Saturday 17/01/2015 Macquarie Pass – Upper Cascades Falls – Macquarie Rivulet – Mulangong Falls – Jump Rock Falls
Macquarie Pass National Park, NSW
Participants: Jocelyn Booth,Ted Booth (Report), Stephen Davies (Photos on new iPhone 6Plus), Sue Davies
The above team took up Kay’s South Coast Bushwalking Club’s cancelled walk on a hot and clear day. Our route was accurately plotted and tracked on Steve’s new iPhone. I took along the new series Robertson 1: 25,000 map for old times sake.
Wednesday 4/03/2015 Whakaari – “White Island”
Bay of Plenty, NEW ZEALND
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.
24/05/2015 – 25/05/2015 Long Gully – Byangee Mountain
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Distance: 12km Total Ascent: 830m Total Descent: 830m Time: 8 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
This 12km bushwalk begins by crossing the Yadboro River before following Byangee Trail up to the cliff-line below The Castle. From here one follows a rough track eastward along the cliff base to and across Castle Gap, before continuing around the cliff base on the northern side of Byangee Mountain. Further on a rock cairn can be found at the bottom of the ascent route which involves a tight squeeze a one point and some scrambling, don’t put all your faith in the old ropes found in a couple of steep sections!
Along the way check out “The Cathedral” and the natural rock arch concealed just around the corner on the north side immediately before Castle Gap. The 360 degree views from the top Byangee Mountain amongst the best in New South Wales.
23/08/2015 – 30/08/2015 Ellery Creek – Stanley Chasm
West MacDonnell National Park (Tjoritja), NORTHERN TERRITORY
Arrernte country
Distance: 68km Total Ascent: 2670m Total Descent: 2350m Time: 33 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Day 1: Sunday 23/8/2015 Ellery Creek Big Waterhole
After a pleasant lunch and coffee in Alice Springs we were picked up by Trek Larapinta at 2:00pm and dropped off at Ellery Creek big waterhole. It was a hot day for August, up to 31 degrees by the afternoon.
We set up camp in an area that looked like a dry creek bed and got ready for a swim in the waterhole. It looked beautiful but we were less enthusiastic when we felt the water. It was 14.8 degrees and felt very cold in contrast to the air temperature. We went for a short dip after which we felt very refreshed!
We decided to have a picnic dinner near the waterhole and enjoyed the change of colour In the gorge as the light faded. Steve set up for star trail photography but unfortunately encountered technical problems. We saw a tawny owl amongst other bird life. The stars were impressive.
Thursday 25/06/2015 Wodi Wodi Track – Stanwell Park Beach circuit
Illawarra Escarpment, NSW
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Derek Farrell
We picked up Derek from Thirroul and drove to Stanwell Park railway station on a warm winters morning. We were pleased to find an available car spot. We sooner warmed up along the track and Derek even got rid of his beanie, a sure sign he is a Darwin resident. Continue reading
10/06/2015 – 14/06/2015 Kanangra Walls – Narrow Neck
Kanangra Boyd National Park, NSW
Dharug country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stephen Day, Dave Whitelaw
Tuesday night was spent at the Boyd River campground to allow us to get an early start. Steve was dropped off at the Kanangra Walls Lookout where he was aiming to get an overnight star trail series. By just before dark he had managed to pitch his tent precariously, without pegs on a rock ledge near the cliff edge. Trish had driven up with us and stayed Tuesday night to drive our car back to Katoomba, all so we could avoid the long car drop after the walk – thanks heaps Trish!
Early morning 25/5/2015 – The Castle from Byangee Mountain, the distant glow is Canberra some 100km to the west.
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Stars and shooting star over The Castle and nearby mountains on the evening of 13/5/2015, don’t miss the Aurora Australis at the end! (Click the image for the movie)
Clickable icons on a world map which open the related trip report
A detailed, searchable trip list with links to reports, photo galleries and other content
13/05/2015 – 17/05/2015 Sassafras – Folly Point – Munnuldi Falls – Sluice Box Falls – Styles Creek – Sassafras circuit
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Distance: 52.3km Total Ascent: 2340m Total Descent: 2340m Time: 35 hours
Participants: Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stuart Murray
Day 1: Wednesday 13/5/2015 Sassafras – Folly Point
We commenced our walk from Sassafras on a crisp clear morning. It was five degrees as we weighed packs and wished yet again that we had packed lighter, except for Stuart who managed to fit five days worth of food and gear into his 11kg pack. This, in the end disadvantaged him as he as he was allocated the climbing rope which added a further two kilograms. Steven won with a total of weight of 23kg including all his camera gear. Sue carried a respectable 15.7kg load.
25/03/2015 – 29/03/2015 Wog Wog – Corang River – Canowie Brook – Mount Tarn – Styles Creek – Hidden Valley – Sassafras
Morton National Park, NSW
Yuin country
Distance: 56.7km Total Ascent: 2160m Total Descent: 2860m Time: 28 hours
Participants: Mel Ardern, Stephen Davies (Leader, Photos), Sue Davies (Report), Stuart Murray, Dave Whitelaw, Fred Zickar
23/02/2015 – 26/02/2015 Whakapapa Village – Waihohonu Hut – Oturere Hut – Mount Ngauruhoe Summit – Mangatepopo Hut – Mangatepopo Hut – Whakapapa
Mount Ngauruhoe Circuit, NEW ZEALAND
Distance: 57.7km Total Ascent: 2760m Total Descent: 2760m Time: 21 hours 30 minutes
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Leader, Report)
“Three fabulous nights and four glorious days” Lisa from Melbourne
22/02/2015 Iwikau Village – Mount Ruapehu chairlift – Mount Ruapehu summit return
Tongariro National Park, NEW ZEALND
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Leader, Report)