All posts by Wendy Cairns

Dawn led  3 walkers on a 7 klm ramble through Upper Lane Cove NP, City View Lookout, Thornleigh oval, Coops Creek Circuit, and on to Cypress Street for lunch. The photos are of wildlife spotted along the way.

The second group of 8 walkers set out on an 11k trek along the Twin Creeks Circuit. However, the navigation sent astray. Dave W saved the day, finding the track that goes down to the Lane Cove River, then up to City View Lookout, and the Thornleigh Oval. At this point, the group was tired from the bush bash involved in finding the track and ALL agreed to cut the walk short & head directly to our Gourmet Lunch. Cold Drinks on arrival were just what was needed.

After and excellent lunch Peter kindly gave us a lift back to our cars.

Enjoyed the great company,

Greg & Dawn.

Mt Kuringai to Berowra via Cowan Creek and Waratah Bay

A perfect day for bushwalking sunny and cool. 22 walkers extremely punctual arriving at head of track well ahead of time. Leader being last to arrive!
We walked along the ridge a bit then detoured to see the Fireman’s Rest – a poignant. memorial to 4 national parks staff who were killed in 2000 doing a control burn that went wrong. Then descended by rocky stairs to the waters edge . We followed Cowan Creek with beautiful views all the way. After Waratah Bay we followed the rocky zig zag track up about 150 m 
A few people decided to catch the train immediately while the rest trudged over to Berowra RSL for refreshments before catching the train back to Mt Kuringai. Luckily we didn’t hit the Quiet carriage. Always a challenge for the Up and Downers. 

Chilly temperatures, thick enveloping fog and a high potential for rain saw 10 walkers arrive at Wentworth Falls Station well prepared with multiple layers of clothing topped with a waterproof shell. All sensible precautions.

After travelling 1 stop by train, we set off down the Leura Mall and along Olympian Parade to reach Gordon Falls Reserve. Here we located our first black cockatoo sign and joined the Grand Clifftops Walk. 

There were a lot of downs and a lot of ups on this walk, but the track has been solidly made featuring sandstone steps and stepping blocks. At times, the bush has even been trimmed to keep the track clear of overhanging bushes.

The first down was to the Pool of Siloam with an impressive waterfall. From there, it was up to Golf Links Lookout, the first of many magnificent views of total whiteout. Pressing on, we reached the Fairmont Resort where we paused for a damp morning tea beside a giant rainbow slide (not in use at the time). From here, the track skirts around the resort and enters some lovely bush where we were lucky enough to see 2 lyrebirds foraging. 

Crossing Lillian’s Bridge, we marvelled at the depth of the canyon below. A short while later, we could hear Empress Falls thundering quite close by and climbed ladders and steep steps up to the lookout to be met by the same whiteout views from both Empire Lookout and Queen Victoria Lookout.

Next, we made our way to the Undercliff Track and were surprised by the number of walkers we met also out for a walk in the fog and occasional rain/patch of denser fog. We found a dry spot on rocks under a very high overhang for lunch.

Our luck changed when we got to Fletcher’s Lookout, and we were able to see Wentworth Falls, our only “view” for the day.

The official track returns to Wentworth Falls view the Darwin Walk, however a street walking detour is still in place for part of this. The walk does return to the Darwin Walk for the last section, which took us past a delightful waterfall, some rapids, several bridges and a serene creek.

Having completed the walk, we went directly to the Grandview Hotel where we enjoyed hot and cold drinks and delicious chips in the courtyard (inside seemed too fuggly after a day in the fresh air, and we had no competition for space). All agreed that a return trip in fine weather would be worthwhile.

With the late change of leader, it was a team effort that made it a successful day.
Thank you all.