Flat Rock Creek – 9 November 2018

Last year, during July, I had visited Flat Rock Creek as part of the Round Willoughby Walk. It is an attractive remnant of bush at Naremburn above Tunks Park. I was recently dismayed to learn that the Berejiklian Government plans to destroy a large section of the area and use it as a tunnel site for a future tollway to the Northern Beaches. So I thought it worth visiting the area again and seeing what could be lost.

I entered the Flat Rock Creek area via the same track I had used last year. This path traverses a bit then descends to the creek. Not far along I saw a beautiful Green Tree Snake very close to the track. These snakes travel quite rapidly and are hard to photograph.

I then took a side track up to a historic ruin – Fatty Dawson’s old stone house.

Fatty also used to operate a piggery in the area. I didn’t see any pigs, but I did see a large Brush Turkey.

I then descend to the creek. The creekbed here is lined in places with stonework dating from the 1890’s depression, and also from the 1930’s depression.

I then followed a path down the creek, on the true right at first to Tunks Park. There was a lot of bird life along the way. I also saw a rat covered in flies –

I then walked back upstream to the crossing spot and took the track on the far side. It climbs up through Coachwood Forest and then heads upstream to an attractive small waterfall. I took a few photos here, but it would be better with more water and softer lighting.

I then continued up through an area of ferns to arrive and a large area of parkland. There were a number of small posters stuck on trees concerned with the proposed development.