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CurrentProgram

Amendments will be made to the Program through out the year, walks will be added, dates changed etc. Please make regular visits to this site to ensure you have up to date program info.

Current 2010 Program

Welcome!If you are visiting our website and like the look of our Program, why not contact our Membership Secretary Sue Holliday who can give you the run down on our friendly club. Sue can be contacted on 0412 234 944 or by email sholliday@iinet.net.au

AUTUMN:

March 4 - 15 Wangi Wangi Lakeside Holiday Park

Wangi Wangi Holiday Park is situated on the western shores of Lake Macquarie about an hours drive north of Hornsby. This vast waterway offers many possibilities for sailing, kayaking, swimming, fishing and of course the park is great for relaxed quite camping whilst overlooking the lake. See www.lakemacholidayparks.com.au for options and bookings. Ron and I are taking our campers up on the 4th to set up and have a look around, On the 6th we'll return to Penrith for the AGM at Brian's, this will allow Ron to tow his sailing boat up there for the week. We have booked sites 40, 41 and John Maltby has 29. With favourable tides all week and the hot summer blast hopefully finished it should be a great week away.

Grade; Easy - Medium then Relaxing

March 6 BBQ & AGM Saturday Night -Emu Plains

Come along and catch up with your bushwalking pals at a Club BBQ. We’ll also hold the Clubs Annual General Meeting to elect the 2010 Club Committee and launch the Winter Program. To be hosted by Brian again! Thanks Brian. Bring a chair, BBQ needs (except a BBQ Brian will provide that), so nibblies, dinner and drinks. Further info to be provided in the AGM notice.

Grade: Social

March 20 Kayaking Day Trip on the Parramatta River

Join us for a leisurely exploration of the upper reaches of the Parramatta River from Putney to Silverwater (approximately 16 kilometres round trip) with some deviations to explore mangrove-lined bays on the way before pulling in to Newington for coffee and/or lunch - there is a cafe there and picnic spots. We will aim for tidal assistance, launching from Kissing Point Bay where there is a good sandy beach on the eastern side of the ferry wharf, with a car park.

Grade: Easy

March 27 Saturday Cowan - Brooklyn 12km Day walk (invite your friends!)

The Cowan to Brooklyn Station walk is a popular section of the Great North Walk, with scenery ranging from foreshore to ridge top lookouts. The track follows the Great North Walk from Cowan Station down to the picturesque Jerusalem Bay, and then climbs along the ridgeline to descend into Brooklyn. The track is a great one-way trip from station to station with numerous water views and a diversity of fauna to see along the way. Bring your friends, camera, a shared picnic lunch at the dam and your swimmers for a potential swim.

Grade: Easy-Medium

April 2-5 Blue Water Holes Kosciusko NP - 4 Day Pack Walk

Enjoy a walk in the Kosciusko NP over Easter. This is a relatively easy walk with not too many ups and downs or long days. We’ll camp near Pocket Hut, before moving on to Blue Water Holes for the next night’s bush camp. Blue Water Holes is a popular caving area and is accessible to vehicles. We’ll camp in the bush away from the possible crowds. There will be time to wander through the limestone karsts gorges and down Cave Creek to a waterfall, before returning to camp. Day three is the longest day about (11 km) to Oldfield’s Hut, one of the favourites. A short walk on day four will see us back at the car-park mid-morning. Although it will be cool at this time of year, it’ll be great for walking.

Grade: Medium

April 3 Saturday Porters Pass Blackheath Day Walk

This relatively short (5 km) walk is one of the best the Blue Mountains has to offer. It combines splendid views with rain forest and undercliff and canyon walking. Because the walk has many interesting features, it is a great introduction to bushwalking. There are some ups and downs but it is not an arduous walk. The activity has been planned as an opportunity for club members to do their friends and relatives an enormous favour by introducing them to the club and having a great day at the same time. Teenagers will be especially welcomed on the walk. Please support this walk by coming yourself and bringing one or two guests (and don’t forget to invite your guests to the club night on August . Why not interest them in the introductory car camps planned for May 8-9 and October 18-19 as well?) Les has prepared a special printed invitation for the walk, please contact him for copies. Don’t miss this opportunity to support President Geoff’s appeal to promote the club among friend and relatives.

Grade: Medium

April 10 Saturday Roseville Bridge to Bantry Bay Day Walk

Sydney has wonderful views so come and enjoy some that are on our doorstep with an easy day walk down Middle Harbour from Roseville Bridge to Bantry Bay. There will probably be a car shuffle involved. Boil the billy for lunch at Bantry Bay.

Grade: Easy

April 18 Sunday Middle Harbour Kayak

Our adventure will start at Davidson Picnic area adjacent to the Roseville Bridge. From where we will explore many of the bays and beaches of Middle Harbour before returning to our starting point for a picnic & BBQ. Perhaps we will be visited by the Middle Harbour coffee boat for well deserved refreshments along the way.

Grade: Medium

April 17 - 18 Tootie Creek 2 Day Weekend Walk (New to Program)

The aboriginal word for Wollemi means ‘look around you’ or ‘watch your step’, an apt description for a spectacular area of towering sandstone cliffs and sandy river beds strewn with huge boulders. This will be a short adventure into the Colo Wilderness from Mountain Lagoon following the T3 track, descending 500m to the Colo River near it’s junction with Tootie Creek. The track is good, though steep with superb views along the way. Our camp near Tootie Creek is a beauty with lovely sandy banks to camp on and swimming for those brave enough. The next day we return the same way.

Grade: Medium

April 24 - 26 Anzac Weekend Myall Lakes - Korsmans Landing Overnight Paddle

Leaving the cars at Korsmans Landing and then overnight camping while paddling around the lakes for the long weekend, camping at a beach to suit the current weather and wind conditions. Hopefully doing the best bits Jocelyn struggled through when she was sick during the 08 Myall Trip.

Grade; Easy to Medium.

May 1 Saturday Bundeena to Little Marley Beach Day walk

An easy walk along the coast south to Little Marley Beach for a picnic lunch and maybe your last chance for a swim before winter sets in. Little Marley is close to Sydney and yet it feels like you are a million miles away. On the way we’ll try to find some of the aboriginal engravings around Marley Head. This walk is easily accessed by public transport.

Grade: Easy

May 2 Sunday Mt Wilson to Tessellate Rock Day Walk

This very easy walk has been timed to coincide with the autumn colours at Mt Wilson. It’s an easy & leisurely 5 km walk from Mt Irvine to Tesselate Pavement, an open rock platform overlooking the Wollangambe River to the west, and Bowens Creek to the east. Sure it’s a long drive but you’ll be rewarded with autumn colours at Mt Wilson and views over Wollemi wilderness and canyons. Perhaps we’ll see Aboriginal carvings and sharpening grooves. Stop off to buy some Bilpin apples on the way home!

Grade: Easy

May 8 - 9 Saturday & Sunday Stargazing at Hill End - Base Camp

Hill End was the site of a gold rush in the 1860s. Some of the buildings and machinery of the time can still be seen in and around the town. We’ll do a walk on Saturday around town and the diggings to have a look back into the past. There are no major towns near Hill End so the sky is dark and perfect for stargazing. After it gets dark we will head up to one of the nearby hilltops to check out the night sky. An early start will get you back to Sydney for Mothers’ Day or for anybody who stays we’ll do another walk or and maybe some gold panning to try to strike it rich.

Grade: Easy

May 10 – 17 Lake Conjola Week Car Camp Walks & Water activities – Come Enjoy Weekend

A few days or a weeks camping on the waters edge at Lake Conjola. This is our 3rd and possibly our last club visit to Lake Conjola, and on the must do list is a day walk to Mt Bushwalker, a day’s kayak from Fishermans Paradise to camp. Also beach walking and Kayaking. As usual we'll camp together, with evening camp fires. To get the water front camp sites please indicate your interest early, phone Morrie. For cabins and or other information see www.conjolaentrancetouristpark.com.au or toll free on 1300 133 395. Bring a friend along for the whole week or for the weekend May 15 - 16th when we'll climb Mt Bushwalker on the Saturday. This will be an Easy enjoyable bushwalk. And whatever we do for the rest of the weekend Lake Conjola is so nice, it would be very hard not to enjoy your stay with our friendly club.

Grade: Easy – Medium Depending on Activity

May 22-23 Katoomba to Kings Tableland via Mt Solitary Overnight Pack Walk

Starting from The Golden staircase we will walk out passed Ruined Castle up onto Mt. Solitary where we will camp for the night. It is a great camp spot and very different perspective looking back at Katoomba. Next day along to the end and down into the Jamison Valley cross over the Kedumba River and up to Kings Tableland. A great walk in a great area.

Grade: Medium

WINTER:

June 5-6 Grose Valley Overnight Walk

Come for an” easy” overnight walk into the Grose Valley via Pierces Pass. This is on a well formed track that descends down onto the Grose River. Where we camp will depend on the size of the group but water will be available. It goes without saying that a walk DOWN requires and walk UP back to the cars – about 500metres in elevation but the scenery will be your payback for good effort!.

Grade: Moderate

June 12 – 14 Mt Yengo Car Camp - M. Bike Ride & Exploratory Day Walk, and or Just Relax!

Join us for a remote car camp Blue Gums camp in the newly proclaimed Yengo Wilderness about 3.5 hours north west of Sydney. Access is via a locked gate so we won’t be amongst the crowds & the camp site is massive. I’ll be leading two exploratory activities, a 30 km mountain bike on a fire trail around Mt Yengo and a trackless walk on Sunday hopefully down to the MacDonald river. And there is the option just to relax around camp and do your own thing. There is always the option of ascending Mt Yengo if another Leader wishes to take a group up. All wheel drive & 4WD required to access camp so some car pooling may be required. Please contact me early so I book sufficient sites and so I don’t lose any of my deposit. Cost of $14 per person per night for NPWS. Due to gated access & the distance from the gate to our campsite we must arrive and depart as a group.

Grade; Easy – Explor Depends on Activity

June 19 Saturday Manly 7km Day walk

The Manly Dam Circuit is the main walk around Manly Dam, and is popular for both walkers and bike riders. Prepare for spectacular views from both sides of the dam, along well managed trails. A nice walk on a winter’s day. Bring lunch for a shared picnic.

Grade: Easy

June 26-27 Splendour Rock 2 Day Weekend Walk (New to Program)

Carlon's Farm to the Wild Dog mountains via Carlon Creek, up Blackhorse Ridge then along to Mt Dingo and camp at Splendour Rock with a splendiferous view! Walk back the same way on Sunday. Grade: Medium

June 27 Sunday Berowra/Benowie Track Day Walk

A lovely little Sunday circuit about 11 kms. We’ll start from Berowra, follow the Benowie Track to its junction with the Great North Walk. From where we’ll head down to Berowra waters for a break and watch the ferry carry a load or two across Berowra Creek. We’ll finish with a little bit of up and little down as we follow the GNW to Glendale Road and our parked cars just off the old Pacific Highway. We will do a car shuffle prior to the walk.

Grade; Easy

July 3 - 4 Pantoney's Crown Overnight Walk

Pantoney's Crown is a flat topped mountain nestled in the middle of Australia's largest enclosed valley, the Capertee. We'll start our short but steep walk from a private property at the base of the northern point of Pantoney's, gaining access to the top via an easy rock climb. Rope & harness will be used for pack hauling and those less sure of themselves on the climb. Camping on top amongst the rock pagoda's is a wonderful experience with magnificent views. When we finish the walk, we may have time for a tea party with the owner's of the property where we park… bring a cake and hopefully we'll continue the tradition.

Grade: Medium Hard

July 10 Saturday Harbour Loop Day Walk 27Kms

This great walk, otherwise known as the Seven Bridges walk, is into it's 4th year and back by popular appeal! Although it's a long walk, and we start early at Kirribilli, it is a most enjou=yable day topped off my a great sense of achievement and a well deserved beer and wedges at the Kirribilli Hotel. We pass through bush reserves, suburban streets and indeed we cross seven bridges around the harbour! Come and enjoy the company and feel really proud at the end of the day.

Grade: Hard (Due to length)

July 17 - 18 Saturday & Sunday Passes of Narrowneck - Overnight Walk

We will ascend or descend from/onto Narrowneck, near Katoomba, by one or maybe two of the lesser known passes camping on top. The walk is likely to involve some steep stuff and basic rock scrambling.

Grade: Medium Hard

July 24 – 25 Xmas in July YHA and 2 day walks Springwood YHA

By popular request “Xmas in July” will be in full swing again this year. A great time has been had by all in the past years. The weekend consists of two day walks and Xmas dinner in the YHA Hawkesbury Heights (Springwood). Alternately the day walks can be done on their own with a “sleepover”.If you have not managed to get there before come and join the fun this year. Grade: Walks TBA

July 31 – 1 Aug Colo River Mailes Cave Exploratory Overnight Pack Walk

Mailes Cave is on the Colo River west from where Bob Turners Track meets the Colo River. We’ll be starting out from the junction of Tootie Creek & the Colo. This is an exploratory walk so will have to go with what we find on the day. We’ll camp on the Colo River hopefully near Mailes Cave if not at the Tootie Creek junction.

Grade: Medium - Exploratory

August 7 Saturday (8) Palm Beach to Narrabeen (with a possible car camp at Narrabeen)

For those who have been following Sue's my coastal walks, this is the last section yet to walk and we will have walked all the way from Palm Beach to Otford! This section is a beautiful walk along cliffs and roads (where the coastal walk doesn't exist). We will take the bus up to Palm Beach and return to our cars at Narrabeen. For those who sign up, there is an option to camp overnight at Narrabeen (tents can stay in the cars during the day) and rent a kayak on Narrabeen Lagoon on Sunday morning. Let me know when you sign up for the walk if you want to stay.

Grade: Easy (12kms)

August 14-15 Shoalhaven Flying Fox Overnight Walk

Come & see a section of the Shoalhaven rarely frequented by Yarrawood. Argueably one of the easiest routes down to the Shoalhaven. We will camp under the casuarinas with perhaps a visit to the Tolwong Chimneys or even a stroll up to the famous “block up”. This is an easy overnighter with plenty of time to tackle the steep bits on the way out on Sunday.

Grade: Easy Medium

August 21 Club Night Saturday Night 5.30 pm Onwards

The club night is on again and everyone is welcome. We'll have a few drinks, a backyard dinner, some pictures on the big screen and some tall stories. More details later.

August 28 - 29 Coast Track Royal National Park Overnight at Garie Beach YHA (Limit 12)

I’ve booked the YHA at Garie Beach so we have it to ourselves. Do the Coast Track with Ross and I starting from Otford on Saturday morning and finishing at Bundeena on Sunday after lunch. We’ll see wildflowers, along with white sand beaches, and spectacular cliff lines. It’s about about 12.5km walk on Saturday and about a 14 km walk on Sunday. No need to carry tents! This is about as easy as overnight walking gets and close toSydney with public transport an option. Cost for YHA approx $15 per head.

Grade: Easy - Medium

Sept 4 Mt Hay Rd to Du Faur Head – Blue Mountains National Park Day Walk

It is no accident that this walk is scheduled for the Saturday before Fathers Day. This is just the walk for dads (and almost everyone else for that matter), so why not make it a “walk with dad” occasion. The walk is ideal for newcomers to bushwalking. The walk of 8 km is mainly level with only one moderate descent and ascent. It passes through a great expanse of heath vegetation, which should be colourful at that time of year. The main attractions of the walk, however, are the spectacular views of the Gross Valley from Lockley Pylon (hard to beat anywhere in Australia).

Grade: Easy

September 5 Sunday Cowan 8km Day walk - Peats Crater

Muogamarra Nature Reserve is part of Ku-ring-gai Chase NP and is managed to preserve its wonderful diversity of plants and animals for scientific and educational purposes. Each spring, it puts on one of Sydney's most vibrant natural floral shows, including native orchids, bright pink eriostemons, purple boronias and towering Gymea lilies. The reserve is open to the public just six weekends a year in August and September, so that visitors can experience the magnificent wildflowers. Previously we could undertake this walk independently, however in recent years the NP prefer all visitors to join the National Parks Guided walks. I'll know more closer to the date. Bring your camera.

Grade: Easy-Medium

September 11- 12 Pierces Pass Overnight Walk

This overnight walk takes us back into historic Grose Valley -the southern end. Like all of the walks in this area it involves a steep walk into the valley and a steep walk out – between 500 - 600 meters descent and ascent. The campsite is yet to be decided and therefore fuel stoves will be needed. This walk will require a car turn-a-round. The Mt Hay road to the start suits 4WD best. Please express your interest early to enable efficient transport planning.

Grade: Moderate

September 18-19 Newnes Plateaux Beginners car camp and walking

There is no better place in the world to try “comfort camping” than Les’ special spot not far off the Glow Worm Tunnel Road on the Newnes Plateau. Many generations of Yarrawoodians have first discovered the joys of camping in this magical place. If you are one of these, come again and bring a guest or two. They will love you all the more for it. If you have not had an overnight stay in this corner of the Garden of Stones - with its bird-filled forest, amazing canyon, stunning views and other surprising features - don’t miss out!! Equipment need not be an issue. The club can help with tents, sleeping mats and stoves (although you can expect to share a luxurious camp fire). Apart from the camping side of things, there will be two walks – an easy one on a rough track with a short trackless, but supremely rewarding detour thrown in, the other the classic 10 km, moderate grade circuit walk through the Glow Worm Tunnel. There might even be an optional torchlight walk through an abandoned rail tunnel with some stargazing.

Grade: Easy

September 26 Sunday Parsley Bay Brooklyn To Cowan 15 km Day Walk

Part of a series of day walks along sections of the Oxfam Trailwalker in Sydney northern suburbs. This is a very beautiful part of Sydney with lovely water views, angoferas and wild flowers. This will be a slow walk not Oxfam pace, so take a challenge and ideally commit to the series or come along to one if time does not permit.

Grade: Medium

September 26 - October 1 Carnarvon Gorge National Park 6 Day Pack walk

Carnarvon Gorge National Park is between Roma and Emerald in Queensland. Its in the central highlands about 700km NW of Brisbane. The first days walk is in Carnarvon Gorge. On day 2 the walk climbs out of the gorge and over the great dividing range. Over the next few days it goes back onto the highlands, up to 1200 mts ASL, before descending back into the gorge on day 6. The walk involves days of up to 18kms with climbs of up to 600 mtrs. QNPWS don't allow fires on the walk so stoves and plenty of fuel are required. They also limit the number of walkers so we may only have a few more places available on the walk. If you are interested please contact me soon.

Grade: Long

October 2-3-4 Teddy's Hut 3 Day Pack Walk

It’s a 3 hour walk into Teddys Hut, situated on a saddle beside the Mowamba River. Teddys Hut has been rebuilt and the nearby pretty campsite in the trees is our base for the 2 nights. On the middle day we'll do a off track day walk to Smiths Gap just below Mt Terrible and then ascend onto the Chimneys Ridge stretching to the southwest, to it's high point at 1885 meters. The walk in follows the Thredbo River up a beautiful valley to the saddle which seperates the Thredbo and Mowamba rivers. We can expect to see roaming brumbies. Bring your camera.

Grade: Medium

October 10 Sunday Cowan to Berowra 14 kms Day Walk

Part of a series of day walks along sections of the Oxfam Trailwalker in Sydney northern suburbs. This is a very beautiful part of Sydney with lovely water views, angophoras and wild flowers. This will be a slow walk not Oxfam pace, with lunch and coffee at Berowra Waters along the way, so take a challenge and ideally commit to the series or come along to one if time does not permit.

Grade: Easy -medium

October 9 & 10 Mt Barney - Overnight Walk (Date TBC)Cancelled

Mt Barney is just over the border in Queensland. Its about 2 hours southwest of Brisbane. The mountain is a remnant of the volcanic activity that took place in the region 24 million years ago. The walk is fairly strenuous. It involves an ascent of over 1100 metres, some basic rock scrambling and takes up to 10 hours to complete. If you are interested in the walk take a look at Sunmap Mt Lindesay 1:25000 - just looking at the the map is enough to make you hot and tired. The date is tentative at the moment. I will put something in the What’s On when the date is finalised.

Grade: Hard

October 17 Sunday Cowan Creek Paddle

We’ll start this paddle at Akuna Bay in Kuringai Chase N.P. After heading down Coal & Cnadle creek we will enter Cowan Creek then paddle onto the spectacular Jerusalem Bay before returning trip to Akuna Bay.

Grade: Medium - Long

November 20-21 Great North Walk Yengo National Park Car Camp

This National Park is located to the north of Wiseman's Ferry adjacent to the Great North road. We will car camp in one of the camp sites there and explore the Great North Road and the wonderful aboriginal sites in the area. It is rugged sandstone country with spectacular scenery. This walk will be the first in a series of walking the Great North road from Sydney to Newcastle over the next few year, bit by bit.

Grade: TBA

December 4-19 Eastern & Western Arthurs Traverse (New to Program)

A 14 day full traverse of the Eastern and Western Arthurs Ranges in South West Tasmania. There might be an opportunity for walkers to do only one section, but this will depend on the final party. If you're interested give me a call to discuss.

Grade: Hard & Exploratory

2011 Advance Notice Activities

August 2011 Whitsundays by Kayak Extended Trip

An extended kayak safari trip through NSW and the Whitsundays. Seeking expressions of interest. Grade: TBA