BLUE MOUNTAINS - BOTANIC GARDENS AND HIKES - 21 MAY 2018

A few days away in the van. The weather forecast was sunny days and cold nights. They weren't wrong :)

I left early and drove to the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens at Mount Tomah.

This was heaps better than I thought it would be! The visitors centre was well organized and the deck at the back had great views over the gardens on a green mountainous backdrop. The paths meandered through different areas of the gardens. There were so many plants and trees. Many of the plants were in flower and there were a number of mountainous birds about, though they were a little shy.




My next stop was Mount Banks for a hike.

The hike started relatively close to the cliff edge and the track followed this line to the top. The track had some steep sections but generally it was fine. There were many view points over the cliffs from the start to half way. The views became more limited and the vegetation thicker all the way to the summit. There was a trig marker at the very top of the mountain surrounded by dense bush and trees. I met a young couple at the top. I decided to the longer track back. This track was okay but soon joined on the service road and was a bit ho-hum. It would have been better to retrace my steps. BUT the road did lead the Banks Walls and it looked like a reasonable mountain bike (another trip maybe).




A light lunch then a hike from Pierces Pass Picnic Area.

The dirt road down was narrow with a few parking spots at the picnic area ( the picnic area looked like it would be okay for an overnight stay - future reference). There were two hikes and I decided on the easier option of Rigby Hill.

It was a great hike with - a narrow track, thick bush, steep rock steps and good views over the Grose Valley and surrounding cliffs.

It was getting late so I drove to the Cathedral of Ferns campsite which was on Mount Irvine Road. The site was large and the cost free. There were toilets but they weren't too clean.

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER NP - WARRAH TRIG - HIKE - 1 december 2014

Well, I was going to go for a bike ride but I arrived at the starting point a little later than expected so I settled for a short hike.



The morning light had lit up the bush. The light filtered through the leaves of the trees creating vibrant shades of green - pretty. The bark of some trees was highlighted into more vibrant colours.

There were a number of flowers blooming though not in huge abundance. They tended to stand out from the greenery with their shades of purple, white, yellow and red. A closer inspection showed the intricate and delicate detail of their form. remarkable!

The orb weaver spider were stationed strategically along the path for catching prey. Part of the way down the track, a half web indicated that someone had walked the path before me. Lucky them! The webs are so perfect and in its centre lies the spider waiting patiently for prey.

Yellow and brown coloured moths flitted on the rocks at the trig point.

The birds were too quick for me this morning but I watched a kookaburra stream through the trees and vanish. Two lyrebirds walked ahead of me but took off at speed once I was noticed.

The view at the end of the hike was over Broken Bay at the end of the Hawkesbury River's journey. The view spanned over Pittwater, Palm Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park and Patonga. A hazy mist hung over the western view.

The striking feature of the hike was the silence. No bird calls. No insects buzzing. Just silence and an awakening sun.

CENTRAL COAST - PATONGA - 27 september 2014 - 'ENJOY THE VIEW'

It was a beautiful and sunny day on the Central Coast.

Jacinta and I drove over to Patonga for a walk and lunch.

We walked along the beach to Patonga Creek.  Small waves broke gently along the shore. The white sand rose at a sharp incline to the vegetated foreshore.

 The foreshore was covered in wildflowers. We sat amongst them where someone had placed seating and a table

 Further along the beach, the sand veered out towards the ocean at a crescent where Patonga Creek exited. It was very pretty looking at the vegetated sandstone cliffs or back along the beach or out into Broken Bay.

 The pier jutted out to deeper water. It looked inviting for a swim or snorkel

 We had lunch on the beach.

A pretty way to pass the time away!

AUSTRALIA - Warrumbungles - Belougery and Split Rock Track - HIKE - september 2008

Belougery Split Rock – 2 hours

The track follows a gradual ascent until the turn off for Split Rock. The trail becomes steeper and steeper winding its way quickly to the top. An outcrop of rocks is reached and after a short distance a gate with warning signs and a series of 15 steps leads to the steep rock climb to the top of Split Rocks. The climb is indicated by yellow markers embedded into the rock. There are about three false spots where it appears that the top has been reached. The top which is covered in boulders and flowers is eventually reached. The view is excellent, taking in the camp area which seems a stones throw away, the western plains and rest of the Warrumbungle. Truly, the highlight of this walk, is sitting on this pinnacle, solitary, on the throne of the world with the sounds of insects and the wind while viewing the changing shadow of the world below as the sun rises higher over the eastern mountains. The return track was steep and rough, passing through a variety of different types of landscapes. At points, the track passed sheer rock walls, wind-hewned caves, shady areas of grass trees and open expanses of rocks.

AUSTRALIA - Warrumbungles - Grand High Tops Circuit - HIKE - september 2008

Pincham Trail, Alex Goulds Circuit, Grand High Tops, West Spirey Creek – 6 hours

The trail starts with a camp to the left of the trail. Soon the trail turns into an easy bricked-laid path with bridges spanning the dry watercourse. Taking a turn off, the trail becomes rougher and steeper. The first lookout is Febar Tor with nice views of the eastern side of the Warrumbungle.
The trail descends into a treed, flat area where the vegetation looks soft and there are the calls of many birds. The trail ascends steeply and progressively becomes even steeper still until it is a near vertical rock scramble to reach the summit of Macha Tor. The view is circular of the range, being akin to the throne of the world. It is very quiet except for the soft sounds of the bush creatures and the rustling of the wind.

The track becomes a series of steep descents and flat areas that are dominated by small oaks and soft looking vegetation. Birds abound and kangaroos can be heard thudding away. The trail joins back with the main trail which changes from dirt, gravel and pavers. The trail gradually becomes steeper until reaching raised metal steps. There is occasionally a rest sport of a small lookout or bench seat. The walk reverts to dirt and rocks following the bottom edge of the Bread knife. At this distance, the height with its vertical sharpness gives credit to the name ‘Breadknife’. The track becomes steeper still over bare rocks with yellow markers showing the way climb to the top. The view at the top is sensational. Looking back at the distance and the terrain covered in the walk. Looking to the south, even larger features like Buff Mountain are at eye level. Even more dramatic is the domination of flowers between the boulders of this relatively flat apex over the trees and shades of green that are prevalent below. Insects are buzzing in large numbers. It is a place to sit and wander and wonder on the beauty of this earth.

The high ridge trail continues in a series of steep ascents and descents. More lookouts give new perspectives on the ranges and the volcanic outcrops. Buff Mountain is the dominating feature with its massive sheer drop. At Ogma campsite, there is a trail continuing to Exmouth Mountain. The track to the right is very rough and steep following a dried creek. It is more like a second creek than a track at times being deeply rutted in places. Eventually, it flattens out relatively with soft-looking vegetation and grassed areas while criss-crossing the creek at various points. Birds are plentiful flittering amongst the oaks and wattles. The trail joins with the main trail after a bridge crossing and it is a short distance to the carpark.

AUSTRALIA - Kosciuszko NP - Main Range Track and Summit Trail - HIKE - april 2005

This a very pretty and scenic 21 km walk. We started at Charolottes Pass and followed the well defined track towards Blue Lake lookout, crossing over the Snowy River and alpine herbs.

 

At Carruther's Peak, there were excellent views over the western ranges and lowlands. The track became rougher pasing Club Lake and Lake Albina. At Kosciuszko, we followed the road to the top of the mountain.

Descending Kosciuszko, the old road lead pass huts, rivers and vistas of the high ranges.

Time: full day
warnings:
weather changes - take wet and warm weather gear.
sunscreen and insect repellent
plenty of water and snack food ( nuts, dried fruit and chocolate are my walking stables)
basic first aide kit

AUSTRALIA - Mount Kosciuszko - HIKE - january 2006

This is a great easy summer walk of about 22km return. It starts at the top of the Threadbo chair lift. It meanders along tracks and raised platforms through mountains ranges and rocky outcrops and lakes. There are plenty of alpine flowers and plants - very pretty.

At the base of Kosciuszko, the track becomes a road that winds its way up to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. The return is via the same direction.

On our journey it started as a beautiful sunny day, cloudy and very windy at Kosciuszko and rain by the time we reached Threadbo. There were plenty of people going forward when we were nearly back, so they would have been wet and cold and there are no shortcuts. Come prepared!

time: 4 to 5 hours
grade: easy
precautions:
take insect repellent and sunscreen - flies were insane
clothes for wet and cold weather - changeable
plenty of water
snacks to eat along the way
study and comfortable walking shoes