BEACHES, WYRRABALONG NP MTB, AVOCA LAGOON NIGHT KAYAK - 9 NOVEMBER 2017

I started the day with a surf check.



North Avoca Beach

Shelly Beach

And Soldiers Beach

They were all not too good.

I drove a short distance to Wyrrabalong National Park and rode my mountain bike along the Red Gum and Burrawang tracks.

The red gum track was wide and sandy with a number of short steep up and down sections. The sand in parts was deep and the front wheel tended to wobble out of control sometimes. The red gums looked magnificent as they gnarled and twisted in all sorts of directions.

The Burrawang track as narrow and enclosed with sharp edge burrawangs and low overhanging trees. It was a challenge riding along this track. At one point the trees were too close bringing me to a stop. The burrawangs are an ancient plant that can bear a large long fruit. The fruit was poisonous but can be eaten if prepared correctly.

At the end of the ride, I met and chatted with to lots of people. The first was a disabled guy and his wife and daughter. They had been riding the cycle path. He was using his motorized scooter - it was an awesome looking machine. The second, was an elderly couple who were about to embark on a hike on the tracks I had just ridden. They had a campervan similar to mine so we chatted a lot a about the pros and cons of our vans. I picked up a few good ideas.

Back home, and Kara and I went down to Terrigal Haven for a coffee and swim. It was nice sitting in the sunshine and chatting.

Just before sunset, I decided to try a night kayak. It was great. I paddled around Avoca lagoon starting just before sunset. It got more exciting as it got darker and darker. Just before last light, the fruit bats in the nearby colony took off on mass. There was an endless display of the creatures for about 15 minutes. Some of them flew quite close.



I turned on my head torch and my mini lantern and paddled onward close to the shoreline. It was amazing watching trees slowly come into view and then vanish in the darkness. A few birds were startled by the lights or just slowly moved away from my direction.

Such a fun paddle. I will need to plan a few more.

WYRRABALONG NP MTB AND KILLCARE BEACH - 9 MAY 2017

A mountain bike ride this morning at Wyrrabalong National Park.

First track was the Red Gum trail. It was wide and sandy in sections. The amazing thing is no rocks. It is a sand dune area between the sea and the lake that is covered with vegetation.

Another point of interest are the huge red gums growing in sandy soil. The reason is a fresh water aquafer at the base of the sand dunes. Water filters through the sand easily and deposits in underground reservoir. Also amazing is that this area is relatively narrow lying in between the salt water of the ocean and the brackish water of the Tuggerah Lake.

The red gums are beautiful trees looking smooth and dimpled with the huge branches growing into amazing shapes. They provide homes for many native animals in their hollows but beware the huge branches can and do break off the tree.

The second track was the Burrawang Track. This track was narrow with burrawangs and smaller trees dominating. The trees grow close to the track so tucking and twisting was necessary and the burrawangs have a sharp needle like end to their large fronds ... ouch!

After such a fun ride, I had a cappuccino at Toowoon Bay. I admired the view and soaked up the autumn sun warmth.

Later, Kara, Mr Archibald (the bird) and I went to Killcare Beach for a bite to eat. Once again it was nice taking in the beautiful view and soaking up the sun's rays.

WYRRABALONG NP NORTH MTB - 28 OCTOBER 2016

A cloudy morning with the possibility of rain.

I went to Wyrrabalong National Park North for a bike ride.

I did part of this the other day as a hike and so I thought today I'll bike it.

The tracks were very sandy but passed through some very pretty bush scenery.



I started on the red gum trail. There were heaps of flannel flowers in bloom and of coarse, huge red gums. The area is basically sand dunes between the sea and the lake that is covered in vegetation. Below the surface is a fresh water aquafer. Amazing as it lies between the salt water ocean and the brackish Tuggerah Lake.

The next track was the burrawang track.


This was such a great ride meandering through the trees with their low branches. A lot of fun.

Next, was the new cycle path. It was also fun being like your own private road. I was able to build up some speed in this section.


The path ended near the start of the wetland trail.

The striking feature of this track were the number of small birds flittering from tree to tree and their numerous calls. The track joined on the red gum track which I followed back to the start.

A fun 6.26 km figure of eight looped ride.

WYRRABALONG NP - RED GUM AND BURRAWWANG HIKE - 26 SEPTEMBER 2016

I was at Wyrrabalong National Park this morning and had a hike along the Red Gum and the Burrawang Trails.

This was a great hike. I followed the sandy and shady tracks along a variety of landscapes - flannel flowers - red gums - vegetative sand dunes - lookouts over Tuggerah Lake - burrawangs.

Some of the highlights included:

no one else using the tracks
profusions of flannel flowers
burrawangs with their fruit

intermittent views over Tuggerah Lake

no rocks - it's all sand based

twisted and gnarled red gums

bird calls - whistling types
old and weary looking banksia trees

A pleasant and easy 2.66 km hike