Abbotts Falls

A very warm day with temps in the mid 30's predicted so a rainforest walk was one option. I drove up to the Watagan Mountains behind Lake Macquarie and walked to Abbotts Falls on Dora Creek. A little warm on the ridges but not too bad and once in the rainforest gullies the temps dropped considerably. Attempted a loop walk but once past the falls a section of fallen trees and vines helped the track to disappear. 5klm return.

The falls themselves were a bit of a disappointment with poor view of the main drop and the plunge pool. It did look like there was a rough pass down to the creek where you could rock hop back the the falls. Maybe some rope or tape for next time to assist my way down. I wont mention the leaches and the ticks.

Rainforest gully leading down to Dora Creek.

The best shot of the main falls that I could manage. 

Dora Creek leading to the falls 

The start of the walk at The Pines picnic area in Olney State Forest. An old plantation of Slash Pines (Pinus elliottii) 

Claude Lee Pass

Claude Lee Pass is along the Nattai River near Mittagong. This loop starts at the Boxvale Track then proceeds down the incline to the Nattai River and then back up Nattai Creek to Forty Foot Falls. 12klm for the loop.

Cuttings on the Boxvale Track, an old rail easement.

The tunnel on the Boxvale Track

The incline. Seriously steep. Steel cable to assist your descent/ascent.

The Nattai River 

First crossing of the Nattai. I had done this walk 7 years earlier when the log in the picture lay across the river providing a dry feet crossing.

Small pools and choked up narrows along this section of the river. 

Forty Foot Falls on Nattai Creek. The main feature of the falls is that you can easily walk in behind them. A bit harder to climb down the creek for the traditional waterfall shot and something I left for another day.

Mullet Creek Little Wobby Circuit

After days of rain a sunny morning called for a nice kayak. Starting at Parsley Bay,I paddled across to Dangar Island and on into Big Bay in Mullet Creek. I then headed off to the beach under Rocky Ponds waterfall and on to Little Wobby. While rounding Alison Point and coming back to the Hawkesbury River I heard a rumble that I thought was a train crossing the bridge. There was however no train on the bridge but a storm approaching from the west. Once at Little Wobby I abandoned any hope of a longer paddle and raced back to Parsley Bay. The storm, complete with thunder and lightning and good heavy rain, hit about 30 seconds after quickly loading the kayak on the car. 

 Looking across to Dangar Island 

Into Mullet Creek

Big Bay and the mouth of Mullet Creek 

Alison Point 

Rocky Ponds waterfall 

Twisted Angophora overhang 

Storm Coming