Walking Mates Australia

I now have my new all time favourite hike.
Long range forecast suggests 8 to 15°C with the sun popping out and no expected precipitation.
It is best done late winter and early spring as the Nyaania Creek only flows with localised rains. I think we might run out of time unless we do it now. This is the improved version with better selection of tracks. Expect to do this hike in 4.5 hours.
This track throws a diversity of experiences at you over its 13.6 km length and monstrous 483m elevation gain. It starts in Darlington as it lulls us with a gentle walk along the railway heritage track, then we cross into Greenmount National Park and hike a most stunning bush track which winds its way up a stony crest, a little bush bashing takes us to Mountain Quarry with spectacular views of the city and then more views from Greenmount Lookout. Next we circle back into Mountain Quarry before heading much further south to Nyaania Creek. This is an amazing, unknown creek that only flows for about one month each year after heavy, local rains and presents many cascading waterfalls as it steeply descends over rocky granite outcrops. The track and water crossing is challenging as you will walk a narrow, precipitous edge along the sides of this valley with great views. It will get the heart working hard. We then enter Boya Quarry before making our way up one last hill back to the railway heritage track and a well deserved cup of coffee at The Hive in Darlington.
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Where: Darlington Oval, Owen Rd, Darlington (Click on map for exact meeting point)
Parking: Plenty of parking at the oval near the pin drop
Distance: 14km. Elevation gain 483m and 4.5 hours of walking time.
Difficulty: A rewarding hike for regular walkers. We will have easy walking for 3km along the flat dirt terrain of the old railway heritage trail with a brisk walking pace of 6km/h. In Greenmount NP expect 2 decent hills to climb, loose sharp rocky tracks, some are narrow and overgrown. Look at that elevation gain, this is a challenging hike and should not be attempted if you are new to hiking or recovering from injury. 😯 I would recommend walking poles and waterproof hiking shoes.
What to bring: Water, good hiking shoes, hat & sunscreen, possibly wet weather gear and poles.
Toilets: At the start/end at the Darlington Oval as well as at Mountain Quarry.
Café after the walk: We will share a chat, coffee and bite to eat at The Hive. This is a fabulous café, probably the best in this part of the hills.
AllTrails route can be viewed here: Darlington to Greenmount Lookout, 2 Quarries and Nyaania Creek (14km)

RSVP - no shows & late arrivals: If you are on the "Going" list and can't make it on the day please RSVP "Not Going" at the earliest convenience as a courtesy so to allow others to join who might be on the "Waitlist".
We aim to set-off for each walk at the advertised time and as a general rule, we set off on-time for each walk.
IMPORTANT
By confirming your attendance attendees agree to "WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY" the organisers, co-organisers, event organisers, volunteers and members of the Walking Mates Australia Meetup Group from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by negligence, in any way connected with Walking Mates Australia.
Attendees further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the organisers, co-organisers, event organisers, volunteers and members of Walking Mates Australia Meetup Group from any claims, damages, injuries or losses caused by their own negligence while a participant on the Event.

The Yonga Trail is a 26km loop in the Lesueur National Park, approx 30min drive from Jurien Bay. For more info, click here Trails WA or All Trails. Ideal time of the year to enjoy this beautiful trail; wildflowers will be out.

PROPOSED ITINERARY

FRIDAY
Drive to Jurien Bay when convenient and check-in.
Sunset/Picnic at the Pinnacles 🌅 - Weather permitting and for those we can make it, we will enjoy sunset and picnic in Cervantes.
Leave Jurien Bay at 5pm (meet in carpark at front of C’van Park); we will carpool. Bring your own food/drinks.
I understand some people will only make it to Jurien Bay later in the evening; let's all meet in the camp kitchen around 8pm (TBC).
Plan B: If the weather is not favourable, let’s meet around 5pm in the camp kitchen for nibbles and drinks, then BBQ.

SATURDAY - Yonga Trail 👣😊 and Mt Lesueur as an option
5.45am (yes!) Meet in carpark outside C'van Park. Be on time.
5.55am Carpool/convoy to Lesueur NP.
6.30am We start walking, sunrise scheduled for 6.37am 🌄
Let's enjoy the trail, the company, the conversations, the wildflowers.; taking a few breaks along the way and regrouping.
There is a campsite about halfway where we will enjoy a half-hour break.
If you are keen, you can go up Mt Lesueur afterwards.
3pm (approx) Back to Jurien Bay. Go for a swim, shower, relax etc.

SATURDAY - Dinner
6pm Let's celebrate and enjoy a meal at the ONEH Jurien (Shop 1, 12 Murray St). It is reasonably priced and has good reviews. I have already booked a table for our group.
No obligation of course. Let me know if you do not wish to join.

SUNDAY - Stockyard Gully Cave
A great option for Sunday morning ... however, please know that the trails are currently closed. We need to monitor and fingers crossed all good in a couple of weeks 🤞

ACCOMMODATION
Most of us will be staying at the Jurien Bay Tourist Park, 1 at the local pub and 3 sharing an AirBnB.

NP Pass
A National Park Pass is required. No doubt some of us will have one.

ATTENDEES
Updates will be provided via our WhatsApp Group.

The Yonga Trail is an amazing experience and I can't wait to share it with you all 🙂

Any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Cheers,
Pascale

IMPORTANT
By confirming your attendance attendees agree to "WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY" the organisers, co-organisers, event organisers, volunteers and members of the Walking Mates Australia Meetup Group from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from Injuries and Damages, even if caused by negligence, in any way connected with Walking Mates Australia.
Attendees further agree to HOLD HARMLESS the organisers, co-organisers, event organisers, volunteers and members of Walking Mates Australia Meetup Group from any claims, damages, injuries or losses caused by their own negligence while a participant on the Event.

Free on-site parking.
Easy wheel chair access and ACROD parking available.
For more information about Kings Park visit www.bgpa.wa.gov.au