Category Last Walk Report

Weather did not look too promising the previous evening, but apart from some drizzle as we were driving to starting point, no rain was encountered.

8 walkers set off for a short section of street walking and then entered the NP on the Carroll Creek track. Whilst track was wet, it was much better than anticipated and creek crossings were all quite do-able.

Onto Lyrebird Track and eventually to morning tea in Davidson Park. Then onwards to Flat Rock Track until it is blocked when we had to go up to streets for another section. Back on track, on to Magazine Track and as the natives were getting restless, lunch was declared in an open forest section.

Soon onwards again via Bates Creek Track and Currie Road track to the turn off to Natural Bridge. All agreed we’d add in this final loop so away we went admiring the Natural Bridge and then the views from Bluff Lookout (photo above). Across to Ararat Reserve via Bluff Track and then down to the oval at the end of Currie Rd and soon back at cars.

2 wallabies sighted, a small goanna, only about 5 leeches for the group for the day which was amazing. Refreshments at Forestville RSL were enjoyed by most of group. All agreed we’d had a great day and walk, even though it was very humid and even a bit hot when the sun came through. Thanks to all. David and Val

Thirteen walkers, three being visitors,  met up at the Cronulla Ferry Wharf, for the brief ride across to Bundeena.

It was shaping up to be a hot day, and did turn out that way.

We walked from the ferry around to Jibbon Beach and headed out to the headland track along the sand. This goes around Jibbon Head, often looking out to sea, which was beautiful in the light.

On the way out to the headland we visited the Dharawal rock carving site, which is mostly images of marine animals, with some kangaroo engravings.

From there, we followed the coast around to Shelley Beach and had a quick break before heading back along the Jibbon Head Track into Bundeena. By this time it was hot and this, along with correcting a brief wrong turn made for a slow walk back.

Most of the group took advantage of the booking for a table in the RSL, for a drink and/or a meal. Some took the time for a swim after lunch, and it was back to Cronulla on the ferry.

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.

It was a very hot day. The sea breeze did arrive, but not until about 11 am. Nevertheless, 16 walkers turned up, all very happy to start the new walking season together.

We met at Waverton station, passed Wollstonecraft station and then entered the bush, going down along Berry Bay to Berry Is. Despite this being an urban walk, there are several patches of very nice bush on the harbour foreshore. These provide welcome shade and relative coolness.

Past Berry Island we met a tricky bit of rock scrambling, something which looked slippery but wasn’t. This was negotiated with a helping hand where needed. There was also a longer path which a couple of people took. 

We continued to wind around the harbour foreshore, each time circling back close to Waverton. This way we passed Balls Head and the very interesting Coal Loader. Morning tea was eaten in a nice patch of shade on grass and lunch likewise.

The last stop of the walk was the cool Wendy Whiteley’s Garden, before well-earned drinks at the air- conditioned Kirribili Hotel. Well done all for a summer walk on a hot day.

Peter edit: We actually saw Wendy Whiteley happily out watering her plants at the top of her garden!

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.

On the 29^th of November, 9 members of the Up and Downers team got together for the Mosman to Balmoral beach walk.

The walk that was scheduled was Bundeena to Little Marley Beach and Wattamolla beach, however due to a Fire-Ban, a change had to be made.

Walk started off with a set of stairs from Mosman wharf, walking past the Taronga park zoo jetty.

The walk took the 9 intrepid walkers across Bradleys Head for some views across the Harbour, walking across the foreshore, we ended up at Clifton Gardens, where the team stopped for a quick morning team break. After this we walked across Georges Head, and middle head (The Sydney Harbour National Park.

The team powered through to end up at Balmoral Beach where we had lunch, after which two of the members took a well earned dip in the water. A Collective decision was made to walk back to the starting point, via a path we found in lieu of walking on the “hot” road.

On the way back as we passed military road, we took a quick detour to a local pub for another quick refreshing drinks, before coming back to the cars and heading home.

Great walk and great input from all members, especially for this leaders first walk 😊

6 walkers met at Bass and Flinders Point South Cronulla on a cool cloudy day. After a quick chat we started on our walk picking up a 7^th walker on Cronulla esplanade. We continued the walk past Elouera and Wanda beaches noting the rough seas and the degree of beach erosion. There were many walkers and dogs but not so many swimmers. We continued through Greenhills, through the restored dune vegetation and stopped for morning tea at the rehabilitated sand mining pond which is now home to fish and birds observing a large fish being caught from the pond.

We had a jovial, professional photographer offer to take our photo. From here we returned the same way pausing at Cronulla beach for lunch. Despite the overcast weather, there was no rain at all and walking conditions were very pleasant. Thanks to everyone who participated.

13 happy hikers were on good time for start of this adventure. Soon into 3 cars and off to Little Beach carpark. Walked down to beach (saw amazing native cymbidium orchid and 2 wallabies) to check out the campground (in good use) before returning to turn off to the Bouddi Trail. Side trip to end of 3rd Point Trail for morning tea on the rocks/cliff edge. Back to main trail and up and down with great coastal views until eventual descent to Maitland Bay Beach. As tide was conveniently low, most of the group rock hopped out further to see the remains of the SS Maitland paddlesteamer (wrecked here in 1898 with loss of 25+ lives). Still 3 or 4 chunks of rusty metal obvious! Lunch in shade of rock overhang was enjoyed by all, and then to the other end of the beach to start the climb out. Most of the group took the side trip in and out to Bullimah Lookout for spectacular views. Car shuffle undone and all reassembled at the Empire Bay Tavern for well deserved refreshments. Thanks to all for another pleasant day out and for working together to assist one member who found things a bit of a struggle at one stage. We all need to remember to drink more water on warm and muggy days. David and Val

Eight walkers joined our easy walk around Narrabeen Lagoon. We started from the small reserve off Mactier Street. At Val and Dave’s suggestion, we went anticlockwise for a change, so after walking through Narrabeen and over the bridge, we walked through the reserves on the western side of the lagoon, mainly through sheoaks. There were plenty of birds including swans, and a lot of walkers / runners / cyclists. There was a snack break in Middle Creek Reserve, and we had a bite of lunch back where we started.

Thanks to everyone for a pleasant walk in good company.