Destination's Journey

Tag: Bush Walking

  • Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk

    Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk

    Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk

    The Urunga Wetlands and Boardwalk are the result of a ten million dollar project to rehabilitate an old mining processing plant. The result is a beautifully restored wetland and the containment of the tailings and their heavy metal content.

    History of the Site

    In 1969, Broken Hill Antimony Pty Ltd established an antimony processing plant on the site. Located at Hillside Drive, Urunga the processing plant extracted the heavy metal antimony from its ore, stibnite. After the ore was delivered to the site, it was crushed, and the antimony removed using complex chemical reagents and equipment.

    Although the processing produced an estimated 400 tonnes of product, it generated 16,000 tonnes of waste. These waste tailings were rich in heavy metals including antimony, arsenic, lead and reagent residues of cyanide and cresylic acid. Poor management of the tailings resulted a spreading plume of waste contamination the surrounding wetlands.

    Although sold to a private owner after closure in 1974, no clean-up or remediation work occurred.

    A combination of soluble leachate and insoluble sediments impacted the wetland causing largescale die back of the swamp paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) and damage to the habitat of the wetland for birds, plants and fish.

    The Rehabilitation Process

    The Environmental Protection Authority declared this a remediation site in in 2002 because of long-standing concerns by the community, environmentalists and Bellingen Shire Council. With the owner unable to fund the remediation work ownership of the site transferred to the NSW Government as Crown land. In 2011 a remediation order was placed on the site.

    Around four hectares of land needed excavation. A total of 36,400 tonnes of contaminated soils and sediments required removal. Stockpiled and then treated with chemicals to stabilise it, the waste now sits in an engineered containment cell constructed on-site. Remediation resulted in a total of 224 tonnes of antimony, arsenic, lead and mercury removed from the environment.

    Only a grassy mound now indicates where the containment cell is located, but beneath that surface is an engineered structure with 15 different layers.

    The Site Today

    If you were unaware of the site’s history, you might think the area had not required rehabilitation because it looks so amazing. The initial walk winds through replanted forest before reaching the wetlands. At this point a 150m boardwalk crosses the water, allowing you great views of the melaleuca forest on the far shore. Along the way, sedges, lilies and other wetland plants line the shores.

    On the far side of the boardwalk the track continues completing a loop to the carpark. Along the 450m of walking track, information boards show the layout of the area, provide you the history of the site and show what wildlife you may see.

    How to Get There

    A carpark on Hillside Drive, Urunga has plenty of room. However, there are no facilities here apart from rubbish bins, so bring your own food and refreshments.

    Swimming and Canoeing

    Visitors should stay on the paths to avoid disturbing wildlife and allow the vegetation to establish. Although the water appears clean, traces of heavy metals are still present, so swimming and boating are not permitted.

    What Did We Think?

    We enjoyed the walk and were amazed how well the rehabilitation turned out. This was a great place to visit while we were in Urunga.

    Start of the Track
    Start of the Track
    Information board Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Information board
    A view of the wetlands from the walking track
    A view of the wetlands from the walking track
    A section of the Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    A section of the wetlands
    Melaleuca tree on the edge of the Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Melaleuca tree on the edge of the swamp
    Sedges, melaleuca trees and lilies Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Sedges, melaleuca trees and lilies
    The boardwalk over the swamp
    The boardwalk over the swamp
    Small island Urunga Wetlands Boardwalk
    Small island surrounded by lilies
    View of the melaleuca forest across the wetlands
    View of the melaleuca forest across the wetlands

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    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Located in the Sydney council of Willoughby, Flat Rock Gully Walking Track is a 4km return trip through bushland bordering a small creek. Utilised for the disposal of domestic and industrial waste until 1985, the area became overgrown with weeds. Following the closing of the tip and associated incinerator, the area has been landscaped and bush land regenerated. The result is a beautiful walk, through trees and ferns in the centre of Sydney.

    Parking

    Parking is available near the start of the track at Small Street where a gated entrance leads to parking spots. Additional parking at the netball courts, near the old incinerator is a five-minute walk away.

    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Starting off with bitumen and a section of boardwalk, the track appears an easy hike. However, this soon gives way to rougher sections of rock and dirt track. Sections have steppingstones added to aid walking in wet conditions and in going up and down the slopes. In wet and rainy weather, these areas become very slippery, so good hiking boots are needed, as well as being careful.

    Council Bush Regenerators, contractors and volunteers have done an amazing job reducing the weeds present along the track. As a result, you can now walk through remnant Australian bush while in the centre of Sydney.

    Easy start to the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Easy start to the Walking Track
    Small section of boardwalk
    Small section of boardwalk
    Water stained boulders on the side of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Water stained boulders on the side of the track
    Track descending to the gully floor
    Track descending to the gully floor
    Stone Steps of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Stone Steps of the track
    Stone Steps of the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Stone Steps of the track
    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track
    Flat Rock Gully Walking Track

    Flat Rock Creek

    The creek crossing is a series of steppingstones, which will be slippery when wet and during high rainfall may be submerged. At the crossing, a stone embankment prevents erosion of the creek banks and has become overgrown in moss. This makes the area look old and overgrown, but also extremely slippery.

    Stepping stones over Flat Rock Creek
    Stepping stones over Flat Rock Creek
    Flat Rock Creek with moss covered retaining wall
    Flat Rock Creek with moss covered retaining wall

    Long Gully Bridge

    Crossing the gully at the end of the walk is Long Gully Bridge. Built to access a housing development at Northbridge in the 1890s, the false crenellated turreted towers make it look very medieval. Under the bridge, a large, landscaped area was once the council tip. The 30 metres of fill has been rehabilitated into playing fields, where we saw a game of cricket being played.

    From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge
    From The Cricket Fields Looking up at the Bridge
    The Bridge from below
    The Bridge from below
    Long Gully Bridge from below
    Long Gully Bridge from below

    Flat Rock Drive Pedestrian Underpass Indigenous Art Work

    Pedestrian access from the track to the baseball diamond and netball courts is via an underpass under Flat Rock Drive. If you park at the netball courts, this is the best way to get to the track.

    Decorated with large indigenous murals unlike many underpasses left in dull concrete. Not far from here is the Henry Lawson Cave, where the poet would sleep off a drinking session at the local tavern.

    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass
    Indigenous art work on the Flat Rock Drive underpass

    What Did We Think?

    This was a really fun track to walk. Moderately difficult and a little slippery in the wet, the walk through remnant forest and along a creek was fun. Looking at the underside of the bridge and the decorated underpass were added bonuses.

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    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.

  • Prince Henry Cliff Walk

    Prince Henry Cliff Walk

    Prince Henry Cliff Walk in the Blue Mountains

    One of the best walks to take in the views of the Blue Mountains, the Prince Henry Cliff Walk is accessible at several points and can be undertaken in stages. This is great because at 7kms one-way, it may be seen as a little too long. During our visit several sections were closed because of severe storms over previous months. Fortunately, most of the lookouts were accessible, so we could still see the amazing views of the Blue Mountains.

    Running from Katoomba to Leura, the walk passes Katoomba Falls, Echo Point and the Three Sisters as well as the Leura Cascades. Additionally, there are over 20 lookouts along the way, each providing outstanding views of the Jamison Valley.

    Parking

    Parking is available at Katoomba Cascades, Echo Point lookout, or Gordon Falls near Leura. However, during busy times it is difficult to find a park with most streets also being paid parking. We chose to start early in the morning for the first part of the walk, so parking at Katoomba Cascades was available.

    We accessed the second section from Cliff Drive to Leura Cascades near Kiah Lookout, which was only a short walk from our accommodation.

    During our visit, the section from Echo Point to Katoomba Falls was closed for repairs.

    Katoomba Cascades

    This section also forms part of the Night Walk, with the pathway lit and floodlights illuminating sites along the way. We chose to walk it during the day, because we wanted to see the larger views over the valley.

    Located only a short walk from the carpark, the Cascades were flowing well after recent rain. The well-maintained steps down to the base of the cascade make this an easy walk. At the bottom, you are able to walk close to the falls, there are also several places to sit in the shade and enjoy the view.

    The cascades are very easy to get to because of the well maintained track as long as you can walk up and down the initial steps. The Blue Mountains had lots of rain, prior to us visiting, which made the walk and waterfalls a great experience.

    Katoomba Falls

    From the cascades, the path leads to a series of lookouts, for spectacular views over the valley. One of the best is the view of Katoomba Falls. Created from the flow of the Kedumba River, it flows over the escarpment, this is the same river that creates the Cascades. Several of the lookouts give different perspectives of the falls.

    At one point, the Scenic World Skyway Cale Car made its trip across the valley, which was interesting to see. This is another great way to get a view of the falls. The cable car runs from Scenic World across the gorge, where passengers can disembark and walk to Echo Point (currently closed in 2022).

    The path from the cascades is relatively flat, making the walk to Katoomba Falls lookout not too difficult. There are plenty of places to rest and admire the views along the way, so there is no need to be too energetic. The view of the falls is amazing, which makes the short walk worth the effort.

    The Katoomba Cascades Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    The Katoomba Cascades
    Kedumba River just before it goes over the escarpment
    Kedumba River just before it goes over the escarpment
    Tree Fern on the Walk Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Tree Fern on the Walk
    A gum tree on the walk
    A gum tree on the walk
    Katoomba Falls
    Katoomba Falls
    Katoomba Falls Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Katoomba Falls
    Orphan Rock Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Orphan Rock
    The Skyway Cable Car Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    The Skyway Cable Car
    View over the Blue Mountains
    View over the Blue Mountains
    The escarpment Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    The Escarpment
    The Blue Mountains
    The Blue Mountains

    Leura Cascades on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk

    We chose to walk to the Leura Cascades from our accommodation because it was so close. Access to the Prince Henry Walking Track from Kiah Lookout was only a five-minute walk away. However parking is limited, so if you wish to drive it might be better to start at the Leura Cascades Picnic Area.

    The upper section of the track was easy to walk, with a well-maintained track and a gentle downward grade, however as the track became steeper, the track deteriorated, becoming narrower and damaged by water run-off. There are also a large number of steps, as you descend towards the falls, which all have to be climbed again when returning. We took our time and enjoyed the many great views from the lookouts along the way.

    Keep a lookout for native wildlife as you walk. We saw a lyre bird but were not quick enough to take a photo.

    This section of the Prince Henry Cliff Walk was great fun, taking us around 40 minutes return despite all the steps. This included time for photos, admiring the views and a side track to Copelands Lookout.

    Eroded Rocks on the Walk
    Eroded Rocks on the Walk
    Upper Section of the Track Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Upper Section of the Track
    Well Maintained Section Descending to the Cascades
    Well Maintained Section Descending to the Cascades
    One of the Steep Muddy Sections
    One of the Steep Muddy Sections
    Stepping Stones on the Track Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Stepping Stones on the Track
    One of the Great Views Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    One of the Great Views
    Rainbow Over the Escarpment
    Rainbow Over the Escarpment From Copeland Lookout
    Great View Over the Valley
    Great View Over the Valley
    Great View Over the Valley
    Great View Over the Valley
    Leura Falls Creek
    Leura Falls Creek
    Small Section of the Leura Cascades Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Small Section of the Leura Cascades
    Bridal Veil Falls Prince Henry Cliff Walk
    Bridal Veil Falls

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    To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.