Wodi Wodi Track - Illawarra Escarpment - April 2025

 Along the Illawarra Escarpment, magnificent views of the coastline, the Sea Cliff Bridge and the  Coalcliff Colliery  are two  features. To get down from the top at sublime point meant climbing down several ladders.  (click on the links in the text for further details)

(click on the pictures for more detail)

 

The Sea Cliff Bridge

Coal Cliff Colliery closed 1991 after 114 years of mining

Wombarra & Coledale

South towards Wollongong

Ladder & Steps on the path

Wombarra Rock Pool

 distance: 19.1Km  

 moving time: 2hrs,55mins

 elevation: 588metre

Glow Worm Tunnel & Old Coach Road - March 2025

The Glow Worm Tunnel is one of two tunnels on the old railway line from Newnes to the Main Western Line at Newnes Junction. The line 51 kilometres long operated from 1907 until 1932. It was used to carry shale oil, and some passengers, from the Glen Davies Shale Oil Refinery. Most of the line has been ripped up now, the access road follows sections of the line, the access road passes thorough the 'Number Two Tunnel'. 

(click on the links in the text for more details)

No2 Tunnel

Tree Goanna or Lace Monitor (Varanus varius)

South Portal

South Portal

North Portal

Donkey Mountain

National Parks are ensuring these rocks will not fall

North Portal

 

 

 distance: 10.1Km  

moving time: 1hrs,31mins

elevation: 262metre

 

Florabella Pass & Green's Road Lookout - February 2025

Green's Road Lookout is a hidden gem in the lower Blue Mountains, it is not marked on most maps and access is relatively easy along Green's Road. I added a little extra by starting at the Warrimoo end of Florabella pass and then diverting to Green's Road.  I returned via Greens Road and the streets of Warrimoo. Last year I did a section of the other end Florabella Pass. 

Glenbrook Creek

Rosy Heath-Myrtle (euryomyrtus ramosissima)

Lost World on the far cliff

Guinea Flower (hibbertia nemotophylla)

Glennbrook Creek again

End of the road

 distance: 10.2Km  

moving time: 1hrs,58mins

elevation: 327metre

Mangrove Creek - Ten Mile Hollow - January 2025

 The fertile Mangrove Creek Valley provided farm produce for colonial Sydney. The derelict, heritage listed, Fairview Homestead pictured below is the last to be occupied farm house in the valley. Fairview Homestead and Saint Thomas' Cemetery, also pictured below, are obvious reminders of colonial occupation. Travellers heading for Gosford and the Central Coast went via the Old Great North Road, after crossing Wiseman's Ferry left the Old Great North Road and turned towards the coast along Simpson's Road. I went on part of both those roads on this run. They are now a days they are just trails in the Dharug National park.

Mangrove Creek Valley from Donny's Trail

Clare's Bridge

Ten Mile Hollow Camping Ground

Mangrove Creek Track

Fairview Homestead

Saint Thomas' Cemetery

Saint Thomas' Cemetery

 

distance: 24.9Km  

moving time: 4hrs,18mins

elevation: 548metre

Mt Bogong - December 2024

Mount Bogong is Victoria's highest peak at 1986 metres, just 242 metres lower than Mount Kosciusko.  Kosciusko  can be seen from Bogong, approximately 90 km away. I was last on Bogong's summit carrying my son, he is now forty two, it would have been about forty years ago. On that occasion we did the Eskdale and Staircase Spur's loop, this time I went up and back via the Staircase, the shortest route from Mountain Creek Campground. It was a warm day and hot work climbing in the trees, once above the tree line the temperature was pleasant and on the top it was decidedly cool. I slept soundly that evening in the basic but beautiful Mountain Creek Campground. 

Above the tree line

Mint Bush (Prostanthera Subalpina)

Spot the snake (I sighted two)

Bivouac Hut

Looking into Keiwa Valley

Cairn on the summit

View to the North East (Kosciusko is there somewhere)

Mountain Creek

Tasmanian Flax Lily (Dianella Tasmanica)

Snow Daisy (Celmisia Costiniana)

Grass Trigger Plant (Stylidium Graminifolium)

distance: 19.4Km  

moving time: 4hrs

elevation: 1419metre