The main kayak was along Piles Creek but it necessitated a launch from Mooney Mooney Creek.
I parked on a side road from the Old Pacific Highway just after the Mooney Mooney Bridge.
I paddled down the creek against the incoming tide then turned into Piles Creek. From here I was able to drift a lot with the tidal flow.
It was an interesting and quiet paddle. There were the sounds of distant infrequent traffic and the song of the bellbirds.
Along the shoreline, mangroves dominated for about half the paddle with small mud crabs scurrying into hidey-holes as I paddled past. Further along the base of the creek changed to white sand and the shoreline became rocky on a backdrop of trees and bush.
The kayak ended at the suspension bridge. A large pool of water gather at this point. Just past the suspension bridge, are the remains of the old bridge with water cascading over the ruins and large boulders.
The return journey was against the tide until I reached the junction of Mooney Mooney Creek.
Today, I drove early to Olney State Forest for a hike on the The Pines Track.
It was a bit of a drive - along the main highway, a series of country roads then dirt roads to The Pines Camping Area.
The camping area was huge and a possible camp site for longer hikes.
The track was suppose to be signposted but most of the signs had been removed by vandals. Still, a general map and the major feature of a creek made it relatively easy not to get lost. Well, a couple of times, the tracks ended but I knew that if I kept in my general direction I would come across an intersection of a track. One problem here was the amount of tracks in the area. As it was, I was fine and I enjoyed the bush bashing.
The track meandered through some very pretty areas. In my opinion the best was at the start. The creek lightly cascaded over a few rock drops with moist vegetation growing at the base. The creek flowed over a rock base which was relatively free of vegetation. The trees were tell and shaded most of the direct sunlight. It was very rainforest looking and generally, the fallen trees and rocks were covered in moss.
The rest of the hike varied from roads to tracks to dense vegetation to wide cleared areas.
It was an adventurous hike that took me in a number of directions. I was surprised that at the end, I had only covered 2 km.
Back home and I had an ocean swim at Terrigal Haven.
I checked the surf this morning but it was very small so I decided on a kayak.
I drove to Erina Creek and launched towards the navigable headwater of the creek.
I didn't get too far before I was blocked by fallen trees. I backtracked and paddled past the bridge.
It was a slow paddle as I was observing the effects of erosion on the creek banks. there are a lot more trees that will be falling soon. The banks were undermined in parts by up to two metres.
The nice part of the paddle was the number of large lizards basking on the shoreline rocks and the birds feeding amongst the casuarinas.
A pleasant 2.66 km kayak.
I still had some more time so I had an ocean swim at Terrigal Haven. The water was smooth and clear even though the wind had greatly increased.
The girls and I had lunch at one of the restaurants near the waterfront at East Gosford. Pleasant.
Later in the afternoon, Jacinta and I did a few walking laps of the Terrigal Haven.
Just before the bridge at the Hawkesbury River heading towards Sydney , one can look down onto Mooney Mooney Creek. In the centre of the creek is a small island. I've looked at that island a few times thinking how pretty it looked in such a tranquil setting. Contrastingly, it is named Snake Island.
I parked at Mooney Mooney boat ramp and launched towards Snake Island. The morning was tranquil and the sun had just risen.
It was a nice paddle 'battling' the currents under the Hawkesbury bridges, well, not really a battle but it was a little turbulent. There are three bridges - two for the motor way and one for the local traffic on the old Pacific Highway.
Passing the bridges, I paddled turned off the Hawkesbury River and into Mooney Mooney Creek. Mangroves, houses, cliffs and fishing type businesses dotted the shoreline.
I reached a point where I turned towards Snake Island. The island was small and an easy paddle around. There was a small sandy beach where I landed and explored the shoreline of the island. It was nice placing my sole imprint into the sand as I walked. I didn't venture inland as it was steep, rocky, no paths, thick with vegetation and probably covered in snakes. I worked at Milson Island which is not far from here and it had lots of snakes so I figured this place would as well.
Leaving Snake Island (I didn't see any snakes), I paddled to the east side of the Creek and followed it towards the Hawkesbury River and Spectacle Island. I had paddled around Spectacle Island before. It is very interesting with some small sandy beaches, mangroves, thick varied vegetation, mudflats and rocks. A large hill dominates the centre of the island with sandstone cliffs tumbling downwards towards the relatively flat shoreline.
I landed on Spectacle Island and walked along the shoreline of rocks and sand.
I continued onwards towards the bridges and the parking artea. On the way, I got stuck on the mudflats. I thought it was only a short distant to deeper water but it took ages pushing very slowly through the shallow water by hand. Still, it was good exercise. :)
A pleasant 8.61 km kayak with interesting features like bridges and two islands.
It was a cloudy and warm morning. Time for a hike.
I drove to Katandra Road and parked in the picnic area. the track was easy but a lot of dried leaves made it slippery in places.
The track at one stage descended steeply and wound its way briefly through dark rainforest. It was silent except for the crunch of leaves underfoot and the call of birds.
Next stop, was the Seymour Pond. The pond is small surrounded by dry rainforest and filled with waterplants. It was tranquil to gaze upon it for awhile.
I followed the track around the pond through dried rainforest. All was very quiet. Along the way there were glimpses of the trickle of water that fed the pond. This trickle disappeared at times going under the rocks.
Back to the pond and the sun was appearing. I only had time for a short walk so I had to back track rather than continue further afield.
A beautiful, sunny and warm autumn day. I drove to lake Munmorah and launched at Colongra Road. The wind was still and the water reflections were excellent.
The boat ramp had a small pier beside it which had about 5 species of birds sitting on the far end basking in the morning warmth.
The paddle was tranquil and still with bird calls being the main vocal expression of the morning.
I paddled towards the west and a small but deep tributary that ended abruptly. I think a road was build here cutting his pat of the watercourse from the main creek.
Next, was Colongra Creek which was blocked after a short distance by a floating barrier. The power station was further up the creek.
The next watercourse was narrow and ran in a straight line beside the creek with about a road's width separating them. It was very pleasant with small shoals of fish jumping in unison away from my kayak.
Back out of the creek and to the south was a group of water bounded dead trees. They were a lot of fun to paddle around and between. The birds roosting above were a bit of a problem as they were doing regular droppings. Luckily, none connected with me and they tended to fly to another tree as I approached.
I cut across the lake and back to the pier.
This was a pretty kayak with a lot of birds and bird calls. The waterway scenery was reflected by the still water.
I drove to Wyee and launched from the end of Government Road on Wyee Bay.
The bay was a nice paddle with some along part of the bay and then it was mangroves. The creek was shallow but after a bit of a search I found the channel. At low tide this paddle might not exist!
I took the first waterway of the right. It was narrow and rubbish free. Very pretty. I doubled back to the main channel which had four smaller waterways feeding into it. All of the waterways were fairly pristine and free of rubbish. There was one small waterway that smelled of petrol. The end of it was dumped with large grave.
There was a number of birds about foraging in the mangroves or lazing on the water. A pretty sight!
This was one of the cleanest waterways I have paddled around.
Oddly, I couldn't find the name of this waterway. I'll add later if I find out.
I've wanted to do this kayak for awhile but had trouble finding a closer launch spot. I drove along Wiseman's Ferry Road and came to spot on the road opposite the entrance to Popran Creek. A small path lead through the mangroves to the edge of the Mangrove River. I have driven pass this spot before but hadn't noticed the path.
It was a bit narrow so it it was a little difficult carrying the kayak and the final section was very slippery. I launched and paddled across Mangrove Creek to the entrance of Popran Creek.
Nearly, straight away I was greeted by a large eagle in the trees. Nice sight!
I paddled as far as I could along Popran Creek until I reached a series of fallen trees blocking the creek. The banks on either side were either too steep to get up and pass or too overgrown.
Along the way, I diverted off the the creek three times to followed smaller feeder creeks. One creek was very straight and lined with very tall grasses. Part of the way along there was a small bridge. I landed here and was very surprised to find that there was a raised walking platform through the rushes.
The other two smaller creeks lead through the mangroves and were narrow with low tree branches making it a fun and adventurous detour.
Popran Creek itself was very pretty and there were three/two bridges to pass under. One was very very low and I just managed to get under it. It was worse coming back as the tide was higher.
It was a great kayak and as a change I had the tides right and the high tide helped me up the creek and the low down the creek.
Back to the car and the adventure had only just begun. My car had a flat battery as I had left my lights on. No worries, ring the NRMA. Worry, as there was no mobile phone reception. There were a few houses opposite but no one was home. I walked 4 kilometres to Spencer and got a lift off a very nice couple on the last one kilometre. They were going to do a few things and would pick me up on the way back. At Spencer, there was no mobile reception. No worries, I'll use the public phone. No change. No worries, I'll get change at the grocery shop. The grocery shop was closed. Luckily, a lady pulled in to go to the shop and had some change. I rang, got assistance and the couple came back to drive me back to the car. An hour later, the battery was charged and I was off.
A long day, a good kayak and despite the car problem, I met some very nice people!
It was a cloudy day with the chance of rain. i drove to Emu Drive, San Remo which is ner the mouth of Wallarah Creek and launched the kayak.
The creek starts off wide and passes under a bridge. There are a few dwellings along the creek's northern bank. The southern bank is natural. Eventually, I reached the junction of Wallarah and Spring Creek.
I took the turn into Spring Creek. for a long while it was crowded with dwellings on the east and northern banks. The south and west bank remained natural. After a time the dwellings stopped and the landscape was more natural with bird and lizard life.
I came to another bridge which had a rubble strewn crossing just before it. I continued on for some distance until the creek branched off in to two opposite directions that was strewn with branches and logs. It wasn't passable.
The return journey took a total of 3 hours with a strong wind against me on the return leg.
I decided to try to launch from a dirt road off Tuggerah. It looked good but unfortunately, the car became stuck on the high side of crest. I rang the NRMA, and and hour later I was on the move again.
I parked and launched near the bridge on Wyong Road. Luck was with me and against me as I lost the oar then the kayak then the oar again on launching, then nearly capsizing. i figured it couldn't get much worst so away I went.
The creek began to surprise me after I went under Wyong Road. There were lots of birds to be seen and heard. Further along, There were a number of water dragons on the shore and in overhanging branches. even a turtle was basking on a group of floating sticks.
At the weir near the railway bridge, I had to carry the kayak over the rocks. From this point on, the creek started to fill with fallen trees and branches. These were fun to find a way to pass - some i went over and some i went under.
Eventually, the water became shallower and a large tree put an end to the journey. i walked around for awhile enjoying the solitude and eating lunch.
Firstly, I paddled down a mist shrouded Mooney Creek until I reached Piles Creek on the left. The beginnings were mangroves and everything was very still and quiet.
The mangroves gave way in parts to rocks and forest. I continued until I reached the suspension bridge. At this point, the creek became impassable due to rocks.
I came ashore and wandered other the bridge and around the area.
On the return journey, I paddle up two creeks on the left bank. The first went a short distance and was blocked by a large fallen tree. The second, wound its way through mangroves and bushland. It was a lot of fun as it was narrow and slightly overgrown. I beached at the junction of two smaller creeks and had a walk around.
I decided to join the toukley kayakers on one of their days kayaking.
It was a nice sunny day with a slight breeze. I met everyone at the creek and off we went.
this time, i went downstream. There were a lot of turnoffs amongst the mangroves which i followed and thusly lost track of the others.
It was sort of prehistoric paddling amongst the mangrove trees and a lot of fun. at one point, i came across a pocket of rainforest and had a walk around.
I caught up with everyone at the end and we had coffee and cakes.
fun day!
I set the GPS for Ironbark Road.The road was labeled sealed and unsealed but the last 200 metres were 4w drive to national park car park.
The day was sunny but strong wind was predicted. The wind increased through the walk but it wasn’t a problem.
The planned walk entailed Mount Olive, Emerald pool and Donovan’s forest.
The walk started as a trail with a variety of wild flowers growing along the edges. The bottlebrushes were in full bloom in shades of red and yellow.
Turning off the trail, I followed the track to Mount Olive. It was an easy climb with a nice view over the national park.
Returning along the track, I followed the trail to the turnoff for Emerald Pool. This was fun track that ran beside a small creek that skirted to Hominy Creek. Hominy Creek had a flow of water running over sandstone. In parts it funneled, formed small pools or cascaded widely over the sandstone.
A track leads down 50 metres to Emerald Pool. It was a very pretty sight. The pool is a light green and deep. I thought about a swim but he water was icy cold. I sat down on a sunny slab of sandstone and enjoyed the serenity.
I backtracked a short distance, then followed the track to trail 248. At junction of the tracks I took the trail to the carpark via Donovan’s Forest. The forest in contrast with the surrounding area of open bush to a shaded forest that was floored with bracken fern that swayed in the breeze.
I continued along the trail to the carpark.
Thoughts
This walk would be better by cycling along the trails.
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