- Great North Walk Part 2: Chatswood to Thornleigh (20 km) 🥾 😎 (medium)Taco Bell Chatswood Interchange, Chatswood
You wanted to do the Great North Walk?
This is the second part of the Great North Walk, leading us from Chatswood to Thornleigh.
We start off by leaving the buzzle of Chatswood behind us, weaving our way through some streets before heading into lovely Blue Gum reserves and shaded gullies. We then make our way to the Lane Cove National Park and Koonjeree Picnic Area before following the Lane Cove River all the way to Thornleigh.
The area is picturesque and while Macquarie Park and Ryde are close by, you wouldn't know it given how tranquil the area is. At the end we will make our way out of the valley and head to Thornleigh station where there are a services back to the CBD and beyond.
Grade: Medium, some rocky bits but we will mostly walk on established paths.
Transport: The starting and end points are easily accessible by public transit. Check www.transportnsw.info for latest updates.
Food: Please bring your own lunch and a snack as there are no options to buy food once we leave Chatswood.
Fee: $5 fee applies to this event which can be paid in cash on the day or PayID (0478 953 035, Markus Wagner).
Equipment: Wear sturdy shoes, bring a jacket in case the weather turns, lunch as you will not be able to pick up food en route, snacks, sun cream, a hat and plenty of water (2l). There are few facilities along the way and no shopping opportunities. Most importantly, bring a sense of humour, adventure and fun.
Pace: We will maintain a steady pace and average 4-4.5 km per hour.
Get out points: A couple, at Koonjeree Picnic Area and at De Burgh Bridge, both with bus stops close by.
DISCLAIMER: Your health and safety is our priority and we take care to minimize risk and avoid accidents and injuries. However, Organizers and Hosts are not responsible for your health and safety and do not accept any liability for accidents and injuries that may occur during Meetup activities and events. Please take responsibility for your own safety and belongings.
By RSVPing to this event you and your guests agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the Aussie Explorers Meetup group which can be found in the link below: https://www.meetup.com/aussie-explorers.
- Awesome Blue Mountains: Grand Canyon to Evans Lookout 12km MedBlackheath station, Blue Mountains, Blackheath
Probably the most bang for your effort bushwalk anywhere! Amazing Grand Canyon, walking with Dinosaurs, well when you are down there you will be thinking one might pop out!
Yes a steep descent into the Grand Canyon, about 250m descent and a very steep climb up to Evans Lookout again about 200m ascent. However we do get time to walk at our own pace...
We will organise a car shuttle on the day to start of walk!
Please bring sturdy walking shoes, lunch, snacks at least 2L of water, sunscreen and hat.
$5 fee applies to this event which can be paid in cash on the day or PayID is 0402 251036 David Matthews
Make sure you have plenty of snacks think carbs/sugar as protein takes too long to process. Do not skip salt... Your body requires energy to complete longer walks...
Trainers are ok but bring a jacket in case of a change of weather and 2l of water, plenty of places to top up along the way, plenty of places for food/coffee stops along the way though!
SAFETY WARNING: Please stay away from cliff edges and be very careful when walking on wet and slippery rocks and surfaces. Please stay within sight of the group at all times and do not walk in front of the leader. If you get lost you are on your own and must find your own way out.
DISCLAIMER: Your health and safety is our priority and we take care to minimize risk and avoid accidents and injuries.
However, Organizers and Hosts are not responsible for your health and safety and do not accept any liability for accidents and injuries that may occur during Meetup activities and events. Please take responsibility for your own safety and belongings.
By RSVPing to this event you and your guests agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the Aussie Explorers Meetup group which can be found in the link below:
https://www.meetup.com/Aussie-Explorers - The Great West Walk: Ropes Crossing to Rooty HillSaint Marys, St MarysAUD 5.00
A great walk-through parkland and remnant bushland which makes it a great public transport friendly day hike. This route is popular with both walkers and cyclists and has very little change in elevation so perfect for all levels of fitness.
We meet at St Mary's station and take a Bus to Ropes Crossing. From Ropes Crossing, we'll walk to Rooty Hills Station.Meeting Point:
St Mary's Station: 12.30 PMDistance: Approx 16 kms
Refer Home | transportnsw.info for public transport timings.
Type of Walk: Bushwalk + Pavement. Point to point
Difficulty: Moderate.
There are a few get-out points for this walk.
Walking Pace: We will maintain a steady pace the whole walk and an average of 4 km per hour.
What to bring: Good walking shoes or boots; 2 litres of water; hydrolytes; head torch; one snack; jacket depending on conditions; rain jacket.
Gratuity: There will be a $5 gratuity for this walk, Cash or PayId: 0432445162
Post walk drinks/dinner: Yes, for all those interested.
Please be on time as we need to depart promptly.
By RSVP this meetup you agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of Aussie Explorers which can be found here https://www.meetup.com/aussie-explorers
Aussie Explorers its organisers and leaders accept no liability during this meetup, leaders try to ensure the safety and well being of members at all times however as this is a weekend away travelling, exploring different areas and hiking in the great outdoors accidents happen, please take responsibility for your own safety and your belongings.
- Spectacular Blue Mountains Mermaids Cave/Falls Centenial Glen and Porters PassBlackheath Station, Blackheath, NS
One of the most underated walks in the Blue Mountains... Amazing scenery and a bit of adventure exploring some of these amazing pools, falls and caves around Blackheath!
From the station, we head out along the streets dropping steeply down uneven steps to Mermaid Falls and its cave walking through amazing steep-sided sandstone cliffs, then along the track to Centennial Glen & its gorgeous views to Porters Pass before climbing back up to Blackheath for a well earned cold beer!
About 12km with some rough track in places and steep descent/ascent
A few ups and downs and uneven/rough tracks along the way but spectacular views and a beautiful walk!
Please check the link for transport information https://transportnsw.info/
Please bring sturdy walking shoes, lunch, snacks at least 2L of water, sunscreen and hat.
$5 fee applies to this event which can be paid in cash on the day or PayID is 0402 251036 David Matthews
Make sure you have plenty of snacks think carbs/sugar as protein takes too long to process. Do not skip salt... Your body requires energy to complete longer walks...
Trainers are ok but bring a jacket in case of a change of weather and 2l of water, plenty of places to top up along the way, plenty of places for food/coffee stops along the way though!
SAFETY WARNING: Please stay away from cliff edges and be very careful when walking on wet and slippery rocks and surfaces. Please stay within sight of the group at all times and do not walk in front of the leader. If you get lost you are on your own and must find your own way out.
DISCLAIMER: Your health and safety is our priority and we take care to minimize risk and avoid accidents and injuries.
However, Organizers and Hosts are not responsible for your health and safety and do not accept any liability for accidents and injuries that may occur during Meetup activities and events. Please take responsibility for your own safety and belongings.
By RSVPing to this event you and your guests agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the Aussie Explorers Meetup group which can be found in the link below:
https://www.meetup.com/Aussie-Explorers - The Island Leisure Village, June Long Weekend Waterfront Car CampingIsland Leisure Village, Bobs Farm, NS
The Island Leisure Village is a very much undiscovered spot just outside the Anna Bay/Birubi precinct of Port Stephens. It is the last old-style holiday park in Port Stephens and as such still offers cabin and camping accommodation right on the waterfront. It is also a great spot to partake in all the wonderful outdoorsy adventures in this part of the world.
The plan is to meet at The Island Village from 5PM on Friday 7 June. As evening comes early at this time of year it is suggested that all attendees come prepared to set up in the dark and have dinner before you arrive or bring your dinner with you if you choose not to cook on Friday night. You will also have received your gate code by now (see below). We can relax around the fire on Friday night or head into the games room.
On Saturday there are heaps of activities to enjoy. If you have a kayak you can go for a paddle on Tilligerry Creek and maybe go over to Lemon Tree Passage and visit the Tilligerry Habitat conservation area where wild koalas can still be seen (albeit less commonly now). You can also go for a surf or partake in one of the organised activities like camel riding, sandboarding or quad bikes. On Saturday afternoon I reckon we can also go for a walk along the new Tomaree Coastal Walk, maybe into Tomaree Headland or Fingal Island if conditions are OK. On Saturday evening we can maybe go for dinner somewhere or have a camp dinner, all options are good.
On Sunday it's pretty much the same, paddling or surfing in the morning or an optional tour. Visits to Port Stephens Koala Hospital and Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters are also possibilities, as are activities in Nelson bay eg whale and dolphin watching and a return ferry trip to Tea Gardens. Also we can go out for dinner on Sunday evening.
On Monday we have to leave but after packing up camp there are the same choices as above or something to see on the way back such as Tin City, Oakvale Wildlife Park or Tilligerry Habitat.
Important Housekeeping:
Please see The Island Website for information and details on bookings. Island Leisure Village :: Port Stephens
I assume attendees will wish to book an unpowered site (I will be booking such a site from 7.6.24 to 10.6.24 Fri to Monday.) Unpowered sites are $30 per night for one-two people and an extra $10 per night for each extra person with a four person maximum.There is only one car allowed on each site and only one entry code can be generated per site. So if you wish to share a site with one other person but don't have a buddy for your site then please advise which nights you wish to stay (ie Fri-Monday or Saturday to Monday) and transfer me $15 for each night. No refunds sorry but you can sell your spot to a person on the waitlist.
Account details are Ian Dutton BSB 112879 Acct no 032433687.
I will allocate another person to share with and you can share the entry code. If you are sharing a site you can swap cars by leaving one car outside the entry to the park. There is plenty of parking outside the park and you can carry your gear the approximate 200 metres into the campsite area.
If you don't wish to share a site or if you already have a buddy to share with then it's fine to just book your own site. You will need to ring The Island Leisure Park to book on 0249821207 but please say that you are with the "Ian Dutton" group. Currently there is a problem with the booking website which is overcharging for unpowered sites so it is best to ring.
If you want a powered site or prefer to book a cabin for the great value of $135 per night that is also not a problem.
What to bring:
You will need all your car camping gear for the duration of the stay. It is 8km from The Island into the closest shops at Anna Bay so you should be self sufficient for most food from Friday night to Monday morning. Also please bring enough water for your stay. Insect repellent for sandflies and mosquitoes is also handy.If you have any questions about the event and how the bookings will work please ask as it will be immeasurably helpful if everyone understands the plan for the weekend.
There will be a $30 gratuity for the meetup, payable in cash or by PayID 0439543695.
DISCLAIMER: Your health and safety is our priority and we take care to minimize risk and avoid accidents and injuries.
However, Organizers and Hosts are not responsible for your health and safety and do not accept any liability for accidents and injuries that may occur during Meetup activities and events. Please take responsibility for your own safety and belongings.
By RSVPing to this event you and your guests agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the Aussie Explorers Meetup group which can be found in the link below:
https://www.meetup.com/Aussie-Explorers - Victoria St Station to Dungog Cycling Weekend, 114kms, 2 Days.Victoria Street Station, East Maitland
This will be an intermediate level, two day cycling trip from Victoria Street Train Station to Dungog and return. We will ride through mostly flat country roads and there is also the backup option of putting the bikes on the train if the weather is unfavourable or if the distance is too great for anyone.
The plan is to arrive at Victoria Street Station at 10.35AM on Saturday 22 June, you can drive to Victoria Street Station or you can take your bike all the way on the train. You will need to take the 7.15AM Central to Newcastle Interchange train, but change at Hamilton (just before Newcastle Interchange) for the 10.00AM Hamilton to Telarah train but exit at Victoria Street at 10.30AM.
We will then ride into Morpeth where there is the first toilet and coffee break then continue to Woodville and Paterson where lunch can be purchased. For anyone who doesn't want to continue the last 32kms to Dungog there is the train that leaves Paterson at 2.02PM and arrives at Dungog at 2.31PM.
For those continuing on their bikes, we leave the Paterson Valley and climb over Wallarobba Hill into the Williams Valley before tackling the relatively flat last 15kms into Dungog.
The ride: From Victoria St Station to Dungog it is a 57km which is mostly fairly flat except for the climb over Wallarobba Hill at the 41km mark. The first half to Paterson is mostly quiet backroads and from Paterson to Dungog it is the slightly more busy Dungog Road. For safety I have three walky talkies for communication. Attendees will need to ride in single file and obey all road rules. The return ride on Sunday will most likely be the same but there are options such as getting the 7.49AM train part way back and doing the challenging ride to Lambs Valley and Maitland or riding back via Clarence Town. The roads are all bitumen so the ride is suitable for road bikes with thin tires.
Re clothes and gear: Yen has offered to transport camping gear and clothes etc for a maximum of six people, arrange this with Yen before and then meet at Vic St Station to handover your gear. Otherwise you will need to take everything with you, so I recommend a hiking-style backpack with a top and bottom strap for extra fit. You will need a change of clothes and pyjamas, toiletries and a warmer jacket.
The accommodation: If you want to camp we will be at Dungog Showground. Sites can be booked here Dungog Showground Camping - Hipcamp in Dungog, New South Wales and cost $22 per night unpowered. Otherwise my recommendation is the Royal Hotel. Royal Hotel Dungog - Dungog, Australia - Best Price Guarantee (cloudbeds.com) There is also the more cheap and cheerful Bank Hotel or Tall Timbers Motel which can be booked via booking.com
The eating: There are plenty of dining options at the pubs, bowling club and other eateries. For breakfast on Sunday there are two cafes in Dungog that open at 8AM.
Safety, I will carry a first aid kit and EPIRB.
Gratuity: There will be a $20 gratuity payable via PayID 0439543695 or in cash.
By RSVP this meetup you agree to and are bound by the terms and conditions of Aussie Explorers which can be found here https://www.meetup.com/Aussie-Explorers/
Aussie Explorers its organisers and leaders accept no liability during this meetup.
Please be mindful and respectful of others and practice safe social distancing.
DISCLAIMER: Your health and safety is our priority and we take care to minimize risk and avoid accidents and injuries. However, Organizers and Hosts are not responsible for your health and safety and do not accept any liability for accidents and injuries that may occur during Meetup activities and events. Please take responsibility for your own safety and belongings