I had completed the Illawarra Coastal Walk from Stanwell Park to Sublime Point and then to Austinmer last year, and was keen to do it again. I had suggested it to Bob that we do it some time, and the wildflower season seemed a good time.
Bob at Sublime Point
So we caught a train to Stanwell Park. From the station, we crossed to the other platform and then started off along the Wodi Wodi Track. A short way up, we took the left hand branch which heads south. The other branch climbs to the escarpment.
We siddled some slopes and then descended to cross a fairly dry Stanwell Creek. Juts over the creek we could see and hear a small flock of Topknot Pigeons high in a tree above.
The track then climbs up through a short section of rainforest, and then more open woodland to join an old bullock track that takes you up to the escarpment.
Once on the top, the track doubles back a bit and reveals some fine views to the north. You can see along the coast to the cliffs of Royal National Park.
Below, you can see the railway viaduct across Stanwell Creek.
The track then takes you through a very pleasant section of woodland. There are some nice twisted Angophoras and lots of Gymea Lillies.
At one point, we took a short side track to a lookout that provided a view of the Sea Bridge.
We continued along a good track to the south. More nice trees and plenty of wildflowers to enjoy.
We stopped for lunch at a rocky lookout, the same place I had stopped on my previous visit. We then crossed a saddle and arrived at Maddens Plains. Here the walking in mainly on track, but it is interspersed with short sections of power line access road. In a swampy area, the track becomes a boardwalk.
I was on the lookout for orchids, and I did spot some Caladenia Orchids along this section, but no others.
There were quite a few birds in the forest.
At Sublime Point, we visited the kiosk for a milkshake. Growing out side was a nice Waratah bush in flower.
The last part fo the walk was down the ladders and steep track to Austinmer. Then a train back to Sydney.
This walk-Forest track – Maddens plains looks good. I will be house sitting in Albion park area for towo weeks and looking for walks to do but having trouble finding detailed information. If you could send me websites orwhere I could pick up brouchers I would be grateful.
Regards Graeme Rollings.