Thirty three walkers met at Roseville station looking forward to this very pretty walk joining the Great North Walk at Fullers Bridge and heading deeper into the bush to explore the eastern bank of the Lane Cove River crossing De Burghs Bridge and walking to Macquarie Park Station.
Following some street walking through Roseville we were soon at the Blue Gum Creek Track which meanders through the trees for about 1km before crossing at the intersection of Lady Game Drive and Delhi Road. Walking across Fullers Bridge we soon found the Koonjeree Picnic Area located at the southern end of Lane Cove NP where we enjoyed our morning tea. Aileen joined us at the picnic area and three walkers set out on their Lane Cove Riverside SWAT walk following morning tea. We were now a party of thirty one.
Leaving the Koonjeree Picnic Area we headed across the Lane Cove River Weir which was built in 1938 during the depression. The weir created environmental issues such as silting and a decline in native fish populations. In more recent years, a ‘fish ladder’ has been constructed to allow fish to undertake their natural migration route for breeding.
Intriguing stones of the Fish Ladder at Lane Cove Weir Eastern Grey Egret Ardea modesta
The tail end encouraging the photographer to hurry
We continued along the GNW walking through a mostly dry forest area passing a large sandstone overhang and through a sandstone cave reaching the Blue Hole downstream of De Burghs Bridge.
Now I wonder what Shane was demonstrating to the girls....
Walkers and distant view of the Wonga Wonga Vine Pandorea pandorama Close up view of the Wonga Wonga Vine
Hillviewers enjoying the GNW....
Beautiful reflections on a peaceful Lane Cover River
Sun backlighting the ferns around a Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis (taken on the recce)
Passing through a sandstone overhang where Hillviewers found rocks, a ledge above the overhang and under the overhang for a scattered but enjoyable lunch spot
Graceful White Spider Flower Grevillea linearifolia against the salmon coloured trunk of the Smooth-Barked Apple Angophora costata and Woollsia Woollsia pungens
Square tunnel under sandstone caves and Blue Hole reflections....interesting how the sky appears a deeper blue in the water than the actual sky looks (taken on recce) ......words by Sue S
The SWAT walkers enjoyed their Lane Cove Riverside walk.
Cormorants on the Lane Cove River Drink stop for the SWAT walkers....photographer Robyn Mi missing
A lone cormorant watching the ducks on the Lane Cove River
Coffee was at the ‘Dragonfly Café’ Eden Gardens where we met up with the SWAT walkers. After leaving Eden Gardens walkers made their way home by either walking to Macquarie Park Station or catching buses to various destinations.
Deidre and Sue S led the following walkers: Helen A, Margaret B, Don B, Susan C, David C, Elaine E, Annette, Michael and Sue, Anne G, John and Ros, Rosie, Aileen, Diana L, Chris McA, Bill McD and carer (Shane), Dawn, John M, Rex and Robyn, Bert, Margaret P, Pragati, Guenter, Kurt, Vreni, Drina, Don Wo and two visitors. Margaret B, Rex and Robyn left us after morning tea. A big thank you to Helen A for looking after the tail.
Words by Deidre
Photos by Helen A (1-3, 9), Don Wo (4, 5, 8, 10, 11 ), Sue S (6, 12, 13, 17, 22, 23-25), Drina (7, 14, 20), Chris McA (15, 16 ), Peter R (18, 19), Deidre (21), Robyn Mi (26-28). Thank you Sue S for all flora identification.