Trip report: Austimer station to Stanwell park station via Woodward track

Date: 31/10/2021

Participants: Mike, Jacky, my neighbour and I

On an uneventful day during lockdown, I got a friend request on Facebook from Mike. He also loves bushwalking. That's why, we decided to do a 'get-to-know-each-other' trip with my neighbour tagging along. There were supposed to be around 6 more people but on the day of the trip only Jacky went. Thus,  the party consisted of Mike, Jacky, my neighbour and I. It was a cloudy day. 

After parking at Austinmer station, we headed towards the Sublime walking track in the Royal National park. On the way, there were so many Jacaranda trees blooming, creating a very romantic atmosphere. 

The track we took to Sublime track

The Sublime track was mostly stairs, we ascended steeply up the stairs, through lush dense rainforests with tree ferns and palms. 

Our stamina was tested during the climb, I would say compared to the Kedumba trip, I was able to ascend a little bit more quickly, although I also went out of breath by the time we reached the ladder. As I was still in the process of bringing my stamina up again, I had to make several stops during the climb. At one point, I even got a little bit light-headed due to going up too fast. It was very nice of Jacky and Mike, who climbed the stairs much faster, waited for us. Thanks guys! 

At the first ladder small drops of rain started falling down. We climbed up the ladders, reaching a big gate before finally reached Sublime track lookout. 

The rain wasn't too long, and we could enjoy the whole Illawarra escarpment before a quick toilet break. It always looked majestic everytime I had a chance to have aerial view. At the lookout point, there were a lot of padlocks on the handrail, I wonder what they are for. 

Initially, I thought that we would climb back down and call it a day. However, I quickly found out that we were also going to walk the Woodward track, a short loop at the top of Sublime track lookout. 

The vegetation wasn't much different to the previous track. However, all the plants were blooming because of Spring. The most standing out plant was Gymea lily Doryanthes, who had a large bright red flower. A truly unique Australian native coastal plant. The soil also contained mostly white sand now. 

From there, we decided to continue walking to Stanwell Park since it sounded fun. 

At the beginning, there was an area by the track where the land was very flat, an ideal spot for camping? We walked on a large wide track, possibly also suitable for 4wd driving.

During lunch, we could also see a dirt bike rider. There was even some wooden walking path, how luxurious. 

We also came past quite a few secret looking out spot to the coast, it was very nice. At one spot we even encountered two friendly rock climbers who showed us their climbing photos, we found out that there are hundreds of climbing routes around here, each with a different name! 

One interesting section during this walk was the rainforest gully, where the tallest tree wins! 

A hole on top of a big boulder - There were actually 3!

After that we got lost a bit but quickly found our way back on track. There were a lot of Gymea lily in this part. We walked past a sign where it said "Biodiversity Stewardship site" or a native plant protection site. 

There were also a lot of gum trees, both white and red! 

Beautiful scenery

We decided to have a quick rest at a big lookout at a cliff, where Coalcliff station can be seen! All went well until we got lost after a section where there were a lot of cabbage palms. 

We descended to a junction leading to Stanwell Park station one way and Coalcliff station the other way. 

After discussing about the train schedule, we decided to head to Stanwell Park station like we planned before. There was a sign that warner "indistict trail - do not leave track". We quickly learned about the important of this after crossing Stanwell creek. There was a rope there for people to jump into a pool but the pool was very shallow for this. 

From there, we lost the track and walked deeper and deeper into the bush, until we arrived at a part where the rail could actually be seen! However, to reach and climb the rail, there was a steep cliff before us and also, there would be a huge fine if we trespass train rails. Thus, we decided to climb up and hope to meet the track. As this was after the rain, it was very slippery and hard to balance yourself. Nevertheless, we reach what seemed to be a track and saw someone came from above. However, I misread my gps and we went back into the bush and lost the track again! This time, Mike decided to push further forward but the bush was getting very dense and the plants also were very thorny, it actually scratched my arms and hand a lot since I wore short sleeve shirt. Additionally, it was nearly five and so we did not have much daylight left to keep bush bashing. I talked to my neighbour who told Mike that we should backtrack and find a way to the correct trail by climbing up again. We backtrack a little bit, during the way I almost made a stupid decision and went back down (I was getting very frustrated and tired). However, I found a faint footpath going up and according to the gps, the track is above us so I suggested for us to take that path. Luckily, it was the right way and we made it out just before the next train, and there was still daylight! 

Turns out we got our via Wodi Wodi track!

My neighbour's and I - we were very tired but happy to make it out before dark

What a trip! There were a few misfortunes but we were safe at the end. It was interesting in some way and I learnt some new life lessons from my new friends. One of which is staying positive to make the best out of the situation that we are in. I am very inspired and excited to have more trips with Mike and Jacky.

Trip report: Post lockdown trip to Kedumba river through Mount Solitary walking track

Dates: 23/10/2021-24/10/2021                                                                                      

Participants: My neighbours and I

Our campground for the night

 After months and months of lockdown, we are finally able to go out into the bush again. I was getting very bored from staying in the house for a long period of time. Thus, I invited my neighbour a bushwalking trip down the Kedumba River as celebration for freedom. Weather forecasts suggested there would be quite a bit of rain at night, this should be fine as we would have been in our tents by then. We planned to arrive at the car park, where a gate which marked the beginning of the walk, at around 11am. However, after several misfortunes, such as forgetting our lunch at home, we started at 12pm. Not too bad, I suppose.

Arriving at the car park

The very obvious sign that led to Kedumba valley

For one of my neighbour, it was the first town he walked down Kedumba valley road, so he was very excited and thought that it would be a fire trail from start to finish (he was a little bit wrong). The trail began with a steep ascent down the valley, passing several attractions such as Lions head and a memorial lookout. Compared to the last time I was there, the road seemed to be much nicer, without any bulldozers and construction machines. One of my neighbour, who had not been to Kedumba valley before, was joyfully walking down and as we passed the large overhang before the swine gate, he realised that the next day he would have to walk up this steep trail. We laughed and joked about calling a helicopter out.             

                                                            

The beginning of the trip was peaceful

Under the clear and sunny skies, we arrived at the junction where one way led to Kedumba crossing campground and the other lead to Mount Solitary. As I had not turned this way, I was very thrilled to walk it. 

The initial junction

We stopped for a quick water break and continued down. At one part, we had to turn to a less obvious trail. We were about to walk the other way to Leura but luckily, there was a sign which proved the less distinct trail to be corrected.

 Walking down was very easy but my toes hurt a little bit because I forgot to cut my toe nails the day before. The scenery brought me right back to pre-lockdown days, with gum trees and tea trees. The slight scent of if blew away all my worries from uni works and the urban life. 

The rustling leaves played a nice musical tune 

We decided to have lunch at a less sunny spot. However, as we sat down, we noticed big horse gap flies (which would follow us for the rest of trip). One of my neighbour also sat down right where a large ant nest was (Ouch!). I didn't know the species but it stung his arm and belly. While finishing our lunch, we noticed quite a few bushwalkers walking up from their day trip, and were sure that we were on the right way.

We continued down the trail and arrived at Kedumba river, where we decided to camp. There was a very faint path to a very flat area under a huge gum tree. There was also a fire spot so we reckoned that this must be a campsite someone previous use. Not only that, the site was far from the track. Well, although it could be seen if walkers turn their head 90 degrees as the crossed the river to the uphill section of the Mount Solitary trail, my neighbours and I were very surprised that hardly anyone did that and noticed us.

The serene spot was calling for a perfect siesta

Our camp, very luxurious!

We spent the whole afternoon by the river, playing and telling what we had been up to in lockdown. One of my neighbour decided to learn the piano! Then, we gathered firewood. This is the part where all my extra weight went to, as I brought my hand saw and a hatchet, but thanks to them, it was extremely easy to make small logs for fire. 

My camera captured some very nice pictures of the river

Gathering woods a much easier with a hand saw and a hatchet

My neighbour also found a small bright yellow frog, which turned out to be Lesueur's frog in its mating season.

Relaxing by the campfire, no spooky stories this time!

After dinner, there were suddenly large rumbles from the sky, a sign that rain and possible storm is coming. I was a bit worried as we hurriedly packed all our stuffs and headed to our tent. The rumble start to be very loud, small drops of rain became buckets of water throwing at us in the matter of seconds. As we lie down in our tent, a cracking sound follow a loud "boom" near us, about 1km. With their meteorology knowledge, my neighbours told me that the lightning was very unlikely to hit us because we are very low, by the river. With that, I felt a bit less anxious and went to sleep, under the rhythmic tapping sound of rain.

Dinner was very peaceful before the storm

Next morning was very peaceful, we had breakfast and started walking back a little bit later than usual. I was quite surprised that the river didn't rise that much. 

Breakfast by the river

The ascending let us was very hard as we were fresh out of lockdown and did not exercise much. With every step, the heaviness increase, but I felt good surprisingly. However, under the scorching sun, we made it back to the sign. We were very happy but quickly turned sad (a little bit) because there were more and more ascending before we reached the car park. It just seemed like the ascent was never ending.

Going up was a struggle after lockdown!

Arriving at the car park, everyone was happy but our legs were destroyed. The next day, we could barely walk. Nevertheless, everyone had fun.