CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER NP - KARIONG BROOK - MTB/HIKE - 20 april 2014

We parked at Staples Lookout and cycled down the Woy Woy Road for 100m to the first dirt service road on the right. There was parking there for about three cars.

We hauled the bikes over the gates and cycled down the service road. At one stage, there is relatively flat sandstone rock area with good views over the west.


At the junction for the great north walk track,  we locked the bikes to the sign and walked the track to Kariong Brook. The track was well worn and eroded in some places. Just before the brook, the steep section follows steps which go under an overhang.

The pool near the falls was very cold but so inviting for a swim. Dunking one's head under the waterfall seemed the right thing to do. The area around the falls is rainforest and nice to walk and scramble round.


We met a group of students here from Thailand and Malaysia. They were very polite and nice young people.We left the falls for the short but steep walk back to the bikes then the cycle back to Staples Lookout.


Funny, how the return always seems quicker even when going uphill.


distance - 5.54 km
time - 1 hour 12 minutes
elevation range - 178m

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Rocky Ponds - MTB - 27 october 2012

Up early and I popped the bike into the van and drove to brisbane waters national park.

A sunny, cool morning. Basically, I followed the service roads to Rocky Ponds. There were a few steep sections with some good downhill runs in both directions. In some parts, I walked... it seemed easier.

The ponds looked geat with the sounds of birds and water babbling over the rocks. I wandered a round and climbed down a few rocks and waded along one of the ponds. Very pretty!

On the way back, I got my first flat tyre. Luckily, I had a spare tube and after about 20 minutes I managed to get the tyre on and pumped and away I went.

Great ride and an excellent way to start the day.

CENTRAL COAST - Popran National Park – Mount Olive, Emerald Pool, Donovan’s Forest - HIKE - 5 July 2011

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.

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!!!

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