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Hill View Bushwalkers

By on 11 July, 2022 in Affiliated club news, Bushwalking club management resources, Bushwalking history, Walks
A wander in Hornsby, Normanhurst, Waitara & Wahroonga, 8 July 2022, Barbara R

After a week of flooding rain, necessitating the cancellation of the three planned walks for July 8th, a huge mob (41) of Hill View Bushwalkers turned up at Hornsby Station to enjoy an urban walk in brilliant sunshine.

After a longer briefing than usual, which included some history of the area, we headed west past the murals in Dural Lane and on to Frederick Street where we saw the hidden away but impressive California bungalow house & large garden of Leo & Florence Cotton.

Leo Cotton was a highly regarded geologist who became Professor of Geology at Sydney University after the retirement of his mentor & friend Sir Tannatt William Edgeworth David, also a Hornsby resident. Both men went to Antarctica in 1907-8 with Mawson & Shackleton. Leo’s brother Max (also a scholar) bought part of the Cotton property in 1917 to develop Lisgar Gardens. Florence Cotton Reserve (opposite the Frederick St house) is named after Leo’s wife who died in 1930 after only twenty years of marriage.

We crossed Waitara Creek on a bridge near Carcoola Crescent & soon found a hidden pathway & steps through bushland to the crossing of a tributary creek & ascent to a pleasant morning tea spot behind Normanhurst Scout Hall & overlooking the valley.

We realised that was enough flirtation with soggy bushland for the day! Later, a foot track & path were followed from Dartford Road on the southern side of the railway line to Normanhurst Station & Edwards Road from where we walked up quiet Russell Avenue to the source of Waitara Creek & to Pennant Hills Road. Soon another hidden lane off the Pacific Highway was followed to Anulla Place Reserve from where we made our way to & through bushland behind The Grange & through this 1980s Retirement Village to Waitara Station.

At this stage we had walked over 9kms so twelve people decided they’d enjoyed enough exercise for the day & caught a train to their various destinations. Those who had their sights set on lunch in Wahroonga Park, followed the highway SE to Carden Avenue then a path that follows the railway to a footbridge over the M1, on to Warwilla Avenue & the pedestrian rail overpass to our lunch destination. Nine stalwarts stayed for excellent coffee at the Coonanbarra Cafe opposite the park.

On the approximately 13km walk we only (temporarily & briefly) lost three people! Not bad considering the crowd. ? Lessons were learnt… & the abandoned were gracious… The usual HVB camaraderie reached a new level after the week of watery isolation and a great time was had by all.

Leaders: Barbara R & Steve

Walkers: Helen A, Nick B, Barbara C, Susan, Rhondda, Ann D, Tim, Elaine, Michael, Jane, John G, Ros G, Christine G, Carol, Celia, Cherry, Kas, Chris McA, Bill McD, Lydia, John M, Hazel, Margaret P, Wendy P, Pragati, David R, Anne R, Christine S, John S, Jenny S, Nick S, Sue S, Lyn, Cleona, Louis, Don W as well as visiting walkers Rosemary Wade (becoming our newest member), Irene Soon & Cheong Lai

Thanks to Nick B for being tail end Charlie.

Our thanks to Barbara R for planning the route and for many hours of historical research.

Our July Club: Hill View Bushwalkers

Hill View Bushwalkers (HVB) has Friday walks from mid-February to mid-November. HVB began in a small way in the early 1970s, growing gradually and retaining a quite informal structure. The spirit of friendship and care that was nurtured in those early years has been maintained, and it is rewarding to be associated with this group.

We are an incorporated group affiliated with Bushwalking NSW. We have walks at three levels of activity led by members who volunteer to lead walks that appeal to them.

The Plus walking group usually has a walk ranging from 14 to 20 kilometres, with substantial ascents and descents though the distance may be less in difficult terrain.

The Regular walking group will usually walk between 9 and 13 kilometres, with less vigorous climbs.

A third group, the EZY walking group, is for those who now find the first two types of walk a bit difficult and wish to walk at a slower pace, with walks of up to 8 kilometres. These walks are currently held fortnightly.

We tend to have a fairly mature membership that includes many part-time workers and retired people.

A weekend away is occasionally arranged to a place where there is low-cost accommodation and good day walks, such as the Snowy Mountains or NSW South Coast.

Members have two six-month programs each year, providing a weekly walk from mid February until mid November.

Development of each program starts with a subcommittee preparing a list of proposed walks. This is then circulated to members, who indicate which walks they are prepared to lead (two leaders to each walk). When all the gaps are filled the program is finalised and published. Walks are all within reach of a one day trip from the meeting point in Turramurra, enabling us to walk in the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Royal National Park areas as well as in Sydney.

The number of participants is not limited (unless by COVID restrictions) and leaders make arrangements to ensure all walkers are included.

Every walk has 2 First Aiders nominated. First Aid training is encouraged by a substantial subsidy towards the cost.

The leaders walk the track shortly before leading a group in order to ensure the conditions are suitable.

If the advertised walk needs to be modified, or leaders judge that participants need more information, then a WALKS ADVISORY is issued.

We usually drive with car pooling, but where possible we use public transport.

We are COVID safe. Our program and procedure is modified in response to COVID restrictions as appropriate.

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 26-28 August 2022

By on 12 June, 2022 in Events, News Updates, Volunteering, Walks

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 2022: Event Volunteers needed!

Oxfam Trailwalker is a community event that brings people together from all walks of life. Event organisers are looking for dedicated volunteers to create an incredible experience for teams, helping them walk 100km in 48 hours to raise much needed funds to tackle poverty. The event from the Hawkesbury to the Harbour spans across nine locations from Parsley Bay through to Bobbin Head and finishes at the scenic Tania Park. There are volunteer roles to suit everyone!

Trail Markers & Sweep Teams

Being based in the bush, the event requires keen and active bush walkers to head out and mark sections of the trail prior to the event and then sweep sections of the trail as final walkers walk through. This is done in groups of approximately 4 volunteers per section.

Checkpoint Crew

Checkpoint Crew look after walkers as they rest along the 100km journey at checkpoints, making sure they have the support and supplies they need. You will assist with timing points, walker retirements, and general operations.

Perks?
  • Walk for Free at any Oxfam Trailwalker event in 2023!
  • Have a fulfilling feeling of giving back to the community and helping others in need around the world!
  • Receive an Oxfam Trailwalker volunteer gift
How to sign up?

Fill in this Expression of Interest form here or head here to find out more.

Coffs Hikers

By on 9 June, 2022 in Affiliated club news, Bushwalking club management resources, Walks
Coffs Hikers climb Tuckers Nob, Orara West State Forest/Bindarra National Park, March 2022, Yvonne, Coffs Hikers

Tuckers Nob is a local landmark, with a great view to the Dorrigo escarpment, and the Bellinger Valley to the sea. In March, walkers from Coffs Hikers set off from the north side of the mountain following Frontage Creek up steeply through Orara West State Forest on logging tracks.

Close to the top is a track labelled on the map as “That Steep Bit”, and it is certainly steep! The forest vegetation changes as we approach the summit (874 metres) and the view opens up. There is a geocache hiding here.

After a rest on a rough hewn bench to enjoy our lunch, we start cautiously down that steep bit again, stopping on the way to admire Fig Tree Falls in full flow after rain. Then it’s back to the cars to clean off the mud and remove any free passengers (aka leeches).

Our June Club: Coffs Hikers

Coffs Hikers is a new Bushwalking NSW club in Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast, with a fast-growing membership. The Club is spoilt for choice with many national parks, state forests, coastal walks, creeks and the great escarpment offering many opportunities for wild explorations! The Club currently offers day walks, overnight walks and camping, but hope to offer cycling and kayaking in future.

In the Club’s first six months, 84 club members have enjoyed 321 outdoor experiences together on 39 activities. These have included soggy off-track in the jungle, steep climbs to lookouts, camping at Gibraltar Ranges, map and compass training and gentler coastal rambles.

For more information visit the Club website or Facebook page. In addition Coffs Trails publishes routes of many walks in the Coffs area.

 

Northern Rivers Bushwalkers Club

By on 20 April, 2022 in Affiliated club news, Walks
NRBC Walks, Gibraltar Range National Park, April 2022, Northern Rivers Bushwalkers Club

There’s not many National Parks open at the moment due to all the rain and flood damage, but 22 walkers from Northern Rivers Bushwalkers Club (NRBC) managed to get some walks in at Gibraltar Range National Park. It was a bit wet underfoot, but only rained on our last day.

Our April Club: Northern Rivers Bushwalkers Club

The Northern Rivers Bushwalkers Club runs a variety of bushwalking, cycling, kayaking and abseiling activities each week in the National Parks, State Forests and coastal areas of the NSW North Coast Region, and beyond.

The Club is located in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, which includes Ballina, Lismore and Tweed Heads. NRBC is a group of friendly people who welcomes new members and offers a come and try walk before people are required to join.

 

The Walking Volunteers add more walks!

By on 12 April, 2022 in Affiliated club news, Walks

The Walking Volunteers add more walks! 

The Walking Volunteers Inc. have added 113 kilometres of walking tracks in the Hills District to their extensive network of public walking routes across Greater Sydney. These routes include the 65 kilometre long Hills Circle that takes advantage of the excellent tracks built by The Hills Shire Council, Hornsby Shire Council, Crown Lands and National Parks & Wildlife Service along the picturesque creeks of the Hornsby Plateau. This main route runs from public transport node to public transport node including several stations on the North-West Metro Line and visits historic sites such as Bella Vista Farm and the Third Government Farm at Castle Hill.  

 The main route wanders through delightful rainforest, shale-sandstone forest and turpentine-ironbark forest hidden away in the creek valleys. There are numerous natural viewpoints with forested vistas of the valleys and from high point along the way there are views to the distant ramparts of the Blue Mountains. As the Circle crosses from creek valley to creek valley you visit the delightful local reserves such as Bella Vista Green and Crestwood Reserve. Local loops visit other sites such as Fred Caterson Reserve, one of the oldest public reserves in Sydney, Castle Hill Showground, the site of the William Thompson Masonic School at Balcombe Heights and countless local reserves. 

The Walking Volunteers now have over 1,500 kilometres of walking routes on their online maps that may be downloaded to your smartphone, tablet or PC from the Sydney Walking Tracks map on their website. These maps have been accessed by over 880,000 walkers. 

Excelsior Creek

 

Splendour Rock – hidden in plain sight

By on 29 March, 2022 in Uncategorized

ANZAC Day is not far off.  Many bushwalkers will be heading to Splendour Rock in the Wild Dog Mountains of the Megalong Valley.  They will be there to honour thirteen (13) bushwalkers remembered by a simple but moving Dawn Service at this memorial plaque.  There has been an annual Dawn Service since at least from 1992 and perhaps even 1990 (records are incomplete).  Prior to that time Dawn Services were infrequent but usually at significant anniversaries such as 10, 25 and 50 years since its dedication in 1948 by the NSW Federation of Bushwalking Clubs (now Bushwalking NSW)..

The Bushwalking NSW website has a file that describes the fallen we remember at Splendour Rock prepared by Michael Keats OAM, Belinda Keir and Keith Maxwell.  See – https://www.bushwalkingnsw.org.au/history/

There is something special about Splendour Rock that has been hidden plain sight.  Its not just the location which is very special with its stunning view of the southern Blue Mountains.  It tells the story of a changing Australia in World War II.

In WWI Australia sent a new army, the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) to the other side of the world for an amphibious landing on ANZAC Day 1915 at Gallipoli.

Australia industrialised as war came very close in WWII and the casualties tell an interesting story.  Among the bushwalkers remembered a minority were in the AIF but all four (4) died in the fall of Singapore in 1942 or later as POW of the Japanese.

Bruce Elder (pictured) of Coast & Mountain Walkers died on HMAS Sydney when it was lost off the Western Australian coast in November 1941.

James McCormack of YMCA Ramblers although in RAAF died on HMAS Canberra when it was lost in the Battle of Savo Island in the Pacific Ocean.  Again, not Europe.

Norman Saill of Sydney Bush Walkers and RAAF died in the New Guinea campaign.  The remaining six (6) bushwalkers (of the 13) were all in RAAF and died while based in the UK.

So, hiding in plain sight was the fact that at Splendour Rock more airmen (8) are remembered than soldiers (4) who were more likely to have died close to Australia and not in some foreign (European) field.

Splendour Rock Memorial 1948

Elder Bruce photo

Keith Maxwell.

Sydney Bush Walkers

By on 14 March, 2022 in Affiliated club news, Walks
A Week of Walks, Kosciuszko National Park, Christmas/New Year 2021/22, Sydney Bush Walkers, Report by John Kennett, Photos by John Pozniak

Between Christmas and New Year 2021/22 myself and thirty other members of Sydney Bush Walkers (SBW) travelled, walked and gathered on the trails and in the ski-lodges of beautiful Kosciuszko National Park.

Every day we embarked on a different walk and were rewarded with the sight of brilliant blue skies, beautiful weather and voluminous wildflowers. Among the fantastic locations we visited were the Iconic Trails, Mt Twynham, Ramshead, Dead Horse Gap, Guthega, Mt Anton and Mt Tate.

To cap off a successful week our visit concluded with 2022 New Year’s Eve celebrations which were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Our March Club: Sydney Bush Walkers

Our club of the month, Sydney Bush Walkers is one of Australia’s largest and oldest Bushwalking Clubs. SBW was founded in 1927 and has a membership of around 850.

The club offers challenging day and multi-day walks including extended 12 day (or more) trips.  Canyoning is a very popular club activity in the warmer months.

SBW volunteer trip leaders are experienced walkers who aim to maximise members enjoyment of the outdoors while also ensuring the safety of all walkers. While SBW leaders foster group co-operation participants are also expected to be self-sufficient to ensure that all members cope with walk conditions and challenges that arise.

While the Sydney Bushies provide a range of bush experiences, they also offer a great social network of like minded, outdoorsy types. A SBW membership provides a unique opportunity for bush lovers to develop skills, increase confidence and meet new like-minded friends!

The club holds monthly information nights for people who are considering joining (book here). For more information visit the SBW website or Facebook Page.

 

 

Watagan Wanderers Bushwalking Club

By on 12 February, 2022 in Affiliated club news, Walks
3 day hike, Barrington Tops NP, February 2022, Watagan Wanderers Bushwalking Club, Report & Images David Whyte

This hike was meant to be down Paterson’s Gorge but the predicted rain made that walk too dangerous. A nice alternative in the same area, and one we have done before, was to walk to Selby Alley hut and do a day walk from there around Edwards Swap.

The walk starts up with a steady climb up the Corker trail. The tall trees of the ancient beech forest add a lovely atmosphere to this walk and in summer offer a lot of shade. We have done this walk in winter where you are enclosed by mist. The lunch time break offers a magnificent view of Carey Peak in the distance which was our destination the next day

As we reached the top of the Corker track and it started to level out, we kept our eye out for a special dead tree marking the slightly hidden track to Selby Alley hut. It felt magical as we followed this secret path through dense forest, and then spotted the hut sitting just across from a beautiful stream that was softly meandering through sub tropical rainforest past the hut to nearby Basden Falls. We arrived at the hut mid afternoon giving us plenty of time to set up our tents and collect firewood. Despite being summer it was quite cool.

Leaving our tents up we set off the next day for a 20km walk around Edwards Swamp stopping at Careys Peak on the way. The clear morning offered stunning views over the valley below and the ridge that the Corker Trail follows. We spotted a few feral horses during the day and were saddened by how much broom there was growing; The Aeroplane hill track was quite dense in some areas. We cooked our dinner out in the open next to the fire and during the night the rain started to set in. We returned to our cars the next day via the corker trail in mist and listened to the sounds of lyre birds as we descended.

Our February Club: Watagan Wanderers Bushwalking Club

The Watagan Wanderers was established in the early 90s to meet the needs of people in The Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle areas. It has an active program of providing day and multiday hikes over most of Australia and overseas. Though, since Covid the walks have become much more local. The club also has keen cycling, kayaking and abseiling groups. Our program can be found on our website.

Bushwalking NSW 2022 Photo Competition

By on 21 January, 2022 in Awards & Recognition, Events, News Updates

Show us your best shots!

Do you take beautiful photos of people and scenery when you are walking?

We want to share them with the world!

Enter our 2022 Photo Competition to see your photos featured in our newsletter and on our website and to be in the running for a great prize from Paddy Pallin. The competition closes on 30 March 2022.

You can share these types of photos:

  • NSW/ACT national park scene
  • People bushwalking in NSW/ACT
  • NSW/ACT wildlife
  • Website banner sized 1000 x 250 pixels to illustrate any BNSW web page

To enter simply email your images or a public link to your photos (eg google drive, dropbox or photo share apps) to Bushwalking NSW here.

There’s $245 of great prizes to be won courtesy of Paddy Pallin.

1 Arcade Adventure Belt

1 Camelbak Chute Mag 750ml bottle

1 Sea to Summit 2 Piece Dining Kit

1 Osprey Ultralight Roll Organiser

1 Inflatable Solar Light

1 North Face Horizon Breeze Brim Hat

Prizes courtesy of Paddy Pallin

Please note that by submitting images to this competition, you acknowledge that:

  1. You possess copyright to the images,
  2. You give Bushwalking NSW permission to use your images in any Bushwalking NSW website, newsletter, social media, email, online and printed publications without attribution, and
  3. You warrant that Bushwalking NSW will not infringe any copyright by using the images you have supplied in any way.

Thank you for sharing the beauty of our bushland and wildlife with the world!

 

 

GET Ground Truther’s Competition

By on 18 January, 2022 in Awards & Recognition, News Updates, Volunteering

Great Escarpment Trail

Paddy Pallin

Ground Truther’s Competition

18th January, 2022

We are looking for people who can “ground truth” the Great Escarpment Trail (GET). We need to you to walk the trail and try out the campsites and adjacent accommodation, food and transport options. We then want a trip report from you on the good and the bad of the section you walked. We would love to see your photos, videos, maps and track notes on anything and everything of note.

You could also win yourself some great Paddy Pallin gear! Just share with us:

  • the best photos and video taken of spectacular sights along the GET
  • videos and photos that capture the essence of the GET
  • the best 3-day-2-night and 6-day-5-night walk/experience along the GET
  • the best track notes or best name for a 3-day-2-night or 6-day-5-night walk within the GET

Every 6 months we will award a prize in each of these categories:

  1. The most spectacular photo or video taken on/from the GET track, campgrounds or accommodation
  2. The best video or photo displaying the unique character of the GET track, campgrounds and accommodation – a photo that tells the viewer the best thing/s about the GET experience – it could be sitting around a campfire, your mates gazing at a view, an abundant moss & lichen garden – whatever strikes you as the essence of “The best of the GET”
  3. The best idea for a 3-day-2-night or 6-day-5-night walking adventure/experience along the GET – the experience could involve spending a final day at a resort at the end of the trail, or staying an extra night along the trail to do side-trips – tell us the most exhilarating 3 or 6 day experience you can envisage on the GET
  4. The best track notes or best name for a 3-day or 6-day walk along the GET. We would love to see photos of track junctions and wayfinding indicators.

Things you can share about the section you walk are:

  • good photographs
  • whether the route is easy to follow
  • mobile phone coverage
  • identifying hazard points, like watercourse crossings, bad erosion, steep inclines, fences, gates, and access.
  • places of scenic interest
  • potential locations of campsites
  • any commercial operator along the trail that services bushwalkers, like accommodation providers, shops, roadside stalls, etc.  For example the Styx River Forest Station is listed as a free camp as it is on a main road.
  • anything else that may strike you.

Paddy Pallin have generously contributed these great prizes for the 4 categories:

1 x PAT Altvia pack 22L Abalone Blue- L: https://www.paddypallin.com.au/patagonia-altvia-22-pack.html

1 x KNO Bandicoot 250- Blue: https://www.paddypallin.com.au/knog-bandicoot-250-lumen-rechargable-headlamp.html

1 x  OPT Crux Lite Stove: https://www.paddypallin.com.au/optimus-crux-lite-stove.html

1 x Pure Race starter pack bottle: https://www.paddypallin.com.au/pure-sports-nutrition-race-starter-pack-bottle.html

Paddy Pallin Prizes

How to enter

Firstly, contact  Gavin Dale – Bushwalking NSW Operations on operations@bushwalkingnsw.org.au to receive the latest track notes and maps for the sections of track that you’d like to walk.

On your walk, take note of any improvements/corrections you would suggest to the track notes. Record your experience of the trail in words and photos. And think about what would make an awesome 3-day-2-night or 6-day-5-night walk along the GET.

On your return home simply email your entry photos and feedback to Gavin at operations@bushwalkingnsw.org.au. Attach your images to your email or include a public link to your photos (eg google drive, dropbox or photo share apps).

Please share photos and video with the highest resolution and quality possible.

Terms & Conditions

Photos with the best photo quality will be more likely to win. We would love to know who was the photographer for each photo however please note that by submitting photographs to this competition, you acknowledge that:

  • you possess copyright to the images,
  • you give Bushwalking NSW Inc (BNSW), Bushwalking Queensland Inc. (BWQ) and The Great Escarpment Trail Inc. (GET) permission to use the images you supply in any BNSW, BWQ or GET website, newsletter, social media, email, online and printed publications without attribution, and
  • you warrant that BNSW, BWQ and GET will not infringe any copyright by using the images you have supplied in any way.

We will contact the winners via their email address and publish the name of the winners in our monthly newsletter. Any prize that isn’t claimed within 1 month of the email being sent to the winner will be forfeited and will go into the next 6 month prize draw. Prizes for categories that haven’t received entries will go into the next 6 month draw.

 

Wishing you well in your ground truthing. We hope you have a great time!