The start of the firetrail is misplaced on Google Maps, and we waved to one another from the cars as we drove around looking for the right driveway. But soon we were off down the trail, and surprised to find no locked gates so that we could drive right to the end. We were a little concerned because only one car was 4WD, but we all made it successfully, although on the way out one car bogged in a deep slough and we had to tow it out with the 4WD. We now…
We set off for long gully campground just after 7:30am from the Bhundoo Bush Cottages which was our basecamp for the budfest weekend. After a brief examination of the map to make sure we were on the correct track because the Byangee Walls track also departs in the same vicinity we set off. We slowly started gaining elevation of a few hundred metres on the Kalianna Ridge trail which then continues as the castle walking trail once it hits the cliffline. From here…
This trip was planned to give both experienced and novice bushwalkers a chance to get together and have share a great location and some good company. The Budawangs have lots of walking options ranging from the seriously strenuous Castle Walk to the more moderate but equally stunning Pigeonhouse Mountain track. Nestled between…
On Saturday 11 August 2018 I led a walk along the Kiama Coast Walk on the South Coast. Although not technically a difficult walk, it is 22km in its entirety. What I think makes it unique is it’s relatively “Un-Australian” landscape (I hear cries of Maaate, that Un-Australian!) being more like scenery you might see on the Irish or English coastline. It’s quite…
As you can see, a cast of thousands. I had overbooked like the airlines do, expecting a couple of people might drop out on the Saturday evening. As it turned out there was not a single “no show”! This walk was also on tracks often shunned by tourists, especially Federal Pass beyond the Scenic Railway, so there was little risk of causing a traffic jam on the more popular tracks. The Constellation…
What is it about the Red Rocks and eclipses? In just under 10 years from now we’ll be heading to the Red Rocks for my total solar eclipse Red Rocks birthday party, and here we were late on a Friday night scrambling up Donkey Mountain to get ready for the longest total lunar eclipse for the next 100 or more years. Yes we…
The Southern Highlands contain some nice bushwalks of all grades, and can get you into some quite wild country, yet still close to civilization. One of my favourites is the Box Vale track just outside of Mittagong. It has a number of highlights along the way, with just enough challenge for beginners to get some experience without getting too epic. A total…
I was late putting this trip on the calendar so was pleasantly surprised to have Penny keen for a 2 night trip in the middle of winter and with only 3 days’ notice! The forecast was for 10 degree days getting down to -1 at night with winds ranging from 20-40km/h. So we knew the trip would be a bit more challenging than normal. Walking along…
One of the coldest June days ensured we would stay moving for most of the day in order to keep warm as we explored the waterfalls south of Lawson. The day began with 4 of the 12 attendees not putting in an appearance or notifying me of their absence. Their loss. After a brief visit to the monthly market at Lawson and the renowned artisan bakery, the chocolate shop, and the cake shop, our group members were in a hurry to move to a more wind protected path. The descent…
Our latest trip to the Budawangs arose from Paul’s long held ambition to climb Donjon Mountain which guards the western end of Monolith Valley. He had unfortunately missed out on Tim and James’ trip up the Mountain earlier in the year. We were also thinking about climbing Byangee Walls which we had been admiring from the top of The Castle on our previous trip. The Walls…
A very interesting trip with lots of unusual things to see: Kangaroos, sheep, a Black Chook, horses, bats, a steam loco, and something very rare: a steam-powered road traction engine. After gathering most of the team together at Central Station, we settled in for the long train ride to Mt Victoria, spotting the bat colony at Clyde on the way. On arrival…
Wow! There is no doubt this trip is one of the most popular SUBW trips of the year. I had 36 people sign up before I managed to mark the trip as full. You really can’t take more than 20 at the absolute maximum and in the end it was 21 people including myself who presented. This year’s…
With trackwork on the Blue Mountains Line that weekend, and a late arrival of cooler autumn weather, the time was good for a walk to Mt Wondabyne. We all met up off the train at Wondabyne Station, although one person very nearly missed out because she mis-interpreted “last” car to mean the lead car of the train. Fortunately it…
The plan was to get out to Kanangra and use a few days to get a good look at the place. Originally it was thought to head down Brumby Ridge, along the river and back up Gingra Range trail, however I was already doubtful of the use of a longish day just heading up Gingra Range trail, based on some advice and some comments online, so ended up heading out with an idea that we would more likely return via Hughes or Brumby Ridges instead. So with…
11 of the group met up at Cowan Station (9 off trains, and Nathalie and Matthias driving there). Meanwhile, I had been sending messages to Anja and Sofie who had missed the train at Central. Anja missed it by seconds, and Sofie had got on a bus which took her in the wrong direction. After several…
A long day in perfect weather with just enough excitement to keep it interesting. We met at the university at 07.00 and, after coffee and muffins in Katoomba, were walking down the Narrowneck firetrail at 09.15, with the Jamison Valley bathed in bright sunshine on one side and the Megalong Valley on the other. Sam set…
Not a bad turnout for a Monday public holiday. It was also expected to reach 30 degrees at Cronulla, so if we found it a bit too warm at Audley, the fall-back walk was to go along Lady Carrington Drive, which is now blocked to cars (but not bicycles) and is shaded a fair bit, and also follows the Hacking River. The Uloola…
If you don’t believe me, just ask the people on it: “The pics are amazing and the trip was unforgettable—great leader and great company! Hope to see you all soon on future trips, or even sooner at the gear night:)” “This is one of my favourite trips in the Blue mountains to date. I really…
We met at the North Richmond bakehouse early Sunday morning and car pooled into 3 cars to the clearing that is right on the turnoff of the Mt Wilson road. The 3 car drivers did the car shuffle leaving 2 vehicles at pierces pass and the other at the Mt Wilson Turnoff. Once all our gear was organized we set off along the Yileen canyon track admiring the views along the way. Down into…
Before I start on this trip report, I remind members that if you go to the Royal Easter Show at Olympic Park, you can buy woollen socks at retail outlets in the Sheep Pavilion. Last year they were $8 a pair. They are much more useful than cotton socks, which you shouldn’t wear on walks in wet or snow conditions anyway. They will…