Spending the weekend away in Blackheath provided a large number of members the opportunity to not only complete some of the wonderful range of walks available in the area but also to socialise with club members. After a convivial meal at a local hotel on the Friday evening, a good night’s sleep in our delightful accommodation and breakfast the next morning, several walks of differing levels of difficulty set off (see individual walk reports below). The self-catered dinner was excellent and generous in proportion. We took the opportunity to thank our out-going social committee for their many years of hard work and finished the evening with the performance of a number of skits.
Sunday morning was a later start with BBQ bacon and eggs before people packed up and headed off in various directions, a few to walk, many to visit the rhododendron gardens etc before heading back to Sydney.
GLOW WORM TUNNEL
The drive from Blackheath to the start of the track took 1.5 hours and turned out to be the most hazardous part of the day. Trucks from the nearby sand mining area were travelling at a speed requiring evasive action by our driver on more than one occasion. However, once we got there, the walk was an easy 6km and the glow worm display impressive. The 6 walkers enjoyed the beautiful weather and lunch at the rock fall. Fortunately, the drive home was less eventful.
WALK TO LOOKOUT TOWARDS BALD HEAD
4 walkers decided to make an easier day of it, and so opted for the walk from Hat Hill Road out to the lookout across to Bald Head, about 7km return. In the event, the track around and over the hill sections was irregular enough to make it more of a moderate walk, so we took our time. The weather was very clear and fine, and a bit windy on the exposed bits. There are beautiful views all the way out, either side of the ridge. Quite a few wildflowers were out, with the attendant native bees, butterflies and so on. We had an early lunch at the lookout , and then backtracked to our start. It’s a nice quiet track, with only one other group encountered the whole day.
BLACKHEATH FIGURE 8 WALK
The morning walk saw 8 walkers make their way to Pope’s Glen, Horseshoe falls, Govett’s Leap, Barrow Lookout and the Braeside track. After a lunch enjoyed in the sun, 7 walkers continued on to Clifftop , Centennial Glen, Colliers Causeway and Porter’s Pass. Total distance: 15 km. Fabulous weather and views.
EVANS LOOKOUT, HORSE TRACK, BLUE GUM FOREST AND PERRY’S LOOKDOWN
Starting at Evans Lookout, 6 walkers were able to view where we hoped to get down to, steel their nerves, and set off down the recently re-opened Horse Track. The track has had many steps built, making it less treacherous than previously to navigate, but the elevation drop still makes it steep. Reaching the bottom of the valley, we made our way along a pleasant track beside the river until we reached Junction Rock where we had morning tea. After that, the track became much more undulating. We stopped at the base of the Perry’s Lookdown track for lunch, and diverted to explore the river nearby and the Blue Gum Forest. Perry’s Lookdown has not got any easier, but we all made it to the top where we were delighted to find our “uber”driver waiting to transport us back to base. A challenging but satisfying day.
PULIP ROCK TO GOVETT’S LEAP
It was a delight to find the track into Pulpit Rock open again after a lengthy closure. The viewing platforms have had new railings installed and the very lowest platform is no longer accessible. 4 walkers enjoyed the still magnificent views and took advantage of the gorgeous weather to walk on to Govett’s Leap. The wildflowers were abundant and various.
