Born in Grenfell, New South Wales in 1867, Henry Lawson is one of Australia’s most well-known writers. Although his works were published during his lifetime, Lawson suffered from financial and alcohol problems. While living at Market Street in Naremburn, he would often stop at what is now called the Henry Lawson Cave to sleep off his visit to a tavern.
After looking in the cave, we’re not sure why Lawson would sleep here because it certainly does not look comfortable.
Marked with a carved stone block bearing the poet’s likeness, it’s easy to find at the rear of the baseball diamond. To commemorate Lawson, the local council frequently organises poetry readings and performances by the local community.
We visited the cave after walking the Flat Rock Gully Walking Track because it was on our way to the Incinerator, which is now a café. An underpass from the track goes past this location and on to the Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator which now operates as a café and art space.
An interesting place to see for its history, especially if you are a fan of Lawson’s work.
Carved Sign to the CaveThe Henry Lawson CaveEntrance to the Cave
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 Walking TrackSmall section of boardwalkWater stained boulders on the side of the trackTrack descending to the gully floorStone Steps of the trackStone Steps of the trackFlat 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 CreekFlat 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 BridgeThe Bridge from belowLong 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 underpassIndigenous 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.
Located in Leura in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Everglades House and Gardens is a 1930s house surrounded by 5.2 Hectares of gardens. Designed by the Danish horticulturalist and landscape designer, Paul Sorensen, the gardens incorporate winding paths and European Terraces.
Parking is available outside the entrance, and we had no problems finding a spot. Managed by the National Trust, there is an entrance fee of $16.59 per adult (in October 2022) or free for National Trust members.
Views over the Jamison Valley provide a magnificent backdrop to the gardens. On the lowest level, a small hidden grotto contains a pool and waterfall.
We spent time walking through the gardens, which contain some interesting statues. On one level, brickwork frames the mountain views, making it a favourite spot to have photos taken.
This was an interesting garden to visit, being situated on a steep ridge. The terraces and winding path make great use of the sloping land, allowing you to move from garden setting to another. We found lots to see here, well worth the entrance fee.
Brickwork used to frame the surrounding landscapeBackdrop to the Garden TheatreBacchus FountainOwl Sculpture in the GardensThe Wrestler Bronze Sculpture in the GardensBoy Removing ThornFlowers in BloomGrotto Pool and Waterfall
