Next activities: Budawangs - 1st to 5th November - see program for details
25th - 29th October
Sunday the 25th, saw most of the attending walkers settling into the Helensburgh Hotel, their base for the Royal National Park Coastal Walk segment of this trip. Aided by judicious use of car shuffles and the train network, the walk was to be tackled over two days. Day one started at Garie Beach and finished in Bundeena to the north and day two also started at Garie Beach but finished at Otford to the south. It was striking how different each walk was. Day one was predominantly along cliff lines and through coastal heath, with open and often dramatic views with some fabulous rock colours and formations; including Eagle Rock and White Wedding Cake Rock. A number of waterfalls punctuated the coast. Occasionally the spray was being blown back onto the cliff by strong winds. The option of the lovely old ferry to Cronulla and train back to Waterfall Station to reunite with cars left there and at Garie Beach was ethusiastically embraced by some. In contrast, day two's walk was much more forested with lots of steep climbs, often up stone steps. One memorable set near towards the end of the walk seemed particularly unending. Nevertheless, the hardwork was absolutely worth it, with more than one walker voting this their favourite day. Along the route, an eagle-eyed member of the party spotted, in the stones of the creek being crossed, evidence of axe grinding - a reminder of the indigenous history of the area and a notable walk highlight.
After the second days walk the group moved on to Kiama for another two days of coastal walking. On both days the walks finished at Kiama after trains were taken to the starting points. Minnamurra Station to the north, on the third day and Gerringong Station to the south on the fourth day. These coastal tracks provided easier walking and shorter days compared the Royal NP walks. The highlights included passing through an old rock quarry site north of Kiama, the plentiful birds (including Nankeen Kestrels spectacularly hanging in the air and Golden-Headed Cisticolas with their distinctive call), and the Little Blowhole in south of Kiama centre (which out performed the main Kiama blowhole - spouting high with a great loud whoosh). A group dinner was enjoyed at the Grand Hotel in Kiama on the final evening,
Thanks to the leader, Jeff
