Looking for Phillips’ Cave – Sassafras Gully – 24 January 2023

As part of my project researching the history of Sassafras Gully at Springwood, I am looking for a cave shown in an old photo taken by Harry Phillips (around 1914).  Around 1920, there was a cave somewhere in the gully known as “Phillips Cave” and I wanted to see if it was likely to be the one shown in the old photo. So first – try and locate the cave in the photo.

I thought is was likely to be a cave on the track to the gully that leaves Sassafras Gully Road. The track passes through series of caves, and I thought one of these would be likely.

So I set off down the track. Early on I spotted a nice Bonnet Orchid (Cryptostylis erecta) –

When Arrived at the caves, I could find any that matched the cave in the old photo.

Looking at one cave, a bit off the track, I did follow the old steps, part of what I think was once the Salisbury Ridge Track that went up to the present Davies Avenue.

And I passed the natural spring – “Ye Olde Fountaine” –

Then further down the gully, I spent some time trying to photograph some of the birds.

Rufous Fantail

Lewin’s Honeyeater

Large-billed Scrubwren (thanks to Brian Everingham for the i.d.) –

Here are some of the huge Turpentine Trees along Glenbrook Creek –

I had lunch at the junction with Glenbrook Creek.

Black-faced Monarch

Eastern Whipbird

I walked out via the Wiggins Track. Again – no cave matched the one in the old photo.

And at the top of the track, a Noisy Friarbird –

I will undertake more trips trying to locate the old photo location.