Category Last Walk Report

Seven walkers, including visitors Alice and Joe, met at Kurnell near the entry to Kamay National Park. The weather was beautifully fine and calm with temperatures suited to walking.

We did a turn around the historic Cook’s landing site, which is being extensively refurbished, and then over to the Cape Solander track for a walk through the angophora, palms and banksias.

Arriving at Cape Solander we turned south and followed the track down to Cape Baily Lighthouse, with morning tea at one of the clifftop rock platforms on the way. We took in the view back to the city and south down the coast from the lighthouse, and then headed back to Cape Solander.

We took a quick look at the whale watch information station and then went back along the Yena firetrail and Cape Solander track  to the historic site for a bit of lunch. The walk finished with us going back along the foreshore to the starting point, where five of us headed to drinks at the 1770 café.  

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.

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 😊