CENTRAL COAST - Terrigal Haven and Forrester - surf - 18 September 2010

Big swell. Big waves. The Haven was a bit calmer but Forrester was firing.

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER - Waterfall Bay - kayak - 11 September 2010

A perfect day with sunshine and a light cool breeze.

I drove along Woy Woy Road and took the turn off at Woy Woy Bay Road and drove down a steep incline to Woy Woy Bay. I launched at the public wharf and paddled across the bay to Waterfall Bay.

From this point, I followed the eastern side of the bay. I stopped at a small beach and wandered around it and climbed a few rocks.

I continued on to the end of the bay which became shallower. The waterfall was more of a cascade but it was very pretty, tinkling over the rocks. The water was amazing clear with lots of small fish.

I traversed to the western side of the bay and stopped at a small beach amongst the mangroves. There was an excellent camping spot here. I also came across a male brush turkey guarding his nest mound.

I paddled along the western edge and came across a number of swing ropes tied to trees.

Eventually, I reached Woy Woy Bay and paddled across it. There were a number of boats and skiers but none came close to me so I was happy!

CENTRAL COAST - 'sunset from my cave' - 10 september 2010

I obviously sit in front of my computer a lot. My room (cave) looks over the reserve towards the west. Quite often I leave the cyber world to watch the sun set. It seems that the natural world is more intensified by the changing rays of sunset, but that is obvious too.

Continous 10 second interval photoshots over an hour certainly shortens the time frame of an event.

The wind sways the branches and leaves.
The light fluctuates.
One moment blinded,
the next, all is revealed.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane water NP - Bulgandry - HIKE - 2 September 2010

Only a short walk from the car park but at this time of the year it is a profusion of wildflowers. Even the car park is edged by the bright golden yellow of wattle.

The walk is easy and leads to a wooden walkway with plaques indicating the various sandstone carvings.

It is a place to let your imagination go... large group of local Aborgines carving the figures in the sandstone... compared to the density of the surrounding bush this spot is a natural area for a group of people to sit comfortably, talk and enjoy the sunshine. Why not use it as a spot to carve and tell stories!

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Old Gosford Quarry - MTB - 27 August 2010

The old Gosford Quarry is a strange and desolate place.

There are tiered layers of sandstone with wide ramps connecting the various levels.

In some spots, there are large pools of bright blue water. Can life live in them? Some plants were close to the waters edge and certain species of frogs thrive in contaminated sites. Well, i don't know if the water is contaminated but it is the colour of glacial lakes and volcanic lakes. Anyway, i wouldn't want to touch it!

Give it X amount of years and vegetation will reclaim. There are plants clinging on in patches where some soil resides.

Overall, the desolate feel isn't so bad. Deserts can look desolate also but trying telling a Bedouin that it's a bad thing.

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 - Wamberal - surf - 25 August 2010

The surf was small and the the tide high but there were a few waves.

Chris and Clark dropped in heaps... well i asked them to so i could get some shots using the go pro camera on a helmet. Unfortunately, I need to have the camera pointer higher to get others on the wave ahead of me. But on the bright side, i got some unusual angles of me surfing and glimpses of the others.

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 - Shelley Beach to The Entrance - HIKE - 20 August 2010

 

A beautiful, warm and sunny winter's morning.

I walked along the coast from Shelley Beach to the Entrance passing through Toowon Bay and Blue Bay. The water was clear with a small swell. Too bad it wasn't summer as it would have been perfect for a swim or snorkel.

CENTRAL COAST - Mooney Mooney Creek - kayak - 18 August 2010

It was a bit of a late start for a kayak but he weather was warm anmd sunny. I drove down the old pacicfic highway and turn off on a dirt road just pass a small bridge over Mooney Mooney Creek.

The first and most imposing sight was the Mooney Mooney Bridge. From the bottom it looks a little fragile forall thetraffic that it takes. After the bridge it is mostly natural bushland with one side being the Brisbane Waters National Park.

There wasn't much birdlife except for one eagle which flew low down a straight stretch of the creek. Most of the trip was quiet of bush sounds.

There were a few smaller creeks  branching off along the journey.

The end of the navigational part of the creek ended in numerous rocks. 

The journey took about 3 hours. A point to note is that the trip is best to do going on high tide and returning at the turning of the tide. The higher water allows one to paddle further.  

CENTRAL COAST - Wamberal - surf - 16 August 2010

A small surf at wamberal with a very strong offshore wind. I used my go pro camera for the first time. I took some shots facing the board and some facing away. Being smaal waves the inward shots i feel looked better. It was good fun playing with a new toy.