National Parks Association of NSW

Walks Program for September and October, 2002

This page is a draft version of the NPA Walks Program for September and October, 2002. The intention is to show non-members the range of activities offered by the NPA. For this reason details about how to book on the walks have been removed.

For information about how to join the NPA please contact the NPA Office on (02) 9299 0000 during working hours or email: bushwalks@npansw.org.au

24-25 Aug Sat/Sun Leadership Training Course
An intensive training course on leadership, risk management, duty of care, first aid, accident management, equipment, navigation, and trip planning, organised by the Confederation of Bushwalking. Demanding but rewarding for leaders, would-be leaders and others. Being held in Georges River area.

28 Aug Wed Sutherland
Slideshow and talk on Marine Parks by NPA Executive Officer Andrew Cox. Sutherland Multi Purpose Centre 123 Flora St (near Belmont St) at 8pm. A chance to meet other NPA members. Contact Peter Vaughan h 95287341 for details.

1 Sept Sun Brisbane Water NP
Medium day walk, 200m asc, 20km tracks, fire trails, climbs. Hawkesbury River Station, ferry to Little Wobby, walk to Rocky Ponds, Warrah Trig, Warrah Lookout, Patonga, then bus to Woy Woy station. Great views over Hawkesbury River, forests, wildflowers

3 Sept Tue Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
Medium day walk, 12km, with steep sections. Train to Cowan, meet leader, walk to Brooklyn on GNW, one very steep climb

4 Sept Wed Blue Mountains NP
Day walk, 250m asc, 12km tracks, rough and slippery. Blackheath, Grand Canyon, Evans Head.

4 Sept Wed Blue Mountains NP
Medium day walk, 300m asc, 14km, all on track, many steps. Wentworth Falls Station, Conservation Hut, Vera Falls, Slacks Stairs, Darwins Track, Wentworth F alls. We descend right into virgin rainforest before a long climb out. Magnificent views.

7 Sept Sat Muogamarra NR
"Early Birds" Easy Walk. 150m asc, 15km, fire trail and track. Walk Deerubbin Lookover, Lloyd Trig, Point Loop, walk out. Entrance fee $5 to be verified. Limit 15. Panoramic views and spring wildflowers

7 Sept Sat Barren Grounds NR
13km, 50m asc, tracks. Walk to Cooks Nose and then the Griffiths Trail Circuit including stone bridge wildflowers, heath, boronia.

7 Sept Sat Royal NP
Easy/med day walk 12km. Ferry to Bundeena for circular walk via Marley

7 Sept Sat Jervis Bay
Day walk, less than 100m asc, 10km, on tracks flat coastal walking. Flat circuit around the Reserve plus drive/walk on the Beecroft Peninsula. Pleasant coastal walking, including a visit to the unusual Tunnel, also a brief visit to the Beecroft Peninsular

8 Sept Sun Berowra Valley RP
Easy/medium day walk, 200m asc, 13km, on tracks with some steep sections. Galston Gorge to Berowra via Crosslands (car shuffle), beautiful bush, views of Berowra Creek and spring flowers

8 Sept Sun Royal NP
Easy day walk 11km 100m asc. Loftus return via Hacking River, Temptation Creek. There should be lots of waratahs after the fire. Trains available.

7-8 Sept Sat/Sun Morton NP
2 day pack walk, 600m asc, 17km, 90% on tracks. Mt.Owen, Mt.Cole, Monolith Valley, Kalianna Ridge. A tent free walk, staying in an enormous camp cave with magnificent views aplenty and the chance to climb Mt.Owen via a rarely used pass. The spring flowers should be in abundance

10 Sept Tue Parramatta Park & Lake
Easy/med day walk 12-14km. Rivercat to Parramatta, Walk to Lake via park and hospital flower gardens. Bus or walk back to station

11 Sept Wed Garigal NP
Day walk, 100m asc, 12km, track, rocky & slippery. Seaforth Oval to Roseville Bridge

12 Sept Thurs Hacking River
12km flat water paddle. Midweek paddle on the Hacking River below the weir at Audley. Tidal paddle through Royal NP.

12 Sept Thurs Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
Part 1. Easy/medium day walk, steep sections, 10-14km. Walk to Thornleigh via Lisgar Gardens. Creek crossings

14 Sept Sat Illawarra Escarpment
Medium day walk, steep sections, 300m, 12km. Train Central (country platform) to Stanwell Park for circular walk via escarpment, waterfall, lookouts

14 Sept Sat Muogamarra NR
Easy asc 270m 8km tracks & a little rock scrambling. Wildflower walk, views of Hawkesbury & lunch. A rare opportunity to admire spring flowers in this reserve, only open to the public 6 weeks a year

14 Sept Sat Berowra Valley
Day walk 14km 200m asc tracks. Cowan Railway Station Cowan to Berowra via Berowra Waters. Bush flowers, water views.

14 Sept Sat Blue Mountains NP
Medium day walk, 600m asc, 16km, tracks, river and creek crossings, steep descent/ascent Mt.Hay Road, Lockleys Pylon, Du Faurs Head, Blue Gum Forest, Junction Rock, Evans Lookout. Heath walking with wildflowers, Panoramic lookouts, follow Govetts Creek through Govett Gorge then climb to one of the best lookouts in the mountains

15 Sept Sun Royal NP
25km, 200m asc, tracks Classical coastal walk from Otford to Bundeena via beaches and cliffs. Swimming possible.

14-15 Sept Sat/Sun Gentlemans Halt in Marramarra NP
Working Weekend, 30m asc, 6km, rough in places. Pickups at Berowra Waters Wharf and Spencer Public Wharf or Joe Pike s cabin at Courangra Point (2km walk). Following the successful weekend in April we have been asked for a repeat. Continue clearing the overgrown Settlers Track and old walking track. Also cutting out large lantana clumps. Camp fire Sat night.

14-15 Sept Sat/Sun Wollemi NP
Overnight pack walk, 800m asc, mostly track, some scrub and steep rock scrambling. Culoul Range, Hollow Rock, Boorai Ridge, Colo River with exploratory side trips to Bucks Pass 9, and Pass 8. Imagine camping on a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs with a nice walk in and out. Passes 8 & 9 (unknown to leader) are steep rocky ridges overlooking the campsite. They promise excellent views

14-15 Sept Sat/Sun Blue Mountains NP
Full pack walk, (D1, 200m asc, 8km), (D2, 340masc, 9km), mostly off-track, rough in places. Mt Wilson to Bell via Wollangambe Crater. Sandstone pagoda country through "that bad bit across the River" according to Major Clews, Surveyor of Wollangambe map

14 22 Sept Hume & Hovell Track
Full pack walk, 1000m asc, 100km, on tracks. Tumut to Tumbarumba. Walk this scenic section of the track followed by other optional visits in Tumut area to finish week.

16-30 Sept National Parks of Central NSW
Cars, walking. Easy medium day walks, cabin accommodation. Travel by private cars. Coolah, Mt Kaputar, Warrumbungles and other parks near Forbes, Grenfell, Mt Canobolas

17 Sept Tue Gosford Area
Med day walk steep section 14-16km. Train Central (suburban platform) to Gosford Meet leader for private bus to Erina. Walk to Gosford via Katandra and Rumbalara Reserves

18 Sept Wed Blue Mts NP
Medium day walk, 100m asc, 12km, on tracks. Katoomba to Echo Pt, Giant Stairs, Federal Pass, Scenic Railway.

19 Sept Thurs Members Night
A pleasant social evening and a talk. Starts at 7:30pm at the McMahon's Point Community Centre, 165 Blues Point Road, North Sydney. A 5 minute walk from North Sydney Station.

21 Sept Sat Brisbane Water NP
"Early Birds" Easy/Medium, 440m ascent,12km on track. Walk to Pindar Cave and return. Panoramic views and spring wildflowers.

21 Sept Sat Parramatta Park & Lake
Easy/med day walk 12-14km. Rivercat to Parramatta, walk to lake via park and hospital flower gardens. Bus or walk back to station

21 Sept Sat Popran National Park
Easy day walk 300m ascent 12kms on fire trails & tracks. Vicinity of Mt Olive, near Mangrove Mountain. Waratahs to see and several points for views and evidence of early aboriginal activity. Map: Mangrove

21 Sept Sat Royal NP
Medium day walk 14km 200m asc. Walk to Eagle Rock, Garie Beach Lookout, return to trackhead. Cliff views, spring flowers.

21 Sept Sat Blue Mountains NP
Medium day walk, asc. 600m, 18km, track, steep descent/ascent, creek crossings. Mt Hay Road, Lockley's Pylon, Blue Gum Forest, Evans Lookout, Govetts Leap. Great scenery with some good ups and downs

22 Sept Sun Blue Mountains NP
Easy/medium way walk, 250m asc, 12km, on tracks with some steep sections. Mt York/Hartley Vale circuit. Descend via Lawson's Long Alley and return on Lockyer's Rd. Escarpment and valley views plus lunch at the Comet Inn

22 Sept Sun Blue Mountains NP
Easy 12km all on tracks. Local walks to the north of Springwood Station which includes Birdwood Gully, Tom Hunter Park and walk by the Norman Lindsay Ga llery. Suitable for children

22 Sept Sun Georges River NP
Day walk, 100m asc, 12km, tracks, roads and urban bushland. Riverwood Station, Georges River, Sylvan Grove, Picnic Point, Panania Station. See urban bushland complete with water birds and visit Sylvan Grove wildflower gardens with the annual display of native orchids

22 Sept Sun Berowra Valley RP
Medium day walk, 430m asc, 14km, all good track, some steep sections. Cowan Station, Berowra Waters, Berowra. The bush will be at its best, and the view fro m high above Berowra Creek is spectacular.

22 Sept Sun Broughton Creek
12km flat water paddle. Paddle on this picturesque tidal creek a tributary of the Shoalhaven River. It flows through rural country with the Illawarra Escarpment as a backdrop.

24 Sept Tue Garigal NP (Middle Harbour)
Medium day walk, steep sections, 12-14km. Walk to Seaforth via Bluff

28 Sept Sat Royal NP
Easy/medium day walk, one steep climb, 14-16km, circular walk. Walk via Temptation Creek to Audley. BYO for Sausage Sizzle "Reids Flat". Return via "Saville Creek"

28 Sept Sat Wollemi NP
Day walk, 200m asc, 8km, flat, walk through tunnel and canyon. Walk through Glow Worm Tunnel, canyon and/or Wolgan. Both are easy walking with no abseils or swims

28 Sept Sat Blue Mountains NP
Easy day walk, 60m asc, 9km, some road walking, rest good track. From Glenbrook Station to Red Hands Cave and back. Lunch at Red Hands Cave. Suitable for family.

28 Sept Sat Shoalhaven River
Canoe 10km easy paddle depending on wind. Greenwell Point, Shoalhaven River, Shaws Creek, and/or Crookhaven River depending on wind. Open water scenic paddle past mangroves, through channels and around islands.

29 Sept Sun Great North Walk
14km 480m asc tracks. Walk from Mt Kuring-gai Station down to Berowra Creek and then to Berowra Waters. Return via same track to Sams Creek and then up to Berowra Station.

29 Sept Sun Currambene Creek
12km paddle flat water tidal. Currambene Creek is another tidal creek and drains into Jervis Bay at Huskisson.

29 Sep Sun Heathcote NP
Day Walk, 140m asc, 11km, on track. Waterfall to Heathcote via Bullawarring Track. Scenic walk with great views, pools and forest.

28-29 Sept Sat/Sun Yengo NP
Car camp and day walks,10km, rough terrain. Explore a new addition to the park in the Mt Yengo area. Bushwalk on Saturday then relax on Sunday. Basic camping close to cars

28-29 Sept Sat/Sun Leadership Training Course
An intensive training course on leadership, risk management, duty of care, first aid, accident management, equipment, navigation, and trip planning, organised by the Confederation of Bushwalking. Demanding but rewarding for leaders, would-be leaders and others. Being held in Georges River area.

1 Oct Tue Brisbane Water NP
Medium day walk, steep sections, 12-14km. GNW to Wondabyne

2 Oct Wed Loftus Creek
Day walk 50m asc 10km tracks, some streets. Engadine to Sutherland via Loftus Creek.

5 Oct Sat Berowra Valley RP
"Early Birds" Easy Walk. 200m asc, 12km, fire trail and track. Walk Hookham's Corner, Hornsby to Galston Gorge and Crosslands.

5 Oct Sat Georges River NP
Easy/med day walk 12-14km. Walk to Padstow via river, lagoon, boardwalk

5 Oct Sat Illawarra SRA
Medium day walk, 12km, 300m asc, tracks. Wodi Wodi Track to lookout and Forest Path. Return same way.

6 Oct Sun Killalea SRA
Day walk, 6km, tracks trackless, coastal beach and rock hop. Walk around Killalea.Lagoon with abundant birdlife and then on to Bass Point and return.

6 Oct Sun Blue Mountains NP
Easy/medium day walk, asc 350m, 10-12km. Darwins Walk, Wentworth Falls, Undercliff/Overcliff, Inspiration/Moya Point Nature Track.

5-7 Oct Sat/Mon Gardens of Stone NP
Day walks, (Sat 350m asc, 6km), (Sun 200m asc, 2.5km), steep with some rock scrambling. Sat: up onto Donkey Mountain; Sun: up Woolpack Gap onto Woolpack Mountain. Great views over Wolgan Valley, camping on private property.

5-7 Oct Sat/Mon Wollemi NP
Day walks from a base camp at foot of Mt.Canobla reached after a short walk, daily max. climb 400-600m, off track, animal tracks. Spectacular views, walk along escarpment, interesting caves/overhangs. Short walk-in affords to bring in plenty of goodies for social enjoyment.

5-7 Oct Sat/Mon Wollemi NP
3 day overnight pack walk, 700m asc, 40km, on and off track and river. Glen Davis, Capertee and Colo Rivers, Culoul Range. Superb Capertee River Valley, a forgotten world with open forests. River changes from sandy beach to rocky pools and towering cliffs. The exit at Wollemi Creek provides stunning views. A classic Wollemi walk.

5-7 Oct Sat/Mon Budawang NP
Nerriga - Binnari Pass - Quiltys Mountain - Hidden Valley - Mt Sturgiss - Sluice Box Falls - Island Mountain - The Vines - Quiltys Clearing - Nerriga. A very interesting walk in the Northern Budawangs. Great views, nice campsites, a little bit of scrub and visiting a couple of places not frequented by bushwalkers. Some scrambling. About 40 km over 3 days

8 Oct Tue Hills Area
Easy day walk, 10-12km. Inspect Rose Garden then walk/cycle track through Crestwood Reserve to Winston Hills. Bus return

9 Oct Wed Norah Head
Day walk, 50m asc, 10km, rocky and sandy. Norah Head, Headland and Beaches.

10 Oct Thurs Pennant Hills Park (Part 2)
Easy/medium day walk, 10-14km. Walk to Epping via Whale Rock

12 Oct Sat Blue Mountains NP
Medium day walk, 400m asc, 15km, off and on tracks, fire trail steep slippery descent. Victoria Falls Road, Ikara Head, Girrawoon Cave, Valhalla Head , Thor Head and Asgard Head. Spectacular wild flower display, great lookouts, partly exploratory.

12 Oct Sat Wollemi NP
Medium day walk, 250m asc, 12km, track, rock hopping, scrambling. Meet Clarence Zig Zag then cars into Wollemi. Two canyons (no abseils, you only get your feet wet) plus interesting slot chasm, deep pass and river caves canyons. Interesting rock formations plus the green room and cathedral very attractive area. Book early as numbers limit and fills quickly

12 Oct Sat Dharug National Park
Easy/Medium day walk 300m asc 21kms on fire trail. Waratah Rd, Mangrove Mtn to Clares Bridge & return. Pleasant walk through Dubbo Valley to historic Clares Bridge.

12 Oct Sat Wandandian Creek
12km paddle flat water tidal. One of Illawarra Branches favourite paddles, beautiful coastal estuary flowing into St Georges Basin.

13 Oct Sun Woronora Valley
Medium day walk, 200m asc, 14km, suburban paths, fire trails, bush tracks. Menai Park, Barden Ridge, Old Illawarra Rd, Woronora River, Pipeline Track to Woronora Village, Bangor, Menai Park. Follow the Woronora River upstream along the cliff top, steep descent on old convict road to the river, and return via the pipeline back on the other side back to Menai. Great views of river and bushland.

13 Oct Sun Morton NP
Day walk,12km, 250m asc, fire trails. Meryla Pass (near Moss Vale) to Lake Yurunga through rainforest on the western side of Kangaroo Valley.

13 Oct Sun Blue Mountains NP
Easy day walk, 14km, road/track. Start and finish Hazelbrook Station. Adelina Falls, Terrace Falls, Junction falls, Federal Falls and Bedford Pool. This walk involves several kms of road walking at the start and finish but visits several delightful waterfalls amongst the rainforest.

12-13 Oct Sat/Sun Morton NP
Pack walk, (D1, 7km, no asc), (D2, 510m asc, 7km), track and along river. Badgery s Lookout, Badgery s Spur, Shoalhaven River, Canoe Flat. River walking, great scenery and good campsite.

14-21 Oct Macquarie Marshes
Take the opportunity to explore this unique wetland near the confluence of the Macquarie Marshes & Darling River. We will be based at a sheep station and the trip will be suitable for people wanting to paddle, birdwatch, photograph etc.

14-22 Oct Mt Kaputar, Warrumbungle NPs
Base camps with day walks. Camp in Warrumbungles for 3-4 great days of walking. Then camp at Bark Hut, Mt Kaputar for 3-4 days. Bring nice food to share at happy hour

15 Oct Tue Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
Medium day walk, steep sections, 10-12km. Ferry to West Head. Circular walk< /p>

16 Oct Wed Upper Middle Harbour
Day walk, 50m asc, 12km, tracks, rocky. St. Ives to Roseville Bridge

17 Oct Thurs Members Night
A pleasant social evening and a talk. Starts at 7:30pm at the McMahon's Point Community Centre, 165 Blues Point Road, North Sydney. A 5 minute walk from North Sydney Station.

19 Oct Sat Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
"Early Birds" Easy Walk, 200m ascent,16km, fire trail and track. Walk Warrimoo trail to Bobbin Head then Birrawanna and Kalkarri trails to Mount Colah. 20 minutes on road and street. Panoramic views

19 Oct Sat Royal NP
Medium day walk, steep sections, 12-14km. Walk to Helensburgh via Lilyvale track.

19 Oct Sat Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
Easy day walk, 100m asc, 13km, fire rail, tracks, climbs. Bairne Track, Bonny Doon and return. Three great lookouts, see "The Basin" from the south side

19 Oct Sat Blue Mountains NP
Medium day walk, asc. 450m, 12km, track, off-track, steep ascent, small rock face. Devils Hole, Six Foot Track, Ben Esgate Pass, Megalong Head, Radiata Plateau, Bonnie Doon Track, Cliff Drive. The ascent of Megalong Road involves using a chain and spikes on a small rock face. Not as easy as the distance suggests

20 Oct Sun Blue Mountains NP
Medium day walk, 450m asc, 20km, fire trails and tracks. Katoomba, Scenic Railway, Narrow Neck, Mt Solitary, Landslide, Furber Stairs, Katoomba. Classic walk with views across Jamison Valley to north and south. Ride up on Scenic railway optional.

20 Oct Sun Illawarra Line
Easy to medium day walk, 300m asc, 15km on tracks, some steep sections. The Wodi Wodi track which is a circular walk based on Stanwell Park Station. Includes rain forests, (with beaches), open areas with views and with swimming. We might even walk into a railway tunnel. Suitable for children

20 Oct Sun Wollemi NP
Easy canyon 300m asc 10km some light scrub also creek. Scatter s Canyon. An easy canyon suitable or beginners, with no abseils or swims, in the Newnes Forest area and a chance to visit the majestic Bungleboori Creek.

20 Oct Sun Wollemi NP
Day walk, 500m asc, 8km track, off track, river wading and rock scrambling. Culoul Range, Hollow Rock, Pass 5 to Colo River return by Crawfords Pass and Lookout. Spectacular scenery, a very steep scramble to river. Time for a brief swim then scenic Crawfords Pass and LO. Some scrub and steep rock scrambling. A relatively short but demanding walk

19-20 Oct Sat/Sun Goulburn River NP
2 day pack walk, 18km, river walking. Lees Pinch, Goulburn River, Spring Gully, White Box Camp. A great walk for lovers of wildflowers, birdwaters and those who like a good stretch. A perfect spring ramble

19-20 Oct Sat/Sun Morton NP
Full pack walk, 500m asc, 13km, creek side walking, one tricky descent, light scrub. Myall Creek, Etrema Creek, Transportation Spur

19-20 Oct Sat/Sun Morton NP
Full pack walk. Shoalhaven River area. Details to be worked out later.

19 Oct 1 Nov River Murray
Kayak/canoe, approx 274km, easy paddle as current usually 4-6km/hr. Paddle from Yarrawonga to Echuca over a period of 10 days. Beautiful campsites available along the river. Some on beaches. All food and water to be carried in kayaks/canoes. Notes and charts available on registration.

22 Oct Tue Blue Mountains NP
Medium day walk, steep sections, 12-14km. Neates Glen, walk back to Blackhea th via Grand Canyon

23 Oct Wed Lane Cove River
Day walk, 50m asc, 13km, tracks and streets. Milsons Point to Gladesville. May finish Hunters Hill or Rivercat at Gladesville wharf

23 Oct Wed Royal NP
Medium day walk, 100m asc, 13km, all on track, some sand. Bundeena, Jibbon Head, Little Marley, Bundeena. Beautiful walk along coast to isolated beach and swim

26 Oct Sat Blue Gum Social Walk
Three walks of varying grade (easy to medium) either through or near Blue Gum Forest. The day will finish with a sausage sizzle at Anvil Rock, overlooking the Grose Valley. For bookings please contact

26 Oct Sat Southern Highlands
Tour of gardens, strolling on paths. Explore 4 gardens around Bowral (Buskers End, Flagstaff Cottage, Greenbriar Park and Moidart). Beautiful spring flowers.

27 Oct Sun Illawarra SRA
Medium day walk, 14km, 200m asc. Climb to summit of Mt Kembla in morning, walk Ring Track in afternoon. Illawarra views, rainforest.

27 Oct Sun Blue Mountains NP
Easy/medium day walk, asc 300m, 12km. Lawson's Long Alley, lunch at Mt York, return via Lockeyer's Road

26-27 Oct Sat-Sun First Aid Training
A St John First Aid course being arranged by the Confederation of Bushwalkers.

29 Oct Tue Georges River NP
Easy/medium day walk, 12-14km. Walk to Padstow via river, lagoon, boardwalk< /p>