Wendy had planned a weekend trip to visit two of the basalt capped mountains in the Blue Mountains. Her plan was to first visit Mt Tomah and go to the Botanic Gardens there. She was particularly keen to visit the rainforest section. Then we would head to Mt Wilson and camp near October Creek. Then Sunday would be spent on some daywalks at Mt Wilson.
As well as Wendy and myself, Rui also joined us. We had a very pleasant weekend.
The Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens are always a beautiful and relaxing place to visit. They are a nice place to spend some time.
The rainforest is very good. I was hoping for some fungi to be out, but it as a bit dry.
The ring of small trees in the above photo is an example of coppicing. At an earlier time there would have been a large try growing in the circle. It could have been burnt or logged and the new growth has produced the ring of trees.
There is a nice grove of Wollemi Pines –
And we saw a number of birds at the gardens –
Eastern Yellow Robin
Eastern Spinebill
Crimson Rosella
Superb Lyrebirds
White-browed Scrubwren
Then Wendy drove to the Mt Wilson Road and parked at the firetrail that leads down to October Creek. We set off with our packs for the 20 minute walk to the campsite.
From the campsite, it is an easy climb up to a ridge for some views.
I climbed up to the ridge in the evening for some photos of the Milky Way. The sky was very clear.
It was a cold night – with ice forming on my water bottle the next morning. After breakfast, we packed up and walked back to Wendy’s car. Then we headed up to the Waterfall Reserve at Mt Wilson.
We walked around the circuit walk. Dry conditions meant that not much fungi was out.
Next, we visited Du Fairs Rocks where there is a nice lookout and a few walks. We first had lunch. There is also an Aboriginal site at the lookout. There are some sharpening grooves.
And more on the cliffs nearby.
We followed the track to a large camp cave.
In the 1980’s some strange artwork appeared in the cave. Dulux rather than ochre. I think it was for a film?
We continued east the cave ad followed the track through some more caves and around to the far side of the lookout.
It was time to head for home. Thanks to Wendy for organising a great weekend and it was also good to catch up with Rui again.