Another beautiful day in paradise! It was chilly to begin with but the eleven happy walkers were soon shedding layers as we walked Stroms Trail (below The Scenic Road) and Mt Bouddi Road to Dingeldei Picnic area and the beginning of the Mt Bouddi Walking Track.The angophora woodland, burrawangs and rocky outcrops were enjoyed as we walked along the undulating ridge to a lookout on Mt Bouddi where morning tea was enjoyed.
Beginning of the Stroms Trail(left) and MT at Mt Bouddi Lookout
The Mt Bouddi Walking Track then took us on a long descent to join the Bouddi Coastal Walking Track at the coast. From there, a variety of attractive bushland environments were encountered as well as excellent lookouts providing views south as far as North Head as well as views of steep cliffs, rock falls & extensive rock platforms.
Patersonia sericea, purple flag lily on My Bouddi Track Mt Bouddi Walking track descent Scenic Drive Wattle
Before long we descended to Maitland Bay, named for the “SS Maitland” which on May 6th 1898, was driven by a raging storm onto Bouddi Point rock platform where it split in two with the tragic loss of 29 lives, almost half of the crew and passengers on board. In contrast today, the Bay was calm, sunlit and peaceful
Approaching Maitland Bay Site of SS Maitland Wreck in May 1898 Bouddi Point and Maitland Bay
Bouddi Coastal Walk: View south to Gerrin Point View north east to Maitland Bay and Mt Bouddi from Gerrin Point
From Maitland Bay, the track ascends and descends the minor hills with more opportunities to photograph the coast to the north & south.
We made a short detour to Bullimah Beach for lunch & enjoyed the spectacle of colliding waves coming from different directions as well as the swirling currents. It is not recommended for swimming! but provided an idyllic lunch spot.From Bullimah Beach it was a short walk to the breath taking and colourful sculptured rocks and tessellated platform on cliff tops. An easy descent to Putty Beach provided excellent views of the beach, Killcare and Broken Bay.
Bullimah Beach Lunch spot
Approaching Putty Beach: Rock sculptures and Tessellated Rock
Putty Beach and Killcare
From Putty Beach it was a short walk to a camouflaged and unmarked trackhead for the steep ascent to The Scenic Drive. The track surface is rugged but quite manageable and we were rewarded at the top by more excellent views, especially from Marie Byles Lookout. Marie was a committed conservationist who was instrumental in the declaration of Bouddi Natural Park in 1935. She was also the first woman to be admitted as a solicitor in NSW.
Coffee was enjoyed at our usual Hardys Bay café venue. We all agreed it was a top day!
The ascent from Putty Beach to the Scenic Drive View South from Marie Byles Lookout
Walkers: Barbara R and Martin led Peter and Jenny, Leah, Dae, Cleona, Nick S, Pragati, Tony (about to become our newest member) and Allan (second time visitor). Tail end Charlie was Pragati and Nick was in charge of First Aid (which didn't have to be administered)
A special thanks to Don B who did the recce with us and helped us find the secret ascent track from Putty Beach.
Photos and Words: Barbara R