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The incomparable view of the Hawkesbury/MacDonald confluence - always different, and always gorgeous!
In ideal hiking conditions a happy group of 21 set out from Wisemans Ferry to explore a section of Dharug N.P. After crossing in the ferry we walked across the
historic Thomas James Bridge which was built by convict labour in 1830 and is the oldest in-use bridge on mainland Australia.
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Fancy signs at the gate............. .....and eager walkers ready to start.
After passing some fancy signage we commenced the climb up the Convict-built Great Northern Road - uphill but initially with moderate grades. We continued the climb
and enjoyed the many interpretive panels along the way. This road has been declared part of Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property.
Easy walking on a well graded road, well maintained...... ..........but there are reminders of a difficult beginning.
Great stone work An inspection party One of the tools of the trade
Contemplating past atrocities at the hangman's rock Leader in discussion with the overseer
After passing hangmans rock we made our morning tea stop at the Stockage.This was the site that held the "more troublesome convicts".
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Lunch was enjoyed at a beautiful vantage point at Finchs Line Lookout. The track then continued to zigzag down a steep hill to link up with Wisemans Ferry Road. Two kilometres along the road brought us back to the ferry. This was a very welcome sight as we were now walking in the rain. We enjoyed coffee and a chat at Wisemans Ferry Village before heading home.
There was plenty of interesting flora to see - dendrobium, .......Gymea lillies..... ...Xanthorrhoea......
Good tracks to walk on (the rearguard of wise old men) Glimpses of Wisemans Ferry
A really fabulous location for lunch!
Down hill to the ferry - rain threatening. It was dry in the ferry, though!
The coffee place was really relaxing
Leaders were Annette and David.
Walkers
David C, Rhondda, Elaine, Michael & Sue, John & Ros, Kas, Christine McA, John M, Steve & Jan, Margaret P, Pat, Bella & Peter, Don Wa, Jill, Pragati
Photos: Pete (1,2,4,5,7,12,13,16,19,20,25); Chris McA (3,6,8,9,10,11,14,21,22); Ros G (15,17,18,23,24)
EDITOR'S NOTE
Margaret P, who was on the walk, sent me the following message, with an attached partial copy of an article from a very old newspaper, about her cousin who was the post mistress at Wisemans Ferry for very many years. Unfortunately, It does not seem possible to include the cutting in this report.
I understand you will be doing the walk report for yesterday’s Regular at Wisemans Ferry. Thought it would be interesting for the group if you were able to attach the article above to the report. Over coffee yesterday opposite the Wisemans ferry postoffice I pointed out a little bit of recent history regarding the postoffice and I have since located this article in my filing cabinet. The lady in the picture on the right, Mrs Helen Andrews, now deceased, was my cousin (whom we called Aunty Helen) and she ran the little postoffice 24/7 ever since I was a little girl, until she died in her 90’s a few years back. She was a real character of the area, everyone knew her and it was a treat to watch her operate the old switchboard on the wall, even having to put calls through in the middle of the night if required. My parents took us children there many times from our home in Gosford. She lived in the lovely federation style house attached to the postoffice. Unfortunately I only have page 2 of the article and am not sure of the date of the article. I know she received an award at some stage for her services to the community.
