WAMBERAL BEACH, BOUDDI NP, BRISBANE WATER NP - 29 MAY TO 2 JUNE 2020

29 MAY 2020

A surf at Wamberal Beach with Ken.

The warm was relatively warm and the surf was okay. I had two good waves. My eye problem seems to have resolved itself with moisturizing drops before surfing.

30 MAY 2020

 An early hike on the Rocky Point tracks at Bouddi National Park with Jacinta.

It was a pretty hike following the bike track to the lookout and the main trail back.

After the hike, we had coffee at Killcare Beach and watched the surfing.

31 MAY 2020

A mid morning mountain bike ride at Kincumba Mountain.

This was good ride. I felt in control, was smooth in a few spots where I I was rougher and did One hard section for the first time with no problems.

I followed a lot of tracks and it was a bit social for a change as there were a lot of other riders.

After the ride, I had a coffee and sun sit at Terrigal Haven with Jacinta.

1 JUNE 2020

A mid morning mountain bike ride and hike to the Tallow beaches in Bouddi National Park.

A great ride with some narrow tracks, amazing coastal views, some cliff top riding, some hiking, a long and steep downhill section and a wander along the beach.

It has it all. :)

Later, I had coffee and lunch in the sun at Terrigal Haven with Kara and Mr Archibald.

2 JUNE 2020

A very windy morning hike to Bulgandry Aboriginal site in Brisbane Water National Park.

A stop at Staples Lookout.

And a coffee and sit at Terrigal Haven.

BRISBANE WATER NP - KARIONG FALLS BIKE HIKE - 7 APRIL 2017

I parked at Staples Lookout carpark.


After admiring the expansive view I was on my bike.

The biggest obstacle on the ride as getting across Woy Woy Road. The speed limit was 80km/h with two curves at the crossing to the start of the track.

Over the gate and down the service trail - Tommos Loop. I followed this for a couple of kilometres over firm ground, sandstone, puddles of water and loose stones. I had a pattern of mud flicked over me by the time I reached the track head.

I rode down the track a short distance and hid the bike in the bush then continued by foot.

The track was fun being heavily eroded by the recent rains with steep sections. Just before the falls there was a narrow path against the cliff and then a sort of tunnel to go through. Surprisingly, I didn't get any leeches considering how wet and muddy the track was in parts.

At this point, I got my first view of the falls. There was a lot of water tumbling over the edge.

I continued to the base and the vegetation became like a rain forest. I scrambled carefully over both sides of the pool at the base of the falls to get a better view.

A fun and challenging 5.km bike and hike with a rewarding view.

STAPLES LOOKOUT TO BULGANDRY MTB 21 MAY 2016

I parked at Staples Lookout and rode the tracks to Bulgandry, the Australian Aboriginal site area.

On the map the tracked looked okay but after a short distance a turn to the right showed the track to be very steep and massively eroded. The telephone poles followed this line. I decided to continue on the track I was on and see where it lead.

This track was windy and also heavily eroded with lots of  large loose stones and pockets of deep sand. It was a challenge getting down it.

The rest of the track was gradual up and down with a few narrow side tracks through the bush. I reached Bulgandry and viewed the Aboriginal rock art. It is very impressive! the last time I was here, the carvings were very faint but since then there has been a number of ceremonies held here and the carvings retched in the telling of stories.

The return was via Woy Woy Road which was very an experience. At one stage, the bike lane ended and the cars were flying past at 80km/h and so close.

A challenging 6.85 km ride.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Staples Lookout to Mount Wondabyne - HIKE - 27 August 2010

The begiinning of the journey is along a service trail, which isn't too much fun. Most service trails aren't fun, I think, but there are a lot of flowers along the road rims.

Eventually, there is a turn off the trail along a track through bush and sandstone rock platforms. This part of the trail is excellent with great views towards Mount Wondabyne.

The track reaches another service road and after a short walk there is a turn off to another track. This track passes close to the summit of Mount Wondabyne. Near the top of the track is a turn off towards the summit. This involves following a track and some rock scrambling.  Heaps of fun.

The view at the top is excellent. There is a 360 degree view at the summit which is pretty awesome. The view is certainly worth the time and effort.

Retracing the summit track then continue along the main track to another service road that passes Old Gosford Quarry and joins onto Woy Woy Road.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Staples Lookout to Kariong Falls - HIKE - 24 August 2010

I parked the car at Staples Lookout and admired the view. Strangely enough, a rooster came out of the bush and clucked around my car. Couldn't figure it out - escarpment on one side and national park on the other with a main road in between.

From the lookout it is a short walk to the beginning of Tommos loop trail. The trail is a service road that gets a bit boring except that the road edge was littered with a variety of wildflowers.

Eventually, at the Girrakool sign, there is a turnoff from the trail and onto a fair dinkum bush track. This track leads downhill along steps, sandy tracks and some rock scrambling. After a timer, the sound of water is heard, then the top of the Kariong Falls comes into view.

At the base of the falls, the vegetation is lush and shade forming with a swimable water hole. The water was a bit cold today so i passed on the swim. The falls is a great, peaceful and relaxing place for a break.

After some rejuvenation, it was time to climb the hill back out and follow the service trail and main road back to Staples Lookout. The rooster had vanished!!!

CENTRAL COAST - Staples Lookout to Rocky Ponds - HIKE - 3 September 2008

Easy – 6 to 7 hours return.

The trail starts at Staples Lookout, on Woy Woy Road. Parking is available.

Walk across Woy Woy road and walk down the road to the sign that indicates the way to the National Park.

The trail is well signposted and wide, being a fire trail.

The walk itself is rather boring. The trail is easy with no steep gradients though it is undulating.

The highlights of the walk include:

There is a profusion of flowers varying in colours of yellows, reds, blues and whites abounding along the edge of the trail.
The views over distant mountains and nearby peaks can be seen at the high points of the trail.
Window-like views of Mullet Creek can be seen through breaks in the vegetation and between high points.
Some parts of the trail change from grated road to flat sandstone. The sandstone has interesting shapes as well as being covered with small plants and mosses in random spots.

The trail starts to narrow, a cleared spot for a camping appears, and a little further on Alison Brook flows over the sandstone of Rocky Ponds.

The first view of Rocky Ponds shows crystal clear water flowing over the flat sandstone in various directions. In parts, little pools have been formed where turbulent water has gouged into the rocks. Around the edge of the waterway are various plants and an abundance of multi-coloured flowers. This is a beautiful place to stop, listen to the bird and insect life, feast your eyes on the flora, soak your feet in the cool water and have lunch.

The ponds are worth exploring. Little waterfalls and cascades flow between flat narrow expanses of the creek. Small, winding trails on the edge of the creek lead to a lower section of the creek. Trees and the sky are reflected in the some of the still ponds.

The stillness and solitude of Rocky Ponds is exceptional. At least an hour or two is needed to enjoy what it has to offer.