What a perfect day for walking with crisp autumn air, a clear blue sky and a cheerful band of twenty three walkers.
Our route took us from Hornsby Station, past the Dural Lane murals to Dural Street and Quarry Road where we passed the entrance to Old Mans Valley. It was here that the Higgins family, the original Hornsby settlers, and their descendants lived until the late 1960s. This was also the site of a blue metal quarry worked from 1902 until 2003.
From Quarry Road we took a track to the 340 “Depression Steps”, built in the early 1930s to create employment & to establish access to Hornsby for Old Man Valley shanty dwellers. The steps were restored by the Council in 2011 and are a special part of Hornsby’s heritage.
A few of the 354 Depression Steps Descending the Depression Steps
From the bottom of the steps, Rosemead & Valley Roads were followed to Ginger Meggs Park, named in 1997 in honour of Australia’s longest running comic strip & its creator, Jimmy Bancks, who spent time in the area in his childhood.
Ginger Meggs Cafe Ginger Meggs Park
From here we took the Blue Gum Track and enjoyed the majestic Blue Gum High Forest, a critically endangered ecological community.
Blue Gum forest in Waitara Creek Valley Cleona at the Berowra Creek crossing
The track took us from the Waitara Creek Valley up the eastern side of the Westleigh ridge to the junction with the Great North Walk where we had morning tea.
Morning tea near the junction of the Blue Gum Walk & the Great North Walk Bananas for morning tea
The Great North Walk was then followed south on a constantly undulating and sometimes challenging track to its crossing of Berowra Creek where we happily rested at lunch time. The assistance of Dave, Cliff and others at two difficult spots was much appreciated.
The path was rocky
The last few kilometres of the track were magical as we followed Zig Zag Creek through the forest illuminated by the afternoon sun and on to Morgan Street, Thornleigh. The climb up Wells Street was rewarded by coffee at a shop opposite Thornleigh Station.
On the Great North Walk The forest illuminated by the afternoon sun
The group on the ascent from Berowra Creek
Margaret The leaders, Cleona and Barbara
It was a thoroughly enjoyable walk with its variety of vegetation, historical interest, lots of laughter and considerable exercise.
The walkers were: Helen A, Ann D, Elaine, Anne G, Mary G, Phyllis, Martin, Dawn, Robyn, Chris McA, Bill, Margaret P, Wendy P, Pragati, David S, Pauline, Theresa and Don W with visitors Dave B, Cliff and Wendy R. They were led by Barbara R & Cleona. A special thanks to David S for being tail end Charlie. Words: Barbara Photos: Don W (1,3,4), Barbara R (2,5,6,7,11,13), Christine C (), Helen A (8,10,16), Pauline (9,12,14,15)
Apparently Helen had difficulty cooking dinner after the walk