give me a lift.

[biggerry]

Definitely keen...

Cameron (and others in the area), if ya want a ride your welcome as usual will definitely lock it in closer to the date...

National Parks membership might just reach into february too!

[ATJ]

I'm interested. I might even be able to talk Vicki into this one.

[Alpha_7]

Oops, just realised I'm going to see the Top Gear show, so I won't be free that day!

[colin_12]

Definately interested Peter.
I will just have to wait for the boss to get her weekend roster for this year to be able to confirm.

[Mr Darcy]

Tempted. But its a long way to go.
Would need a cut breakfast and dinner as well as lunch

[sheepie]

Sounds brilliant Peter - I'm in.

Wonder what camping spots are down that way - will have a looksie. Anyone else interested in making a weekend of it?

[Yi-P]

Sounds like fun and I should pencil this down.

I'm in for the day trip but not weekend camping.

[Onyx]

Hey guys, I'm well overdue for a live meet - so count me in.

I'm also open to offer lifts, as I had been given lifts to meets in year(s) past, I shall return the favour. Just be warned: I have poor choice in music; and I'm asian - so I drive like crap.

[Six]

Count me in!
I've been wanting to go to the Minamurra falls for a long time now, I have a poster in my room with a photo of them so I have a benchmark shot to get
The girlfriend will come too, she just got a D60 for Christmas and is jumping at every opportunity to go shooting.
I can give a lift or two if anyone needs it.

Jack

[Ben.bb]

im keen, just not 100% sure if im working that day or not

[sheepie]

Damn - I'm out - double booking

[christiand]

Cool,

I'm planning to be there.

CD

[TonyT]

We are also planning to go
We have friends in Nowra so will see them as well

Tony and Sue

[Geoff]

We hope to attend but have a fairly big night the night before...watch and wait I guess.

[GK]

I am more then interested and will have 2 spare seats. Will confirm that that weekend is not booked for something else and update my status. So far looks good.

GK

[GK]

I'm in for this one!

[Mr Darcy]

Not going to be able to make this. Damn.

[TonyT]

I still able to make it but not Sue.
Our cat sitter will be oversea at this time so only me.
Cheers
Tony

[mozzie]

ok its been nearly two months since i have been on the forum - my sister got married and i went away to a country without the internet. THe meet sounds awesome.. and i have a parks pass i have been dying to make good use of. Not 100% but would love to come. I have never been to one of these meets - kind of still in the intimidated amateur photographer stage but sounds tempting enough for me to come out of my shell a bit..

[Matt. K]

mozzie
We all had a 'first time at meet' experience and suffered the same thoughts as you. The meets are great....the people are great...and the photo/camera talk is great. Bite the bullet and come along and you will enjoy yourself.

[Ben.bb]

Mozzie im totally in the same boat as you, so many amazing photographers on this fourm, and im still in the intimidated amature photographer stage as well. also im a lot younger than you most of the guys on this fourm.
Hopefully i'll be comming but its a bit of a treck to get down their, so it might have to wait till next meet till i make my grand appearance !

[christiand]

Dear dudes and dudettes,

don't let your feeling of intimidation or whatever else causes uncomfort to you, stop you from coming along.
We are meeting to have fun and that is exactly what we are going to have.

See you there,
CD

[stubbsy]

To anyone who's never been to a meet before:

- These outings are first and foremost about getting out and having a good time
- They are NOT about being competitive or showing up the skills (good, bad or indifferent) of each other
- The ARE about sharing our passion in taking photos and learning from each other
- They ARE about talking about and playing with each other's photographic equipment so if you want to see what lens x or camera y is like you have a strong chance that you can.

One of the strengths of this place is we do actually get to meet face to face rather than just chat online. So come along, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the exercise and above all enjoy the company of your fellow forum members.

[stubbsy]

I've added a list of those attending at the top of the thread.

For the day remember to bring sunscreen, a hat and water if it's warm. I also suggest you bring lunch - although there is a cafe at the location that provides "light meals and refreshments" I have no idea of price or availability.

[aim54x]

To anyone who's never been to a meet before:

- These outings are first and foremost about getting out and having a good time
- They are NOT about being competitive or showing up the skills (good, bad or indifferent) of each other
- The ARE about sharing our passion in taking photos and learning from each other
- They ARE about talking about and playing with each other's photographic equipment so if you want to see what lens x or camera y is like you have a strong chance that you can.

One of the strengths of this place is we do actually get to meet face to face rather than just chat online. So come along, enjoy the scenery, enjoy the exercise and above all enjoy the company of your fellow forum members.

Very well put Peter!! The best part is that pretty much everything that you do on the day is optional.

[mozzie]

Hey guys

Thanks for all ur encouragement. Anyhow I bought a brand new diary yesterday (i started work so figure i'll actually need one now) and The meet is definately Penned in so I'll see you all there.

also speaking of lifts i will have 3 spare paces in my car. But I do live in a somewhat awkward location for most ppl - Campbelltown. But if any needs a lift from around this area or near this area more than happy to co-ordinate that. Or if someone wants to train it out here then catch a lift with me.

*hope no one minds a dodgy P plater *

Cant wait.

[GK]

Is there a meeting point and time for Sydney siders who might want to drive up as a group?

As far as i understand we need to be there at 10am. So 7:30am take off from Sydney should allow one to get lost a little and still make it on time?!?

Thanks,
GK

[ABG]

Can't make this one as I'll be in Brissie on the weekend. Have fun guys and I hope to catch up with you at the next meet.

[Matt. K]

Hi GK!
Not a bad idea! Keep watching this post and we might come up with something.

[sheepie]

For the day remember to bring sunscreen, a hat and water if it's warm.

Saturday Fine. Sunny.
City: Min: 22 Max: 33
West: Min: 20 Max: 42
(Yeah, I know - it's not in the city - but you get the idea

Stubbsy - what is it with you and organising hot days for your meets???

[stubbsy]

Stubbsy - what is it with you and organising hot days for your meets???

Now Leon that is where you have it wrong. Originally I was going to have this as a harbour walk and then you'd have been correct. As it happens this meet is South West of Wollongong for which THIS is the Saturday forecast:

Forecast for Saturday
Fine. Northeast to northwest winds, freshening near the coast.

Wollongong : Fine. Min: 21 Max: 30

PLUS we'll be in a forest

[phillipb]

I've added a list of those attending at the top of the thread.

For the day remember to bring sunscreen, a hat and water if it's warm. I also suggest you bring lunch - although there is a cafe at the location that provides "light meals and refreshments" I have no idea of price or availability.

Peter, the cafe' is not too bad, a little pricey may be, but the day I went there was a couple of buses full of school kids and although most of them had their own lunches, they still lined up to buy snacks. Hope you have better luck on the day.

[aim54x]

Is there an address where we should meet, ie is there a landmark to look for?

[biggerry]

I am out - I have a wedding to attend - really unlucky with the dates for me since I was definitely looking forward to this one! Have fun and I can't wait to see the pictures!

[stubbsy]

Is there an address where we should meet, ie is there a landmark to look for?

Cameron

See my post of Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:06 pm for driving directions. We'll meet at the Minnamurra Rainforest Centre.

[Matt. K]

There is a McDonalds on the Pacific Highway at... I think its Heathcoate. A servo and a maccas on the right hand side as you are heading south.. If anyone wants to drive down in a convoy then meet there at between 9am - 9:20am.

[gstark]

There is a McDonalds on the Pacific Highway at... I think its Heathcoate. A servo and a maccas on the right hand side as you are heading south.. If anyone wants to drive down in a convoy then meet there at between 9am - 9:20am.

Would that be the Princes Highway?

Good idea Matt.

[Yi-P]

A damn, something came up and I cant go. Gotta bail out at last minute... sorry...

[GK]

There is a McDonalds on the Pacific Highway at... I think its Heathcoate. A servo and a maccas on the right hand side as you are heading south.. If anyone wants to drive down in a convoy then meet there at between 9am - 9:20am.

I think 9am is a little late. It's a 2hr drive on the motorway without traffic. And last time i was there there were road works on.

Let's make it 8am meet time for 8:20 kick off time?

And is that the maccas where all the "Sunday Church of Twisty Roads" worshippers meet?

GK

[ATJ]

I think 9am is a little late. It's a 2hr drive on the motorway without traffic. And last time i was there there were road works on.

Last time I went down to Wollongong, it was only 30 minutes from Heathcote to Wollongong.

On the Budderoo National Park site they say:

* Kiama (15 km, 15 minutes)
* Nowra (50 km, 45 minutes)
* Wollongong (50 km, 40 minutes)

which makes a tad over an hour from Heathcote to the Park.

[Matt. K]

Oooooooooops. Princess Highway is correct! ...Thanks Gary! It will only take an hour from Maccas to the falls so convoyers can meet at 9am for a 9:15 departure.

[gstark]

I think 9am is a little late.

I think midday is way too early, but that's a different discussion.

[GK]

all right then 9 am at 1257 Princes Highway& Heathcote Road, Heathcote it is!
look out for green falcon station wagon.

GK