It was a day that had been scheduled for a walk with Bob. However he needed to be home fairly early, so we decided a short walk not too far away would be a good plan. Bob suggested a walk from the NPA Bushwalks in the Sydney Region set of books. This would be a visit to Shaws Creek near Winmalee.
After a short visit to the Butternut Cafe at Springwood, we headed out Hawkesbury Road. I recalled to Bob, how Winmalee was once called “North Springwood”, and that there was a time when a government decision was made to rename many towns with cardinal points in their names. Some choices were considered and I can remember the popular vote of the residents was the somewhat pretentious sounding “Springwood Heath”. But that name was rejected since there was actually no heathland at all in the town area. So an Aboriginal name – “Winmalee” was selected.
The walk described by local bushwalker, Phil Foster, in the NPA book starts at Booker Street at Hawkesbury Heights and finishes at Yellowmundie. It recommends having cars at each end. With only one car, Bob parked at Yellowmundie, and we decided to walk up to Hawkesbury Lookout.
At Yellowmundie, we set off along a mountain bike track and then a fire road near the Nepean River. We had then intended to follow a large creek upstream. But when we reached the creek – it had rather a large flow, and Bob thought that this may be due to a sewerage works upstream. The creek then lost its appeal, so we decided on a direct approach. We started climbing straight up. This turned out to be very easy, although a bit steep and loose. There were a few small clifflines, but they offered no major problems and we soon found ourselves at Hawkesbury Lookout.
From there it was short walk to Booker Road which we followed to the end, then followed a fire road and eventually track down to Shaws Creek. This was easy but steep walking.
Once in the gully of Shaws Creek, we found ourselves at a nice pool. This would be a good place for a swim.
We then set off downstream. There was no track to follow. It was mainly quite easy walking through attractive rainforest. In places we had to negotiate boulders. Along the way we stopped for lunch.
Lower down, we left the creekbed and climbed out. Before reaching Hawkesbury Road, we visited an interesting Aboriginal art and occupation site.
There were also some more recent engravings –
From there it was a very short walk to Bob’s car.
Hello David,
Recently went for the part of the walk along Booker Road and then followed the fire track to the end but we couldn’t find the track leading down to Shaws Creek. At the end of the track we were standing on high rocks overlooking the valley and could see out to the Nepean River lakes beyond. Could you describe where the track down to the creek is in relation to these rocks so we can walk down to the creek as you have done.
Many thanks, Cathy
Looking at the topographic map – you need to take the right hand branch of the fire road. The track down to the creek is marked on Open Street Maps.
Thank you, I will have a look.
Onya Cathy – go hard or go home as they say!