Friday 5/06/2020 Wattle Creek Car Park – Slotts Way – Nattai River – Mcarthurs Flat – Emmetts Flat – Troy Creek – Starlight Trail Nattai National Park, NSW
Gundungurra country
Participants: Melissa Ardern (Leader), David Brinson, Rod Dale, Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Thomas Korber, Liz Paslawsky
This scenic loop down into the Nattai River valley is accessed from the car park at the end of Wattle Creek road near the small town of Hilltop. The final ten minutes of the drive are on dirt. The road is suitable for two wheel drive vehicles.
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
White Island (Whakaari) is an active marine (cone) volcano situated in the Bay of Plenty. To the Maori Whakaari is a treasured ancestor and features in many stories and legends of the region. It is estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 years old and is 49km offshore. The closest town is Whakatane, on the North Island of New Zealand. At the time of our trip it was possible to visit the island by helicopter or by boat and guided tour with White Island tours.
Tragically, on 9th December 2019 White Island erupted while tours were being conducted resulting in numerous deaths and horrific injuries. All tours were immediately suspended.
Saturday 13/04/2013 Yarramummun Fire Trail – Boolijah Creek
Ettrema Wilderness, NSW
Participants: Melissa Ardern, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Dave Whitelaw
The start of this walk is located on a small side track off the Yarramunmun Fire Trail, which is accessed via the Nerriga road. Apart from a stroll in along the fire trail the walk is completely off track with no defined path. The clamber down the creek gives good views of cascades and waterfalls, the most pleasant being the large pool at the lowest section of the creek reached on the walk.
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We were on a short break to the South Coast of NSW to try to assist with the local economic recovery following the disastrous bushfire season which devastated the bush, wildlife and local communities during our past summer.
We have many fond memories of camping at the North Head with friends when our children were young. Arriving again in 2020 we were very happy to find this section of the bush untouched by the fires. The campground is set in a particularly beautiful grove of large spotted gums dotted with huge cycads and supporting abundant wildlife.
Participants: Mel Ardern, Carole Alcock, Phil Allen, Joce Booth, Ted Booth, Lee Cordner, Mandy Creighton, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)), Sue Davies, Brian Dooley, Jason Shanks (Leader), Dave Whitelaw, Fred Zickar
Over the weekend of 3rd – 4th December 2016 South Coast Bushwalkers Club organised their annual Christmas Celebration at Budderoo National Park. On Saturday morning Jason Shanks lead a grade 4 walk in the Missingham Steps area. The group left the camp ground heading west towards Missingham Lookout where there are views far down along the Kangaroo River Valley. From here we meandered along the tops for a while before heading down Missingham Steps to the Kangaroo River. A nice pool was located and many of us jumped in for a quick swim. Continue reading →
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies
Great weather for a day walk from Bundeena to Little Marley Beach. During this walk out of Bundeena we passed by Jibbon Hill along the Coast Track until reaching The Waterrun at the coast. Continuing south along the Coast Track we passed a multitude of coastal cliff views before reaching Marley Head. Just south of Marley Head where Marley Head Trail joins The Coast Track you get views to the south west of Marley Beach and Little Marley Beach, our final destination for the day before heading back to Bundeena after beautiful winter’s day walking. A highlight of the day was seeing some aboriginal rock art etched into sandstone. Continue reading →
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
We had a wonderful visit to the Jigokudani Monkey park in the Joshinetsu-Kogen National Park. This is apparently the only place in then world where wild monkeys (Japanese Macaque – Macaca fuscata) bathe in hot springs and they really seemed to enjoy it!
Distance: 177 km Total Ascent: 10,050m Total Descent: 10,050m Time: 46 hours
Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki(Guide), Saideh Kent, Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter),Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart
Mustang, formerly the ancient Kingdom of Lo is a remote and isolated region of the Nepalese Himalayas. The Upper Mustang was a restricted demilitarised area until 1992 and is one of the most preserved regions of the world with a predominantly Tibetan culture. It’s status as a kingdom ceased in 2008. The influence of the outside world, especially China is leading to changes in the lives of these previously isolated inhabitants.
The region is cool and semi-arid being in the Himalayan rain shadow. Tourists have been allowed in the region since 1992 but visits remain highly regulated. It is considered a rare privilege to trek in this region and to experience the way of life of the true mountain people.
Distance: 172km Total Ascent: 10,400m Total Descent: 8,670m Time: 68 hours
Participants: Subin Basnet (Porter), Pawan Dai (Assistant Guide), Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Giorakh “Kaka” Dulal (Porter), Prabin Karki(Guide), Ralston Keyt, Sarah Keyt, Mohan Khaimrange (Porter), Sonaiya Magear (Assistant Guide), Amanda “Mandy” Menheere, Ravi lal Phuyal (Porter), Kerrie Stewart, Lisa Stewart, Kaitlin “Kitty” Travers
The Annapurna Circuit is considered one of the world’s best long distance treks. It is located within the mountain ranges of central Nepal and it encircles the Annapurna Massif. It offers a wide variety of climatic zones from tropical vegetation at 600m to the chilling alpine conditions of Thorong La pass at over 5,400m. There are cultural varieties from the Hindu villages at the lower elevations to the Tibetan culture of the Manang valley.
We travelled with the assistance of guides and porters from Himalayan Encounters, a company based in Kathmandu.
Expect stunning high altitude scenery, comfortable tea houses and delicious (mainly vegetarian) freshly cooked food.
Map of our planned trek from Jagat to Jomsom at Tilicho Hotel & Restaurant
Distance: 82km Total Ascent: 8,500m Total Descent: 9,300m Time: 25 hours
(Inaccurate distance & ascent/descents due to gps reception errors during day 3)
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide), Emilio Gloria Arevalo (cook) Javier valdivia Melo (donkey driver)
This is a popular walk in the Corderilla Blanca and can be organised through several trekking companies or walked independently. There are buses that travel to the trailhead. This is a stunning mountainous area of Peru yet it is in the tropics about 9 degrees south of the equator.
Participants: Sue Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Moore
Berry Springs nature park is about a 50 minute drive from Darwin. It is recommended as a place to go on a hot afternoon. Every afternoon is hot in Darwin so I guess it’s good at anytime. The route however, may be impassable in the wet season.
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Elva Marcos Campos (guide)
This incredible day walk can be accessed from Huaraz by a four hour bus trip or three hours by private car. We chose the latter more expensive option along with a guide which was not really necessary. However, it enhanced our experience having a local give us information along the way. All the lakes in the Huascarán National Park are numbered and there are at least 300 of them. This is number 69.
