CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Thommos Loop, Kariong Falls, Old Quarry - HIKE/MTB - 15 february 2012

I parked the car at Staples Lookout.

I cycled down Woy Woy Road about 400m and on the right side of the road is a locked gate which is the entrance to Thommos Loop Trail. The trails is wide and easy to follow.

Eventually, there is a track turn off on the right ith a sign 'Girrakool'. This track passes Kariong Falls. The track can be ridden for part of the way but becomes too steep and rocky for a bike. It is easier to walk down to the flls and back.

 

The falls are very pretty an cascade down to a small pool. The vegetation is very lush.

 

The walk back up is steep.

Once reaching the bike, I continued riding along the trail and turned left into the quarry.

The quarry is rocky and andy with pools of water. A lot of fun to cycle around.

I turned out of the quarry and continued on the trail towards Woy Woy Road. It is a steep cycle along the road to Staples Lookout.

A good cycle with two interesting visiting spots.

CENTRAL COAST - Strickland State Forest - Strickland Falls Cabbage Palm Trail - HIKE - 31 december 2011

The day was looking cool and overcast for a summer's day.



I drove to Strickland State Forest down Strickland Forest Road an parked at the Banksia Picnic area. There were picnic and wood bbqs and compost toilet.

I took the track towars Stricland Falls. The track was easy to follow . It wound its way on a sandy track through overgrown vegetation and pass rocks and cliff faces. Eventually, a sign was reached and the falls were only a short distance more to walk.

The falls were small and fell only a short distance. Still, it was very quiet and peaceful. A nice spot to rest awhile and take in the scenery. The rocks around the waterfall were very slippery. I had one big slide when scramb;ing back from the falls.

I then followed the Cabbage Tree Trail which was easy walking with a steady upward incline about ten minutes after passing the turnoff for the Stoney Creek Trail. The trail ended at the Banksia picnic area.

There was also a lookout over a part of Gosford near the picnic area.

Note: the Cabbage Tree trail would be good for mountain biking.

AUSTRALIA - QUEENSLAND - Minyon Falls Flora Reserve - Minyon Falls - HIKE - october 2010

We followed a short walk to the top of the falls. There was an amazing view over the top and across to the valley in the distance.

While there we waved to people at the bottom.

We then drove to a different car park and walked to the base of the falls. The vegetation changed from dry to rainforest to a tumble of rocks at the base of the falls.

At the base, there was a small pool and majestic views of the falls which were in a semi circle shape. We had lunch and laid back enjoying the sun and clouds scurrying across the lip of the falls. So peaceful.

Then there were two drops of rain and two minutes later it was like a bucket of water over the head with thunder for the sound effects. We scurried for the relative driest of the rainforest.

We plodded our way back and upon return the girls freaked over a few leeches attached to them under their socks.