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Tag: Bush Walking

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Ironbark Falls Mangrove Mountain

Pool at the Base of Ironbark Falls

Ironbark Falls Mangrove Mountain

An overgrown sign marks the start of the walking track to Ironbark Falls at Mangrove Mountain (New South Wales Australia). Very easy to miss, the small parking area is 1.2km along Ironbark Road from the Wisemans Ferry Road intersection.

Not far from the parking area, a small track leads off to the left, where you will find an information board. If you miss the track turn off, you will come across a small creek. This means you have gone too far, so turn around and go back.

Ironbark Reserve Walking Trail Sign
Ironbark Reserve Walking Trail Sign

The Track Down to the Waterfall

From the information board the track narrows and becomes more overgrown. This provides a really nice atmosphere because you are surrounded by vegetation. Along the way, different plants have name plates, but many are badly weathered and illegible.

Information Board
Information Board
Faded Information Sign
Faded Information Sign
Start of the Track
Start of the Track

Lower Section of the Track

As you descend through the valley, the track has areas constructed of uneven rocks, so be careful here. In several areas, where the path is steep, or has uneven surfaces, signs warn you to be careful.

The moss-covered rocks and ferny understory create a quiet, shady environment that is very peaceful to walk through.

Helpful Sign
Helpful Sign
Step Section of the Track Over Rocks
Step Section of the Track Over Rocks

Things to See Along The Way

Toward the bottom of the valley, near the falls, a fallen tree, now overgrown with moss lies next to the track. Nearby a raised platform with a chair on it sits over another fallen tree. Although too faded to read, there is a plaque on the platform.

Overgrown Fallen Tree
Overgrown Fallen Tree
Old Rest Spot Ironbark Falls
Old Rest Spot

Ironbark Falls

At the end of the track, you reach the five-tiered Ironbark Falls. During our visit, no one else was around, so we had the whole area to ourselves. Recent rainfall meant that there was plenty of water flowing and the falls put on a great display for us.

The fern covered banks of the creek surrounding the falls were beautiful giving the whole area a wonderful feeling of tranquillity.

Ironbark Falls
Ironbark Falls
Pool at the Base of Ironbark Falls
Pool at the Base of the Falls

What Did We Think?

The entire walk from the car park to the falls only took around 15 minutes, making it a quick but fun hike. The narrow and overgrown trail adds a great feeling to the area, giving it a lovely atmosphere. The falls themselves are really nice, because the look great being surrounded by ferns and shrubs.

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

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Box Vale Walking Track Tunnel

Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel

Only a ten-minute drive from the centre of Mittagong, the Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel is an amazing bush walk. Not only do you get to see Australian bush, but a rail cutting and old, disused tunnel.

There are two easily accessible places to start the walk. The first is closer to Mittagong but around 3 to 5 hours for the return trip. The second is closer, with a 4km return walk, taking about 30 to 45 minutes each way.

We chose the second option and parked near a locked gate at the start of a fire trail.

Box Vale Walking Track Parking Area
Box Vale Walking Track Parking Area

The Fire Trail Section

Maintained to ensure access for firefighting, the fire trail is an easy walk. Not far along the trail, look out for a sign on the right-hand side. This is where the Box Vale Walking Track diverges. It is narrow and overgrown, so easy to miss.

Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Start of the Track

Trail to the Tunnel

Once you see the post with an arrow, follow the tack into the bush. There is no official sign here, so someone has written “tunnel” on it with an arrow. From this point, the vegetation changes for that found on the fire trail. It becomes denser with more ferns and undergrowth.

Not long after crossing a bridge over a small creek, you arrive at the tramway cutting.

Sign Post on the Fire Trail
Sign Post on the Fire Trail Leading to the Tunnel
Bridge on the Box Vale Walking Track Parking Area
Bridge on the Box Vale Walking Track

Tramway Rail Cutting

This former railway line was used to transport coal from the Nattai Region to the main southern line at Mittagong. Although the rail lines are long gone, the cuttings remain and form a great part of the walk. This section of the walk can become extremely muddy, so wear good waterproof boots.

The scenery here is great, while the overgrown walls of the cuttings give the area a surreal feeling.

Cutting for the old tramway Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Cutting for the old tramway
Cutting for the old tramway on the Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Cutting for the old tramway
Fallen Tree in the tramway cutting
Fallen Tree in the tramway cutting

Box Vale Tunnel

The highlight of the walk is the 84m Box Vale Tunnel. Once again, good walking boots are required as the floor can be wet and muddy, as well as slippery. Walking through the tunnel was fun, because it was very atmospheric.

Tunnel Entrance
Tunnel Entrance
Tunnel Entrance
Tunnel Entrance
Box Vale Tunnel
Box Vale Tunnel
Inside the tunnel Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel
Inside the tunnel

What Did We Think of the Box Vale Walking Track and Tunnel?

The old tramway cutting and tunnel added something different because of the way they are overgrown. The otherworldly feel from the overgrown areas was fun to walk through as well as take photos. Apart from a few areas to get around boulders, the walk was easy because it was mainly flat.

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

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Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk

View from the top of the tower

Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk

Ever gone walking through a forest, looked up at the trees and wondered what it would look like from the canopy? Well at the Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk you can find out. Situated just over half an hour west of Kiama, this walk takes you through the canopy of a temperate rainforest.

Checking In

On arrival, check in at reception to confirm you allocated time, because there is a limit on how many people can be there each hour. Make sure you don’t miss out by booking ahead on their web site. At reception they have a small gift shop and café that sells drinks and snacks. There are also toilet facilities, so make use of them as there are none on the walk.

The Walk

The 500m walkway is constructed of sturdy steel, making you feel safe when you are on it. Walking along, you look down to the forest floor 20 to 30m below. Surrounded by trees, you really are a part of the forest canopy. At two points, 25m cantilever bridges extend out from the main walkway. These bounce slightly as you walk on them, but they are very safe and anchored by large steel cables. Walking to the end of the bridges takes you over the escarpment for amazing views.

The highlight of the walk is Knights Tower, which rises 45m above the forest floor, providing beautiful views all the way to the coast.

On the walk to or from the reception building, check out the decorations and displays on the way, including a miniature village.

What Did We Think?

We had a great time here and really enjoyed the views and also the feeling of being in the treetops. For the more adventurous, there is a zip line that runs through the trees. Of course, you could always do both if you wanted.

Tiny village
Tiny village
Covered entrance to the tree top walk
Covered entrance to the tree top walk
The walkway and trees
The walkway and trees
The walkway and trees Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
The walkway and trees
Observation tower Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
Observation tower
The walkway and tree tops from the tower Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
The walkway and tree tops from the tower
View from the top of the tower Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
View from the top of the tower
Steps
Steps leading up from the end of the walk

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

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