Destination's Journey

Tag: Hiking

  • Cape Baily Track Kamay Botany Bay

    Cape Baily Track Kamay Botany Bay

    Cape Baily Track Kamay Bay National Park

    Getting There

    Located in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, the Cape Baily Track winds along coastal cliffs with amazing ocean views. The track starts at the end of the park’s road, past Cape Solander. A car park next to a helicopter landing pad provides easy access to the start of the walk.

    The Cliff Under the Car Park
    The Cliff Under the Car Park

    Cape Baily Track

    The track is well maintained and in many places is a formed board walk, which makes the hike easier than walking over rough terrain. As we walked, the surroundings changed from coastal scrub to bare sandstone rock. Several areas had steps, but these were in excellent condition and easy to climb and descend.

    At 4 km each way and often exposed to strong winds and heat in summer, remember to take plenty of water and sunscreen. There are no facilities on the track, so take what you need for the walk, which takes around 2.5 hours.

    • Board Walk Through Coastal Scrub Cape Baily Track
      Board Walk Through Coastal Scrub

    Ocean Views

    The amazing sandstone cliffs which line the ocean side of the walk are beautiful. Lookouts along the walk provide great vantage points to see them, but obey the signs and don’t go near the edge.

    We might be biased, because we’re local, but in our opinion they are far better than the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Not only are they high with vertical drops to the ocean, but they are not as crowded and more scenic.

    • Sea Cliffs and Waves Cape Baily Track
      Sea Cliffs and Waves
    • Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs
      Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs
    • Cape Baily Track Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs
      Ocean Views and Sea Cliffs

    Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers

    Fishermen built dwellings on some of the cliffs and lived there from 1920 until the 1960s. As can be seen in the photo from that time they were precariously perched on the cliffs, although some were quite extensive. We had not heard of these buildings before the walk and found out about them from the information boards on the trail.

    The Department Of Lands ordered their eviction and removal of structures in the 1960s.

    • The Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers
      The Tabbigai Cliff Dwellers
    • Gully Where the Cliff Dwellers Lived
      Gully Where the Cliff Dwellers Lived

    Cape Baily Lighthouse

    At the end of the track the Cape Bailey Lighthouse sits high on the cliff, warning ships of the rocks. It isn’t a particularly interesting building, being plain and functional. There are many more lighthouses of note around Sydney, such as Macquarie and Hornby Lighthouses. We didn’t do the hike for the lighthouse but for the scenery, so we’re not disappointed.

    • Cape Baily Lighthouse
      Cape Baily Lighthouse
    • Cape Baily Lighthouse
      Cape Baily Lighthouse
  • 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.