Tag Archives: walk

Darwin – Part 1

We returned to Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. I had been here once before, but only for a few days. We didn’t spend much more time this time around either, but we did see the newly created Waterfront. Aside from apartments and restaurants, it has a tiny beach (patrolled for crocs) and a much bigger wave pool.

Around central Darwin

Most of the jobs in Darwin these days is in the resources sector, particularly gas. You can see the gas refinery across Darwin Harbour (the box-shaped structure on the horizon) from the city.

Around central Darwin

But Darwin’s history is very much tied up with two big events. The first was the bombing of Darwin in 1942, which was the climax of the film Australia. Above the shore was a modest war memorial dedicated to those from the region who died in service.

Around central Darwin

Indigenous art and life – Part 4

Unlike in Kakadu National Park, where the rock art is easily accessible with signs, paths, hand-rails etc, the rock art at Mount Borradaile has been left in its original setting (bar some light weeding for easy access).

Discovering indigenous art and life

It meant that getting to some of the art works was a mini adventure which involved perching on boulders…

Discovering indigenous art and life

Squeezing into crevices…

Discovering indigenous art and life

Or scrambling up cliffs into high overhangs.

Discovering indigenous art and life

But the effort was worth the while…

Discovering indigenous art and life

When you see generations of art on one wall.

Discovering indigenous art and life

Sandstone Country – Part 6

There are also bigger creatures in Sandstone Country – but being marsupials and nocturnal, they were rather elusive. We did catch sight of these two though, with the help of our knowledgeable guide.

This rock wallaby made a brief appearance under a rock overhang.

Creatures of Sandstone Country

And we caught a glimpse of a pair of possums in a rock crevice, out of the midday heat.

Creatures of Sandstone Country

Apart from these two larger creatures, that’s all the larger animal action in Sandstone Country, and the end of our visit there – although there’s plenty more to see at Mt Borradaile. Next, we venture somewhere much more watery.

Sandstone Country – Part 5

We had quite a few encounters with the wildlife in Sandstone Country. Being a place with many nooks and crannies, there were many places for creatures to hide.

The smallest first – these green tree ants were definitely the most ubiquitous. Their green bums have a lemon taste, and most tour guides in Northern Australia will coerce encourage you to taste it.

Creatures of Sandstone Country

This little beetle (or is it a bug?) had an almost jewel-like shell.

Creatures of Sandstone Country

These St Andrew’s Cross spiders were almost as ubiquitous as the green tree ants. Thankfully, they’re not poisonous.

Creatures of Sandstone Country

But the most striking small creature was the Leichhardt Grasshopper, first recorded by explore Ludwig Leichhardt back in in his first expedition through the Top End. He lived to mount a second expedition, where he mysteriously disappeared!

Creatures of Sandstone Country

Late Summer Beach Walk

Before the wet weather set in, we took a late afternoon walk at Umina Beach to enjoy the clear views across Broken Bay to Lion Island.

Late summer beach walk

The water was warm but had a bit too much weed and jelly blubbers for my liking for swimming.

Late summer beach walk

The wind was certainly up that day, so it was a parasailer’s paradise.

Late summer beach walk

Of course, every day is a good day for dog walking. Once again, fur children of all shapes and sizes were in force along the beach, and generally getting on quite well together.

Late summer beach walk

The Girrakool Loop – Part 2

The trees on the Girrakool Loop had some interesting details. This one had stripes on it.

Girrakool Loop Walk

And this log had bark that was as red as the outback sands.

Girrakool Loop Walk

There were some wildflowers out, the most striking being this mountain devil.

Girrakool Loop Walk

Eventually, the track met up with Leask and Piles Creeks. These waterways run into the Hawkesbury.

Girrakool Loop Walk

As we made our way back uphill towards the picnic area, we encountered a few little cascades and cool patches of rainforest.

Girrakool Loop Walk

A nice little walk through the Sydney Basin bush.

The Girrakool Loop – Part 1

We discovered a new little walk not too far from Umina – the Girrakool Loop. It’s in the Brisbane Waters National park near Kariong, very close to the freeway, but so well-hidden that only the locals know of this spot.

Girrakool Loop Walk

There is a picnic area and car park at the start of the track, so the walk might be a good way to start/end a day out.

The track winds its way through the bush, across rock platforms with mature grass trees.

Girrakool Loop Walk

And under great Sydney Red Gums.

Girrakool Loop Walk

It was shedding time, so the scribbly trunks were well exposed on some trees.

Girrakool Loop Walk

While on other trees the blood-coloured sap was flowing.

Girrakool Loop Walk

At Cape Point

We finally made it to Cape Point, the most south-westerly point of Africa. But there was still some walking to do up to the lighthouse.

At Cape Point

At Cape Point

Many people cheated and took the Flying Dutchman Funicular instead, but that would take away from the sense of accomplishment at reaching the top, I thought.

At Cape Point

And a chance to catch my breath along the way while taking in more of the marvelous views.

At Cape Point

At Cape Point

At the lighthouse, there was the obligatory direction post. We’d travelled a long way from Sydney, that’s for sure.

At Cape Point

That’s the end of our Cape Point adventure. But I’m not done with South Africa just yet.

Day out in the Illawarra – Part 1

It’s been a seriously long time since I visited the Illawarra coast line north of Wollongong. In fact, the last time I posted about the area was back in 2009!

Since then, the Sea Bridge at Coalcliff has become a bit of a tourist attraction, and on a day out with M, we decided to see what the fuss was about. We started the walk on the north end of the bridge, and walked down to the south end to get this view.

Sea Bridge

Just note that it was very windy there out on the bridge. The view of the coast was better when you’re walking south to north, but only in the morning/late afternoon/cloudy days. And do not attempt to do a ‘Titanic’, as we saw some Chinese tourists do in the middle of the bridge. I mean, really?