Winter Walks and Wild Flowers

The opportunity had finally presented itself to return to one of the most beautiful areas and bushwalks I have ever experienced as a child. The walk is part of the Sydney Royal National Park and ends up at Eagle Rock and Curracurrong Falls.The day started at 4am with the delightful sound of blaring alarms. We'd packed our kit the night before so after throwing on our clothes we left our hotel, jumped in the car and headed south. Gotta love Sydney driving this early in the morning, as a previously predicted 45 min drive took only half an hour. Probably due to the fact that every other sane person was still tucked up in their cosy, warm beds. 

One quick snap before the march continued...

We made it to Sir Bertram Stevens Drive but that's where things started going wrong. We drove right past the fire trail entry (Curra Moors Track and it wasn't until we saw signs for Garie Beach we realised we'd come too far!) Our GPS was doing us no favours as there was zero reception...even with Telstra! Soooo around we turned and finally found the entry. Out we leapt, headlamps on and breathing mist into the 5 degree air. Only to discover that after all the rain the track, only metres in, was absolute sludge! After muttering something along the lines of "Golly gosh" (haha the censored version) we turned back to the car and headed for the entrance off Watamolla Drive. This had lost about 30 mins at least and by the time we had made it to the P5 car park (the best park for entrance to the walking trail) it was almost too light for our headlamps. Not a good sign when you have an hours walk to reach your destination for a sunrise shoot.

How bright it was and there was still an hours walk to go...

On the way back from Eagle rock...

Flying along the path, we were surrounded by an absolute chorus of morning bird song which was just exquisite. Even in the darkness I could see the splashes of colour from the natives that flower here in late winter. Mental notes of a macro expedition on the way back flashed through my mind (sorry in advance Marty!) The trail towards the Eagle is varied. In the dark you need to be mindful of the boggy areas but there is some metal grated tracks as well as some solid dirt ones. In the areas where you could sink in clay just about, you will see people have made little round about tracks which helps you to keep your shoes!  You also have to cross a river. When there hasn't been much rain you'd be right, but our feet got drenched as there was no time for stopping and taking shoes on and off...

We heard our destination before we saw it. The running of the river and smaller falls, as well as the absolute roar of the swell crashing on the rocks at the base of the coastline. After an absolute power walk we had made it to Eagle Rock. What a sight it was! I spent the 20 minutes leaping around from place to place trying to get as many long exposures I could before it was too light. Marty casually laid on a rock in the sun and had a power nap. After snacks we both got too close to the edge (sorry Mum!) while exploring and looking at the intricate details of the sandstone cliffs.  

The beautiful falls and water ways that lead to the big drop off...

Marty and the Eagle...

The geographical formations here are just awesome...

After an hour or so we headed back to the car, stopping to check out all the little lookouts on the coast side of the track (some required a bit of gentle bush bashing to get to). I then subjected my poor husband to a tedious 2 hours of stopping at nearly every flowering plant to practice my macro skills. The ones with bees had me totally fixated, to no avail sadly haha.

Above and below is a small example of the beauty that was on offer along the track...

Love my bees...

Once we got back to the car we headed to Hornsby for a quick bite to eat and then onto the Old Pacific Highway to Muogamarra Nature Reserve. This beautiful place is only open a few weekends a year and mainly for this time of year with all the native flora in full bloom. We only had a short stay so we did the Loop Circuit which was absolutely loaded with different species of all colours flowering. Half way through the walk there is a beautiful lookout that we stopped at for afternoon snacks. Getting back to the car just in time before the gates close at 4:30 we headed out and drove north. Pjs and dinner done by 6:30 and to bed not long after. 

Loop Circuit walk that looks out over an amazing tree scape and Bar Island...

It was an amazing day full of dramatic landscapes, delicate flowers and beautiful sunshine. If you can get to either in the next few weeks, I really encourage you to do so! The beauty of our native plants cannot be over stated and there is only just a very short time period for us to enjoy them.