Eleven walkers met at Central Station to catch the train to Waterfall to start this walk. At Waterfall, the first part of the walk follows Uloola Falls fire trail through dry, open eucalypt country. After approx. 1 km is the memorial to the Rural Fire Service volunteers killed fighting one of the many bush fires in the area.
Memorial for five RFS volunteers killed in a Royal National Park bushfire on 3rd November 1980
Shortly after, the Couranga bush track leaves on the right, initially through more dry eucalypt scrub along Couranga Ridge.
Morning tea 
A tiny lizard on the track
The track then descends sharply with rough sections down a gully to the Hacking River.
Hacking River 
Barbara and Deidre cooling off
In the gully the forest changes dramatically, becoming much greener and richer than up top.
Some of the walkers on the Couranga Track 
Palm grove beside the Hacking River 
Track to McKell Avenue - a huge turpentine
Spring has really arrived ......
Kunzea flowers 
Drumsticks (isopogon) 
Guinea flower (hibbertia)
Along the river, there are grassy slopes where palm trees grow in profusion. A large fallen tree provided a particular challenge.
Lunch was taken at the point where a side track crosses the Hacking River at a large pool and rapids.
Lunch at Couranga Flat....... 
......by the Hacking River
Either before or after lunch, most went on slightly further through rainforest to the crossing of Waterfall Creek and McKell Avenue and back. After lunch, we returned the way we came, ascending with some rest stops, the 370 metre elevation change, back to Waterfall Station. There was agreement that it was an enjoyable, though testing, walk.
The eleven walkers
Leaders Vreni and Don B walked with members Barbara, Claude de L, Deidre, Janet S, Louis, and Cleona, first time visitor Champika (welcome!), and second time visitors Veronica and Kerri-Anne.
Many thanks to Louis for assistance on both the recce and on walk day, first aider Barbara and tail ender Claude.
Photographs: Barbara (1,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,13); Deidre ( 2,12); Janet S (5); Louis (14);