Destination's Journey

Tag: Bush Walking

  • Sawn Rocks Mount Kaputar National Park

    Sawn Rocks Mount Kaputar National Park

    Sawn Rocks Mount Kaputar National Park

    Getting There

    Located around 40 km north east of Narrabri, Sawn Rocks is a geological formation of columnar basalt which resembles organ pipes. As part of the Mount Kaputar National Park, the area is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, which ensures it is managed correctly.

    The road from Narrabri is fully sealed and was in very good condition when we visited.

    Car Park

    Designed for travellers, the car park has lots of space, so there is room for caravans to easily park. For somewhere so far from a town, the facilities are excellent, making it a great place to stop and relax. Next to the car park is a composting toilet. On the opposite side is a picnic area with sunshades and gas barbecues, which were in excellent condition.

    There is a series of information boards explaining the formation of Sawn Rocks, as well as other things to do in the area.

    • Picnic Area and Bar-B-cues Near the Car Park
      Picnic Area and Bar-B-cues Near the Car Park
    • Information Board in the Car Park
      Information Board in the Car Park

    Walking Track

    The track from the car park to the viewing area only takes around 15 minutes to walk, but remember to take water. Winding through the bush, it is either paved with bitumen, or is a metal walkway, which makes the walk easy.

    • Bitumen Paved Access Track
      Bitumen Paved Access Track
    • Metal Walkway into Sawn Rocks
      Metal Walkway into Sawn Rocks

    Sawn Rocks Viewing Platform

    On reaching the viewing platform you look directly at the cliff face which is perfect for taking photos.

    • The Sawn Rocks Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform
      The Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform
    • Sawn Rocks
      Sawn Rocks
    • The sawn rocks Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform
      The Cliff Face From the Viewing Platform

    Creek Bed

    A short walk down from the viewing platform gets you to the creek bed. There is a path cut into the rocks to form a stairway, makes for and easy descent. The base of the cliff is littered with fallen boulders, so be careful of you footing and wear good walking shoes.

    You get a different perspective of the formation from here because you can look up at the cliff. Even the boulders on the ground are interesting, as they show the piping of the rocks and how they have a cross sectional polygon.

    • Steps Down to the Creek Bed
      Steps Down to the Creek Bed
    • Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face Sawn Rocks
      Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face
    • Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face
      Looking Up From the Creek Bed at the Cliff Face
    • Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
      Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
    • Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
      Fallen Columns in the Creek Bed
    • Lichen Covered Columns in the Creek Bed
      Lichen Covered Columns in the Creek Bed Sawn Rocks

    This was a great place to visit, with an easy well maintained track, amazing views and great facilities.

  • Wyrrabalong National Park

    Wyrrabalong National Park

    Wyrrabalong National Park

    Getting There and Parking

    Located on the Central Coast Highway near Norah Head, Wyrrabalong National Park is an hours drive south of Newcastle. We parked in a small car park just past the Pelican Beach Road turn-off, which was small, but well maintained. Signs and an information board provide information about the park and its tacks.

    • Entrance Sign
      Entrance Sign

    Lilli Pilli Loop Track

    The day we visited was wet and overcast, but this added to the fun of the walk, making the trails very atmospheric. The Lilli Pilli Loop Trail meanders through coastal rain forest along narrow bush tracks. The tracks are often made of sand, but have been reinforced with wooden boards to prevent erosion of this fragile environment.

    This is one of the few remaining intact areas of rainforest on the Central Coast, which makes it a very special place. An information board on the lake side of the track details the forest and its wildlife.

    The damp conditions encouraged mushroom to grow on dead trees which let us see some beautiful ones as we walked by.

    • Typical Walking Track
      Typical Walking Track
    • Fallen Trees on the Lilli Pilli Loop Track
      Fallen Trees on the Lilli Pilli Loop Track
    • Lilli Pilli Track
      Lilli Pilli Track
    • Mushrooms Growing on a Fallen Log on the Lilli Pilli Track Wyrrabalong National Park
      Mushrooms Growing on a Fallen Log on the Lilli Pilli Track

    Red Gum Loop Track

    The Lilli Pilli Loop Track joins the Red Gum Loop, at this point you can either return to your car or continue on. We chose to walk the new track, because the vegetation changes to red gum forest, from the rainforest we had just walked through.

    The path down to the track is steep, but reinforce with sturdy wooden sleepers, making it safe to walk down. This also prevents erosion of the sand dune, so is environmentally safe too.

    The forest in this area is more open with less undergrowth, making views of Tuggerah Lake possible in places. Lookouts have been built in places where the views are best, but it was overcast during our visit, so the lake was not visible. On a clear day, the view would be great.

    • Steep Descent on the Track Reinforced With Wooden Sleepers Wyrrabalong National Park
      Steep Descent on the Track Reinforced With Wooden Sleepers
    • Lookout and Seat on the Red Gum Loop Track
      Lookout and Seat on the Red Gum Loop Track
    • Red Gum Loop Track
      Red Gum Loop Track
    • Red Gum Trees
      Red Gum Trees

    What Did We Think of Wyrrabalong National Park?

    Both of the loop tracks in the Wyrrabalong National Park were fun to do, because of the different vegetation. We were also pleased we did it while it was wet and damp, as this added to the fun and the environment we passed through.

    • Sign Post at the Intersection of the Tracks Wyrrabalong National Park
      Sign Post at the Intersection of the Tracks
    • Information Board Wyrrabalong National Park
      Information Board
  • Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks in Strickland Forest

    Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks in Strickland Forest

    Strickland State Forest

    Two great walks located in the Strickland State Forest are the Arboretum and Bellbird Tracks. Located on the Central Coast of NSW, less than an hour’s drive north of Sydney, south of Newcastle, or a 10-minute drive west of Gosford, Strickland State Forest is a great place to visit.

    The forest is only five square kilometres but contains an impressive variety of flora and fauna species, along with extensive walking tracks. These wander through varying forest types, past waterfalls, under cabbage tree palms and along creeks.

    The forest has excellent picnic facilities including an all-weather shelter, picnic tables and toilets located at the Banksia Picnic Area

    • Entry Sign to the Strickland State Forest
      Entry Sign to the Strickland State Forest

    Arboretum Loop Track

    Located at the end of the Strickland Forest Road, the car park for the Arboretum Loop Track is well maintained but has no facilities. You will find these at the Banksia Picnic Area, which you pass on your way in.

    From the car park, walk down the trail to Stoney Creek, which has rocks laid out as steppingstones. On our visit, the creek was running high, because of rain and many rocks were under water and slippery. We took our time crossing to make sure we didn’t slip.

    The trail then winds through forest, while staying close to the creek. On reaching Narara Creek, you will find a suspension bridge, which make the creek crossing easy, safe and, fun.

    Continuing along the trail you will come across a sign to the Arboretum Loop. This area is great to walk through as much of it was planted over 100 years ago making the trees large and mature. Many of the tree are have signs to show their species, which adds to the interest of the walk. At two points large trees have fallen over the creek, forming natural bridges, although they are covered in moss and slippery.

    • Stoney Creek Crossing
      Stoney Creek Crossing
    • Arboretum Loop Track
      Arboretum Loop Track
    • Cabbage Tree Palms on the Arboretum Loop Track
      Cabbage Tree Palms on the Arboretum Loop Track
    • Stoney Creek From the Arboretum Loop Track
      Stoney Creek From the Arboretum Loop Track
    • Fallen Tree Over a Creek
      Fallen Tree Over a Creek
    • Fallen Tree Over a Creek
      Fallen Tree Over a Creek
    • Suspension Bridge Over Narara Creek
      Suspension Bridge Over Narara Creek

    Bellbird Track

    Located not far from the Arboretum Track, the Bellbird Track starts at a well-made signpost, making it easy to find. From here it winds through fern filled forest, before reaching a creek crossing. The creek was running high because of recent rain, which made the crossing difficult. Usually, the concrete steps are easy to use, but these were under water.

    We found leaches on our legs after the crossing, which we quickly removed. Leaches are common in the area, particularly after rain, so be prepared for them.

    • Sign Post
      Sign Post
    • Trees and Ferns on the Bellbird Track
      Trees and Ferns on the Bellbird Track
    • Narara Creek Crossing Bellbird Track
      Narara Creek Crossing Bellbird Track
    • Bellbird Track
      Bellbird Track
    • Ferns on the Bellbird Track
      Ferns on the Bellbird Track
    • The Bellbird Track
      The Bellbird Track
    • Moss Covered Trees on the Bellbird Track
      Moss Covered Trees on the Bellbird Track

    Things to be Aware Of

    Falling Pinecones

    Signs at the car park warn of falling pinecones in some seasons, so be aware of this.

    Creek Crossings

    Depending on the tracks you take, several creek crossings may be required. After heavy rain the water will be higher and the rocks in the water may be slippery when standing on them to cross the river, so be careful.

    Leaches

    Leaches live around the creeks and in the wet undergrowth, especially after rain when they are very active. Assume that you will be bitten by them and come prepared with salt and anti-leech sprays as well as decent boots.

    What Did We Think?

    Apart from the leaches and the slippery creek crossings, we had a great time. It was wet and raining, but this added to the atmosphere in the forest, with everything being wet and damp.