On a perfect winter’s day on  last months Tuesday bushwalk ,11 of us had a very pleasant walk through the beautiful bush of Rumbalara Reserve. It is amazing that such beautiful bush exists right in the heart of Gosford.

 
 

Tuesday 16 September 2008

 

Brisbane Water National Park, Patonga

 

In September we will sample the wildflower delights of Brisbane Water National Park, near Patonga. I did the walk in mid-August and the wildflowers were already coming into bloom, so they should be a wonderful sight in September. The full walk involves a fairly strenuous climb, but car transport will be provided for those who want to avoid this.

 

We will meet at 10.30 am at the car park on the beachfront at Patonga, adjacent to Patonga wharf and just opposite the Eve Williams Memorial Oval (UBD Reference: Map Number 115, L – 12). Toilets are close by. From there we take the Great North Walk which climbs up into Brisbane Water National Park and heads towards Pearl Beach. There are over 400 steps (I counted them!) with the track rising between groups of steps so it is a heavy pull – very similar to the climb out of Maitland Bay. However, for those who want to avoid this steep part of the walk, car transport will be provided back up Patonga Drive to the entrance of a fire trail that winds through the Park for about 1 km and joins the Great North walk. (On the Tysoe scale, this trail is completely level.) After the two groups rejoin, we will continue along the Great North Walk as far as the Tony Doyle Lookout (also called the Warrah Lookout) which has unsurpassed views over Broken Bay and Barrenjoey. We may even take the short Tony Doyle Track up to another lookout although from there the views are obscured by trees – but the bush is lovely. We will retrace our steps back to Patonga. The walk down the 400 steps is quite easy and should not present any problems. We should be back at the cars by about 12.30 pm for lunch. The overall walk is about 4 km long.

 

Remember: Slip, slap, slop, insect repellant, drinking water, chairs, walking shoes or sandshoes and lunch.

 

Richard Collins – Phone 4368 1042