All posts by Wendy Cairns

After the high temperatures and humidity of the week, the overcast day and cooler temperatures were welcomed by the 11 walkers who set out to discover this new walk for the club in the Royal National Park.

After meeting at the end of the Forest Path on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive and car shuffling to the Fig Tree Flat picnic area, we learned that Lady Carrington Drive was built in the 1860’s, and then set off along the road. The road is broad and flat, though stoney underfoot. We soon encountered Gibraltar Rock, a sandstone formation which overhands a section of original cobblestone road surface, and later came to Jersey Springs where 2 water troughs were installed to water horses on the drive. The troughs are still filled by the same springs as when they were built.

Without an obvious place for morning tea, we stopped on the road and managed to avoid being skittled by bike riders.

Along the next section of road, a pair of lyrebirds were observed just above us on the sandstone cliffs. Continuing on, we turned on to the track to Palona Cave, a 1 klm undulating bush track to reach the limestone cave and Palona Brook Falls just beyond. After spending a little time exploring the cave and admiring the falls, we returned to the main road and back-tracked a little to the Palona Brook Picnic area for lunch. There was a magnificent Turpentine tree nearby.

After lunch we continued along Lady Carrington Drive . Upon reaching the intersection with The Forest Path, we turned right and followed the track unto a wonderland dominated by Cabbage Leaf Palms and ferns. The track follows a long curve in the river, but is mostly high above the water. Arriving back at the cars, we undid the car shuffle and repaired to the Audley Dance Hall for refreshments.

A few leeches were encountered, but otherwise all finished the day in good shape. It was a thoroughly worthwhile day.

Fortunately, the day was overcast and thus a pleasant temperature for walking as 15 walkers took on this lengthy and often quite exposed walk. By the time we completed the 17 kms of mostly hard surface walking, our feet were very pleased to have the weight taken off them.

We saw some sight along the way- the Wentworth mausoleum in Vaucluse, various memorials, the Macquarie Lightstation, Waverley Cemetery, lots of housing (exotic and otherwise) and many wonderful city, beach, sea, and cliff vistas. A new section of the coastal walk was well received, but the path south of Bondi was extremely busy.

After undoing the car shuffle, drinks were enjoyed at the delightful Nielsen Cafe, Vaucluse.

With temperatures predicted to reach 40 degrees, it was decided to replace our planned walk with a shorter morning expedition from Rose Bay to Watsons Bay and finish with a dip in the harbour.

A group of 4 walkers met at the Rose Bay Ferry Wharf and under high cloud and pleasant temperatures set off, soon reaching Queens Walk and the Hermitage Foreshore. The paths were busy with runners and the beaches popular with many people already in the water. We stopped at Nielsen Park for morning tea. The large seawall on Shark Beach was well populated.

The cloud cover was still keeping the temperature reasonable as we headed out to Vaucluse Point and then around the streets full of swanky homes. The bridge over Parsley Bay is always a delight to cross, but there were surprisingly few people in the water there.

Onwards we went until we reached Watsons Bay. It was still quite early, but the swimming enclosure next to the Vaucluse Yacht Club has been improved with walkways and pontoons and looked very inviting. We took our time with a refreshingly cool swim and then picnicked in the shade of the large trees near the Watsons Bay Hotel. Fish and chips, coffee and ice creams were variously enjoyed before the ferry trip back to Rose Bay.

It had been so pleasant , we thought the BOM had got the forecast wrong, but when we got home, it was 40 degrees, so apologies to BOM. This walk was an excellent way to keep cool.

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.