Northern Beaches

By the time we got to Long Reef a strong southerly had blown in and using the spotting scope or the big Sigma lens for the birds was impossible.

Looking south over Dee Why Lagoon. 

White-faced Heron on Long Reef Golf Course

A walk around Warriewood Wetlands was next. 2.6klm for the loop.

Eurasian Coot

Pacific Black Duck 

Spotless Crake 

Little Pied Cormorant 

Little Black Cormorant 

Dusky Moorhen 

Dragonfly 

Late lunch of prawns whilst dodging the showers at Clareville 

Deerubbin

Deerubbin is the aboriginal name for the Hawkesbury River, meaning wide,deep water.

Launching from a small beach at Deerubbin Reserve at the M1 Freeway Bridge I paddled across the river to Olga Bay then up through Milson Passage and around Milson Island to cross to the wreck of Hmas Parramatta and then back under the cliffline known as The Vines past Peat Island and back to the start. 10klm all up.

Looking upriver towards Milson Island.

And back downriver to the M1 Bridge. 

A good tide to paddle through the mangroves. 

Hawkesbury River ruins. 

Hawkesbury River cliffs. 

The wreck of Hmas Parramatta.  

A couple of links to the history of this WW1 destroyer.

 http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-parramatta-i

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/the-hills/how-australian-navy-wwi-vessel-hmas-parramatta-came-to-rest-on-the-banks-of-the-hawkesbury-river/story-fngr8i1f-1227060154322

Bungaroo and Cascades Track Loop

Walked from Hunter St, St Ives down the Bungaroo Track to Middle Harbour Creek then along Governor Phillip Walk to the Cascades and the Cascades Track back to Acron Oval St Ives and then through the streets back to the car. 9.5klm all up

The track down into Middle Harbour Creek  and the view looking upstream along the creek valley at St Ives.

Plenty of fish basking in the sun. 

The creek at the bottom of the Bungaroo Track 

The stepping stones at the end of the Bungaroo Track. 

Cliffline along the Governor Phillip Tack.

The Cascades

Calabash and Joe Crafts Bays

Launching from the boat ramp at Dust Hole Bay Berowra Waters I paddled down Berowra Creek to Calabash Bay and then across to Joe Crafts Bay. Both had creeks running into the back of the bays which were pleasant to paddle.

Looking back at the Berowra Waters ferry after leaving Dusthole Bay.

Looking up Berowra Creek towards Calabash Bay

Calabash Bay 

The end of the line at Calabash Creek. 

A nice landing spot and possible camp in Calabash Creek 

Playing with the waterproof camera 

Plenty of fish in the creek. Saw whiting,bream, mullet and garfish. 

The cliffs at the entrance to Joe Crafts Bay. 

Sandy beach along Joe Crafts Creek 

The end of the line at Joe Crafts Creek. 

Azure Kingfisher posed nicely for me, but in my haste didn't notice that the Image Stabilisation button on the lens was turned off, and the photos are a little bit shaky. 

An enjoyable paddle and just under 15klm paddled.

Mt Gibraltar

Climbed Mt Gibraltar at Mittagong from beside the railway line along the Reservoir Track and then back down along the Eastern Fire Trail. A steep hard slog up hill and 4.9klm for the loop. Not the most picturesque trail by any means but some nice bush and a pleasant way to end the day before a burger and a beer at the local pub.

Looking over Mittagong to Mt Alexandra from the Lookout on top of The Gib.

Some nice rock formations along the track.