We got on the train at various places (or in Barbara’s case drove up) and met up at Blackheath Station. All the way until Katoomba we were in sunny weather, but once past Katoomba it became cloudy, and near Medlow Bath the view showed that there was snow falling near Hampton on the Jenolan Caves Road, and around Kanangra-Boyd and The Oldies Ranges (where the 3 Peaks are). At Blackheath…
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…
At Helensburgh, start of walk.This walk looked like being yet another cancelled Figure 8 walk, something which has plagued trips here over the last few years; the usual reason being bad weather. Sea forecasts a week earlier had predicted a swell of 2.5 metres on the Saturday, which would have made a walk from Burning Palms beach to Figure 8 Pool too dangerous even at low tide. I had…
Although I had limited the walk number to 10, in accordance with COVID19 rules, and the walk filled up, Celina Li had to drop out, opening a space for Reece. Then on Friday and Saturday, three more had to drop out, leaving us with seven. One other person who signed up, Vasu, was nowhere to be seen on Saturday, so must be regarded as a “no show”. The weather…
Unfortunately one outright “no show”, from whom I have still heard nothing. Note that this trip occured in pre-COVID19 conditions hence the numbers. There were a few changes made in the itinerary, some made as we went along to suit the conditions, and a couple forced by unexpected track closures. The day…
Matthew was the first to arrive at Kangaroo Valley on Friday and checked us in to the campsite. Another 14 people showed up between 6.00 and 11.00 and so the party grew larger, first at the pub and then sitting around Jen’s immaculately restored VW camper for tea, timtams and whisky. We had…
Most of met up at Central Station, with Lily getting on at Redfern and Matthias, Nathalie and Patrick getting on the train at Helensburgh. At Coalcliff station I showed the group the top of the Illawarra Escarpment where we were headed (see photos) and then set off along the relatively new footpath and bicycle way that goes from Coalcliff to Stanwell Park (It was completed in November 2018 and eliminated a dangerous walk along the narrow verge of this busy road). The Wodi…
After the walk set down for here on 31st August was cancelled due to rough seas, this was put on on the next available day for a low Spring tide at the right time on a weekend. Even then, it was originally set down for the previous day (28/9), but a sea swell of 2.3 metres again made it too unsafe to go to figure 8 Pool that day. The forecast…
Quite a long report but I think you will find it interesting. This trip was originally planned for Coolah Tops but that park put on a local fire ban on the weekend intended for the walk, so that would mean no camp fire. So instead I decided to do Mount Royal National Park instead, as there was no park fire ban there, so a camp fire was allowed in their campfire sites (but not elsewhere). It also…
A planned mid morning departure from Strathfield got delayed due to my being delayed by a car breakdown right in the middle of the Brooklyn Bridge on the M1 (F3), causing an initial half hour delay. Of course the delay meant I ran into heavier traffic on the Pacific Highway and Ryde Road which meant I was 45 minutes late getting to Strathfield. Eventually I…