Marie Byles Lookout is a wonderful spot to gather for the start of a walk, offering as it does a sweeping panorama stretching from North Head
to the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. Once assembled, 12 of us headed off with Clive guiding us along shady tracks, firetrails and a short
stretch of Mt Bouddi Road to the Dingledei Picnic area. A little way along the track down Bouddi Spur we stopped at a well-shaded rocky
outcrop for a relaxed morning tea before tackling the steep descent down to Maitland Bay. Fortuitously the sand was firm underfoot as we
traversed the beach before a steepish climb up the other end to continue along the Bouddi Coastal Walk past Bullimah Beach, Gerrin Point
Lookout and on to Putty Beach. The undulating track took us through woodlands and heath, along cliff-top hugging boardwalks, treated us
to outstanding coastal views and a remarkable tessellated rock platform. Sadly, we espied no passing whales but we did see black cockatoos,
a sea eagle, many a flannel flower and a generosity of cycads (thanks Anne for drawing our attention to how prolific they are in Bouddi NP).
After lunch lounging beneath shady trees in the Putty Beach picnic area, we scramble-climbed up a ‘local’ track to Killcare Heights and a short
roadside walk back to the cars. We rounded off a perfectly splendid outing with a coffee stop at picturesque Hardys Bay.
Morning Tea On The Bouddi Spur Track
Arriving At Maitland Bay
Thank you Clive, Anne for being our first aider, Peter for being tail end Charlie and everyone for the convivial company.
The walkers with Clive and Polly were: Wendy C, Barbara C, Jenny C, Anne G, Celia, Kas, Bert, Sheila, Deidre, Peter T
Words by: Polly
Photos by: Barbara C (3,5), Deidre (4,9), Peter T (1,2,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,16)