Winter 2009 Walks Program

This version of the walks program does not include leader's contact details. The club program, complete with contact details is sent to members in February, May, August & November each year. If you would like to do a programmed activity with us and aren't yet a club member please e-mail bankstownbush@gmail.com a week before the activity date and we will send the leader's contact details to you.

Please make sure you contact the leader at least 24 hours before the programmed event date prior to joining any walk or social event. Please show consideration for others and call before 9pm.

JUNE 2009

MON 1       CLUB NIGHT AT BANKSTOWN

SAT 6         Darwins Walk - Wentworth Falls - Valley of the Waters

For ease of access and high spectacle, this walk is hard to beat. You’ll get your heart beating and your lungs working while enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of the mountains. We’ll walk where Charles Darwin walked in 1836, visiting Weeping Rock, Wentworth Falls, and Empress Falls. We’ll enjoy some of the best views in the Mountains. Four to five hours of walking if we didn’t stop.

SUN 7        BOTTLE FOREST - KARLOO POOL - ULOOLA FALLS - GURRUMBOOLA RIDGE - BOTTLE FOREST

A lovely walk in the Royal National Park passing pools and a waterfall. The walk includes some great ridge walking. 150m ascent and descent.

SAT 13       GOSFORD - RUMBALARA RESERVE & RETURN

This 8km walk through bushland features great views and some hills.

SUN 14      PADDY PALLIN ROGAINE

This year the Paddy will be held near Nowra. Rogaining is a team-based navigation sport, and participating is the best way to learn how to navigate. Even if you can’t already navigate find a team mate who can and have a lot of fun mastering this essential skill. Early registration is recommended to secure a spot for your team in this popular event. Entry fee applies. Maps & post-event BBQ provided.

WED 17      Dinner at Padstow TAFE

We have a booking for 12 people for a night of wining and dining at Padstow TAFE. We will be in the capable hands of the hospitality and catering students and staff.  For a 3 course meal and a complimentary drink, the cost of $25 is good value. Extra drinks are at your own expense.

SAT 20       Exploring the Wentworth Falls area

An early start for a day of exploring the Wentworth Falls area. We’ll start at the Falls, follow the National Pass and explore past Vera Falls. Features stunning views and waterways. There are great coffee and cake options for afterwards and this demanding walk with 300m ascent & descent will be a great one to work up an appetite on.

SUN 21      Florabella Pass - Lower Blue Mountains

We’ll meet at Warrimoo Railway Station at 9.45am and walk to Florabella Pass, Duck Hole, and Blue Pool and then Glenbrook Railway Station. This 10km walk has a total ascent of 150m. If you’d like to use public transport the train from Central leaves at 8.18am and arrives at Warrimoo at 9.31am.

sat 27       BICENTENNIAL PARK FOR THE EARLY BIRDS

A 7am start at Homebush to visit the bird hide at Bicentennial Park, followed by a walk around the park to warm up and finishing with breakfast at the cafe at the Newington Armoury on the Parramatta River. A maximum of 10 walkers on this one.

 SUN 28      Waterfall to Engadine

We will leave the cars at Engadine train station, catch the train down to Waterfall and walk through the Royal National Park back to the cars. The walk follows the Uloola track to Audley then goes from Audley to Engadine via the Engadine track. This walk is 16km long and will be about 5 - 6 hours walking time. Please note your leader’s new e-mail address.

JULY 2009

SAT 4 & SUN 5       2009 NAV SHIELD ROGAINE

The Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue Squad is once again hosting the 2009 Nav Shield. The event is always run in the wilderness approx 2 hours drive from Sydney - for further info go to: http://www.bwrs.org.au/navshield.

SUN 5        Kurnell Peninsula - Captain Cook’S Landing Place - Cape Bailey Lighthouse

An easy 12 km walk with wonderful coastal scenery in the Botany Bay National Park. We will take in the short climb to Solander Trig to get more great views and check out the remains of concrete bunkers from WWII. We may even see some whales.

Sat 11       Porters pass and CentEnNial Glen

This 4 - 6 hour walk follows a track above and below the cliff lines with amazing views of the Kanimbla Valley, rock features and waterfalls. If we have an energetic group we may explore the route down to the valley floor.

SAT 11       Trish’s Finger Licken Party

Colonel Trish and her offsider chicks are catering a finger licken good night with plenty of assorted yummy finger food. 

SUN 12      GOSFORD - POINT FREDERICK - EAST GOSFORD - RUMBALARA RESERVE & RETURN.

On this 8 - 10km walk we’ll also visit East Gosford Art Gallery and the Japanese gardens.

MON 13     CLUB NIGHT AT BANKSTOWN

SAT 18 & SUN 19   NEWNES BASE CAMP

Come camping at Newnes (north of Lithgow) and enjoy historic ruins, spectacular views and great company. We’ll spend Saturday exploring the ruins and climbing Mystery Mountain so we can take in the scenery. On Sunday we’ll explore the “road to nowhere”. If you don’t want to camp and would still like to join us cabin accommodation is available at Newnes.

TUE 21      WALKS COMMITTEE MEETING

For members of the Walks Committee.

SAT 25       Leura – CLIFF TOP WALK – FURBER STEPS – FEDERAL PASS

This walk starts at Leura and follows the cliff top walk from Leura around via the Three Sisters to the Furber Steps. Come and visit a number of the main Blue Mountains tourist hot spots while enjoying a great day’s walking.

sun 26      abseil PRACTICE DAY                                                     N NO HELMET NO GO!

Club members will be meeting at Alfords Point at 9am and practicing their abseil skills. We have a limit of 6 beginners, so if you are abseiling with the club for the first time or if you don't own your own gear you will need to book in. There is no limit on experienced abseilers with their own gear.

AUGUST 2009

SUN 2        MAGDALA CREEK - MARTINS LOOKOUT - SASSAFRAS GULLY

There’s lots of variety on this lovely 12 km walk following creek systems in the Blue Mountains. For a good workout and some pleasant views we’ll head up the hill to Martin’s lookout.

TUE 4        DINNER AT THE BUDDHA RAKSA THAI RESTAURANT

Bookings are essential for this meal at one of our favourite Thai restaurants. We’ll be meeting at 7pm at the Buddha Raksa.

Sat 8         Pope to Pulpit

After a pleasant walk through Pope’s Glen we’ll enjoy magnificent views as we follow the cliff top to Pulpit Rock. It is an easy to medium walk on well formed tracks and the return walk will take us about 5 hours. Enjoy the wildflowers, waterfalls and panoramic views.

MON 10     CLUB NIGHT AT BANKSTOWN

SAT 15 & SUN 16   Base camp weekend at Mogo Creek

It’s the International Year of Astronomy - lets get out and have a night of stargazing! We’ll enjoy the usual socialising at camp and include a visit to Koolang Observatory ($17 entry fee). The camp site is about 2 hours drive north west of Sydney. As well as the star gazing there will be some walks and the opportunity to head to Wollombi and stock up on supplies of Dr Jurds Jungle Juice.

SAT 22       PIERCE’S PASS – BLUE GUM FOREST & return

We’ll visit the beautiful Blue Gum Forest via an old cattleman’s track. The walk features panoramic views of the Grose Valley and a great cardio workout on the way back up the steep 470m ascent. We’ll certainly work up a good appetite for pizza’s for dinner at the Apple Bar on the way home.

SUN 23      POINT CLARE TO WOY WOY VIA BRISBANE WATERS WATERFRONT

A 7km waterfront walk on the Central Coast – all on flat tracks and roads.

sat 29       CASTLE HEAD ABSEIL TRIP                                            N NO HELMET NO GO!

This multi-pitch trip features great views of the Jamison Valley and Mt Solitary. After abseiling down the head we’ll wander up the Ruined Castle for lunch before heading back to the cars via the Golden Stairs for a trip to the coffee shop.

SUN 30      SOMERSBY FALLS - GIRRAKOOL

We’ll visit Brisbane Waters National Park for some pleasant creek & fire trail walking on the central coast. Around 13 kms.