No, not that guy from wrestling who is now a movie star. The Rock "craggy outcrop that protrudes 364 metres out of the flat landscape about 45 minutes from Narrandera. We decided to take a drive to check it out and wow, was the view from the top worth it!
Jack and Jake getting ready to hike the trail.
The hill in the distance (behind Jack) is where we're headed.
We packed our hats, hikers, water and energy snacks (mini kit kats and fruit) and started on a flat walking trail called the Yerong walking track. The reddish coloured gravelly track passes through a nature reserve that surrounds the Rock. It seems that you pass through a number of habitats along the way. You start out in a flat wooded area and quickly come into a desolate rock and brush type area where the boys spotted a lizard on a rock. Personally, I missed it as I was convinced a brown snake would come slithering after us at any moment! 
A wallaby just off the trail. He just stared at us.
There are over 100 species in the reserve and we saw many types of birds, the lizard, a wallaby and MANY spiders!!! At times I felt like I was walking through the haunted forest in daylight with spiders at every turn. They spin very large, thick silky webs and can be seen happily eating whatever prey they caught in the middle. Honestly, I've never seen so many large spiders in one place. I was wishing I had the air ambulance on speed dial should one of us be bitten. I took to racing through especially spider-dense areas as they gave me the heeby- jeebies. Of course, Jacob was leading and trying to poke at them with sticks with the rest of us following behind. That was quickly ended when one spider dropped from above to escape the stick pretty much on top of Sam's head!
There are over 100 species in the reserve and we saw many types of birds, the lizard, a wallaby and MANY spiders!!! At times I felt like I was walking through the haunted forest in daylight with spiders at every turn. They spin very large, thick silky webs and can be seen happily eating whatever prey they caught in the middle. Honestly, I've never seen so many large spiders in one place. I was wishing I had the air ambulance on speed dial should one of us be bitten. I took to racing through especially spider-dense areas as they gave me the heeby- jeebies. Of course, Jacob was leading and trying to poke at them with sticks with the rest of us following behind. That was quickly ended when one spider dropped from above to escape the stick pretty much on top of Sam's head!
Fleeing the spider infested woods!
Looking up as the trail got narrower and steeper.
The track is 6 km long and takes about 3 hours to hike. It starts out gentle but becomes more onerous as it zigzags toward the top. We were so proud of ourselves for doing it in the Australian heat but especially of Jack who hiked the majority of it on his own 2 feet. Dan carried Jack on his shoulders when he needed a rest.
The track is 6 km long and takes about 3 hours to hike. It starts out gentle but becomes more onerous as it zigzags toward the top. We were so proud of ourselves for doing it in the Australian heat but especially of Jack who hiked the majority of it on his own 2 feet. Dan carried Jack on his shoulders when he needed a rest.
The view from the top - worth every spider!
At the top, the view is spectacular and it amazed us how far we had climbed. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Blue Mountains at the southeast; and to the west is the rolling plains of New South Wales. It was an experience we won't soon forget. After returning to the car, we went straight to the nearest pool - the Oasis in Wagga Wagga to cool off and relax after our latest adventure. So satisfying!
Wow the view from up there looks amazing. It sure looks like Jack is having a blast. Tell him the gang says Hi and we sure do miss him.
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Wow, I can see why they filmed the Lord of the rings movies there. Very rugged and beautiful! It sounds like you are having a great experience. School looks fun. Hope the kids are enjoying it.
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