Iluka Nature Reserve VKFF-1938

Travelling between Coffs Harbour and Ballina headed over to activate Iluke Nature Reserve, VKFF-1938. I had activated it before but needed to activate it again in 2019 to claim for the Gondwana Park Award. This was my 2nd Gondwana park after Dorrigo National Park. As per last activation parked near a park access gate.

 
Set up on the road, room for 80 m dipole.

Shack on the table

Saw a spot for VK2IO/8 Gersrd in VKFF-2859 Artlunga Historical Reserve on 20 m so went there first to get him for a park to park.

Tried a spot on 20 m, and got VK5PAS/m Paul with a good signal.

Saw another spot on 40 m for VK5FLEA John in VKFF-2888 Mount Gawler Native Forest Reserve so changed bands and got him for a park to park also.

Spotted on 40 m, got a few more calls

VK3PF
VK2NP
VK5IS

Went quiet so went to 80 m. Got several more

VK2VW
VK4TJ VK4/AC8WN VK4/VE6XT
VK4RF VK4HA

Returned to 40 m for a few more

VK3SQ
VK4RF VK4HA.

Packed up and had lunch. As plenty of time did the park Rainforest walking track from Iluka town to the Iluka Bluff Picnic area, 2.6 Km return trip. This was World Heritage Rainforest so worth a look.

Walking track

Strangler figs

Elk horn ferns

A  mossy log

Birds Nest ferns

After the walk drove on to Ballina for the evening.

Iluka Nature Reserve VKFF-1938

After having lunch in the town of Iluka looked for a spot to set up in nearby Iluka Nature Reserve. Not easy, as a lot of it is dense rain forest scrub. Eventually found an overgrown park maintenance track off Iluka Rd, not far from the town.

A gate closing off the road, so walked past it and set up the radio on the road. Used the table and my garden picket spike to support the squid pole

Looking back the other way

Shack on the table

Got on 40 m. Conditions a bit variable with some stations strong and others weak. Some storm static as well. Did get a few spots of rain here but not enough to worry about.

Park hunters worked

ZL1TM
VK4FW


A park to park with VK5KC/p David in VKFF-0276 Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park. He was weak but this park is way out in the South Australian desert, so not a bad signal on 40 m.


VK3TKK/P
VK4FDJL
VK3SQ
VK3PF
VK3UH
VK2SLB
VK2MNR/M
VK7FRJG
VK2UH

Packed up and headed to Coffs Harbour to stay for a few nights.