The wet weather had returned after a sunny week and only four fearless participants met on a showery morning at Pearl Beach.
At the start of the walk We walked to explore the Crommelin Native Arboretum, an area set aside as a flora sanctuary with a variety of vegetation providing ample wildlife habitat for local species. The Arboretum is mainly open forest, but also features grassed areas, wetlands, patches of temperate rainforest and flowering shrubs. We ambled along and explored by easy, looped walking trails, with signage throughout intersections of those trails.
Bees home Bees hotel
And the rain came down
As showers had returned we had Morning Tea on a sheltered open verandah with chairs provided, (possibly Private Property conveniently located adjacent to the arboretum)
We returned to the cars via Crystal Avenue and after coffee at the Pearl Beach Café we drove to Warrah Trig via Patonga Drive and Warrah Trig Road. The road was closed to vehicles due to severe weather damage, so we added the extra distance to our walk to the trig.
Negotiated by foot Seriously burnt out car Very busy scribble gum worms
We walked down the Tony Doyle pathway to the Pearl Beach Patonga Firetrail. The vegetation along the walkway was spectacular after the generous rainfall. We heard frogs and many birds feasting on the abundant flowers. We explored Warrah Lookout before returning to the cars via the Warrah Escape Trail and Warrah Trig Road.
Down from the trig Wattle sp. Epacris longiflora
Grevillea sericea
Hibbertia serpyllifolia Grevillea speciosa
We enjoyed a late lunch by the water at Lions Park, Woy Woy before one leader returned 3 walkers to Sydney and the other leader enjoyed another night on the relaxing Central Coast.
Walkers: Anne G and Anne R led Helen A and Drina
Words: Anne G
Photos: Anne R (6,9,10,12,14), Drina (4,5,7,8,15), Helen A (1,2,3,11,13)