Keith had organised a walk at West Head. He wanted to go along the Mackerel Trail and then descend to Mackerel Beach and then continue north to Resolute Beach, and next to West Head Beach and finally climbing up to the West head Lookout.
Resolute Beach
On the walk were Keith’s wife Rose, Chris and myself. Joe, and aloe friend of Chris’s and myself who was on a short visit back to Australia from USA, where he resides, and was staying with Chris also joined us.
This was an interesting and very worthwhile walk. It was not overly strenuous. We parked one car at the lookout and the other at the start of the Basin Trail where we started out. A short way along, we took a side track to inspect some aboriginal rock carvings. They were very interesting.
Plenty of wildflowers were in flower including a few orchids which are always nice to find.
Flying Duck Orchid
A little further along we turned off from the Basin Trail onto the Mackerel Trail which we followed to a lookout above mackerel Beach. This was a good place to stop for morning tea.
The descent track to the beach is not marked on the maps, but it was easy to locate and follow. The last part involves going between some of the houses of the small settlement. We just followed the main path and seemed OK – it is presumably a right of way.
There was a bit of activity on the small beach near the jetty. Here there was a big pile of wheelbarrows used by residents to take goods home from the boat.
We continued to the north but found our way blocked by a big stretch of water. Chris, Keith and Rose had been along here before but had not encountered any water. it must have been high tide this time. We waded to the other side and then the shore for a bit to pick up the Resolute Track.
We followed the Resolute Track to a compact little beach – Resolute Beach. This was a good place for a swim and to take time out for lunch.
We climbed back up the track to the main Resolute Track and continued along. Part way, we encountered an old WWII observation post – an old concrete structure. And we did another short detour down to West Head Beach. Nice, but to as attractive as Resolute Beach.
WWII Observation Post
Then a final easy climb up to the West Head Lookout. Here we enjoyed great views of Pittwater, Broken Bay, Barrenjoey and Lion Island.
Barrenjoey from West Head Lookout
Thanks to Keith for organising this enjoyable day in the bush with old friends.
Lion Island
More photos of the walk are online here.
It is a nice walk. The lookout over Mackerel Beach seems to be an NPWS secret. I’ve had a couple of attempts at photographing there at sunrise. It was great the first time but the SD card failed and the second time was nice.