After yet another week of record rainfall in Sydney and flooding of the Nepean River upstream, 11 grateful walkers could hardly believe their good fortune at having a near perfect day for our walk, following the Nepean River in the thin sliver of Blue Mountains NP on the eastern side of the river.
Our first highlight was The Rock Lookout – a surprising geological feature resembling a giant wombat dropping perched high above a rock platform overlooking the river with bushland to the west extending to the horizon. The trees surrounding the lookout, Yellow Bloodwoods (Corymbia eximia), were covered in large buds about to burst into blooms – we wished we could return a couple of weeks later to see the show!
On the Rock Lookout - the group enjoying the view of the Nepean
Rocky bush terrain Ascending the rock.
Northly view of the murky Nepean from the Lookout 
Southerly view of the Nepean
Returning to the track
Taking in the surroundings at the Rock
Morning Tea at the third lookout
Heading further north along the escarpment high above the river, we visited lookout after lookout enjoying a variety of native flowers along the way including Bossiae obcordata, Gompholobium, white and pink orchids, including lady finger orchid (Caladenia catenata), until we reached our morning-tea rock platform, again looking out over the river downstream to the north.
On the lush green track Gompholobium Lady Finger Orchid
We then headed inland and away from the river to cross the only creek, which was swollen and running steadily following the recent rains, until we met the Riley Mountain firetrail and continued walking northwards to reach Riley Mountain itself, where we headed in to Riley Mountain Lookout to regain a view of the river and to stop for lunch. Again, there were uninterrupted views from south west to north west to distant Blue Mountain peaks – the only signs of civilisation being some house roofs in bushland at Glenbrook and a narrow, distant view of Penrith Lakes.
Looking down from Mt Riley Lookout at lunch 
Between a rock and a steep cliff at lunch
Welcome back to the Australian bush Sophie
View from Mt Riley Lookout to Penrith Lakes in the distance
Retracing our steps we returned to the cars via the ‘scenic route’, but without going out to the lookouts. A couple of walkers preferred to take the shorter route back via the firetrail.
Our refreshment reward at the end of the walk was provided by ‘Settlers’, a very nice café on the fringe of Mulgoa township.
Walkers: The Leaders were Bert and Ros G(standing in for Mary) joined by walkers Mary, Tim, Anne G, Pauline, Karen, John G and Sophie (who was accompanied by husband Nick, as a visitor).
Visitor Janet completed her second walk. Our thanks to Tail end, Karen and First Aiders Sophie & Nick.
Photos: Pauline (2,3,7), John G (4,5,14), Nick S (6,9,10,15) Ros G (8,11,12,13), Sophie (1)
Words: Ros (and a shout-out to Barb, who accompanied the leaders on the recce).