31 July - Plus Walk: Ku-ring-gai Chase NP - Smith's Creek East Trail to Duffys Forest

With a cool 6 degree start, a sunny day greeted 9 walkers for our car shuffle from Duffys Forest back via Terrey Hills to start our walk before 9am. Heading down the scenic Smith's Creek East track off Gen. San Martin Drive, all were in high spirits with Wendy setting a nice pace along this lovely section of bush.

The track descends to Smith's Creek where most walkers crossed using the unofficial bridge constructed with boards screwed to a large fallen tree across the creek. One participant (there's always one), crossed a bit further upstream, where the water was not a problem.

2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Crossing Smiths Creek Crossing Smiths Creek 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C As we moved down stream along the creek the forest gave way to grasses As we moved down stream along the creek the forest gave way to grasses

From here we attempted to follow a route up Nerang Ridge for a good view, however the overgrown bush made it quite difficult and not worth the trouble, so we aborted this optional side trip a short way up the hill.

Continuing along the south side of Smith's Creek under semi rainforest areas, and then areas of tall reed country, we found the going easy enough. We reached the bottom of the Smith's Creek fire trail in good time.

We were now ready for morning tea on logs that we found, a bit further up the side Creek by negotiating the slightly damp mud flats. As the tide was relatively high, we did not venture out to inspect the mangroves at this creek junction but enjoyed the sunshine.

2026 07 31 Plus David B Morning tea at Smiths creek Morning tea at Smiths creek 2026 07 31 Plus Rick M morning tea Morning tea

Back to the fire trail (some trying shortcuts) we slowly made our way up the 200m climb to join the Perimeter Trail that parallels the road between Terrey Hills and Duffys Forest.

Promises of this trail being flat were slightly misleading, so once again Peter's reputation remains dubious!

2026 07 31 Plus Alan O A grand old scribbly gum on the ridge snipped A grand old scribbly gum on the ridge 2026 07 31 Plus David B Wendy C under an interesting tree Wendy C under scribbly gum 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Walking alongn the Pereimeter FT snipped Walking alongn the Perimeter FT 2026 07 31 Plus Marina our leaders leading from behind Our leaders leading from behind

We made good time along this 3.2km section, heading 620m out the side track to Wilkins Lookout for lunch. All was quiet as we sat and enjoyed the views of Cowan Creek.

2026 07 31 Plus Rick M lunch r Lunch spot 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Cowen waters from Wilkins FT lookout Cowen waters from Wilkins FT lookout

Group photo taken, we returned to the main track for the final 2km passing the Long Trail turnoff along the way, to finish at Cullamine Rd.

2026 07 31 Plus Peter T Walking Group Walking Group

Car shuffle undone, we purchased coffees/teas and sat in the park at Terrey Hills to contemplate the day. Distance covered 12.25km

Comments from Wendy: The excellent variety of wildflowers on display were only found on the tops of the ridges, as were those wonderful old scribbly gums. As we went down into the creeks, the wildflowers were no longer to be seen and the large trees of the forest gave way to smaller trees in a more open woodland, and the grasses near the creek (and of course the mangroves). This pattern was repeated several times through the walk, with the wildflowers reappearing on the next ridge.

2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Boronia thujona Boronia thujona 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Epacris longiflora Epacris longiflora 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Acacia ulicifolia Acacia ulicifolia 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Connospermum longifolium Connospermum longifolium

2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Grevillea sericea Grevillea sericeaGrevillea speciosa 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Woolsia pungens Woolsia pungens 2026 07 31 Plus Wendy C Eriostemum australasius Eriostemum australasius