Ten of us travelled by train to Helensburgh station, climbed the metal stairs at the end of the car park, then scrambled up a rocky incline to reach Nixon Place, the official start of the walk. The track follows the fence line of the waste dump for a short distance then drops through the Garawarra SRA as the Burgh track down to the Hacking River, which was a good place for morning tea. The leeches were excited by our arrival. The river was running a bit higher than on the day of the recce but we managed to keep our feet dry.
1 The ten of us 
2 Managing to keep our feet dry
After crossing Lady Wakehurst Rd the Burgh track continues east, heading steeply uphill to a junction near Garawarra Farm. We took the flat, grassy fire trail for some distance until the first pink ribbon told us we were entering the off-trail section. Fortunately we had a gpx track from an UpandDowners walk, essential for navigating the foot-tripping, ankle-twisting terrain down the ridge, to end on Sir Bertram Stevens Drive. It was definitely a plus walk.
3 Typical forest 
4 An easy stroll down a fire trail 
5 After the fires
The start of the Forest Walk was handily directly on the opposite side of the road and the Forest Trail led gently and prettily down to the Hacking River. We didn’t manage to keep our feet dry on this crossing.The leeches made sure that we didn’t linger over lunch at this spot.
6 Astroloma pinifolium 
7 Turkey tail fungus 
8 Blackening waxcap 
9 Orange mycena fungus 
10 Staghorn 
11 Regrowth
Not many flowers by the side of the trail; some early wattle and a low growing pine heath (Astroloma pinifolium). This one was new to us but the recent rain had brought out a profusion of toadstools and mushrooms in many sizes, shapes and colours.
The Couranga track, which starts at the river, contours around for a while then climbs steadily up the rocky ridge and through areas of burnt bush until it meets the Uloola Falls fire trail and the flat open trail to Waterfall Station. No coffee at walk’s end today, folks. Sorry.
Walkers: Leah and Wendy C (leaders) David, Hazel, Janet, Marina, Nick,Richard, Trudy, Wendy LR,
Words: Leah
Photos: Hazel (1,3,5,6,10) Leah (11), Nick (2,4) Wendy C (7,8,9)
