Staples Lookout to Patonga via Rocky Ponds - Overnight Walk - Day 2

After a hard day of walking it was good to finally to get to sleep. But it was not to be. A monster of the night was going to try to keep me awake and eat my food!

So not that long after I dozed off I was woken from a animal not far from my tent. I couldn't see what it was, so made a grrrr noise and it went away. Again it woken me, this time it was closer to the tent. Again, grrrr I yelled, and it went away again. I did this several times. One time grrrring so loudly, half asleep, I scared myself!!
I could then see the shadow of a small animal climbing up the side of my tent. Grrr, it went away. The next time I woke, it was in the inter tent. It looked at me with me looking back at it. It had a marsupial type body, but Mickey Mouse shaped ears. Grrr I went, it went, but it was back within seconds.
It was now 3am. Not wanting stay up the rest of the night, I needed a way to keep it away. So I turned on my headlamp, aimed it towards it, and the monster was gone! And did not return. I left the lamp on until day break.

Just after 6am I was woken by the noise of birds and the sounds of trains off over the hill running along Mullet Creek. I made myself a nice warm breakfast. Then packed up my gear, collected more water and I was off on my way to Patonga.

Back up the hill I lugged a pack, what seem a lot heavy than the day before. But would have been lighter with food eaten. Mostly uphill walking I arrived at a intersection. I took the track that is signposted Patonga. The track crosses a number of rocky ourcrops for the next 2 kilometres. The track is quite well signposted. A lot better than the track I remember as a teenager. There is a good view of Mt Wondabyne, Woy Woy, Dillon's Farm and the Bahai temple at Terrey Hills on the other side of the Hawkesbury river.

Off the track I noticed a strange pile of rocks. So I decided to take a closer look. Someone had made a large snake out of some large rocks. I am sure when Google updates their satellite imagery you will be able to see it on Google Maps. 

I then walked back to the track through thick scrub. On the way down I grabbed a branch of a dead tree, which broke, I cut my leg and got thrown back on the track. It would have been a funny sight if anyone was on the track. 

With the noise of a crow, and a quite awful smell I knew I was near the Woy Woy tip. The track goes down a steep hill besides the tip meeting up with a creek. Here I passed a group of about 20 day walkers. Going back up the hill I rejoined a fire trail for the next 3 Kilometres. Along the track on the right hand side there glimpses of Brooklyn and the F3 freeway. 

I then crossed Patonga Drive and walked along a small track before walking along a dirt vehicular road that goes to Warrah Trig. Here I my legs were starting to get tired, this reminded me of the last time I walk this road when I was sixteen. I was also tired by this point.

I then went off track for a little bit. I came across the wrecks of two stolen cars. There also was a view of Box Head at Bouddi National Park. 

I then went to Warrah Trig Station and down stairs to Warrah Lookout, on the way looking at filtered views of Pearl Beach to my right. I arrived at the lookout, took in the breathtaking views of Palm Beach, Hawkesbury river and the hamlet of Patonga. This has to be one the best lookouts on the Central Coast.

I then joined a fire trail, then a track that goes down a steep track downhill. There were again great views.

The track then comes out on Dark Corner, which is at the eastern end of Patonga Beach. I then walked along the sandy beach. The walk was complete when I reached the wharf. I was happy to complete this walk. I now felt that I was ready for my multi-day walk that was coming up soon and that you will be able to read about.

Walk date 18/6/10

Staples Lookout to Girrakool after a good downpour

So I was back, on my way to Girrakool. This time I was chasing waterfalls. The sun was shining and I was hoping that there would be plenty of waterfalls.  The previous few days there had been an over hundred and thirty millimetres of rainfall. This was due a large low that picked up lots of moisture from unusually warm coastal waters. I was hoping not to get very wet feet, pick up any leeches and see lots of water. Let’s see how I go.

I parked my car at Staples Lookout which is just off Woy Woy Rd. Staples Lookout was named after Charles L Staples, who was councillor, presidents of many organisations such as the local surf club, land developer and even the local coroner. Here there is a good view across to Saratoga, Woy Woy and Umina.

I walked down Woy Woy Rd and crossed it a short distance away. I was then on the Thommos Trail. I soon met a man pushing his bike up the hill. He gave me advice on how to cross the creek below Kariong Brook. Kariong Brook was as far as I intended to go. But knowing other people were out here for the same reason, it inspired me to go all the way to Girrakool. Here I rang my mother to arrange transport back to my car. She warned me of leeches, landslides and impending doom. Not letting it get me down, I left the Thommos Trail and was on the Great North Walk heading down to the falls.

As I walked down the hill I heard the noise of a waterfall. This waterfall is off track. I tried to bush bash my way to it. I made about 20 metres in when I turned back due the bush being too thick and angry bull ants I disturbed. As I got closer the falls, the hairs started to stand up on the back of my neck. A bit like the first time I was on the top of Mt Panorama and heard the sound of V8's roaring up the mountain. Instead this time it was the sound of water roaring.

I made my way down stairs under a rock overhang and then it appeared. The waterfall of Kariong Brook. What a sight it was. A totally different waterfall to that I had seen the last time.

The track below it was cut by the creek. I waded across to a small bit of dry land, unzipped the lower legs of my pants off and took my socks & shoes off. I entered the cold cold water and got as close as I could to falls to take some photos.

Leaving my shoes off, I cross another part of the creek  where the track normally went. The water tried to push me off my feet, but I didn't let it. I dried off and put my gear back on. Up a hill and down a hill I arrived at Myron Brook. Upstream it was quite and peaceful like the last time I visited it. Downstream it was no longer a little trickle, but a raging creek, that made it harder to cross.

Heading up the hill to the Gosford Rifle Range service trail, I passed a number of little waterfalls. I also heard two larger falls that would have been a few hundred metres away. Mapless I decided not to try and find them. The track here was quite dry considering the amount of rain that had just fallen. 2.5 Km's later I arrived at the service trail.  Not far down the track there is a large rock platform with views down to Mooney Mooney Creek.

I walked along the service trail for the next 2.5 Km’s. I then came to a intersection, with the service trail going to the Rifle Range and the Great North Walk going to Girrakool. 

 

Along the sandy track, the only marks in the sand were that of small animals and my boots. The track then goes up Scopas Peak. Here there are good views of Mt Wondabyne and you can see the Baha'i Temple at Terry Hills in the far distance. Going down Scopas Peak I could hear another waterfall off in the bush. Without more walking through thick scrub it was off my waterfall list for the day. The track then crosses another large rock platform covered with lots of moss and lichen.

 

Off to the right you can see across to the Rifle Range complex. Further along there are views down to Mooney Mooney Creek. The track then goes up hill. Through the bush there are good views down to the new Mooney Mooney bridge.

 

Walking downhill the track is quite eroded in places, with parts of the track having small streams of water running down it. I soon came to a small tributary, with lots of water flowing. Then back up hill and down again. Here I joined the Girrakool loop track.

I walked down and had a quick look at Piles creek and then walked towards Girrakool. Soon arriving at Rat Gully. The water here was flowing strongly. There is a lookout here of the falls but they are obstructed by trees. So I went off track down a steep hill to get a closer look. 

 

 

The journey back to Girrakool was a wet, slippery and boggy one. I passed a young family. With one of them wearing only thongs! Arriving at Girrakool I did all of the tracks near the picnic area, adding about 2 kilometres to my walk. This included two more water falls.

 

 

 

I soon left the park and meet my lift back to the car. The walk was only going to be a short one; it turned out to be double the length that I planned. But it was well worth the extra steps taken. 

Walk date 4/6/10

Girrakool - Piles Creek Loop

In an autumn afternoon that felt more like a summer one, I arrived at Girrakool with a mate. Girrakool is about 7 kilometres west of Gosford and located within the Brisbane Water National Park. Girrakool means "place of still waters" in Aboriginal. With lots of water, food and shelter I could imagine it being a spiritual place for the aboriginals. Although I didn't see them this time, not far from the entry to the park there is an engraving of Man and a Kangaroo.

It is also important place for me. As a child we had many picnics here with my family and relatives. So even though I hadn't been here for a long while, the memories came flooding back. No picnic was ever complete here without venturing into the bush. So this is one reason I have a love for the Aussie bush.

Soon after chatting to a park ranger and passing a picnic area we headed down the hill and arrived at Broula lookout, which means place of tricking water. It overlooks Piles creek. Upstream is place of the tragic accident that occurred in the floods of June 2007.

Just a bit further down the hill we arrived at the Illoura Lookout,  meaning peaceful place, which is it. There is a waterfall to the left and below the creek with its clear water flowing over sandstone. Soon after we crossed Leask Creek, further upstream is dammed, it makes the artificial cove that is a replication of Sydney Cove at Old Sydney Town. Not long again, another lookout, this one is called Bundilla. Here there a good view of the waterfall.

Piles Creek follows the track to the left and the hill on the right rises and blocks the sound of the F3 freeway above. The track gently falls and meets the creek then rises again meeting large caves. The track is quite wet in places with water slowly dripping onto it from above. This side of the track receives a lot less sunlight compared to that of the eastern side. There are a few small pockets of rain forest along the track. There then is a another cave to peruse.

The track then comes to a steep decline, with a handrail that is broken in places. At the bottom of this hill the track comes to an intersection. Off to the right the track goes to Mooney Mooney Creek and beyond. To the left is Piles Creek and the remains of a old walk bridge which I remember as a child. Just right of it is the nice new suspension bridge. It isn't likely to get washed away in hurry like the last few did.

This was about the halfway point of the walk of this 4.1 Kilometre walk. We then headed up hill passing the turn off for the track that goes to Patonga and Wondabyne. Soon crossing a gully called Rat Gully, thankfully we see no rats in this rainforest gully. I remember thirstily collecting water from this creek when in Scouts. This time it was quite dry. After heading further up the hill we came to a large boulder with a cave with honeycomb like sandstone and rocky cut-out in it.

Soon there is a lookout high over Piles Creeks with views below and across to hills to be climb another day. The track then passes the unmarked track that goes to Scout Camp Kariong. It then goes through a large rock overhang. We then arrived on rocky outcrop that was above the waterfall previously mentioned. Crossing concrete steeping stones over Piles Creek we then pass Illoura Lookout again and walk back up the hill to the car. 

Walk date 23/4/10

Koolewong Ridge walk on a kool summers day

It was a spur of the moment decision, but well worth it. There was rain predicted. But that wasn't going to put a damper on things. The threat of rain kept the track free from other humans. 90% of my walks so far have been the same.

I modified a walk from the 1993 edition, Bushwalks in the Sydney Region (ISBN 0 9599160 7 5). The walk in the book starts from Point Clare. Due a big hill and a house now blocking the track! I decided to start from Kariong.

On the Saturday morning (6/2/10) I set off for the 12km return walk. I parked the car on the corner of Woy Woy RD and Bambara RD. The track follows Bambara RD and goes gently down a fire trail through either privately or government owned land. For the first half of a kilometre there are plastic markers on the larger trees, these are used for an ecology study. This seems quite strange in the bush, signs marked with housing lots and fences in the bush that would have set out the boundaries for these lots.

The owner of this land had been trying since 1983 to get a development application passed through council. From what I can tell the state government bought the land and in 2005 the Kariong High School was to be built here. Due to the area being environmentally sensitive the school was built at Mt Penang, just up the road. Still the area isn't a part of the Brisbane Water National Park.

A bit over a kilometre down the track there is an intersection with Bambara RD and the Koolewong Ridge fire trail. I turned left here and headed down a steep hill that made me dance on the loose gravel. For those who have seen me dance, you can now take that thought out of your mind and think about the nice stream that flowed over sandstone that I came across. The stream had a number of small waterfalls and possible grooves from where Aboriginal’s used to sharpen their tools. I walked down to the waterfall that dropped down into the valley below. I almost lost my balance on the slippery sandstone a number of times. I found it safer to walk in the water than out of it.

The track then continues on the Kariong, I turned around here. Just after the intersection mention before there is a large rock shelf with boulders. There are views over to Saratoga and Yattalunga from here. Mention in the book above there is meant to be an engraving of a large fish. I feel the spirits of the Bungaree tribe kept it hidden from me.

The track continues to the south for the next 2km’s. To its left, running parallel there are powers lines with a separate track running underneath them. To its right is a cliff line that runs until it almost reaches Woy Woy.  There a number of opportunities to duck off through the bush to see the excellent view of Brisbane Water’s and surrounds. I took a few of these.  You just need to  look out for spiders and their webs that are as thick as fishing line, rat or snake holes and be aware that there no safety railings on the cliff tops.   

 

 

Point Clare and Gosford

  Greenpoint and Kincumber Mountain (hill?!)

The track then comes to a Y junction. I went to the left. Passing a large water tower that is perched on the cliff top with a trig station on top of it and communications tower behind. The track heads down a steep hill coming out at Koolewong near Woy Woy Bridge. I stopped for morning tea about a 3rd of the way down to admire the views. Here I applied lots of 80% Diethyl meta toluamide to keep the moozies and leaches at bay.

 

 

 Saratoga

I then headed back up the hill to the Y junction and turned left. I stopped at two lookouts; the first had views of Mt Wondabyne, Mt Scorpion and the village of Woy Woy Bay below. Here I gave a friendly wave to Belinda Neal.  Going down the hill there were views over to Pelican Is, Reilly’s Is, Davistown, Blackwall and Bensville. The second lookout had more views of Woy Woy Bay. It also had views over Woy Woy, Umina, Ettalong, Lion Is and Barrenjoey in the foggy distance. 

Davistown and beyond

Woy Woy Bay

Woy Woy

 

I then went back up the hill pass the Y junction and back along the ridge heading towards the car.  It then started to rain for a little while. Once the rain stopped I tried to find a track to the creek which makes it way down to Woy Woy bay. I had been to this creek in my teens. Since then the track has been overgrown. I found what I thought was a track, that turned out to be just an animal track. I bushed bashed my way until I came across a small cliff and turned around back to the fire trail. At the creek there are engravings depicting two men and a wallaby. Again the spirits of the Bungaree tribe kept them hidden from me.

 Ok, maybe this one can't be restored

I then took another track to the left. This shortcut track has heavy overgrown scrub. In most places you can’t even see your own feet. Every 50 metres or so there are large metal poles marking the way. Some places the track completely disappears. I would not recommend this track unless you have a good off track experience and don’t mind digging bit of timber out of yourself a few days later.  It crosses a nice sandstone creek. I would recommend you take the Bambara RD track instead. 

A few hundred metres from the car a downpour started. It continued until I reached home.

It was an enjoyable walk. Mostly flat. Best to be done on a nice sunny day when the views would be grand.