All posts by upleader

Well the forecast was a bit sketchy, but the weather was certainly not! A lovely spring day met 13 walkers who started the walk at West Pymble rather than the advertised Christie Park start point due to Lane Cove River being up after recent rains.

The leader was somewhat distracted by her new and very nerdedly wonderful bird call detection app – Merlin by Cornell Labs, which identified 16 different bird calls during the walk. Bushwalks may never be the same. Highlights were definitely the large number of small birds now uncommon in the suburbs like variegated fairywren, yellow-faced honeyeater, Lewin’s honeyeater, Scarlet myzomeia, Brown Gerygone, Gray fantail, Golden whistler, and Eastern yellow robin. We heard all of them but saw none of them. Was still tops!

We made good time down to the weir and was reminded how very lovely the Lane Cove River Valley is in many parts despite its suburban catchment. We pushed on through Fairy land and the mangroves next to Pittwater Road before heading up the final leg past the Field of Mars cemetery where a swamp wallaby briefly outshone the bird life for attention.

Everyone had a good day, I think and the noisy drinks at the rooftop bar of ‘the Governor’ were of at least of interest to those who wondered why this enormous pub was tucked down in the backwaters of North Ryde on the way to the waste transfer station.

Thanks all for a great day and a warm welcome to our visitor Jonelle. Cheers to all, Julie and Garry

Ten walkers turned out for what felt like our first summer walk of the season, despite the calendar still insisting it was spring. With temperatures reaching around 33°C in the Royal National Park, the heat was a significant factor throughout the day

The route took us down into the Hacking River valley and through magnificent rainforest, where hundreds of Cabbage Tree Palms created a lush and almost tropical atmosphere, with a peaceful stop at the junction of the Hacking River and a small tributary creek providing one of the day’s prettiest spots.

The only unexpected encounters came in the form of two dirt-bike riders, who we met first on the walking track and later again on a fire trail. They were friendly enough, although the impact of motorcycles on some sections of track was quite noticeable. One of our walkers optimistically attempted to hitch a ride with them but was some-what politely refused!

One walker sensibly decided to finish after the first loop rather than tackle the hotter afternoon section which left 9 to face the (mostly sheltered) fire trail in the afternoon.

The side trip out to Cawley’s bridge provided an opportunity to inspect the fauna retrofit works connecting Heathcote and Royal National Parks across the M1. I was very glad to see two koalas on the bridge, albeit of the stuffed toy kind. I trust our various impersonations of native wildlife (see photos) fools the ecologists who have wildlife cameras up on the bridge.

The leaders had a surprise shortcut on the back to Helensburgh through a 500 m (approx) historic railway tunnel which chopped off an entire mountain from the walk back. Despite the somewhat mucky entrance, the cool conditions inside was very welcome and the brick ‘egg’ design was also very cool.

There were no injuries, no navigational dramas and no other incidents to report. The group completed the 16km walk in good spirits, having enjoyed a varied route featuring rainforest, river scenery, wildlife habitat restoration works and some local railway history.

The day concluded in the traditional fashion with well-earned refreshments at the Helensburgh Hotel. Beautiful scenery, good company and plenty of interesting features along the way combined to make this a worthwhile new walk for our club. Thanks to all for participating.

8 walkers headed out to Portals Lookout from Glenbrook, covering around 15 km in excellent winter conditions. It was a clear, mild day with great visibility, and the track delivered early with expansive views over the Glenbrook rail tunnels and surrounding valley. The lookout provided a good vantage point to reflect on the area’s railway heritage, including early tunnel works that allowed trains negotiate the steep eastern escarpment.

The walk continued with views out toward the Nepean River and plenty of open bush to enjoy along the way. Lunch was taken at Euroka Campground beside a shaded creek, which made for a relaxed and unhurried break. Birdlife added to the day, with blue wrens and rosellas spotted around the campsite and along the track.

The walk included tackling the Lapstone Monocline, a distinctive geological feature where rock layers have been steeply folded, shaping the local terrain and escarpment profile. It was a solid but manageable climb that was rewarded with some amazing views. The group wrapped up with smoothies and coffee at Glenbrook Park, rounding out a very enjoyable day that was appreciated by all. Many thanks Julie and Garry

View over Killcare Beach

Rock art spot with a view

Boudii’s famous Angophoras

Fly like an eagle Justin!

Sea eagle on the breeze

Stretching out along the coastal walk

12 walkers stared down the weather forecast to have a mostly dry walk around Daley’s Point and Boudii NP. We saw some Aboriginal Art, many grass trees and angophoras, a huge sea eagle doing laps along the coast, some amazing views to Maitland Bay/ Killcare Beach and out to sea, nudi-branchs on the beach, singing honey-eaters, ringing bell birds, baby butcher birds… and yes leeches. Morning tea with a view inland over Brisbane Water was followed by Lunch at Hardy’s Bay. The day finished with a couple of big hills which tested Julie’s new heart rate monitor (174bpm) and every-one’s wet weather gear. We finished at Ettalong Diggers in good spirits and where the last stealthy hitchhikers were removed from legs, shoes and socks.

15 walkers had a fabulous day walking out to the Lost World via Pippa’s Pass and return. An early steep descent on rough track was followed by a rock hop across Glenbrook Creek and then a steep up to the ridgeline on even rougher track. We enjoyed morning tea looking out across the wilderness and then returned to the main track and the ridgeline out to Lost World. The track was narrow and overgrown in places with many spring wildflowers, the tallest bearded orchids ever, an enormous native cockroach and a very shiny jewel beetle. Two lookouts over the wilderness were found and a lovely lunch was had next a cross commemorating the Reverand Brother G.E. Raymer who passed away on 25 July 1953 while trying to save a swimmer near Wollongong. The walk back was achieved with almost no geographical embarrassments by those that walked ahead, and we made good time getting back to the descent to the creek. This had to be done with care, and the afternoon sun and exertion made for some pink faces all round. Sunglasses were lost and found all without leaving the comfort of a backpack, and the walk was done by 2.45pm followed by a welcome drink at the Lapstone Hotel. Thanks all!