We had gone to Hamilton Island for a wed-

ding. I was conducting it. Seb and Erica had

not only fallen in love with each other, but

had fallen in love with Hamilton Island and

decided that was where they wanted to get

married. About 90 guests travelled from as

far away as France to be at their wedding.

We were staying on the 12th floor of the

Whitsunday Apartments with a beautiful

view across Catseye Beach to other Islands.

Hamilton Island is a top class resort. You

either drive around in an electric golf buggy

or catch the free buses, like us.

Friday afternoon and Saturday were mostly

taken up with a bit of looking around, wed-

ding rehearsal, early morning swim and the

wedding.

Sunday morning I woke up about 6 am and

thought, “This would be a really good time

to go for a walk up the hill.” I had seen a

track going up the hill at the back of our

apartments, so found the start of the track

and headed up.

The walking tracks on Hamilton Island are

extremely well maintained and signposted. I

chose to walk up Passage Peak – approxi-

mately 2.5 km from the resort. Passage Peak

is the highest point in the Whitsunday Is-

lands. It has really good views looking east

toward the ocean. I had thought I wouldn’t

meet anyone else on the track at that time

of morning, but in fact near the top met

two runners heading down, and found a

man at the top with his camera and tripod

taking photos. I thought this would be a

great place to watch the sun rise. On the

way down I also climbed the hill above the

resort for some other great views.

The rest of Sunday was taken up with hav-

ing coffee with friends, a bit of sightseeing,

watching the sun set on a twilight cruise on

a large catamaran, and attending an interde-

nominational church service. As I lay in bed I

thought, “Will I get up at 4.15 am so I can

climb Passage Peak in time to see the sun-

rise.” I thought, “No, the sunset was nice, but

not spectacular enough to want to get up at

4.15 am.”

However Monday morning at 4.15 am I

woke up. I thought, “I want to get some

exercise, but if I go for a swim, my bathers

and towel will be wet to carry back to Syd-

ney this afternoon. I may as well get up and

go and watch the sunrise.” So at 4.30 am I

set off with my torch to see the sunrise. I am

so glad I did.

I got there about 5 am and the sun rose at

5.20 am. It was magic up there. So calm and

serene! You could hear the laugh of the

kookaburras coming across the water from

other islands. A couple of currawongs came

and sat at the top of a tree near me, so they

could see the sun rise a little before I could.

All the birds were greeting the morning.

Janet sent a message to my mobile. She too

was up watching the sunrise, from our bal-

cony, but she was watching it rise from be-

hind the peak where I was standing.

If ever I go back to Hamilton Island, I think I

will get up early again, and go to Passage

Peak to watch the sun rise.

2015 No. 1 AUTUMN

BANKSTOWN BUSHWALKING CLUB INC. THE OUTDOORS CLUB THAT DOES IT ALL!

Sunrise from Passage Peak b y B r u c E C O C K R O F T

BUSH TELEGRAPH

Sunrise Passage Peak 1

President’s Piece 2

Castle Head signs 2

Track Upgrades 3

Kanangra camping 4

Kanangra pics 5

Glenbrook Lagoon 5

Club Info 6

Wombeyan Caves Road 6

Tim Fox 6

Snippets 7

Inside this issue:

Club email address:

bankstownbush@gmail.com

Postal address:

PO Box 7061,

Mt. Lewis NSW 2190

Phone no.:

(02) 9773 9141

All opinions and recommenda-

tions contained in this maga-

zine are the individual authors’

alone, and do not constitute

official endorsement by the

executive or members of the

Bankstown Bushwalking Club

Inc.

Sydney's storms

I am not a meteorologist though I have been keenly watching Sydney's weather for almost 40 years.

As a teen I remember the "southerly busters" that arrived from the south after a hot humid summer day.

Fifteen or so years later those same storms were arriving from the southwest and after another 15 they were coming in from the Blue Mountains to our west. The storms this summer still come from over the mountains but are starting to arrive from a slight north westerly direction.

I am unsure of the physics etc behind the ideas of climate change but I do know Sydney's storms are now arriving from a direction 90 degrees different to the "busters" of 40 years ago.

Mike Robinson

El Pres

P A G E 2

ined Castle track junctions.

And the eroded track up to the Castle has

now been updated with brand new stairs

and track gutters. (We didn’t go up so admit I

am unsure how far the steps go but expect

they will go up to the ridge).

After morning tea under the trees in the rest-

ing spot near the new loo we set off again

towards Solitary.

Walking...walking... after around 800m there

are a couple of really nice camping areas on

the left hand side.

Remember them?? Well each is not so quaint

now having inherited two covered picnic ta-

bles with water tanks.

Oh...and there's a new loo here too!!

And many walkers didn’t know there was the

back way off the Ruined Castle. They will now

as there is a new sign there too.

The Ruined Castle is a popular and well ad-

vertised walk so the upgrades are appropri-

ate, I think.

There was nothing else after that new sign.

Just a warning that Solitary is for experienced

walkers only.

Mikey

7 hardy members walked up Mt Solitary on

a rather warm spring Saturday a few weeks

ago.

This article is not about the walk but rather

what we found on the way.

The road into the Golden Stairs was quite

smooth until the last 200m when it was full

of deep potholes. Hopefully that's fixed

now.

We parked and set off ahead of the waiting

school group.

For the beginning section the Stairs path is

the same as it has been for years until you

come upon new hand railing.

Quite a bit in fact.. They have replaced some

of the old railing but also extended that rail-

ing a lot further.

Plus added new sections of railing towards

where the track meets the Solitary Track.

Also there are new steps on many sections.

At the track junction are new signs provid-

ing distances and walk times for all 3 direc-

tions. Cool!

Off we set towards the Ruined Cas-

tle...walking...walking...walking. Hmmm,

what’s that I can see through the trees??

Is that what it appears to be?? Yep..a toilet!.

There is now a toilet at the Solitary and Ru-

B U S H T E L E G R A P H

Ruined CastlE Signs By M i k e R ob i ns on

President’s Piece By M i k e R ob i ns on

P A G E 3

TRACK UPGRADES—BLUE MOUNTAINS N.P.

National Parks & Wildlife Service

Blue Mountains National Park , Katoomba

Track Closure - Three Sisters Walking Track during upgrade works –

Mon 24th November 2014 to 2015

National Parks & Wildlife Service will begin works on Monday 24th November 2014 on the Three Sisters Walking Track be-

tween Echo Point and the Three Sisters.

This is a major upgrade of this popular track, improving facilities for visitors.

Where: Three Sisters Track will be CLOSED from Echo Point, to the start of the Giant Stairway.

Please see map above.

When: From Monday 24th November 2014 -

Works will be ongoing for the next 6 months

Alternatives: Access to the Giant Stairway, and Prince Henry Cliff walk to Leura, is OPEN. Diversions will be in place.

Access to Spooners Lookout is currently OPEN.

Spooners Lookout (adjacent to Echo Point) is newly rebuilt, and gives another view of the Three Sisters.

Prince Henry Cliff Walk towards Scenic World and Katoomba Falls is OPEN.

Thank you for your patience while works are underway.

For further information please call the NPWS Heritage Centre, Blackheath –

Ph: 02 4787 8877 - open daily 9am – 4.30pm

N O . 1 2 0 1 5 A U T U M N

A diverse group of campers, walkers, and canyoners ar-

rived at Boyd River campsite at Kanangra-Boyd National

Park for the weekend of 31 Jan-1 Feb. Some arrived Friday,

others on Saturday.

A group led by Lynda did Dione Dell canyon on Saturday.

It took us longer and by some different routes than the

track notes had indicated. However we were successful in

finding our way along the creek, from bank to bank on the

vague track, abseiling beside waterfalls, (Lynda keeping us

out of the main waterfall flows), crossing the creek, wad-

ing through the creek, getting a bit wet, having lunch in

the sun by the water, then hiking up the ridge that begins

near Margaret Falls, traversing around the scree slopes at

the base of the cliff line, and finally getting to the top of

the plateau, and back to our cars, which we’d left at the

Thurat Fire Trail Rd.

We tried to avoid the leeches, but they were waiting for us

on the dry ridge on the trek out, in even greater numbers

than down by the water. Any that Ulyana had on her

were accompanied by a scream, but mine didn’t appear

until I took my socks off that night and found they’d got

me well and truly on the ankles—their favourite bite sites!

A second group of canyoners had set out for Davies Can-

yon which is a 2 day undertaking but after 4 hours of walk-

ing with their overnight packs, they found the waterfalls

too powerful from the 4 days of continuous rain that the

Mountains had received earlier that week. So they came

back to camp.

Which meant they were on hand to come and look for our

party which was way overdue, as we too were negotiating

heavy water flows, a slow, careful, less experienced group,

and none of us being fast on steep uphill walks, as well as

pioneering the newly named Lynda’s Pass around the

scree slopes at the base of the extensive cliff line. However

just as we arrived at the top of the plateau and found the

track home, we met the group who had come looking for

us. It was still daylight, but after more walking across the

scrubby and sometimes soggy plateau, we were happy for

them to give us a lift the few kilometres from the Lookout

road end, back to our cars left at Thurat’s.

(The road end, the Shelter Shed, and the helipad area

were a lot more quiet and looked different from the Search

Base and hive of activity it had been turned into, back in

Oct/Nov 2014 when I had been there with BWRS on a

lengthy Search for a missing walker.)

On Saturday other Club members went for short walks,

socialized at camp, enjoyed the quiet of the bush, set

about their enjoyment of Happy Hour, wondered where

our canyon group was, arranged for some to go and look

for us, and then once we all arrived back safely, shared

stories of escapades locally and internationally, while cook-

ing dinners and then enjoying the camaraderie around the

campfire. Camping is always great with a campfire.

On Sunday a group of us had a pleasant day walk on the

plateau above Kanangra Walls, and down the slot to ex-

plore some Aboriginal painting Lynda had seen previously.

We also had great views back to Echo Head Lookout, Ka-

P A G E 4

lang Falls canyon, Kanangra Main canyon, Thurat Spires,

Mt Stormbreaker, Rip, Rack, Roar and Rumble, Mt Cloud-

maker, and a clear view forever in all directions, even as

far as Yerranderie Peak, and maybe that was Katoomba! It

was many years since I’d been out there on the Tops, and

it was the first time for some. I reminisced about the walk I

had done many years ago with BBC, from Kanangra to

Katoomba across all those mountains tops.

It was great that Tony and Gail could join us on this day-

walk and at camp, before they headed off on a holiday to

Tasmania. Some side trips were made to see Dance Floor

Cave and Coal Seam Cave, before we all walked back to

the cars, and then to the campsite to pack up tents etc

(except for those like me who slept in their cars), and head-

ed home after a wonderful weekend.

B U S H T E L E G R A P H

Preparing for another abseil.

KANANGRA camping Weekend By Th a ï s Tu r ne r

Waterfalls!

Mossy logs. We were deep in the creek.

The way in—by rope.

More waterfalls!

Keeping out of the water! The way out—by scree slope!

P A G E 5

More Kanangra Pics by Th a ï s Tu r ner

Glenbrook Lagoon is not far from my house. I drive past it

every night on my way home from work. Sometimes I go

there to take photographs or when riding my bike around

the streets. I have Lennox Bridge (the oldest bridge on the

Australian mainland) 1 kilometre east of my house, and Glen-

brook Lagoon is less than 1 kilometre south west of my

house.

Some outstanding features of Glenbrook Lagoon: it was the

water source for steam trains in past times; the ruins of a fami-

ly home and small farm are close by; helicopters fighting fires

have often used this as an important water source; it has in

recent years been restored to health via a Council program

that has eradicated aquatic weeds; fish have returned; my

local Bush Regeneration group works here; it is a home for

ducks and waterhens; the trees around it are resting places

for sulphur-crested cockatoos, kookaburras, and other birds;

it’s an oasis within a residential area; there are walking paths

and bikes can be ridden through; there are many native trees

that flower in Spring around the western side; it’s a great

place to photograph sunsets; it has amazingly old and big

gum trees on the eastern side; and there is a small section

called The Beach.

Come take a look sometime, it’s not far off the G W Highway. Fish have returned

N O . 1 2 0 1 5 A U T U M N

Glenbrook Lagoon by Th a ï s Tu r ner

Caption describing

Sulphur-crested cockatoos

Ducks enjoy this place

Gums and sulphur-crested cocka-toos

Glorious sunset

Waterbirds at The Beach

The Beach Cloud reflections

Immediate closure of Wombeyan

Caves Road

30 January, 2015 - Effective immediately, Wingecarribee Shire Council wishes to advise that Wombeyan Caves Road between Goodman’s Ford and Langs Road will be

closed until further notice.

The emergency closure is necessary as a number of sec-tions of the road immediately east of the caves have col-lapsed as a result of storm damage sustained in the last week.

In the worst instances, it is estimated several tonnes of the roads have washed away making passage extremely haz-ardous.

The duration of the closure will not be known until Council staff have had the chance to undertake an extensive ge-otechnical investigation of the site.

Likewise, the repair bill will not be known until a full examina-tion and costings have been calculated.

In the interim, Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Councillor Duncan Gair has been in contact with the Minister for Roads, the Hon Duncan Gay and subsequently fast-tracked a meeting to discuss the future of the road.

Representing the Minister at the 9 February meeting will be the Southern Regional Manager of the Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). A number of issues have been tabled for the meeting including the ongoing maintenance and man-agement of the road.

Whilst the road will remain open from the Mittagong entrance to the Goodman’s Ford crossing, Council advises motorists wishing to visit the caves to travel via the Taralga entrance.

Council apologises for any delays or inconvenience.

For further information contact Council’s Operation

Branch on 4868 0888.

Georges Hall Community Centre 188 Birdwood Road

Georges Hall NSW 2198

Club email address: bankstownbush@gmail.com

Mary Flynn brings our attention to this article which ap-

peared on page 14 in The Torch newspaper on Wednesday

January 14, 2015. The Torch is the local Bankstown area

newspaper.

Tim Fox

Contributions to this newsletter are always welcome & can be emailed to Thaïs on

tmaturner@yahoo.com

Deadline for Winter issue is: Fri 1st May 2015

Meetings coming up in 2015: March 9th - AGM—come along! April 13th + slide presentation May 11th + slide presentation

We’re on the Web!

http://

www.bankstownbushwalkingclub.

org.au

CLUB MEETINGS EVERY MONTH

USUALLY HELD ON 2ND MONDAY OF MONTH—

EXCEPT JANUARY

P A G E 6 B U S H T E L E G R A P H

N O . 1 2 0 1 5 A U T U M N P A G E 7

Have a look a our Club Website, it’s had a recent makeover by Kshitij.

http://www.bankstownbushwalkingclub.org.au

In October 2014 we were notified that a new book about the Newnes Hotel had been

published. Check your local bookstore to find a copy to purchase.

Caro Ryan (BWRS) also known to many via other bushwalking groups), has published

many You-Tube clips about the bush and food, and safety matters, etc etc. Her latest in-

clude: Army RAT Packs, and Canyoning Safety. Check my recent emails to find the links

to her blog.

From Wai-Lin: Meal Spec Flameless heater www.mealspec.com will revolutionise your

outdoors meals.

From Lynda: New bike trail in the Lower Blue Mountains for those interested.

From Mike: No smoking in National Parks. The NSW Government has announced (in

Nov 2014) a ban on smoking in the State’s National Parks, including picnic areas,

campgrounds, beaches, lookouts, park roads and walking tracks. A community educa-

tion program is to be used to make park visitors aware of this

From Mike: Volleys has now been sold. We wait to see the effect on quality.

From Mike: Father dies at Coolendel after attempting to rescue his kids from a lilo than

was going downstream in some rapids.

From Mike: Ambulance Service figures show that they respond to 2 callouts every week-

end to search for lost bushwalkers. Seems a lot get found without much trouble as that

many don’t appear to reach the news.

The feature film “The Man from Cox’s River” was shown at a Club Meeting in 2014, and

is still showing at Mount Vic Flicks at Mount Victoria in the Blue Mountains. The DVD

version was launched on Friday Nov 28th 2014. The DVD is now available from all

good retailers or from WWW.THE MANFROMCOXSRIVER.COM

The body governing the World Heritage listing of the Blue Mountains is deeply con-

cerned about talk of the Badgery’s Creek Airport possibly going ahead. Listing was

granted years ago on the basis that the Airport plans were dropped. The vegetation of

the Blue Mountains will be affected by a non-curfew airport even if it is mostly freight

operations that are to occur through it. Fuel dumping is inevitable and there is a grow-

ing push by large numbers of Western Sydney folk who are saying NO to any hint of a

Badgery’s Creek Airport.

The Greta Koala Count occurred over 10 days in November 2014. The public were

called on to register any sightings, to help boost their survival. Information collected was

to help investigate use of habitats, areas of concern, and promise of populations. It will

help monitor them over time and develop conservation strategies for threatened koalas.

Koalas are fairly sparse in the Blue Mountains with only about 1 per 5 hectares, com-

pared with 1 per hectare in other areas.

SNIPPETS Compiled by Thaïs Turner