I had suggested this walk to Bob awhile back. It was one I had done a few years ago, and wanted to repeat. I think it is one that has the potential to be a classic Sydney Walk – as it goes along a very nice section of the foreshore of the Georges River and Salt Pan Creek and links several reserves and Gorges River National Park. It does however, have two section of road walking.
On my previous walk, I had started from East Hills and walked to Padstow. This time it was more practical to start from Padstow and walk the other way. Bob drove to Stuart Street Reserve on Salt Pan Creek and then, we set off along the coastal path.
This part of the walk is mainly along boardwalks through the mangroves lining Salt Pan Creek.
It is easy pleasant walking, and it was high tide. At one place the water went over the boardwalk –
The boardwalks end at Henry Lawson Drive, and then you need to walk a kilometre or two along roads. One part is interesting where you pass the heritage listed East Hills Raised Reservoir (at Padstow) –
We then descended an old road, that leaves Playford Road, down to Beauty Point Reserve.
With the very high tide, we got wet feet wading across the creek at the bottom.
On the way towards Alfords Point Bridge, we passed a very large midden –
The next section had a lot of washed down rubbish, and another long section of wading.
Once past the bridge, the going became a lot easier.
We followed the foreshore and then along an overgrown road.
The nest section, although short, is the most unpleasant part of the walk – walking along the side of the busy Henry Lawson Drive.
We crossed Little Salt Pan Creek, then through a cutting to arrive at George River National Park.
The next section is perhaps the best part – along the Ridge Track, that overlooks the Georges River.
This is pleasant walking, with good views and nice wild flowers.
There do however, seem to be a lot of powerlines in this part of Sydney.
We found some nice Large Tongue Orchids – Cryptostylis subulata –
Adhere are some Fringe Lilies –
Another orchid – an Onion Orchid – Microtis sp.
We then reached Yeramba Lagoon.
We then followed the track around the lagoon. This is well worth doing. Along the way we spotted some more orchids – Hyacinth Orchid – Dipodium roseum –
Red Wattlebird
And then we had more easy and pleasant walking along the Picnic Point section of the walk. The track goes through some nice reserves and parks. At one, we stopped for lunch.
At Lambeth Reserve, we left the river and walked to East Hills Station. I caught train home, and Bob caught trains to Padstow and then walked down to where he had parked his car. It had been very nice to repeat this walk.