Brian Everingham was leading another walk along the coast for the National Parks Association of NSW. This one was in Kamay Botany Bay National Park and was from Cape Solander to the Cape Baily Lighthouse and back the same way.
This is a very attractive section of coast – with fine views from the sandstone cliffs. In places they were indented by what were once dykes, now eroded to produce a zawn. When we arrived at Cape Solander, the weather was a little uncertain. Nearby, we could see rain falling. It was also a bit windy. As we waited for others to arrive I photographed some birds – a Superb Fairy-wren and a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo –
The party then assembled. There was Brian (leader), Faye, Valerie, Deb, Sue, Helen, Pat, Beverley, Bronwyn, Amanda, Ross, John, Hugh and myself. After introductions, we set off along the coast. The track has been reconstructed after bushfires about three years previously.
When we reached the first of the zawns – Tabbigai Gap, Brian halted the party and gave us an interesting history lesson about the cliffs dwellers who used to occupy this place. We could see parts of old structures on the cliffs. The were occupied from the 1920’s until the 1960’s under permissive occupancies. Some of them seemed quite elaborate.
We passed the gap, and continued along the path.
In the photo above you can see the remains of a small stone wall. Perhaps part of a water system?
The next zawn, was labelled as “Blue Hole Hap” on the map sign at the start of the track, but that could be a typo. This is quite a narrow feature,
On the far side we spotted a Nankeen Kestrel.
We soon reached Cape Baily and we diverted a short distance to see the historic lighthouse. It dates back to 1950.
We sheltered in the lee of the lighthouse to have morning tea. While there we could see a Black-shouldered Kite perched in a tree –
Further away was the Sydney skyline –
Some of the other birds nearby – a Pipit and some of the many New Holland Honeyeaters –
It was a pleasant walk back to Cape Solander. The Nankeen Kestrel made another appearance and provided better photographic opportunities this time.
I was still early the day, when we got back. I was travelling back with Valerie, Deb and Sue, and we were not in a hurry, so we visited Yena Picnic Area for lunch, and then two other spots nearby – The Leap and Inscription Point.
