Fitzroy Falls

A walk from a Robert Sloss guidebook to Settlement Ruins, which is a pile of bricks and a hole in the ground.  Starting from the visitor centre in Fitzroy Falls and walking on the Western Rim track through the numerous lookouts and then on into the surrounding bush on fire trails till the ruins. From the ruins a short walk through the bush and across a creek leads to a lovely forest grove with tree ferns and vine forest trees.  The side creeks which have waterfalls of their own into the valley were surprisingly dry. Just under 12klm return .

Fitzroy Falls on Yarrunga Creek.

Yarrunga Creek Gorge

Fern Grove 

Riding the Rails

Not quite a Rail Trail as we don't seem to be good at that in NSW but a ride along the old tracks from Hill Top to Couridjah. the original plan had been to ride to Buxton  and back but I continued on to Couridjah and out to Thirlmere Lakes. 

I started near the deepest hand cut cutting in the southern hemisphere. The only place to ride was down the middle of the tracks and the sleepers were still in place so it was a very bumpy ride. I walked the bike for about 1.5klm  before I could get off onto a side track. The ride from here was on roads that paralleled  the rails.

Couridjah Railway Station. I think the track here is still in use from trains that run from the Thirlmere Train Museum. 

Thirlmere Lakes. Good to see some water in here since my last visit when they were more empty. 

Then back again. 

Comerong Island

A morning beach walk from Shoalhaven Heads along the beach to Comerong Island and the Crookhaven Heads breakwater.

Mt Coolangatta from the bar across the Shoalhaven River. 

There is something about walking a deserted beach. 

from the Breakwater at Crookhaven Heads looking north to Mt Coolangatta and Gerroa. 

The breakwater with the "island" of Greenwell Point at Crookhaven Heads in the background.

From the breakwater I then walked back on Coal Wharf Road through Comerong Island. Once back at the bar at Shoalhaven Heads the tise had come in and the beach had disappeared . Wet feet to cross the bar and then walking around the lagoon to get back to the car. 14.4klm all up.

Royal Coast Walk- Day 2

After a good nights sleep in my bivvy bag I was up early and walked out to Providential Head at Wattamolla. Didn't quite make the sunrise but close. The morning light was nice on the cliffs and the beach.

I then walked back to Wattamolla Beach and Lagoon before heading south on the Coast track. 

Looking down at Curracarrang 

The creek at Curracurrang. 

Then next Curracurrong. 

The creek at Curracurrong where I sat and had breakfast while a Peregrine Falcon flew past. 

Eagle Rock at Curracurrong 

One of my favourites, Blandfordia nobilis or Christmas Bells 

Garie Beach 

From Garie North Head looking south to Coalcliff and thr Seacliff Bridge, 13.2 klm as the crow flies. 

Walking Garie Beach. I stopped at Garie for morning tea. Growing up, my uncle was a NPWS Ranger and lived here. I  had not been back for some time and the house and office where he lived s gone and the whole outlook/tone of Garie has changed. Say la vie.

Little Garie Beach

North and South Era from Thelma Head 

Looking back at Garie from Thelma Head 

Semi Detached Point at Era from the south. 

Burning Palms Beach 

Palm forest on the way out to Otford 

Looking down at Hell Hole (Werrong Beach)

The cliffs at Otford looking north

And then looking south. 

Then it was a short walk down to Otford Station for the train back to Kiama