Spion Kop

Spion Kop is the headland that divides Woy Woy Bay. On my list to do for a while. A clear autumn day and a walk close to home. A relatively easy walk of 11.5klm and I was back home after some grocery shopping for lunch. Starting from the Bambara Rd fire trail  it was aquick walk down to the Koolewong fire trail before I turned off to head down to the upper reaches of  the Waterfall Bay creek.

Views south across Broken Bay to Barrenjoey.

Aboriginal carvings and an easy walk down the creek. 

Leaving the creek and climbing the ridge there was a huge sandstone outlier with a cave where I could stand up inside. 

Tafoni or wind weathering in the cave. 

A nice ramp up through the cliffs to the ridge. 

i was surprised to find quite a good track to follow out to Spion Kop. One of the nicest walks through lovely bush glades and along the ridges.

Views to Wondabyne . 

Then to the first lookout point over Waterfall Bay.

Another 10 minutes or so to Spion Kop with magnificent views over Woy Woy and Broken bay to Barrenjoey 

Woy Woy and the Rip Bridge 

Barrenjoey and Lion Island 

Distinctive rock formation. You could walk out on this outcrop. (Notice I said you could and not I could) 

Just superb. One of the nicest walks I have done for a long time and one to go straight into the favourites to be repeated often. 

Fagans Bay, Greystanes Aquaduct

I hadn't been out in the kayak for a while and was looking for a short paddle close to home. I find that on my first day off in the week I am tired and haven't got a lot of energy. I put in at the boat ramp at Gosford and paddled across to Fagans Bay and up Narara Creek till just after the road bridge. Short but at least I was back on the water which was nice.

The next day was bike riding day. I drove down to Prospect Reservoir as I wanted to see the Greystanes Aquaduct. From here you can do a full loop, all on dedicated bike track, of about 29klm. I decided that this might be a bit too strenuous, so just did a quick 16.5klm out and back.

Prospect Reservoir. This was at the end of the ride. I strong wind had come up and put a good chop on the water and the end of my plan to have a picnic lunch at the reservoir where all the tables are rather exposed.

The bike track follows the old water canals which they have filled in and put the path on top.

In places the path dips down to go under bridges and you get more of the canal feeling.

Crossing the aquaduct on the way out.

Great signage on the way. I even found one that hadn't been graffitied  and could still read

I trn around just past the pumping station where the canal finished and the pipes started.

Old pumping station at the aquaduct.

The Greystanes Aquaduct

Pindar Cave

I had to put the car in for a service at Gosford and with time to spare decided to walk out to Pindar Cave in Brisbane Water National Park. I walked down and caught the train to Wondabyne stopping at the station shop to pick up a coffee milk and a piece of Banana Bread for breakfast.

 

One of the nicest stations in NSW.

 

Heading up the hill from the station you look down over the quarry and Mullet Creek. 

 

Ridge top walking  with some nice exposed rock platforms with unusual tessellations. 

 

Views down to the Hawkesbury River and Dangar Island. 

 

Pindar Pool was bone dry and I headed straight on to the cave.  

 

A large overhang 50-60 metres long and often used for camping. 

 

I went on to the waterfall but didn't expect much as the creek was almost dry. This is not actually the main fall but it is hard to get a good angle and with no water not worth the effort.

 

Looking across to home at Mount White. 

 

And to Mount Wondabyne

 

 

Marsh Snake maybe? 

 

Then after 14klm waiting to flag the driver down for my ride back.