Bariloche – Refugio Emilio Frey – Laguna Toncek – Laguna Jakob Rucaco – Refugio San Martin – Tambo Báez

27/11/2025 – 29/11/2025  Bariloche – Refugio Emilio Frey – Laguna Toncek – Laguna Jakob Rucaco – Refugio San Martin – Tambo Báez

                                               Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi 

                                               (Nahuel Huapi National Park)

                                               Rio Negro Province

                                               Patagonia Lakes District

                                               ARGENTINA

Distance: 46.6km            Time:  21.5hours 

Total Ascent: 1692m       Total Descent: 1848m

Participants:  Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

A much-anticipated start after multiple delays.

Getting to the start of the walk was an adventure in itself. We were lined up to board our international flight from Sydney to Buenos Aires when the line came to a standstill. The staff were looking stony-faced as they were given the news. There was no announcement, but they came over to the line and started speaking to individuals. We soon learned that our plane had been “struck by lightning” and the flight was cancelled. Great start to our trip! We were offered overnight accommodation if we didn’t live in Sydney and a meal voucher. A few hours later, I received an email saying our flight had been rescheduled for the following day, 27 hours late. We were transferred by bus to the Holiday Inn Sydney Airport, where they were keen to give us free food. Dinner and breakfast were included as well as the shuttle back to the airport. We settled in for the afternoon. 

We did take off at the new time the following day, but I had to adjust our travel plans, accommodations and our flight into Bariloche for the following day. The new flight time, unfortunately, had us waiting for seven hours in Santiago for the connection. We arrived in Buenos Aires close to 10:00pm, and I had organised accommodation close to the airport. Our flight the following day was at 3:15pm, but we had to check out of our accommodation at 10:00am, so we just headed for the airport. We checked our bags in, and soon after, I received an email saying the flight was delayed another six hours! So we had an 11-hour wait at the airport!

We eventually arrived in Bariloche close to midnight and fell asleep as soon as we hit the pillow. 

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Honeysuckle Falls Road – Evans Crown Nature Reserve Carpark – Evans Crown Track – Evans Crown

Saturday 12/07/2025   Honeysuckle Falls Road – Evans Crown Nature Reserve Carpark – Evans Crown Track – Evans Crown 1103m

                                           Evans Crown Nature Reserve, NSW

                                           Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)                                 

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

A cool mid-winter’s day set the scene for our circuit in Evans Crown Nature Reserve. Departing from Honeysuckle Falls Road, we parked beside the reserve entrance, where the air was crisp and the ground firm underfoot after a run of dry weather. The temperature hovered around 6 °C, never reaching higher than 11°C during our time on track, which made for comfortable walking conditions.

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Kidman’s Camp – PV Jandra – Darling River – North Bourke Bridge – The Big Billabong

Tuesday 28/10/2025   Kidman’s Camp – PV Jandra – Darling River – North Bourke Bridge – The Big Billabong

                                        Darling River Cruise

                                        North Bourke, NSW

                                        Ngemba Country (Ngemba people)                                 

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

The PV Jandra—a replica of a classic paddle steamer—evoked the era when riverboats shaped regional life and trade. As we glided out from the wharf, our guide shared stories about early river explorers and the crucial relationship of the Darling River to Aboriginal Ngemba people. The backdrop of centuries-old red gums and gnarled coolibahs reflected the enduring life of these waters.

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The Sydney Peppermint Walk – Orchid Rock – Camel Rock

Friday 31/10/2025   The Sydney Peppermint Walk – Orchid Rock – Camel Rock

                                      Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve, Rylstone, NSW

                                      Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)                               

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

Beginning within the leafy bounds of Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve, the walking track weaved steadily east towards the sandstone features that define this distinctive loop. Over a distance of about 4 km, the path led across a mix of open woodland and moist gullies, never gaining more than 72 m in elevation. Severe gradients were avoided, with the track winding over gradual rises and short-sided gullies that divide the reserve’s plateaus.

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Ferntree Gully Walking Track – Ferntree Gully – Norm King Lookout – Ted Daniels Lookout – Gully Walk

Friday 31/10/2025   Ferntree Gully Walking Track – Ferntree Gully – Norm King Lookout – Ted Daniels Lookout – Gully Walk

                                     Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve, Rylstone, NSW

                                     Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)                                

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

The Ferntree Gully circuit begins near the Ferntree Gully Environmental Reserve entrance, following the main walking track into the heart of the sandstone gorge. Over 5 km, the walk meanders through shaded gullies, past fern-lined moist slopes, and up to panoramic lookouts on the escarpment rim. Total ascent for the loop is 178 m, with steady climbs out of the gully and onto ridge tops punctuated by well-placed stone steps and graded track.

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Putta Bucca Wetlands Reserve

Thursday 30/10/2025   Cudgegong River – Quarry Lake – Turtle Island 

                                           Mudgee, NSW

                                           Wiradjuri Country (Wiradjuri people)                            

 

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

The circuit through Putta Bucca Wetlands begins at the edge of the Cudgegong River, where a well-maintained path traces the water before curving towards Quarry Lake. Over a total distance of 2km, the route winds through a tapestry of restored wetlands, tall reeds, and open woodland, offering clear sightlines across open water and floodplain. The walking is comfortably flat, gaining only 8 m in elevation across the loop.

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Yappa Aboriginal Art Site

Monday 27/10/2025   Yappa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal Art Site

                                         Gundabooka National Park and State Conservation Area, NSW 

                                         Ngemba and Paakantji Country (Ngemba and Paakantji people)

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

The track to the Yappa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal Art Site begins at the signed carpark within Gundabooka National Park. It follows a well-marked trail of firm red earth and occasional stony patches, gently winding through open woodland before reaching the art site. 

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Dry Tank Campground – Little Mountain Walking Track – Little Mountain Lookout

Sunday 26/10/2025   Dry Tank Campground – Little Mountain Walking Track – Little Mountain Lookout

                                       Gundabooka National Park, NSW

                                        Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji Country (Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people)                                

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

Departing Dry Tank Campground, the Little Mountain Walking Track quickly enters classic Gundabooka country—broad flats of red earth and sand, broken by low rises and rocky outcrops. The route is straightforward, tracing a mostly direct course for over 2.8 km each way, with just enough undulation to keep the walking lively without straining the legs. Continue reading

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Manatee Glacier – Polychrome Ridge – Obelia – Wahoo Tower – Oluk

22/04/1989 – 28/04/1989    Manatee Glacier – Polychrome Ridge – Obelia Peak – Wahoo Tower – Oluk Peak

                                                 Pacific Ranges (Coast Mountains)

                                                 BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Distance: 70km   Total Ascent: 8000m   Total Descent: 8000m   

Participants: Stephen Campbell, Simon Coates, Peter Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Colin Evans, Rienhart Fabish, Simon Gabbot, Klaus Haring, Craig Hollinger, Mike Thompson (Report), Tim Webb, Christina Williams, Doug Williams

Aussie Contingent: Stephen Campbell, Peter Davies, Stephen Davies, Sue Davies

Climbers and Skiers: Colin Evans, Rienhart Fabish, Klaus Haring, Craig Hollinger, Christina Williams, Doug Williams

3-day tour of Lilloet and Dalgleish Mountains: Tim Webb, Simon Coates, Simon Gabot, Mike Thompson

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Bennetts Gorge Picnic Area – Bennetts Walking Track – Mount Gundabooka – Valley of the Eagles Walk – Ngana Malyan

Monday 27/10/2025   Bennetts Gorge Picnic Area – Bennetts Walking Track –  Mount Gundabooka – Valley of the Eagles Walk – Ngana Malyan 

                                         Valley of the Eagle (Ngana Malyan) Walking Track

                                         Gundabooka National Park, NSW

                                         Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji Country (Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people)      

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

We aimed to head out early on this walk to beat the heat, but by the time we prepared for the walk and drove from Dry Tank Campground to the trailhead, it was 8:00am. 

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Mount Grenfell Art Site Walk – Mount Grenfell Historic Site – Nglyampaa Walking Track – Mount Grenfell

Saturday 25/10/2025   Mount Grenfell Art Site Walk – Mount Grenfell Historic Site – Nglyampaa Walking Track – Mount Grenfell 361 m

                                          Mount Grenfell Historic Site, NSW

                                          Ngiyampaa Country (Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan people)                            

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)

After completing the Cobar parkrun and visiting the Sound Chapel, we decided to spend the afternoon in the Mount Grenfell area, about a 50-minute drive west of Cobar. 

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