CENTRAL COAST - 1 TO 8 DECEMBER 2022

 

1 DECEMBER

A hike to and around Seymour Pond in Katandra Reserve.

I parked and started at the picnic area at the end of Katandra Road. Heaps of parking spots. The tracks are sign posted and easy to follow.

The track was easy with some ups and downs and a few awkward steps that pass through open forest and into dry rainforest. Lots of ferns, vines and buttress tree roots. The pond is very pretty and can be viewed at a number of locations. Despite being pretty, I wouldn’t swim in it. The track circumnavigates the pond over a couple of small bridges. At the furthest point there is a cool bench to sit on to absorb the quietness, the whoop of the whip bird and the gurgling of the creek.

2 DECEMBER

A hike from Putty to Bullimah Beach in Bouddi National Park with Jacinta. We parked in the carpark at Putty Beach. We walked along the beach and onto the rock platform. The platform is very pretty being made up of swirling patterns of sandstone. There are small cup sized holes of water, waves crashing along the point, seashells and amazing views.

We scaled the cliff at the point to the path high above. The climb is so good with layers of various coloured sandstone depicting the eons that went into creating it. At the top, the path leads to Bullimah Beach and beyond. All the way along there are amazing coastal views.

We descended the wooden steps at Bullimah Beach, sat on the sand and just enjoyed.

3 DECEMBER

An early morning hike around the Haven.

There was a lot of wave action. It was pleasant waiting for waves to crash against the rocks and sent of a spray of foam.

4 DECEMBER

A kayak along an unnamed creek in Brisbane Water.

I parked at the jetty at Erina Creek and paddled around to Brisbane Water. I roamed around the mangroves enjoying being hidden from the main body of water. At the far end of the bay is the creek entrance which is too shallow to cross at low tide. The creek was lined with thick mangroves. The creek became narrower the further I paddled along. The tree canopy grew tighter overhead blocking the sun. Eventually, the creek ended at drain under a road. Along the way, I spied large eels in the water and water dragons on the creek banks.

An ocean swim at haven and coffee on beach with Jacinta.

5 DECEMBER

A loop hike along Bullimah Spur and Maitland Bay.

I started about mid-morning, which was probably a bit late as it was turning into a hot day. I parked at the Maitland Bay carpark and walked downhill towards Maitland Bay. After a short while, I turned on the Bullimah Spur track. It was amazing how green all the plants looked. The end of the spur was a great lookout with a view of the south coast towards Sydney.

I followed the steep and rough track downhill to the Bouddi Coastal Track. I followed this to Maitland Bay. There were some good viewpoints along the way of the coastline. The water was so clear.

At Maitland Bay, I had a cooling dip in the ocean and then the hot steep walk back to the carpark.

7 DECEMBER

A morning surf at The Ruins on Wamberal Beach.

There were a lot of fun waves with reasonable shape running through regularly. Only me and Chris D were out. It was nice to get back into the water surfing and it was especially good that the arm wasn’t hurting… too much. Haha!

8 DECEMBER

A morning surf at Wamberal Beach near the big house.

The tide was a bit high but there were some okay right handers breaking with no one on that bank. The wind picked up, it got cold, and the waves ceased to break… time for a coffee.