Water, Water, Everywhere ...

Rain through the night and most of the morning has the waterfalls roaring at Hallett's Beach on the Hawkesbury.

The sandstone escarpments are looking spectacular, despite the dull skies.

One very brave grass tree (xanthorea) is trying his luck growing on a large rock.  Not sure how long he will last!

Pittwater: The Basin Walk

The walk begins at the campsite and goes straight up!  Although only a 6 km round trip, it starts with a very steep long climb to the ridge top, where there are Aboriginal Etchings in the Hawkesbury sandstone.

Orange angophora trunks contrasted with the scribbly gums and sandstone cliffs.

angophora

Hawkesbury sandstone 

scribbly gum

Along the track so many plants are now flowering and the birds are very happy about that!

banksia

epacris

gompholobium

grevillea

lambertia

Honeyeaters, wattlebirds and lorikeets were enjoying the nectar, while red-tailed black cockatoos were feasting on casuarina nuts.

red-tailed black cockatoos

The Beautiful Hawkesbury

From our 9 am Swansea Bridge crossing to the open sea it was relatively calm through the bar.  Outside the swell was easterly 1 metre, skies were grey, but only light drizzle along the way, not the rain we expected.  Favourable winds gave us a good sail down the coast and into Broken Bay.  

There the water was brown, skies were still grey and the harbour was awash with flotsam after the storms: logs, branches, tress, fence posts and of all sorts of plastic debris:  bait bags, bottles, drums, buckets, styrofoam, even coffee cups!

Dodging the logs, we sailed into Refuge Bay, which has more moorings than we’ve seen anywhere!  The yacht clubs all have moorings for members and there are many courtesy and National Parks moorings to choose from.  We chose one near the waterfall, which was running.  In fact, after the torrential rains, there are waterfalls running all around the cliffs.  

There’s a war memorial plaque near the falls to honour Z-Unit, the unit that was also based at Magnetic Island Fort.

After a yummy lunch at Cottage Point Kiosk, of Aussie Black Mussels in a spicy sauce with fresh herbs and crusty bread, we motored around to Stingray Bay in Smith’s Creek, which was serene and perfect for kayaking.  

The earthy colours of the Sydney Sandstone cliffs and caves around the river are beautiful in the sunlight.  We may be tempted to stay another week! 

Well, it was serene until two houseboats of French students arrived, one took the mooring and the other tried to anchor.  About sunset the anchored houseboat drifted by, heading for the rocks, as they were all on the other houseboat enjoying sundowners.  We called out and they quickly dinghied over to take control, then tried to re-anchor in the same spot.  Skipper Pete to the rescue, as we helped them to reset their anchor in the bay.

Great Walks around Lake Macquarie

At Green Point there is a wonderful walking track from Belmont to Eleebana along the foreshore.  It's possible to see Powerful Owls here.   Other tracks lead up to the lookout. 

 Around at Killaben Bay the Foreshore Walking Track is a bit hard to find.  There is a small space for dinghies under the casuarinas just past the last house (western end).  If you walk across the park you will find the start of the track, which winds through shady littoral forest along the creek and up to the Killaben Fire Trail Loop.

The walk is on a Landcare Site

Start of the track

Killaben Bay and Styles Point anchorage

Lots of good birdwatching here too!